Mystery's Choice (Vengeance Of The Fallen Book 1) (29 page)

“I can leave if this is too much.”

“No, I have to deal with it some time, it might as well be now.” He moved his hands from under hers and wiped the tear from his cheek. “Are you sure you want to work with me on this case?”

“Yeah, I think I can do some good. I have a background in Serial Crimes.”

“Oh. That should be useful, welcome aboard.” He stood and dropped crumpled bills on the table. She reached out to steady him. “I’m fine, funny how reality sobers you up, even when you don’t want it to.”  He straightened his tie and jacket. “See you tomorrow.” He could feel her eyes on him as he walked out into the night.

Mystery tried desperately to search herself for some memory of the ancient meeting place. The Roodmasi had met there for a very long time; she had lived there for the first three years of her life. Yet as she searched her memories and the memories of others, she could find no one in the whole state who knew of their location. Roodmas grew closer and closer with each passing day and she still had nothing to give the now impatient Detective Jefferies. Every day without her child weakened her resistance. She still had no control over when and where her demon lover showed up. She knew she needed to tell Ryan about him, but to her eternal shame she had enjoyed his visits. Mystery knew as a Roodmasi she would have great wealth and she could be with her son.

She reminded herself as she looked out the window at the beautiful blue sky and the fluffy clouds it was for her son, Ryan, and mankind she must remain strong and she must learn everything she could about her powers. She had to be ready for the final showdown with Cain. She had to win.

Mystery went downstairs to find Ryan, he was in the kitchen reading the paper and drinking coffee. She went over to him and kissed him.

“I made coffee. You looked so peaceful I didn’t want to wake you.” 

“Thanks. I needed the sleep.”  Mystery took a seat at the table across from him.

“What do you want for breakfast?  How about some chocolate chip waffles?”

“Sounds great!”

Mystery went to the refrigerator to get the ingredients she would need. She got out the waffle iron and plugged it in.

“Ryan. I think I should pretend to go home. I think that’s the only way I will get enough knowledge of my powers to defeat Cain.”

“No way!”

“Ryan, listen. If I can learn to use my powers, the prophecy says it is possible for me to defeat Cain. I think that is the only way to save us.”

Ryan came over to Mystery and turned her to face him, he raised her face so he could look into her eyes. “How do we know going to them won’t make you evil?  How do we know you will still want to fight Cain?”

She pulled out of his arms and went to stare out the window at the falling snow. The snow should stop falling before Roodmas. Spring was coming and time was short. “I don’t know. But if I don’t try, the Ascension will happen, Satan will come to power and mankind will suffer for all of eternity. I have to try. I have to go.”  She walked back to him and hugged him from behind. “We have to win.”

He turned in her arms and pulled her tight against him. “Okay. I’ll go grocery shopping or something tomorrow morning. When Cain comes, appear to weaken and to give in. You will let me know you are okay as soon as you can, or I will find a way to come after you.”

“I’ll let you know.”  She went back to her cooking, Ryan watching her every move. They both were wondering if they were doing the right thing. They both knew they were doing the only thing they could do.

They spent the rest of the day together, only separating long enough to go to the bathroom. Ryan and Mystery spent the night making love until they fell asleep from sheer exhaustion. When morning came they made love one more time and then showered together, holding each other until the spray ran cold. Ryan got dressed, put on his coat and gloves, and went to the car. He looked at Mystery standing in the upstairs window, and then he drove away.

There is comfort in evil.

No hurting with good intentions.

It promises utter destruction

And never breaks its promise.

Predictable and focused,

It whispers to the lost,

Taking the pain and the longing,

Snuffing out hope

wringing the last tear.

Filling the void inside

with sweet, calming nothing. –

19

Mystery went downstairs and poured herself a mug of coffee. She took it and went to sit at the table. Tears streaked down her face as the sound of her son’s crying filled the room. He was hungry and she could not get to him to feed him. She waited for the usual anger and all she felt was sorrow and weariness.

To dispel the doom she decided to go for a run. She went and changed and headed out down the street, pushing herself as hard as she could. She would run the melancholy out of her system and she would go home and deal with her father. She remembered Ryan would be back before too long, so, she called him on her cell and told him she would need more time. He said he would go to the movies.

Mystery continued to run until she could barely catch her breath. She turned around and pushed herself harder, making the return trip in half the time. She let herself into the house and went upstairs to shower.

She leaned against the wall and let the hot water pummel her head. She willed herself to relax and let the liquid warmth seep into her body. She sighed languidly as her tensed muscles were soothed.

