Mystery's Choice (Vengeance Of The Fallen Book 1) (2 page)

“I don’t care if you left your eyeballs here while you went across the street, you broke procedure and compromised the crime scene, and any defense lawyer is going to have a field day with your slip up! We could end up letting these sickos back on the street, because you just couldn’t wait for a cup of joe! I am reporting this incident to your commanding officer and I am going to make damn sure it goes in your jackets! Now get out of my sight!”  Mary Kate took several breathes and counted to ten twice. When she looked up she saw the officers getting in their squad car, she bent her head and her long, black bangs fell over her murderous expression, as she counted to twenty. This time when she looked up they were out of sight. She walked under the yellow crime scene tape and looked at the symbol scrawled on the wall in the blood of the victims’. She turned tortured hazel eyes on her partner. “This doesn’t feel right even to me.”

Felicity’s brown eyes became unfocused as she stared at the mark on the wall. In her mind’s eye she saw a murky picture of a hooded figure painting the symbol. She tried to bring it clearer, but the residual magick in the area made it impossible.

“It is the same group, but their magick is so powerful, I can’t get a clear picture of them. All I see is a cloaked figure painting the symbol, same as all the other times. The stench of their evil hangs in the air long after they have gone. I think this was a punishment of some kind, these four kids, saw or did something they shouldn’t have and the cult punished them for it. The coroner said they were alive for most of the torture, and they were mutilated, this is definitely a warning to others to leave this group alone.”

“Felicity, am I right, this is different than the other scenes? There is more malice and less control, these killings are almost animalistic. At the other sites, the throats were slit after they were beaten; they used the blood of the victims to paint the mark. This time there were pieces of the victims everywhere. Why was what these four did more punishable than the other times?”

Felicity held her hand over the bloodstain where the main piece of one of the bodies had laid; she closed her eyes and winced at the pain, suffering and fear left behind. She stood and went to the symbol, she placed her hand close to it, and her mind flooded with visions of horror and terror. She rubbed her hand on her jeans, and turned back to her partner and best friend. “You are right this is very different, just between you and me, I don’t think this was done by a human assailant, I think it was done by demonic forces. This group wouldn’t have summoned demons, unless the kids did something extremely insulting or risked leading us to them.”

“Demons?”  Mary Kate said not in disbelief, but in fear.

“Lower level, violent, mostly animalistic, no human thoughts like containing or hiding the bodies. These are beings which exist to kill and revel in their work, they are brutal, and as you could see from the body pieces, they are always in the market for skin to cover their wounds.”  Felicity put her hand on her partner’s shoulder, to comfort her. “Since we are so clueless as to who they are we are perfectly safe from the demons attacking us.”

“I want to change their minds. I mean I don’t want to be clueless anymore. I want these bastards, demons or not.”

“Me too. I can feel something big coming, and these people are right in the middle of it.

“Let’s go back to the station and start trying to figure out who they are, and what they might do next.”  Mary Kate sighed, they had been trying for years to figure this puzzle out and they were getting nowhere.

“You go ahead, I am going to go and visit a friend of mine, who might have some information for me. I had a dream the other night I think has something to do with this group, she’s checking out some of the symbols and names I saw and heard in the dream.”

“Okay, I’ll see you back at the station later.”  Mary Kate turned and headed towards her SUV.

“Yep.”  Felicity said as she walked to her black hybrid sedan.

Raevanne sashayed her way down the corridor, which led to the prisoners’ chambers, she was looking forward to round two, with the rude, little brat. She had spent a week in Malcolm’s tender care, and had only been given moldy bread and sour wine to eat. Stopping outside the girl’s chamber door, she sought out the brat’s thoughts and was surprised to see she was praying, asking the false god to forgive her captors and open their hearts and minds to his teachings. Raevanne laughed at the thought, she only worshipped where she respected and the false god and his puppet son were not worthy of her respect. Pushing her long red tresses back over shoulder, she gently opened the door and stepped into the room. She gasped as an unseen force pushed her back towards the door, enraged she focused and pushed through the protection prayer had made around the girl.

“So, you still think, your god is going to save you?”  Raevanne asked as she sat on the foot of the bed.

