Above The Flames (The Flames Trilogy #1) (20 page)

“Bael,” he said.

Lamia pressed her lips together and the corners tilted down. “I’ll kill him.”

Amon shook his head. “You won’t. Not by yourself. He’s grown stronger now. Nobody will go after Bael alone. That is an order.” He sighed deeply and pain burst through his side.

“Get Gemma,” Jasmine shouted at Beau. He disappeared inside.

Lamia put her arm around him and helped him walk.

“You know, I can walk just fine,” Amon said.

“A little help never hurt anyone,” Lamia said as Jasmine came over to his other side. Lamia glared at her. “This is your fault. I know it is. What did you do to screw up this time?”

Jasmine scrunched her forehead. “I didn’t do anything. I am the one who got us out of there.”

“Lamia, that’s enough!” Amon barked, but it was weaker than usual. “Jasmine saved my life today.”

The revelation shocked Amon, but it was the truth. She had saved his life. And he would forever be grateful for that. A light feeling stretched across his heart. She’d grown to trust him. Maybe even like him. He smiled despite the pain.

Lamia fell silent, and he was glad. The stairs proved difficult to climb, but not impossible. The front door flew open just as he reached the porch. Gemma came barreling out. “Amon! Are you okay?”

“I’ve seen better days, Gemma. Can you heal me?”

“Yes, of course I can. Lie down,” Gemma said, pointing to the floor below him.

It was a lot farther away than it looked. He struggled to get down, until Jasmine came behind him and put her arms under his own. She guided him down, and he laid flat on his back. “Okay. I’m ready.”

A yellow glow shone from Gemma’s hands as she pulled his shirt up. The cut looked angry, swollen, and fire red. A warmth spread over him, a pleasant tingling sensation, almost like he was being tickled. Moments passed, and soon the cut was gone, only healthy skin left behind.

Gemma clapped her hands together. “There. All fixed up. And pretty darn good work if I do say so myself. I’m pretty sure there won’t be a scar.” She winked and Amon smiled back at her.

“Thank you, Gemma. You have helped to ease an extraordinary pain. How can I ever repay you?”

“Kill the demons,” she responded. “Every last one of them.” Her voice turned hard, and Amon nodded once before she walked back into the house.

Jasmine sat on the porch swing. He gazed at her as he, too, walked into the house. “I
will
kill them.
All
of them,” he mumbled. “Or we are all doomed.”

Chapter 24

Bad News Angel

Jasmine

A breeze warmed Jasmine’s face as she swayed back and forth on the porch swing. One foot was tucked under the opposite thigh and she hunched over, picking at her nails. Amon and she had barely escaped Bael. She knew that, and was so grateful for Gemma. If she hadn’t been here…Amon might be dead. She swallowed hard. That thought affected her more than it should.
I care what happens to him.
The revelation floored her.
When did I start caring about him?

All of a sudden, the wind grew in intensity, making her long dark hair fly around her face. She dropped her finger and looked up, hearing the sound of a bird quickly flapping its wings.

Evangeline landed against the ground like she was a feather, making no noise. “Hello, Angel Blessed.”

Jasmine smiled. She couldn’t help herself. The sight of the angel grinning at her made her lighter, filled her with a joy she couldn’t suppress. “Hello. Please call me Jasmine.”

Evangeline frowned. “That is your name, but wouldn’t you rather be called by your destiny name?”

Jasmine shook her head. “No, I don’t think I would.”

Evangeline glided up the steps and joined Jasmine on the swing. She placed her soft hand against Jasmine’s bare arm. “Why ever not?”

Jasmine shifted to the side, out of the angel’s grasp. “Because I’m not really all gung ho about the Angel Blessed thing. I’m meant to fight an army of demons, you say.” Jasmine lifted her hand, holding her palm outward as Evangeline’s mouth opened. “Hold on. You need to know that Amon and I barely escaped with our lives today against one demon.”

Evangeline pursed her lips. “Who did you fight today?”

“Bael.”

Evangeline’s eyes widened. “Ah. Bael is an upper-level demon. He is not easy to take down, nor is he easy to fight. No demon is easy to fight, mind you. But Bael, he’s much stronger than a lower level.”

“Pretty sure I got the message. Loud and clear.”

The door opened and footsteps tapped the wood deck. Jasmine gazed past Evangeline.

Bub stopped halfway to the porch swing. “Hey, Jaz. Amon wants you in the TV room.”

Jasmine stood, but Evangeline grabbed her arm. “Wait, there is something else I need to tell you.”

“Tell him I’ll be right there.” Jasmine waited for him to disappear back into the house, then turned and faced Evangeline. “What is it?”