Unexpectedly, the bathroom curtain swung back, the water gathering in the tub splashed as invisible feet stepped in behind her. Mystery groped blindly for better hold on the slippery shower wall as hands covered her breasts and began to knead. She gave in to the pleasure and laid her head back onto a rock hard chest. A mouth she could not see claimed hers and an invisible finger slid inside her. She gasped as she was pushed into the wall and her butt cheeks were pulled apart. Mystery moaned as her demon lover’s shaft slowly sank into her butt. He drove it deeper and deeper with each thrust. She leaned her head back and he kissed her long and hard.

She let her head fall forward and enjoyed the sensation of being totally filled, gasping as he began pumping furiously. In his fever he grabbed her arms, pulling them behind her and using them to pull her back to meet each thrust. She smiled as she heard an unearthly growl echo around the shower stall. He continued to pump and Mystery started to pant as heat spread throughout her limbs. A sudden explosion of pleasure rocked her to the core, leaving her breathless. She closed her eyes and sighed as a primitive shout of triumph vibrated through the air. He pulled her head back and plundered her mouth with one last kiss.

The air stilled around her and Mystery was alone. She turned off the shower, toweled off as she returned to her room and sat down on her bed. Mournful sobs filled the room and Mystery was shocked to realize they came from her. She pulled her knees up to her and rested her head on them. Around her the air began to change again.

“Hello, Father.”  She said without looking up.

Cain came and sat beside her on the bed. He gently squeezed her knee. “Hello, daughter.”  He ran long fingers through her ebony hair.

Mystery sighed and stood. She hugged herself as she stared out the window. Without turning around she asked, “How is my son?”

“He is fine, daughter.”  He rose and went to her. “Will today be the day he gets to see his mother?”  He placed his hands on her shoulders and his chin rested on the top of her head.

Mystery gasped as a feeling of love jolted through her. She turned to look him in the eyes. They were sad and full of love and longing.

“Yes, my child, we feel love too.”  He stepped back. “It is different than mortal love, but love nonetheless.”  He raised her chin so she was looking at him. “We’re running out of time, my child. If you don’t come home before Roodmas, your grandfather has ordered me to destroy you and your men. He will order me to destroy the witch and the mortal cop. Please say yes.”  He was pleading.

“And if I do”, she turned away, “what happens to them?” she pointed out the window.

“Father, will train you and the Roodmasi will continue for years to come. The final battle is a long way off.”  He said as he began to hope.

“The prophecy?”  Mystery interrupted.

“Is a tale told to small children through the generations to give them hope. To let them know the Roodmasi will rule the world, someday.”  He smoothed her hair. “Nothing is decided yet, but having you would sure help tip the scales in our favor.”

“If I come, can you promise me the safety of Felicity, Mary Kate, Sam, Ryan, and Seth?”  She took her father’s achingly handsome face in her hands, “What will happen to them?”

“They were only important because they stood between you and me. The witch will be safe as long as she doesn’t try to interfere. Ryan also will be safe as long as he doesn’t try to come after you. Seth is not important enough to bother with, since you no longer love him. And mortal cops have never been a threat to us, without you to lead them to us, they are of no concern.”

Mystery went back to the bed and sat. Cain followed and sat down next to her taking her hands. “Come to us.”  He whispered in her ear

“Yes.”  Mystery whispered.

She could feel all of demon-kind rejoicing. Cain took her hand and placed it against his heart. “Say the words. Say what is in your heart.”

Mystery closed her eyes, “Satan loves me, and to him I go.”  She gasped as an intense feeling of completion and peace filled her. She marveled as tears ran freely down her cheeks. “Natas Sevil!” she shouted at the top of her lungs.

Cain gripped her hands. “Look inside yourself and picture the aerie.”  He chuckled at her quizzical expression. “Now that you are Roodmasi, you know the location, as it is only known to your people.”  He kissed her hands. “Picture your mother sitting in her chamber waiting to hear from me.”  Mystery closed her eyes. “Now wish to be with her.”

They disappeared and demon-kind wept with joy.

Raevanne sat in front of her vanity brushing her hair and worrying. Today was the last time Cain would try to convince Mystery to come home. If he failed today, the Master would demand her destruction, and Cain would be shattered but he would comply with his father’s wishes. Tears gathered in her eyes making them twinkle like emeralds, she just couldn’t lose her child. Bowing her head, she prayed to the Master to make her daughter come home.

Raevanne wiped hastily at her cheeks as the air began to tremble. It wouldn’t do for Cain to see her tears, he may not understand, he might suspect her loyalties were as divided as they were.

“Raevanne, my love.”  Cain’s presence filled the room.

Raevanne whirled around and gasped, standing next to her husband, looking lost, was their child. She jumped up and folded her into a mother’s arms. Both women hugged and cried, the mother whispering words of love, the daughter muttering words of forgiveness.

