Above The Flames (The Flames Trilogy #1) (21 page)

Jasmine cringed. “Yeah, things I want to forget.” There’d been a reason she wasn’t happy to see him. They’d had a horrible relationship. Went on a few dates, but mostly just stayed in the bedroom.
It wasn’t a good time for her. It had been right after she’d arrived here. She needed to feel wanted, loved. Instead, it made her feel used.

Bub sidled closer, grabbed her hand, and planted her palm on his chest. “How can you say something like that?”

Jasmine yanked her hand back. “Because it’s the truth.” She shoved past him. “I don’t care if you stay here. I know we have a history, but it’s never going to go there again. We are friends. That’s it.” She looked at him square in the eye. “You would do well to remember that.”

Bub laughed. “Yeah. I guess you’re right. No hard feelings?”

Jasmine softened her features. “Nah. We’re good. As long as you remember what I said.”

She walked out the back door with no shoes. The tiles under her feet were warm from the sun shining on them. Jasmine looked around, finding the yard empty. She was alone. Finally. Without a second thought, she took off, the grass tickling the soles of her feet as she ran as fast as her feet would take her. She squinted from the blinding rays from the sun, but she bent her head back, letting it hit her face. She stretched her arms to the side, the wind warming her skin. And she didn’t think about demons. Or her love life. She just ran.

Chapter 25

Wheels In Motion

Bael

Bael sunk into a fluffy pink couch. “Did we have to pick the house that decorates using only pastel hues? It really is making us look weak.”

Moloch watched out the window. “I don’t think you need to worry about looking weak.”

Bael shifted and sunk further in the large cushions. He slid forward, an elbow resting beside him, and pushed himself to his feet. “Remind me never to sit in that thing again.” He ambled to the window, peering into the darkness. “Have you seen anything?”

Moloch nodded. “Yes. An angel showed up earlier and sat on the porch with Jasmine.”

“And…”

“And they swung on the porch swing.” Moloch shrugged. “I couldn’t hear their conversation.”

“What did this angel look like?” Bael raised his eyebrows.

Moloch smiled, revealing sharp gray teeth. “She was beautiful. Long blonde hair. Beautiful pearly-white wings.”

Bael cleared his throat. “How about something that is actually helpful.”

“There’s nothing. I only know she looked familiar. Like I’ve seen the angel somewhere before. Maybe during the war?”

Bael looked at the vaulted ceiling. “Perhaps.”

A knock pounded on the back door. Bael marched past the obstinate couch, through a kitchen, and down a long, winding hallway into a small back room. He yanked the door open. “It’s about time you showed up.”

Bub strolled through, dripping wet. “Sorry, man. It’s raining hard out here and nobody sleeps over at that house.” He shook his hair and water dripped to the floor and smacked the walls.

Bael wiped the corner of his eye with one finger. “Perhaps you shouldn’t shake yourself as if you’re a dog.”

Bub clapped his back. “Ha. Good one, man.”

Bael picked Bub’s hand off his back and dropped it at the boy’s side. “Please refrain from touching me.”

The walk back to the living room was fast, and Bub dropped into a baby blue chair. “So what did you guys want me for? I haven’t really found anything out yet.”

Bael’s footsteps clacked against the wooden floor. He crouched before Bub and lifted the boy’s chin. “No? Then what have you been doing?”

“Watching TV, mostly. You know, you demons have hit the news hard. Everyone is freaking out. I think they might even send the Army out here.”

Moloch, who still stared out the window, turned. “Really? And they think an army can hurt us?” He laughed. “We are demons. Unless they take our heads off, we won’t die.”

Bael smiled. “Let them try.” He paused a moment, placing a hand on his chin. “It’s time for you to do your part. I need you to get Jasmine alone. When you do…” he reached over to the table, grabbing a small black bag, “…use the contents of this on her.”

Bub unzipped the bag. “What is this? A needle? You want me to drug her?”

Bael straightened and paced in front of him. “No. Not drug. That vial is filled with a chemical that will only make her sleep. Once she is passed out, you will carry her here, and we will take it from there. Do you understand your mission?”

Bub nodded. “Yeah, man. I don’t really want to do this, though. Jasmine is a cool girl.”

Bael showed teeth. “Perhaps. But she’s also our enemy. Do you want to become our enemy too?”

Bub shook his head fast. “Nah, man. Not something I think I will live through, becoming your enemy.”

“Ah. There is something still working in there.” Bael tapped his head with a finger. “Who would have guessed?”

Bub frowned. “There’s no reason to insult me, man.”

Bael furrowed his eyebrows and scowled. “I am not a man. My name is Bael. I expect you to use it. Now leave.” He spoke quietly, keeping his words level.

