Immortal Memory (Book One) (12 page)

She would risk her life to protect
Jeff, Lucinda, and Mandy. Simra took shaky steps away from the man
and allowed Jeff to handcuff him. She glanced toward the angel, who
frowned at her. Three vehicles approached, and their flashing blue
lights almost blinded Simra.

The tires of the cop cars squealed and
came to an abrupt stop on the side of the road. Jeff rushed toward
them and told them about Quint trying to kill them. The detective
told the others that Quint had an awful aim.

Simra glanced at the drug dealer, who
glared at the cops. The numbness tingling in her veins couldn’t be
controlled. Her body quivered as dread mounted inside of her.
Simra's stomach churned to know what Tristan might do next. Surely
he would be angry that Quint was arrested.

The squealing brakes of Tristan’s worn
out car caused Simra to flinch when one of the cops took it away.
Quint must have wrecked the thing several times after he took it.
That vehicle was in excellent condition when it belonged to her
ex-fiancé.

Simra turned to their friend when he
came toward her. “Jeff, I forgot to ask if you found any trace of
Tristan's body.”

Jeff lifted the glasses from the bridge
of his nose for a brief moment. “I looked everywhere around
Longview and found nothing. I’ll continue searching for it;
however. Come on, let's get to Mandy's. We're not far from it. I've
got to get to the station and deal with the arrest."

As they made the drive there, Simra
looked at Jeff. "What made you believe me about seeing Tristan and
Zach? Have you ever seen angels?"

Jeff's eyes filled with pain, and he
sighed. "No, but my mom did just before she died. She saw an angel
and reached out for him. Mom asked me if I saw him too. I didn't,
but she died seconds later. I believe in angels and demons. They
are as real as God. That's why I believe you. I just hope you'll be
okay. I'm so worried about you. My mom saw an angel of death just
before she died. I don't want to lose you too, Sim."

Simra felt the blood drain from her
face. "You won't lose me. And we won't lose Grandmother either.
I'll make sure of it."

Nothing would happen to Mandy and Jeff
either. Enough of Simra's family members were dead. Becoming
involved with a demon would never be forgotten. Her grandmother’s
life might already be taken. It was all because of Simra and
Lucinda's involvement with Tristan.

Simra would blame herself forever for
not listening to her grandmother sooner about Tristan. A deep
regret flooded her senses over deciding to stay at Mandy’s tonight.
Something told her they should have stayed at Zach’s lake
house.

Chapter 13

"Have I not commanded you?
Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be
dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go."
-Joshua 1:9

The Lake O’ The Pines seemed so far
away from Mandy’s place. Lucinda and Mandy needed their rest. Simra
shouldn’t ask her cousin to go back to the lake house. The hour
grew much too late. They had God, and He would protect
them.

“We’ll be safe. Right, Sim?”

Simra bit her lower lip and realized
her own lack of faith in the Lord. “Of course. Just have
faith.”

A few lamps lit up the den. Simra had
sighed from some relief after walking into Mandy's cozy home. The
faint scent of Sea Island Cotton caused her to relax. Simra's feet
sank into the plush white carpet. She relished the softness beneath
her feet. Simra flinched at the chiming grandfather clock. It was
late.

Portraits of Simra, her cousin, their
grandparents, and Mandy’s parents surrounded the house. Mandy even
kept the pictures of their friends from college. Simra spotted the
photo of her, Jeff, and Mandy in their gowns and caps at
graduation. Their silly faces drew a smile from her.

All her happiness and joy had been
snatched away by-oh, she hated to think of him again. Her breathing
stopped as she held back a sob. A picture caught her eye. Lucinda’s
bright smile tore her heart to a thousand pieces of
remorse.

Mandy picked up that same photo. She
placed a hand on Simra’s shoulder. “That’s the day it snowed so
much. I'll never forget how excited you became when Grandma showed
us how to make snow angels. I miss those days sometimes. You and
Grandma were so happy.”