“I know God will save me from your evil.”  Chloe said peacefully.

“This god who is going to save you, has let us torture you for almost two weeks now, and he has done nothing to stop it.”  Raevanne smiled patiently. “He has no power here, he can do nothing to save you from your fate. All your stubbornness can purchase you is more pain. Accept the True God and you will know peace and love.”  Raevanne shook her perfect head. “Cling to your misplaced faith and there will be nothing but pain, no salvation. Your god is impotent, he allows his children to suffer. My God wraps his followers in love and belonging, they never hunger, they never want. Your god allows Malcolm to play with you in his workroom, he allows your cheeks to grow gaunt with hunger, and sores to form on your skin from the bites of the spiders who share your chamber.”  Raevanne stood and walked to the door. “Think on this while Malcolm shows you the delights of the rack.”  She stepped back and her huge bodyguard came in. “the rack Malcolm, until confession or unconsciousness, salt the wounds.”

“Yes, my Shivana.”  Malcolm went to the girl and threw her over his shoulder, ducking as he left the room with the utterly still girl.

Raevanne closed the chamber door and strolled down the hall towards her office, she stopped and waited. She smiled malevolently as the first scream rent the air. Content, she continued down the hall, she had tons of work to do today.

Cain sat in his father’s throne room and waited for his father to return, he was settling a dispute between Aguares and Leviathan as to who got the souls and flesh from the spoils of Katrina. Aguares claimed they should be hers, because without her wind, there could not have been a hurricane. Leviathan claimed they were his, because without the water, the flood could not have happened and there would not have been such a bounty of souls to claim.

His father entered the room, shaking his head. He smiled when he saw his son. “They fought continually in Heaven and all these centuries later they are still fighting.”

“So, what did you decide?”  Cain asked in amusement.

“Half and half, neither would have been as successful without the other. They grumbled, but agreed.”  He turned his glowing red eyes on Cain. “Why are you here?”

“We are having trouble with the gift, she will not turn.”

“Kill her and acquire another.”

“Yes, Father.”

“Tell your beautiful wife, I said hello.”  Satan said in dismissal.

“I will. Bye, Father.”

“Goodbye, my son.”

Satan watched his son
walk
away and thought to himself; perhaps Cain had been with the humans too long. He searched his son’s thoughts and was pleased to find no weaknesses, save his love for his child. Satan accepted the weakness as part of his son and knew it was nothing to worry over, for when she was found if she could not be brought around to the Infernal way of thinking she would be destroyed and despite his love for the child, Cain would kill her without remorse if ordered to.

Satan smiled a smug, satisfied smile. Soon, very soon, he would have what was rightfully his, and Cain and the Roodmasi would help him get it. He scratched his belly, and summoned a succubus, he was hungry in more ways than one.

Upon returning to the aerie, Cain sought out his wife, and found her hard at work on the financial reports from the other covens, a delicate frown on her face. He allowed his love for her take him to her and smiled as she glanced up, her green eyes unfocused. A smile spread across her features and made her eyes twinkle, she was always glad to see him. And with the difference in time between the Earthly plane and the Infernal, he had been gone three days this time, and in her opinion, way too long.

“Cain!” she ran to him and jumped up, wrapping her legs around him.

“My love.” He lowered his head and kissed her, holding her to him. After a few moments, he remembered the Master’s orders regarding the gift, and reluctantly let Raevanne slide down his body and stepped back.

“OH!” Raevanne shouted in dismay. “What did the Master say?  What is important enough I have to wait to have you?”

Cain chuckled. “He advises us to dispose of the current prisoner and acquire another girl, who will be easier to change.”

“Damn. It was just getting interesting. Malcolm used hot coals this morning.” Raevanne laughed a musical laugh. “She actually cussed at him.” Her eyes twinkled. “She is starting to weaken.”

Cain chuckled. He knew how much his wife loved a challenge. “None the less, we have no more time to devote to her. I will acquire another gift tonight, have Malcolm dispose of the current one.”  Cain stroked her hair. “Or you can do the honors, if you would rather.”

“Oh, I’d rather!” Raevanne purred.

