Immortal Memory (Book One) (17 page)

Mandy glanced at Ms. Hanley and back at
Simra. "Is this Zach and Tristan's mother?"

Ms. Hanley gave Mandy a welcoming hug.
"You must be Simra's cousin. She informed me that you and your
Grandmother are staying here too. It's a pleasure to finally meet
you."

Mandy gave her a warm smile. "It's nice
to meet you too."

Tears filled Ms. Hanley's eyes as she
took Lucinda's hands. "Ms. Reece, I've heard so much about you from
Simra. I'm so sorry about what he did to you."

Lucinda mumbled unclear words, walked
into the den, and sat on the couch. Simra sat down and placed her
arm around their grandmother’s shoulder. She could feel Lucinda’s
relaxed muscles. The woman never appeared so at ease until she was
inside the lake house or near Zach. Their grandmother seemed so
trusting of him.

Simra's cell buzzed on the coffee
table. Jeff. She answered in a rush. “Jeff?”

“Sim, I'm hurt. I’m in the hospital
because something strange happened to my car. It caused me to have
a bad wreck. Are you all safe?”

The cell slipped from her trembling
hands. She gathered herself together. She placed the phone to her
ear again. “We’re safe. Which hospital? Will you be all
right?”

Mandy bolted up from the couch. “What
is it?”

“I’m at St. Rest Hospital. Sim, you and
Mandy shouldn’t come. Both of you stay safe with Zach. I’ll be
fine.”

“Zach and I are on our way,” she stated
with determination.

“Sim, don’t-“

Simra hung up and turned to the angel.
“Take me to Jeff. He needs us. I think Tristan hurt him. The demon
will kill him.”

Mandy placed her hands on Simra’s
shoulders, and her eyes were wide with alarm. “What happened? Is he
all right?”

Simra told her cousin everything. “Stay
with Grandmother and Ms. Hanley. It’s dangerous out there for all
of you. I’ll return to let you know how he’s doing. We need to make
sure he’s all right.”

Ms. Hanley stepped closer to Simra.
"But it's dangerous out there. Don't you think you should stay here
and just let Zach check on him?"

"Zach isn't visible to Jeff. I have to
find out what happened and see for myself what Tristan did," Simra
replied, glancing from Ms. Hanley to Zach.

“Sim, you're not going out there.
Tristan probably did this. You'll get killed!”

“I’m sorry, Mandy, but I need to check
on him. Tristan needs to be stopped before he kills Jeff. That
might be his next move. I’m going. Just stay here with Grandmother
and Ms. Hanley. Have faith we’ll be all right.”

Zach folded his arms across his bold
chest. “Your faith has taken a wrong turn. We should talk about
this. Going to see Jeff is much too dangerous for you. Your trust
in God is very weak right now. Speaking to your friend over the
phone is much safer than seeing him.”

Simra pursed her lips together and
couldn’t stop from frowning at him. “I’ll be fine. We’ll talk
later. Our friend’s the one who’s in danger. I know how Tristan is,
and we need to stop him before he kills Jeff. Hurry.” She rushed
toward the front door in the dining area.

Zach glowered at her. “You’re thinking
with a reckless mind. You’re worried about Jeff, and your emotions
are out of control. He’ll be fine. You won’t be safe if you throw
yourself out there as bait for Azazel. That's what he
wants.”

“Zach, Jeff needs me whether all of you
think so or not. Just take me so I can see that he’s all
right.”

"You're just as stubborn as your
grandmother," Zach growled.

Mandy followed her cousin and pleaded
with her. “Sim, please don’t go. It’s much too dangerous. This
might be what Tristan wants. He could’ve harmed Jeff just to get
you out of the house.”

Ms. Hanley nodded in agreement. "I
agree with Mandy. Most likely, he plans to capture you
again."

Simra placed a gentle hand on her
cousin’s cheek and glanced at the angel and his mom. “I’ll be fine.
Maybe Zach and I can stop Tristan before he hurts Jeff again. There
has to be something we can do. I need to find out exactly what
happened. I promise to return with answers.”