Simra cast her tear-filled eyes to the
floor in shame. “It’s my fault. I should’ve never allowed that
horrid demon into my life. How could I have been deceived by
something so evil?”

Mandy took her cousin’s hands and
squeezed. “Don’t blame yourself. It isn’t your fault. He chose
Grandma long ago, and he's a demon. It was out of your and
Grandma's control. Come. Let’s go to bed. It's been a long
day.”

Lucinda paced the floor behind them.
The woman's hands trembled at her sides. Although her shaky words
were unclear, Simra exchanged worried glances with her cousin.
Mandy led them down the hall.

Simra’s stomach twisted with revulsion
at the thought of Tristan hiding in the dark shadows of the house.
The demon might be very enraged that Quint was in jail. Simra hated
to imagine how he would react.

She reached for her grandmother’s
delicate hand, but the woman wrenched herself free. Lucinda
continued pacing back and forth when they got to the room. Their
grandmother’s widening eyes ripped Simra’s soul in half.

Mandy’s gaze followed Lucinda's every
move. “You think she senses when the demon’s around? Look how she’s
acting. She never behaved this way at the lake house.”

Torn emotions scattered
throughout Simra’s soul and weakened her body. They should have
stayed at the lake house. Lucinda
did
react this way when Tristan came
around them. But the hour grew late. Simra couldn’t understand why
their grandmother was so fond of Zach. The angel wanted Lucinda's
soul. He performed evil spells too. Surely the older woman knew
that from years ago.

Mandy and Lucinda had dark circles
underneath their eyes. They needed rest. Faith. Simra could not let
go of her faith. She would prove to Zach how she didn’t require his
help. Mandy and Lucinda must be protected even if she got no sleep
tonight.

She squared her shoulders and took
Mandy’s hands in her own. “Have faith. Pray for our protection.”
Simra glanced at the floor and realized her own lack of trust in
the Lord.

Mandy’s eyes wavered, and she passed a
troubled look from Simra to their grandmother again. “I’ll pray for
it many times tonight. Tristan’s dangerous. I don’t trust him
anywhere around us. Something tells me we were safer at
Zach's.”

Simra glanced at Lucinda. “If something
happens, we might have to go back. I hate putting you through all
this trouble, but Grandmother's freaking out.”

Mandy’s gaze remained on their
grandmother. “I can see that. I won't have a problem with it,
Cousin. I'll try putting Grandma to bed now. Just tell me if
anything starts happening.”

“You certain you don’t want to go to
sleep and let me take care of her? You look so tired.” Simra's
heart ached for Mandy and their grandmother, who were both deprived
of rest.

“No. Go on to bed, Sim. The demon and
Quint have you very stressed and tired. I see it in your eyes. You
need all the sleep you can get. Goodnight. Love you.”

“Well, all right. Goodnight, Mandy.
Love you.”

Simra smiled at her cousin. Grabbing
her suitcase, Simra pulled it into the guest room. After changing
clothes, she climbed into bed. She yawned and got ready to pray.
However, Simra couldn’t erase a sick feeling in her stomach.
Tristan always appeared out of nowhere.

A cold, gentle hand squeezed her foot
under the covers. Simra dared opening her weak eyes and hoped it
was only Lucinda or Mandy. She almost stumbled off the bed when she
saw Tristan's glowing eyes.

Her ex-fiancé drew closer and closer in
the suffocating darkness. Simra’s faith faded more by the moment.
The demon loomed over the bed. Her wild heart hammered against her
chest.

Tristan drove his face a breath away
from Simra’s in a split second. He gripped her shoulders with his
powerful hands. “Zach will be gone forever soon. Then, we’ll be
together always and forever.”

Chapter 14

"Blessed are they that
mourn; for they shall be comforted." -Matthew 5:4

Simra struggled to free herself from
Tristan’s painful grip. She couldn’t get loose even after
attempting to kick him. Tristan’s strength weakened her body. The
overpowering scent of smoke almost suffocated her.

The demon just stood there and gazed
deep into her eyes. His powerful grip on her arms held her still.
However, Tristan didn’t try harming her in any way.