Bub stood and rushed out of the room. Moments later, the door slammed.

“Well, that kid probably just shit himself.” Moloch grinned. “Nice evil face, Master.”

Bael cackled. “Yes. It was good, wasn’t it? Hopefully it will motivate the little twerp. He’s so hung up on winning Jasmine’s affections he can’t see the big picture.”

“When will you get the other Angel Blessed?” Moloch asked.

Bael rubbed a hand over one of his horns. “When they come to rescue Jasmine. We will capture the other Angel Blessed then. It’s too risky to grab them all now. But Lucifer wants them all.”

“
Yes, he does
,”
Lucifer sneered in his mind.

“
Ahh. I was wondering when you’d connect again
.”

“
You have done a good job, Bael. Rocks have starting cracking, pebbles crashing into the ground of my prison. But it’s not enough. You need to spill more blood.
”

“
I just took out a whole town. A big town, Lucifer. I thought that would have done the trick.
”

“
Well, it hasn’t, Bael. The ground is shaking. We’re almost there. Just a bit more and I can join my brethren above the ground and wreak chaos beside you all.
”

Bael rolled his eyes. Lucifer was always so dramatic. “
We will get you out. Very soon. Have faith we will succeed in this task before us.
”

“
Oh, I do. If you don’t, well, you know what will happen.
”
Lucifer laughed.
“
Now, what of the Angel Blessed?
”

“
She has escaped everything we’ve tried.
”

“
What? How is this possible?
”

“
Her power is strong, Lucifer. So we’ve decided to try a different tactic.
”

“
I’m listening.
”

“
We have found a human who is friends with her and employed him to capture her. She will never see it coming.
”

“
Good. She better not. You need her, and the other Angel Blessed. If we can convert them…
”

“
I know. We will be unstoppable.
”

“
The plan is set. I will contact you soon. Keep up the good work.
”

Static filled his mind and he flipped it off.

“Where did you go, Bael?” Moloch asked.

“Lucifer contacted me. He wants more bloodshed. So go! Tell the others their master wants his freedom! Tell them to kill everyone they see! Hurry!”

Moloch rushed out the front door. Bael leaned a shoulder against the wall, watching his second slink through the darkness. Soon, Lucifer would be here running the shots. Soon, they would convert the Angel Blessed and this land would be theirs. Things were moving along exactly as planned.

Chapter 26

Friends

Jasmine

Jasmine sprawled out on the grass, panting. Her jog had been wonderful but tiring. The warm sun beat down on her skin and she smiled. Sweat poured down her face, so she wiped it with her bare arm.
That wasn’t very smart.
She squeezed her eyes shut to stop the burn.

“Jasmine, are you all right?” Caim asked.

She sat up, watching Caim stroll across the yard. “Yeah. Of course I’m all right. Why?”

“It looks like you might die any second.” He winked. “Of course, I think you’re being a little dramatic about the whole running thing.”

“Ha-ha. Very funny.”

Caim sat opposite her, crossing his legs and resting his hands on his knees. “So, I have a feeling we will be getting a couple of new additions in our ranks.”

Jasmine nodded. “Yeah, Evangeline said she was looking for two other Angel Blessed. Not sure if she will find them, though.” She raised her brows. “Where is the angel, anyway?”

Caim shrugged. “She doesn’t usually stick around. I’ve spoken with her and it seems there’s a lot to sort out in Heaven right now.”

“I’m sure there is. It’s strange that she keeps disappearing.” Jasmine stretched her legs out to the side of Caim. “I mean, she tells me about this crazy power I have, and instead of showing me how to use it correctly, she keeps leaving.”

Caim grinned. “Yes. She has always been good at not being around when she’s needed. But she means well. She’s a good angel, always has been.”

Jasmine hopped to her feet. “Well, if you don’t need anything, I think I’m gonna go take a shower.”

Caim thinned his lips. “Yes, I think you should do that. I can smell you from here.”

She smacked his shoulder. “Hey! That’s not something you ever say to a woman.” Jasmine laughed. “But thanks for your honesty.”

Even though she hadn’t interacted with Caim a lot, Jasmine liked him. As she walked past him, he got up too. “I think I’ll join you.”

Jasmine snorted. “No way, buddy. I like you, but not enough to let you in the shower with me.”

Caim’s cheeks reddened. “Oh, not what I meant at all. Join you walking into the house. I need to find Amon. He seems out of sorts lately.”

“What do you mean?”

Caim shuffled along beside her. “I’m not sure. Since you returned, and he was wounded, he’s just been…off.”

“You guys have been friends a long time, huh?”

Caim grinned. “Yes. We go back a long way, Amon and I. He’s someone I’ve always looked up to.”

