Moloch rolled his eyes this time. “I hope you told him it would be a few days. It’s a long drive back.”
Bael snapped his fingers together quickly five times. “I have a way around that.”
“Evangeline?”
He nodded. “We are linked, at least in a way. She gave me a way to contact her. I always thought she was bluffing about snapping my fingers together five times, but I guess we’ll see.”
“Should I pull over and wait?”
Nodding again, Bael looked out the window at the open land. There were rows of loose soil with small green plants sprouting up. Corn, maybe? It was hard to make a valid guess when Bael sat so far away. The plants looked like little babies popping their heads out of the soil. Well, they would look like babies if babies were green and threadlike.
Either way, they were in farm country. For a minute, he remembered a time, long ago, where he was the one out in the fields with nothing but a shovel and seeds to plant. He’d be out there for hours every day, planting and planting, digging and digging. He’d finish the planting part, but then came the nurturing and growing. A pang ripped through his chest, but it left him so fast he thought he might have imagined it.
Such a long time ago. Several lifetimes, really. I don’t need to think about those days any longer.
A few minutes passed before Moloch shifted in his seat. “Should you try again?”
Bael shrugged. “Probably not. I thought it was a load of rubbish when she originally told me, so I’ve learned a valuable lesson. My instincts lead me the right way. I should trust them always.”
The moment the words left his mouth, a thud hit the black car, making it bounce up and down. Bael straightened, looking out the front window. “What the hell was that?”
Moloch opened his mouth to speak when Evangeline scrambled around to the passenger side. Her long white gown had been torn to shreds and bits of fabric dangled from the bottom like a loose tooth about to fall out. She grabbed at the door handle, unable to open it the first time, but righted herself and jerked it open. “Bael! Thank God you called me. I’ve been searching for you.”
Bael inspected her usually pristine face, now covered in scrapes and bruises. “What happened? Did you look in a zoo with the lions or tigers?”
She shook her head back and forth rapidly. “No, you idiot. They’re after me!”
“Who?” Moloch asked.
Evangeline stood straight, placing her hands on her hips. “I don’t have time for this. Who do you think is after me? The angels, of course!”
“Well, now that you are here, I will keep you safe. But first, I need you to take us back to headquarters.” Bael’s stomach tightened in knots of…was that anger? He didn’t like seeing Evangeline all beat up. He probably couldn’t have stopped it even if he wanted to, but if he’d been around, he could have tried. The angels wouldn’t come near him. They were too smart for that. So if he’d been by her side, they wouldn’t have gone after her in the first place.
“Good. Let’s go home.” Evangeline stepped back, allowing Bael space to get out of the car.
He frowned. “Evangeline. That is not home. Hell is home. Here, we are just visitors. Until we take it for our own, that is.”
Evangeline’s eyes sparkled. “Well, then let’s get back and figure out how to do that.”
Moloch came around to stand beside Bael. She put one arm around his shoulders and one arm around Moloch’s and lifted them with her strong, powerful white wings.
Bael had seen so many angels in his demon life, but never had he seen one as pure and beautiful as Evangeline. Too bad, really. He guessed the ones who looked the part the most were the ones who turned the easiest.
But he was okay with that.
Evangeline remained at his side. She wouldn’t stray. And so far, he could trust her. Nothing wrong with that.
***
Bael paced in front of the window in their makeshift home. Since Evangeline had landed, Bael’s eyes remained on the house across the street, even though he knew there was no way Jasmine and her gang could have returned yet. They didn’t have an angel to fly them around. Angels were faster than cars.
Before he’d settled at the window, he’d marched across the street to make sure Lucifer hadn’t lied to him by using the capture of the others as a ploy to make him return. Beau’s old house stood empty. Void of all life. Quiet.
He’d clenched his fists as he’d made his way back to his home base. Lucifer had been so proud of himself for kidnapping Jasmine’s friends, but Bael couldn’t see her joining them if they had her friends.
Or would she?
A great idea had popped into Bael’s head. He searched the house for a piece of paper and something to write with. After he’d scribbled down his words, he’d taped the white paper to the front door. Easy as pie.
Sometimes, even when Lucifer believed himself to be the one in charge, Bael still took control. He’d smiled as he’d made his way back to the house, where he stood now, watching. Waiting.
“Hello, demon lover.” Evangeline stood from the oversized couch, rushing to his side. She wrapped him up in a hug. “I didn’t expect you back so soon.”
Bael didn’t hug her back, instead shrugged out of her grasp.
She stuck her bottom lip out. “You’re going to be like that? And to think I had some exciting news to share with you.”
Bael gave her his full attention. “You do?”
She nodded. “I do. And I might just give it to you. But only if you give me a hug.”
Bael hated hugs. He’d never been a hugger. In fact, if there was a word meaning the exact opposite of hugger, it would describe him. It might be slicer. He liked the sound of that. And he did like carving into human flesh, sort of like how humans loved carving into cooked turkey.
But he wrapped his arms around Evangeline, turning his head to the side as he hugged her. He counted to ten, then pulled back, gazing down at her with a smile. “There, my sweet angel. All better, yes? Now, what news do you have?”