Business taken care of, Cain grabbed his wife and pulled her to him, kissing her until her eyes lost their focus. “Now where were we?”  He asked as he lowered her to the floor.

Raevanne hummed softly as she walked down the prisoners’ corridor, she paused outside the door of the brat who would not turn and pushed into her thoughts. She was bored to find her still praying, although now the prayers were for herself, instead of her captors. Raevanne opened the door and stepped inside. Chloe looked up at her and steeled herself for what was to come. Raevanne walked to her and stroked her cheek. She laughed when Chloe pulled away.

“Your time to suffer is at an end, Chloe. We are releasing you. You’ve won, your faith is too strong for us to erode, so we are going to send you home.” Raevanne’s full lips pulled into a pout. “No one else has ever managed to hold out so long, your god is sure to reward your faith and loyalty.”

Chloe’s eyes grew wide with hope, tears slid down her cheeks as she thought of seeing her parents and sisters again. “You mean I am free to go?”

“Yes, you can go.”

Chloe stood and began walking towards the door, a sense of dread filled her so she turned and watched Raevanne as she slowly backed her way to the door. Raevanne smiled, her scary, serene smile. Chloe turned to look behind her, expecting to see the mountainous Malcolm waiting behind her. She saw no one just an empty doorway. Chloe took the last step to the door and heard a soft rustling noise behind her; she whirled around just as Raevanne’s weight took her down. Raevanne still smiled serenely.

“I thought you said I could go home?” Chloe asked her eyes filling with tears.

“I did.” Raevanne answered as she leaned forward and ripped out Chloe’s throat. She lapped the warm blood, like nectar, her green eyes glowing. “You can go to your home with the false god.”  Raevanne stood, smoothed her robes, wiped the blood from her mouth and called for Malcolm.

“Yes, my Shivana?” the mountain looked at the dead girl.

“Dispose of that and clean the chamber.”

“Yes, my Shivana.” Malcolm bent to pick up the body.

Raevanne hummed to herself as she went back to her office.

2

Raevanne stood and stretched her back. She was finally done with the financial reports, all of the covens except one in France, were operating in the black. She had given the coven leader time to bring the coven’s finances into order and he had failed, she would have his second remove him and offer her the same amount of time to fix the problem. Raevanne glanced over at the antique grandfather clock in her office and saw she was running late for evening prayers. She cleared her desk and reached to turn out her desk lamp, when there was a knock at the door.

“Come in.”

“Shivana, the new gift is sleeping in her chamber.”  Malcolm informed her.

“Let her rest until morning. I will let her have time alone to contemplate the spiders and rats before I have a chat with her. Do you think this one will be as big a problem as the last?”

“No, my Shivana. She has short, spiky dyed hair, multiple body piercings and track marks; she even has a tattoo, which states, ‘I’m a God’. Malcolm smiled what in his case passed for a smile.

“With all of that, I am surprised she is still a virgin.” Raevanne said in amazement.

“My Shivana, it might be
because
of all that she is still a virgin.”

“True, Malcolm, very true.” Raevanne laughed. “I will see you at prayers.” Raevanne said in dismissal.

“Yes, my Shivana.” He turned and his heavy footsteps echoed down the corridor.

Raevanne checked to make sure her office was in order and hurried out to lead her people in evening prayers.

The next morning after prayers, Raevanne walked down the prisoners’ corridor and stopping outside the door of the new gift, she pushed into her thoughts, she smiled, the girl was in a complete panic, and had somehow guessed what was going to happen to her. She was godless, but she believed in the violence man did to man, and she knew she wasn’t going to leave here alive. Raevanne pushed the door opened. The girl drew herself into a small ball as far away from Raevanne as the chains would permit, she whimpered softly.

“Hello, I am Raevanne, Shivana of the Roodmasi.”  Raevanne began as she sat in the chair by the bed.