Jasmine’s heart lightened. “I’m glad he has a friend like you. This war is going to be hard on us all. I think we are all going to need friends.” Jasmine raised her eyebrows. “How are things going with Cole?”

“Cole is smart. His power is strong. He just has to learn how to focus it.”

“That seems to be a problem for most of us. Except Gemma. She’s kind of a natural.”

The door opened and Gemma came running out. “Oh, good. Jasmine! Just who I wanted to find. How are you?”

Jasmine scrunched her forehead. “Uh, fine. Why?”

“We just heard you broke up with Beau. I’m so sorry.” Gemma’s arm wrapped around her shoulder and she touched Jasmine’s head with her own. “I know how close you guys were. I mean, I know I haven’t been around a lot, but I could see it, ya know?”

“Thank you, Gemma. It’s okay. It had to happen. It doesn’t mean we won’t be together in the end, but right now isn’t the time to have a relationship. Not with what we are in the middle of.”

“Yeah, I get that. I mean, things are crazy. The news is talking about sending the Army out here. Can you believe that?” Gemma asked.

“The Army won’t help.” Caim spoke flatly. “Anyone they send will die. And the blood will weaken the bonds that trap Lucifer. He will escape. I have seen it. When he does, it will be that much harder to defeat them.”

The door slammed again. Cole walked out slowly. “Hey, am I interrupting?”

“No, we were just discussing some things,” Caim said.

“Ah. I was just looking for Jaz. I heard her and Beau broke up. You all right?” Cole asked.

Jasmine narrowed her eyes. “All right. Is Beau in there running his mouth or something?”

Cole shook his head. “Nah. Bub is.”

“Bub? Really?” Jasmine turned away, balled her hands and took a few steps. “Oh my God. That guy just doesn’t stop. Why is he in there blabbing about my life? I think he needs to go. I’m going to kick him out. People don’t need to know my business. If I break up with someone, it’s my decision. Isn’t it?”

A hand rubbed Jasmine’s back. “It’s all right. We were just worried about you. Take a deep breath and calm down,” Gemma said softly.

Jasmine breathed deeply, and then exhaled loudly. That helped. She did it again. And again. Finally, she calmed. “Sorry, guys.” She faced them. “I just don’t want everyone worried about my love life.”

Cole laughed. “Well, your old friend Bub gossips like a small child. But he’s harmless.”

Jasmine chuckled. “Yeah, I think you’re right. Thanks for all your concern, guys. I think I’m gonna go take a walk. I’ll see you guys later, okay?”

“I thought you were going to go take a shower,” Caim said.

“I was, but now I’m going to go take a walk.”

“You want some company?” Gemma asked.

“We’ll be happy to join you.” Cole stepped forward. “We can be idiots, but we mean well.”

Jasmine shook her head. “No. Thank you for the offer, but I just want to be alone for a bit.”

She sauntered off, opening the gate to the fence and wandering off into the woods. Thick trees sat side by side in abundance. She stepped carefully, trying to avoid small branches and deep grooves in the ground. Looking up, she could barely see through the plentiful leaves to the bright sky above. It was darker through here, and the shade provided a coolness over her damp skin.

Once she could no longer see Beau’s house, she pressed her back into the base of a tree and slid down, plopping onto the ground. “Ouch!” A branch poked her bottom. She shifted and got comfortable.

I just don’t know what I’m doing. I mean, why would I break up with Beau? He’s perfect for me. He understands me, listens to me. But I have this impossible job ahead of me. I just don’t want him in the middle of all the chaos. It would kill me if anything happened to him.

But I think there’s more to it. I love Beau, and he does get me, but I think we’ve been growing apart for a while. I’ve seen glimpses of him being jealous and crazy, and even though they are just glimpses, they scare me a bit. What will he be like later on, if we ever did get married? It’s crazy to think, but maybe he isn’t the one for me.

Jasmine rubbed her forehead, then looked up to the piece of blue sky she could see through the treetops. The sun created a spotlight, aimed right at her, and she squinted. “I’m kind of lost right now. I haven’t prayed in a long time, but I think right now, a prayer might be good.”

She sighed. “I don’t even know how much of the religion thing I believe in, but it has to be partially real. I mean, I do have angelic power. Angels and demons are real. So why not you too? So, I’m praying to ask you to give me some clarity. Some guidance. Help me choose the right path. Because right now, they all look the same. Doomed.”

“Now, why would you say something like that?”

Jasmine bolted to her feet, turned in a circle, and glanced around. “Who’s there?”

“It’s just me,” Amon said. “Sorry. I didn’t mean to listen to you, but it was hard not to. So, tell me, why do you think every path you have is doomed?”