Simra closed her eyes tight
and prayed in silence for the Lord’s protection.
God, please surround me and my family with Your
protection from Tristan. Amen.
She couldn’t
concentrate on her prayer.

Simra could only focus on the misery in
the demon’s eyes. His deep sadness reached through her soul.
Somehow, she needed to learn to have faith in the Lord.

Weakness spread throughout her
paralyzed body. The demon studied her and held her arms in his
firm, powerful grip. Zach stormed into the room. She hid a gasp of
relief and shock. The angel yanked Tristan away from
her.

Zach pinned him onto the
bed. Her ex-fiancé struggled to get free from his brother’s strong
grasp. The angel needed assistance holding him down. Simra leaped
from the bed
to help him keep Tristan
pinned to the mattress.

Zach turned toward her, and his intense
gaze lingered on Simra. “Trust God.” The angel closed his eyes and
mumbled something in a different dialect. After finishing, Zach
released his brother and pulled Simra away from the
demon.

Tristan's agonizing screams echoed
throughout the house. Fire reflected in his yellow eyes. “I’ll come
back for both of you!” Tristan stormed out of the room. His shadow
vanished on the wall in the hallway.

Simra wriggled from Zach’s grip and
tried rushing after her family until the angel stopped her. “Mandy!
Are Mandy and Grandmother all right?”

“There’s no need, Simra. They’re fine.
Azazel’s in pain for now. He ran away to return his strength. Your
faith’s weak. The Lord will fight for you. The Father’s love for
you is overwhelming and strong. The hairs are numbered on your
head, and He has many purposes for you. Trust Him to protect
you.

"And don't always believe what you see
or hear in news articles about someone. Most rumors aren't true."
Leaving the room in a swift movement, Zach disappeared from
sight.

“Wait!” Simra called to Zach to stop
him, but Mandy ran into the room.

Mandy turned on the light, and her
frantic gaze explored the area. “What's going on?”

Lucinda took quick baby steps behind
Mandy and cried out in desperation. “Go now! We go now!” Their
grandmother pulled Simra’s arm in a rough manner. Lucinda seemed to
be trying to persuade them to leave.

Simra tried to calm Lucinda. “All
right, Grandmother. All right. We’re going back to the lake house.
Promise.” She framed the woman’s delicate face in her hands. Simra
spoke in a gentle tone, but it seemed to soothe the woman only a
little.

Mandy’s lips parted in surprise.
“Grandma talked! Sim, is the demon here? What's
happening?”

Simra sat on the plush brown
comforter and explained everything. “Take us back to the lake
house. It’s safer there. Tristan's gone for now but
will
come back. I’m more
worried about what he’ll do to you and Grandmother.”

Bewilderment entered her cousin’s tired
green eyes. “I’ll help you load the luggage, and we’ll go. Will it
be safe? Is he gone for a while?”

Simra wanted explanations from the
angel. “Zach sent him away for a while, but Tristan won’t be gone
long. Let’s go to the lake house before the demon comes back. It’s
protected. Zach will be there. I think that news article was just a
rumor. You know how rumors in the news are sometimes not
true.”

A heavy sigh followed by a lengthy yawn
escaped Mandy’s lips. She helped Simra with their grandmother and
grabbed the suitcases. “All right. You believe Grandmother's
improving?"

"No. I believe she's getting worse.
Some things she can remember, but most things she can't. It's
getting worse."

Tears filled Mandy's eyes. "I hate the
thought of losing her."

Simra placed her hand on Mandy's
shoulder. "I'm going to try my best to break this curse on her by
destroying Tristan. There might be a chance she can be
saved."

Losing more faith by the moment,
Simra’s rapid heart thumped against her chest. She hoped they would
make it to Zach’s lake house before Tristan returned. Then, she
also had to protect their grandmother from the angel.

"I hope so, cousin. I've just never
heard of anyone being cured of Alzheimer's.”

Simra packed the suitcases into the car
and helped Lucinda inside the vehicle. “Well, Grandmother might be
the first.”