Evangeline rose from the swing and paced in front of it. She rested her hand on the railing and stared at the driveway. “I’m afraid I have some bad news. I have been talking with some of the angels. They are trying to get things in order above, but almost everything in the Heavens has been destroyed. They told me they have heard talk amongst the demons. Talks of the Angel Blessed and how they need them. They want them all for their army.”

Jasmine moved to stand beside the angel. “I kind of knew that already. Bael has been after all the Angel Blessed since he rose.” Jasmine sighed. “Speaking of, did you find the other two of us?”

Evangeline faced Jasmine, shaking her head. “I haven’t.”

Jasmine raised her eyebrows. “Don’t you think you should be out there looking then?”

Evangeline smiled. “Of course. I will take my leave, but before I do…” Evangeline rubbed her forehead, making her look human for a moment. “Remember that Bael will stop at nothing to get you. He will do whatever it takes. Especially you. I believe out of the five of you, you have the most potential to help them, if they can convert you.” Evangeline smiled widely. “But he doesn’t know one thing.”

“What?”

“He doesn’t know how strong your character is.”

Jasmine nodded. She knew she was strong, and stubborn. But that didn’t make it easier to stay on the path of good.

“It is extremely difficult to turn someone like you evil. You have so much goodness within you. Just hold on to that in the coming days.”

“I will. It concerns me that Bael thinks he can turn me evil to benefit his army though. If that happens, what will happen to my power? Right now, it recognizes the demons instantly.”

Evangeline met her eyes. “Because they are evil. If your power changes, if you change…your power would recognize humans the same way it does demons now.”

Jasmine gasped. “I guess I never quite put two and two together. That’s just fan-fricking-tastic.”

“You have a huge responsibility on your shoulders.”

Those words hit her harder than any others. Jasmine threw her palms out in front of her and waved them back and forth while stepping backward slowly. “I don’t want it. You’re crazy for giving a human power like this. How could you? You angels can’t take care of your own crap, so you shove it on us?”

“No, Jasmine. That isn’t—”

Jasmine turned toward the door. “I don’t want to hear any more. Forget it. I’m going inside.”

She stormed off, leaving Evangeline standing on the porch. Alone.

Once inside, she continued her heavy walk straight to where Amon sat alone on the couch. Jasmine’s cheeks heated and she scowled.

Amon’s brow furrowed. “What is the matter with you?”

Jasmine huffed. “Where do I start?” She paced in front of the coffee table. “Firstly, if I turn evil, my power will hurt humans the way it hurts demons now. I guess I should have figured that out, but I haven’t had much time to think about it.” She stopped pacing and looked at Amon. “What am I going to do? Bael won’t stop until he has me and the other Angel Blessed. And who knows, maybe he already has two of us, since Evangeline still hasn’t found them.”

Amon stood and came over to her, placing a hand on each of her shoulders. “Calm down. Take some deep breaths.” He inhaled slowly, exhaled loudly. “We will stop Bael every time.”

“What if we can’t—?”

“We will. Also, you will never turn evil. You are too good of a person. It would take too much work to turn you bad.” He winked. “If Bael has the other Angel Blessed, we will find them and save them.”

Jasmine continued to focus on breathing. In. Out. When she finally answered, her voice came out hushed. “How do you know I won’t turn evil?”

Amon pressed his lips together, opened his mouth, then closed it again. “I have come to understand your character in the days I have known you. You are strong, but often doubt yourself. Stop doubting and believe that you will succeed.”

Jasmine crossed her arms over her chest. “You didn’t answer my question.”

Amon laughed and wrapped an arm around her. “How observant of you.”

“You can’t not answer my question.”

“I can do anything I please.” Amon winked. “Besides, Bael would give up way too quickly if he had you. You would drive him crazy.”

Jasmine laughed. “You know, you really are something.”

Amon leaned into her ear. “So I’ve been told.”

Jasmine shivered as his warm breath caressed her ear. “Have you now?” She wrapped an arm around him, letting her fingers graze his side. He gazed at her, his eyes glinting, and she moved her face closer to his. “Let me share something important with you, then.” The words were soft. Quiet. She bit the inside of her cheek. “You probably,” she rubbed his nose with her own, “shouldn’t let,” her lips hovered just over his, almost touching, “that go to your head.” She pulled back quickly, smiling.

“You little minx.” He rushed forward, his arms snaking to her sides, his fingers tickling furiously. “You’d better watch yourself.”

No words would come out as Jasmine laughed loudly. Someone cleared their throat. Jasmine straightened as Amon’s fingers left her sides. She spun around, facing the entryway into the room.

“Am I interrupting something?” Beau’s eyes narrowed. “Should I come back?”