Jasmine crossed her arms over her chest and pressed her lips together.
I can’t believe him. He just eavesdropped on me. I wasn’t talking to him. He had no right.

“I’m guessing you don’t want to talk about it, huh? Well, I think you should.” Leaves crunched under his feet as he moved closer.

“What are you doing out here anyway?”

“I believe I asked you a question first, but since I’m a gentleman, I will answer you before you answer me. I was patrolling. Looking for demons, or Bael. He must be close. I’m guessing he’s sent some of his minions to watch us. So I’m trying to find them.” He smiled. “Now, your turn.”

“Listen, I’ve got a lot going on in my head right now. I don’t really think you are the person I want to talk to about it. No offense.”

Amon smirked. “None taken, but perhaps I’m just the person you need to talk to about this. I mean, I’m unbiased in the matters of your life. Also, I am a good listener.”

Jasmine smiled. “All right. Well, I just don’t know where to start.” She bit her lip. “I guess it’s all about Beau. I broke up with him because I need to focus on my whole destiny thing. It’s important that I don’t lose focus right now. I need to help fight the demons and if my boyfriend is around all the time, I’ll be distracted watching him all the time. At least, that’s my reasoning.”

Amon nodded. “So you broke up with him so you could stay true to your cause.”

“Uh-huh. I guess so. But he doesn’t see it that way. He thinks we should stay together because we are meant to be together and breaking up is just going to make things worse. And I think maybe he’s right, but I don’t think that’s the only reason I broke up with him.”

Amon rubbed his brow. “I agree with Beau, really. You shouldn’t break up with someone just because you have a destiny and don’t want him to make you lose your focus.”

Jasmine widened her eyes.

“Listen, if you love someone, then you should stay with them at all costs. Because you didn’t, it means you don’t really love him.”

Jasmine glared. “Now hold on just a sec—”

“That doesn’t mean you never loved him. Or perhaps you love him like family. But you don’t love him enough to be with him. He’s just not the one for you.”

Jasmine exhaled through her nostrils. “Oh, and you’re just the know-it-all of the love variety? What makes you such an expert on the subject?”

“I never claimed to be an expert. I just know that if you truly love someone, you will choose them over anything. And I do mean anything.”

Jasmine balled her hands.
Who the hell does he think he is? He says, “Oh, I’m a good listener.” But he doesn’t even listen. He just…talks.

“I can see I’ve made you angry.”

“I’m glad you are so observant. Bravo.” Jasmine clapped. “I think you deserve an award.”

Amon grimaced. “You do know I was only trying to help you. Your sarcasm is making me quite angry.”

Jasmine’s heart thumped in her chest. “Well, great. I’m so glad I could make you ‘quite angry.’ Since I’ve been past ‘quite angry’ for a while now.”

Okay, so maybe she was over-exaggerating. She knew she was. But irrational thoughts were the only kind running through her head right now.

Amon narrowed his eyes. “Fine. I guess I know now that I shouldn’t try to help you.”

Jasmine huffed. “Yeah, because you’re so
great
at helping. You took Beau’s side.”

“I took no side.” Amon took a step closer.

“And you act like you know everything.” Jasmine pressed her back into the tree.

“I do no such thing.” Another step.

“You are so infuriating. Ugh!” She threw her hands in the air. “I can’t stand talking to you. You’re like an old-fashioned know-it-all. You’re never wrong. But you’re always wrong.”

“That makes no sense.” He stood right in front of her now.

Jasmine pushed her face into his. “You drive me crazy.”

“You were already crazy. I didn’t have to drive you there.”

“You…you jerk!”

Amon shoved his fists against the tree, boxing her in. “Oh, now we are name-calling? Fine! You’re nothing but a…a…”

“Ha. You can’t even think of anything.” She gave him a smug smile. “I guess you don’t know everything, huh?”

“You know what, Jasmine. You infuriate me. I try to help you, to show you what I have observed by the story you share, and you treat me like I’m a plague upon you. I have learned a valuable lesson today.” Their eyes locked.

She raised her chin. “And what’s that.”

Amon’s voice softened. “I don’t even know why you are so mad.”

She whispered, “Because I know you’re right.”

Silence stretched. Jasmine kept her gaze locked on Amon’s brown eyes. Those big honey brown eyes. Her breath quickened and she parted her lips. Her fingers trembled, so she shoved them behind her and grabbed hold of her shirt. Amon leaned closer, his warm breath caressing her ear. “Then stop fighting me.”

Goosebumps trailed down her neck and spread over her arms. She angled her head, rubbing her cheek against his and stared into his eyes again. They looked so kind, so caring. But he didn’t show that with words. Inside, she could see how much emotion filtered through him. And she saw it all through those expressive eyes.