Evangeline jumped up and down with excitement. If she’d been clapping, she’d look just like a child who’d won a competition of some sort. “Well, you know how you’ve always said you thought Jasmine was different than the other Angel Blessed?”
Bael nodded and raised his eyebrows. Evangeline had a way of going on and on about things, stretching everything out until he almost lost his mind by the end of her explanations.
She smiled, as if she knew exactly what thoughts traveled through his mind. “Well, that’s because she isn’t actually an Angel Blessed. Her mother adopted her, just like most of the others had been adopted. But her real mother is still alive.”
“Who is her mother?”
“An angel named Ella.” Evangeline stepped back and rubbed her hands together. “The best part is her father is rumored to be a demon.”
His eyes widened. “Rumored to be, or actually is? Who is your source?”
“A very good friend of Ella’s, actually. If you see her, you can totally tell Jasmine is her daughter. But that’s why Jasmine is so powerful. She’s stronger because she isn’t one of them. She’s more.”
So Jasmine had both angel and demon blood running through her veins. He’d always known he could turn an Angel Blessed evil, but with demon blood, it would be even easier for him to succeed. His own blood on her tongue would seal the deal, and with the ability to enter her mind, the process would be a piece of cake.
As long as she took the bait.
Bael had a feeling she would. She would do anything to save her friends. Those thoughts brought some questions to his mind. “If your source is right, how exactly can Jasmine join her powers with the Angel Blessed? If she isn’t one of them, that is?”
Evangeline turned her head, not meeting his eyes, and shrugged. “I’m not sure.”
Bael half smiled. Unless Gazardiel somehow blessed her with his own powers when she was born. That would put quite a spin on things.
“Bael, wh
at are you thinking?” Evangeline asked.
Bael glared at her. “Absolutely nothing.”
He wouldn’t share anything with the angel. She had betrayed her own kind for him. What’s to say she wouldn’t betray him to climb the ranks? No, he couldn’t trust her with this. He didn’t really know if he could ever trust her. Even though, secretly, he wanted to more than anything. The only one he could trust was Moloch, so when he returned, he would share the news with him.
Evangeline fixed him with a come-hither smile. “Since you aren’t doing anything, what do you say we find something to do?” She lay back on the couch, her white gown rumpling over it and pooling on the floor. If she’d wished to strike desire, her ripped gown did the opposite.
Bael thought about it for a moment. He could very easily lose himself in the passion he felt for this beautiful creature. But he didn’t want to. Losing himself in passion meant losing focus, and he couldn’t do that yet. Jasmine and the others could return at any time and he had to be ready.
“Thank you for the kind offer, but I must decline.”
Evangeline’s mouth fell open. She stood and stomped past him, stopping only when she had her hand on the doorknob. “Fine, Bael. You sit here and muster up a plan. But you can do it without me. I won’t sit here waiting for you to realize what you have in front of you.”
Bael had his hand around her neck before she could turn the handle. “I do not take threats from angels. That is number one. And number two is very simple as well.” He smiled and squeezed her neck. “You work for me. I give you what you want in return. This, my dear Evangeline, is a business relationship. It would do well for you to remember that. Do you understand?”
Evangeline widened her eyes and swallowed, nodding slowly.
“And now, if you’d leave, I would appreciate it. Your face is making my stomach churn.”
The minute Bael released her neck, Evangeline frantically grabbed the door handle and tried to turn it. She wasn’t doing a very good job, though, as it took her quite a few tries to actually open the door.
Bael laughed at her retreating form. “Have fun now. Curfew’s eleven. Not a minute later.”
Who did Evangeline think she was? The stupid angel actually thought she could order Bael around. Quite funny, really.
The back door slammed shut. Seconds later, Moloch entered the room.
Bael clapped him on the back. “Moloch. Glad you are here.”
“What is the plan?”
Bael smiled. “Lucifer has captured Jasmine’s friends, yes? Well, I plan to turn the tables on him. I’ve left a note across the street. I will release the captors, but only if Jasmine gives herself over to me.”
Moloch nodded. “Then you can turn her evil.”
“Actually, that will be even easier than I thought. Since she is a Halfling. Half-angel and half-demon.”
For just a minute, it looked like Moloch’s jaw dropped open, but it happened so quickly that Bael thought he might have imagined it.
“Well. That is quite a turn of events, isn’t it?”
“The same thought that crossed my mind.” Bael strode toward the steps. “I think I will go upstairs and rest for a while. Please keep an eye out and inform me when they return, will you?” He paused on the third step. “Waiting sucks, yes? But it must be done.”
Moloch laughed.
“What is funny?” Bael growled.
“I do not think I’ve ever heard you use the word sucks.”
Bael smiled. “That is probably because I never have, but since we will be staying here quite a while, I think it’s time to adjust to the times, yes?”
Moloch shrugged and nodded at the same time. “I suppose you are right.”
Bael fake yawned, stretching his arms over his head in the most human movement he’d ever tried. “Yes, rest sounds fantastic.”
“Rest well, Master Bael.”