Zach squared his shoulders,
and his face shadowed with darkness. “Fine. I’ll take you. Just
know that Azazel could’ve done this to draw you out of hiding. My
brother saw he couldn’t draw you out with the storm. He knows how
much your loved ones mean to you. Jeopardizing their safety
will
draw you out of
hiding.”

Simra placed a hand on her hip. “I have
to know that Jeff's going to be all right. Take me to my
friend.”

She slid into his arms and left Mandy,
Ms. Hanley, and Lucinda in the house. Zach traveled with her in his
arms to St. Rest Hospital. Dark clouds hovered across the radiant
white moon until it wasn’t visible anymore. The overpowering stench
of smoke almost choked Simra. The vivid city lights became dim from
the fog in the distance. Lightning struck in the clouds above
them.

Thunder boomed near them and caused
Simra’s bones to feel like they jumped out of her skin. Tristan's
shadow appeared before them with a wicked laugh. The demon appeared
and disappeared in different areas beside the highway. Simra's
blood froze when she noticed him getting closer and closer. If she
didn't destroy him soon, Simra and everyone she loved would
die.

Chapter 21

"And you shall say to them,
'Hear, O Israel! Today you are drawing near to do battle against
your enemies. Do not lose heart, or be afraid, or panic, or be in
dread of them; for it is the Lord your God who goes with you, to
fight for you against your enemies, to give you victory.'"
-Deuteronomy 20:3-4

Zach held her tighter against his hard
chest. “My brother’s testing you. Trust in Christ. Think of what
God did for you today. He's saved you and your family's lives many
times. The Father doesn't want you destroyed. The Lord has many
purposes for you and your loved ones. He loves everything about
you.”

The angel’s sincerity pierced through
her soul. Her faith transformed from nothing into a solid wall of
strength. Guilt plagued Simra for blaming God. The Lord’s loving
presence embraced her.

She prayed a silent prayer to the
heavens and thanked Him for speaking through Zach. Simra repeated
the same prayers she prayed during the past two horrendous storms.
The lightning streaks and thick fog disappeared. Simra nodded a
silent ‘thank you’ to God and couldn’t control a content
smile.

There were still many questions that
needed explaining. Those issues must not be thought of now;
however. Her faith would be lost if she doubted the Lord again. She
needed to hold on to her trust in God. He kept her safe.

Focusing on making it to St. Rest safe
and sound, Simra tightened her grip on the angel. “Let’s
go.”

“Hold on to your strong faith. It’s
keeping Azazel away.” Zach dropped her to her feet in front of the
hospital. “We’re here.”

Zach’s eyes were fixed on the employees
they passed inside the building. “I know many of these people. I
saw patients here in my mortal vessel. I miss working as a doctor
sometimes.”

Afraid others might believe
she had an imaginary friend, Simra said nothing. Grabbing his hand,
she squeezed with much affection for a brief moment. Being an angel
must be so devastating. He couldn't have the normal joys of a
human. Becoming involved with Tristan caused enough of
her
own joy to be stolen.
She couldn't imagine what it must have been like dealing with
Tristan since the beginning of time.

Simra approached the nurses’ desk. “I’m
here to see Jeff Theron. He just called me and got admitted not
long ago. Can you give me his room number please?”

Zach looked at the nurse with
recognition. “Sharon…”

Simra turned a sideways glance toward
him. A small tinge of jealousy burned inside of her to notice how
beautiful the woman appeared. Her long brunette hair was tied in
the back. The nurse’s large brown eyes gazed across the
desk.

Many men would probably want to date
Sharon. Curiosity overwhelmed Simra if Zach ever dated her while in
human form. Then again, his main priority was destroying a demon
and collecting souls.

Simra couldn’t refrain from inquiring
about their past relationship. “You know her…well?”

The nurse tilted her head and raised an
eyebrow. “Excuse me?”

Zach gave Simra an amused grin. “Yes,
we worked together.” He placed a gentle hand to Simra’s cheek. “I’m
not a human, and we were only very good friends. I've never dated.
She isn't right for me anyway.”