Harry Ballinger, stretched his calf muscles, checked his pedometer and set out jogging easily down the curving, wooded trail. It was another wonderful, clear Colorado morning and the birds were chirping happily in the trees. He raised his hand in greeting to two women who were jogging in the other direction and picked up his pace. He slowed his breathing as the trail began to incline, the trees were thick enough to block out the morning sun. Harry took a deep breath as he prepared to kick into high gear and gagged as a horrible stench filled his lungs. He stopped gagging and tried not to breathe too deeply. Bile burned the back of his throat and he knew he was going to vomit, so, he moved off the trail and leaned against a tree, retching, he threw up his guava-mango smoothie and vitamins. He leaned his back against the tree, still trying not to breathe too deeply, and saw crows feasting on some carrion. He gave in to his curiosity and went to see what would be big enough to leave such a stench in the air. As he moved closer to the crows, they shrilled an alarm to back off from their meal. Fascinated, Harry walked closer. He grabbed his ear as one of the crows, swooped in and pecked it. He looked down, and froze; dozens of crows were feeding on the dead body of a woman. Her face was a mess, but he could see her breasts with rings through the nipples and the gaping hole where her insides should be. Harry shakily walked back to the trail and shouted at a man running by. Harry managed to gasp out that there was a body in the trees before blackness swarmed over him.

Annie told the twin who lived in her ear, to wait with their cart and she would go and look in the dumpster for breakfast. She shuffled her old, tired body down the dirty alley and climbed up on a crate sitting by the dumpster. She looked over the side and began to sift through the throwaways from last night’s business at the diner, they always found good ‘eatins’ in the dumpster. Her hand touched something squishy and she shifted her position so she could get a better hold on it. She yanked with all her might, cause it was stuck under ‘somethin’ heavy. Annie let out a squeal and fell backwards off the crate, when she realized breakfast was the arm of a dead girl. Annie put her hands over her ears as her twin burst out screaming.

Sam Jefferies and his partner, Naomi Calabrese sat at their desks, drinking horrible coffee and staring at the pictures of two dead teenage girls.

“Did you find anything they had in common?”  Sam winced at the coffee.

“Other than both of them going to South High and living about ten blocks apart, nothing. They weren’t friends. Victim number one had short, spiky red and black hair, multiple body piercings and tattoos. She had been suspended twice this year and had track marks. Victim number two, had long, straight brown hair, was a straight A student and was on the student council and the debate team, she sang in her church choir.”  Naomi pushed her mug as far away as she could and have it still be on her desk. “They probably didn’t even know the other existed.”

“As far as I can tell, they both were ambushed on their way into their homes. Number one was returning from a rock concert. Her car was parked in the driveway and the driver’s door was open.”  Sam closed his eyes and chugged his coffee. “Number two was returning from the library there were library books in her parked car, in front of her house. Both of her parents were downstairs watching TV, and neither one heard anything.”

Naomi looked at the mug on the edge of her desk, yawned, and decided to bite the bullet. She reached for the mug and chugged the contents, hoping her taste buds wouldn’t register the taste, they did, and Naomi coughed and sat her mug down. “The first girl’s parents were getting high at the time of their daughter’s abduction, so they wouldn’t have heard anything.”  Naomi stretched her neck and shuffled through some papers on her desk. “No neighbors saw anything suspicious. Victim number one was well fed, showed no signs of torture, and she was smiling. Victim number two was malnourished and had been tortured significantly, she had burn marks on her torso and she had been whipped. The second victim died from having her throat ripped out, her organs were removed postmortem. Victim one died from an incision through which her internal organs were removed. The incisions match, which is what is letting us know they were both done be the same guy.” She flipped some more papers. “Both tox screens came back clean.”

“There wasn’t any trace to speak of at either dump site. Both girls weren’t sexually abused; in fact both were virgins, with hymens intact. But, why tear out one’s throat and not the other’s? What did she do to tick him off?” Sam sighed. “This guy is one sick bastard.”  Sam looked at number two’s smiling, happy face in the picture her parents had given him.

“Yep. And he knows his game. He’s done this before.”

“I don’t think he’s finished, either.”  Sam put her picture down.

“Me either. Let’s go talk to the friends again maybe they’ve remembered something, anything.”  Naomi stood.

“Okay.”  Sam followed her through the double doors and out to her sedan.

As they pulled out, each one had a bad feeling about this case, they both knew the sicko was just clearing his lungs, he hadn’t yet begun to sing.