As if he would really rest. As much as he’d like to be able to, demons couldn’t sleep. So instead, he would go upstairs, lie on the bed, and picture all the things he would make Jasmine do when she turned herself over to his side.
Hell, perhaps once Bael converted her to evil, she might make a perfect companion for him. Things could get awfully lonely as the second-in-command in Hell. He could use a female companion, one who wasn’t a whiny angel. And Jasmine wasn’t hard on the eyes either.
What was he thinking? He didn’t need a companion. Another distraction that could possibly take his spot from him. He needed a partner. One who looked out for him. Watched his back. He needed a queen so he could rule Hell like he’d always wanted.
As he lay down on the bed and folded his hands behind his head, he thought of all the possibilities an evil Jasmine could bring to the table. And for the first time since he’d come to this horrible place, excitement pumped through his veins. The mission had finally turned into one that would benefit him. Not Lucifer. Him.
And it was about damn time.
Chapter 10
When Life Gives You Lemons…
Jasmine
Cole’s phone went straight to voice mail every time Jasmine tried to call him. The third call made her heart beat a little fast. It wouldn’t be long before they arrived back at Beau’s and she could find out why Cole wouldn’t answer, but even still, a bad feeling sunk into her stomach. She tried to shake it off, knowing that when they walked into the house they’d probably find the others lounging around in the living room, watching TV and laughing. But what if they didn’t? What if something had happened?
The more she tried to shake the feeling, the more weight fell on her chest. So many things could explain Cole not answering. He could have lost his phone in battle and it could have shattered into a million tiny broken pieces. Or maybe the charger stopped working and he couldn’t just run to the store and get a new one since most of the stores had been destroyed around them.
The demons had made sure of that.
Jasmine clenched her fists, then unclenched them.
“What is the matter, Jasmine?” Amon peered over at her quickly then averted his eyes right back to the road.
Jasmine laughed a bit mockingly. “What’s the matter? Oh, how about I haven’t been able to get ahold of Cole for almost two days. We’re almost home and we have no clue what we’re going to walk into. Other than everything going wrong, life’s just peachy.” She pasted a false smile on her face.
“You can’t worry. Not yet. Not until we make it home and find out. Worrying about something that might not have even happened will just make you sick.” Amber touched her shoulder.
Jasmine shot her a half smile. “I know. But I can’t help it. I’m sick and tired of the demons. All they do is kill, kill, and kill. Oh, I forgot kidnap. They do that too. I just want to stop them and I can’t.”
Amon touched her wrist gently, just a brush of his fingertips. Tingles spread up her arm. “You won’t stop them. We will stop them. Together, we will make sure they end up exactly where they belong. Back in Hell.”
She looked at him with wide eyes. “How do you know? How can you have faith?”
Ella laughed. “It’s easy to have faith, Jasmine. As long as you follow your heart and don’t let anything else guide your thoughts, you will always choose the right path. Even though Amon ended up in Hell as a fallen angel, he’s never strayed from his rightful path as an angel.”
Jasmine ran her fingers through her hair. “It must be nice to know exactly who you are and where you belong. That has to be such an incredible feeling. I wouldn’t know what that feels like, since I’ve never experienced it.”
The minute the words left her lips she wished she could take them back. Deep down, she understood why Ella gave her up. If she wouldn’t have, Jasmine would be dead, or worse. Ella made sure nobody knew about her to keep her safe. Even though she knew that and didn’t blame her for any of it, she couldn’t help the pain and hurt floating inside her. Growing up in a place that never accepted her hurt worse than anything. She didn’t ha
ve friends. All the kids her age had acted like she had the plague and would get whatever she had if they came near her. It happened so long ago, but to this day, it still felt like an open wound being poked at.
And sure, the people around her now were like her. Fallen angels. Real angels. They all had a bit of magic. She knew where she fit in now, but it didn’t erase her horrible childhood. She didn’t think she’d ever be able to, no matter how hard she tried.
Jasmine released a weighted sigh and leaned back in her seat. Are we there yet?
***
After a few more hours they pulled up to Beau’s old house. Even from the driveway, Jasmine’s eyes landed on a piece of paper ruffling in the wind, a piece of tape holding it to the door. She rushed from the SUV, not bothering to shut the door, and barreled up the steps. When she stood in front of the paper, the words hit her and her stomach dropped.
Her fingers shook as she ripped the note from the door. The yellow paper smelled like starch, with the corners burned and fragile. The words looked like they were written in blood and all the letters appeared to drip from the page.
Jasmine and company:
I would like to inform you that your friends are safe.
However, they won’t be for long.
Or they could be.
The choice is really yours.
You must decide if their lives are worth your own. The only way I will free them is if you, Jasmine, join my team. Then they will be let go. I’ll even promise to leave them alone.
The Angel Blessed and the Fallen Ones are of no concern to me.
But you, Jasmine, have become even more interesting than before.
I would love to know which demon mated with an angel to create little old you.
No worries. I will find out soon enough.
Now, make your choice, little Jasmine. Will you join me, or will your friends die?
Sincerely,