“Oh Cain, we must celebrate!” Her eyes now twinkled with excitement. “Her grandfather will want to attend.”  Raevanne’s excited chatter died as she felt Mystery shiver. She cupped her daughter’s pale face in her hands.

“My daughter, it will be different for you now, you are one of us. He will only be one more person who loves you. He will simply be your grandfather.”  She squeezed Mystery’s hand reassuringly.

“Cain, my love?” she turned pleading eyes to him, “Can I have a few minutes alone with our child?”

Cain smiled, “I’ll go tell Father and prepare for the celebration.” He bent to kiss Mystery’s cheek. “Welcome, my daughter, welcome!”  He turned and walked out of the chamber.

“Let’s get you ready for the celebration.”  Raevanne bounced up. “I think an emerald green cloak to match your eyes will be perfect.”

Mystery sat and allowed Raevanne to brush her ebony locks until they shone. Raevanne draped the cloak around Mystery’s shoulders admiring the way the candlelight reflected on her daughter’s bare skin. Raevanne planted a kiss on Mystery’s head and hugged her slim shoulders.

Cain was pleased to find both sets of green eyes glowing with happiness and excitement when he returned to the chamber a couple of hours later. He grasped his daughter’s hands and pulled her to him. Her eyes lit with joy as she kissed his cheek.

“Come, my women, let the celebration begin!” He took Raevanne’s hand and pulled both women from the chamber.

Mystery gaped in awe at all of the cloaked figures dancing in the light of hundreds upon hundreds of candles. They roared in happiness as she descended the stairs. Cain chuckled and led her to the altar. Once there he shrugged the cloak from her shoulders and lowered her to the altar. He bent to kiss her brow and murmured comforting words to her.

Silence descended as the air began to tremble. One by one the cloaked figures dropped their cloaks and fell to their knees. Raevanne and Cain removed their cloaks and joining hands lowered themselves to their knees, faces beaming with pride.

A tall muscular nude man began to walk through the kneeling figures to Cain and Raevanne. He kissed Cain’s lowered head as Raevanne kissed his feet.

“Rise my children.”  He said in a deep rich voice. He smiled as shouts of joy filled the air. “Cain, my son, show me my grandchild.”

Cain led the man to the altar, and soothed Mystery as his father looked her over.

“She’s exquisite.”  He closed his eyes and the other members of the coven began to chant, when he opened them again they were glowing red.

Mystery looked up at the man who was her grandfather and evil incarnate, and shuddered, formless pleas drifted through her mind.

“Don’t be afraid, my child.”  He straddled her. “Relax and enjoy.”

Mystery felt her body relax and her fear drift away. She smiled up at Satan and spread her legs. He bent and nipped her lip. Mystery moaned as she was thoroughly and completely filled. With each thrust the chanting grew louder. Mystery was shook to her core with an explosive release. Satan thrust so hard that the altar felt as though it moved beneath them. He rained little bites all over Mystery’s pale skin, leaving welts in his wake. Mystery’s moans turned to screams as his shaft began to grow with each thrust. When she thought she would be ripped apart, he threw back his head and roared, drowning out the fevered chanting. Mystery could only whimper as his cold, dead semen filled her, extinguishing all the light in her soul.

When her grandfather had left and the other coven members had gone back to their activities, Cain lifted a weeping Mystery into his arms; he took her up a set of stairs and into a grand chamber. She barely noticed the rich furnishings; she turned her face into the warmth of her father’s chest and closed her eyes. She cried out as Cain lowered her into a heated bath, the little bites all over her body stinging.

“Juliet, your lady’s maid, will be here momentarily to assist you with your bath. After you have let her tend your wounds, think of me. I will come to you and we can talk about why what happened had to happen. If you would like we can go and see Jeremiah.”

At Jeremiah’s name Mystery perked up. She looked at her father’s face; she saw genuine remorse there.

“Okay, Father.” she adjusted herself in the tub and gritted her teeth against the pain.

“I love you, Mystery.”  He turned to leave the room.

“I love you, Father.”  He smiled as he walked out and an older looking brunette woman came in.

“I am Juliet. I will serve you. If you need anything at all, Princess, please don’t hesitate to ask me.”  She bent and began to wash Mystery’s aching body, tenderly.

“Thank you. First thing you can do for me is call me Mystery.” She winced as the soapy rag Juliet used cleaned the bites.

“Mystery it is.” Juliet smiled.

Juliet was brushing out her hair when Mystery called for her father; he came into the room with her mother right behind him.

“Juliet please leave us.”  He waited until the maid had left. “Your mother had no idea of what your grandfather had planned. I had no idea, until I went to tell him you were home.”

“Okay.”  Mystery picked up the brush and finished brushing her own hair.

“He believes the child you are carrying will be very important in the coming wars. He knew your fear if you had known his plans would have kept you from being able to endure the conception.”