Jasmine shook her head and wiped the grin from her face. “No, not at all. Just playing around.”

“I think I’ll take my leave.” Amon ambled toward the open doorway.

“Wait. You never told me what you wanted to see me for.”

Amon turned and smiled. “It can wait.”

After he left, Beau came closer. “Jazzy. I think I’ve been a fool.” He clutched his heart. “Without you in my life, I’m lost.” He laughed.

Jasmine slapped his arm. “Cut the crap.” She stood on her tiptoes and gazed behind Beau. “Where’s the real Beau? What did you do with him?”

His lips parted. “Yeah, I’m just joking around. But I do miss you. I think maybe I was wrong telling you I needed some time.”

Jasmine hadn’t been expecting that. She also felt bad because she hadn’t even had time to think about Beau the past couple of days. It had been so hectic. He had wanted space before, but now she needed it.

Jasmine turned away and stared at the TV across the room. “Beau. You know I love you, and I always will. But I just can’t have a boyfriend right now. My life is too crazy. I think our break needs to be permanent.”

Beau came behind her and put his hands on her arms. “I know it’s crazy. I’m kind of a part of it too, but not in the same way as you are. If we let something like this tear us apart…I mean, we’re meant to be together.”

Jasmine bit her lip and peered over her shoulder. “Maybe. I’m just not so sure right now. I have a destiny. I was made to fight these demons. I will probably die in the process. This will be my life and the legacy I leave behind.” She sighed heavily. “It’s not what I want. I didn’t choose any of this. But I can’t fight it any longer. I have to accept who I am and do the best I can to stop the demons.” She turned and faced him. “I don’t have time for romance. I will never forget what we had. Maybe in the end everything will be fine and we can pick up where we left off. But right now, I just can’t have any distractions.”

Beau pressed a fist to his lips. “And I don’t get a say in any of this?”

Jasmine shook her head. “No. It’s not about you. Or me for that matter. It’s about our world and what will happen if we fail. I’m sorry it has to be this way.” Her hands trembled as she reached to stroke his cheek. “It hurts me too. You are a wonderful person. I still love you. You mean so much to me. But I just can’t do this right now.”

She walked past him. Beau’s loud footsteps followed and he grabbed her arm, turning her around. “Jasmine, you can’t break up with me.” He bent his neck forward and grimaced. “You can’t break up with
me.
”

Jasmine’s gaze dropped to the floor. “I already have. I’m sorry.”

Beau took a step back. He snickered, his face turning red. “You will be sorry. I’m the best thing that ever happened to you, Jasmine. One day you’ll find out, but I’ll be long gone by then.”

“Don’t say hurtful things to me, Beau. It’s okay to hurt, but don’t lash out at people. I’m not trying to hurt you. If you can’t understand that…well, I guess you’re not the person I thought you were.”

With that, she left the room by way of the hallway. She’d go do some training. Run for a while. Something. Her heart was shredded right now. She didn’t want to break up with Beau. She had to. She didn’t want him to get hurt. If she stayed with him, she knew he would. Maybe even die. She would risk her life every day. But not his. Never his.

“What if I just kick you all out of my house?” He was right behind her again.

She spun around and placed a hand on his chest. “You won’t. I know you. I know that right now you want to hit something, and that’s okay. But I know that when you cool off and think about what I said, it will make sense.”

Beau glared. “It’s Amon, isn’t it? You’re leaving me for him.”

Jasmine laughed. “No. I’m leaving you for more than another guy. I’m leaving you to save the world. That’s what you aren’t seeing. It’s not personal. I love you and I’ll never stop. But there’s too much at stake.”

Beau’s face was so red it looked like he might explode. His cheeks puffed out, and he exhaled deeply. Then, without a word, he turned and stormed off, taking the stairs two at a time.

She replayed what just happened. She thought she’d handled everything well. Jasmine couldn’t understand why Beau’s temper went off the charts. He should understand what she said to him. Instead he acted like a child and threw a tantrum.

Maybe I’m just a terrible person. I don’t know anymore. I hate all of this. I hate that I have to be an Angel Blessed and save the world. I don’t want to save the world. I want to live my life. But I will do what I was made to do. I will accept my destiny. I have to. If I turn my back on the world, I could never forgive myself.

Jasmine pushed her shoulders back and took a step.

“I couldn’t help but hear what happened.” Bub came into view, his wiry voice grating. “Do you want to talk about it?”

She narrowed her eyes. “I’m sorry if this sounds harsh, Bub, but you are probably the last person on Earth that I would talk to about my feelings. If I remember right, we were never very good at that.”

His lips parted. His grin slowly built into a smile. “No. But we sure were good at other things, huh?”