Who is right for
you?
An angel awaiting your return in
heaven? Is that why you turn all human women down?
The questions stung the tip of Simra’s tongue, but
she dared not ask.

Instead, she shook her head and placed
her fingers at the bridge of her nose. Simra remembered how she and
Zach would never be together as a couple either. They were of
different worlds.

“Miss, are you all right?” The nurse
leaned forward in her chair.

A playful chuckle escaped from Zach,
and he patted Simra on the shoulder. “Simra’s fine. Just a little
jealous. That’s all.”

Simra gasped, and her cheeks tingled
with heat from embarrassment. “Sorry. I was thinking out loud.
Never mind me.”

Sharon gave her a slight nod, but her
eyes remained puzzled. The nurse continued checking the computer
for Jeff’s room number. “Room 215.”

“Thank you.” Simra left the area in a
rush and never looked back.

Sharon seemed to perceive her as
insane. Did the woman not believe some people communicated with
angels? Maybe that’s why the angel never had feelings for her. The
nurse may never believe in angels and probably couldn’t be
convinced.

Simra shook her head of such pathetic
thoughts and squared her shoulders. They pursued walking down the
hall. Zach gave her a relentless smile the entire time. A deep sigh
escaped from her when they stepped into the elevator
alone.

An angry heat simmered Simra’s cheeks.
“What on earth is so amusing?”

The angel laughed and leaned against
the wall of the elevator. “You embarrassed yourself back there, and
you're cute.”

More heat rose to her cheeks. “Stop
reading my thoughts!”

The aggravating smile never left his
face. “I know you want answers.”

“Answers to what?”

“You're the only one who would be right
for me. No, there's no angel or other female awaiting my return in
heaven. And I turn all female mortals down because angels can't be
with them. We must put all our time in completing our duties for
God.”

The elevator doors opened on the second
floor, and the nurses’ station stood right in front of them. Simra
forced a smile toward everyone they passed. She didn’t want to risk
anyone else like Sharon judging her. Simra hated how she could not
speak to him in public without everyone believing she'd lost her
mind. She walked into Jeff’s room and saw no one but her friend
there.

Simra let off some steam. “If you think
I’m jealous, we both know I shouldn't be. We aren’t right for each
other just like you and Sharon. You’re an angel of death, and I’m
only human.”

She paused and added, “We’re only
working together to destroy an evil demon. And never say such
things to me about how I'm the only one right for you. I'm sure you
said the same to Grandmother, and look how she ended
up.”

Jeff grunted beside them. “Sim, I told
you not to come! What on earth are you talking about?”

Zach interrupted her before
she could reply. “There
is
no need for you to be jealous. I feel different
about you. And no, I won't allow you to end up like Lucinda. I'm
more on guard this time.”

Simra bit her lip in
frustration and crossed her arms across her chest. Was he implying
he was
more
distracted by her grandmother because he'd had stronger
feelings for Lucinda? She'd had enough of his games!

Simra squared her jaw with defiance and
stomped toward the detective. Simra couldn’t control her lips from
parting in disbelief. His entire body was bruised and scratched
from the car accident.

“Oh, Jeff! I’m so sorry. Please tell me
everything.”

Jeff drew away when she tried touching
his arm. “Sim, you shouldn’t be here. It’s dangerous. My entire
body’s very tender. It’s bizarre how the accident happened. It’s
like the car had a life of its own. The steering wheel jerked by
itself, and the vehicle flipped into the ditch. I’m surprised I got
out alive.”

He paused and added, “I believe we’re
getting close to finding Tristan’s body. I started searching for
old abandoned houses around town. Suddenly, I had this feeling
Tristan would find a way to stop me. I began searching anyway.
That’s when I had the accident.”

She couldn’t stop her lips from parting
with shock, and Simra turned from Jeff to Zach. “This is all my
fault. I should’ve never got you involved. Tristan almost killed
you! I’m so glad you’re all right. Promise me you won’t look for
him again after you’re released. Zach and I must do this on our
own.”