Rise From Darkness (13 page)

Gremory
circled behind them and put a hand on Alexander’s shoulder. “Maybe you should find a support group to help you come out of the closet?” Both demons chuckled.

Gaby realized they split up and cornered them. She tried to step around him, but he moved too fast.

“Alex couldn’t know anything about my mother’s accident. He wasn’t there. I feel sorry for you. I couldn’t imagine living with all that jealousy and hate. Now leave me alone.”

“Poor Spunky, you don’t have a clue about Alexander and what he’s capable of. You see he was there when your mother—”

“I said shut up
Forras
.” Alexander grabbed Gaby’s arm and pulled her along away from them.

A second later
Forras
appeared a few feet in front of them leaning against a railing.

“Why won’t you just leave us alone?” Gaby’s breath caught in her throat as the mark on her skin throbbed. He didn’t have the right to even mention her mother.

“Alexander murdered your mother.”

“You liar. I won’t let your jealousy split us up. Go away, it won’t work.” Her voice broke with a heavy feeling of dread.

“Ask your boyfriend. I bet he won’t deny it.”

Gaby stopped in her tracks. She felt compelled to turn and face Alexander. Like the day on the beach when she almost agreed to go to the bonfire. This is what Alexander had warned her about. It was as if
Forras
placed his hands on her shoulders and turned her around. He had complete control over her body. She whimpered as she turned to face Alexander.

Guilt showed on his face and it drained the life from her.

“Tell him he’s wrong. Alex, tell him.” Her voice rose and she choked back the sobs she knew were surfacing.

“Gaby, I’m sorry. I wanted to tell you.” Alexander took her hands and pleaded with his eyes.

“No! It’s not true.” But his face said otherwise. He’d betrayed her. Murdered her mother.

Forras
’ control released and she took off running tripping and twisting her ankles in her heeled shoes on the boardwalk. People watched as she raced past. The demonic mark on her abdomen stung like a hundred army ants bit it at once. She didn’t know where she was going or what she was doing, she just had to get away from them.

Turning down the back of a building into an empty parking lot near the woods, she attempted to silence the voices and sounds in her head. The car crash flashed through her mind. The sounds, the smells, the emotion, everything haunted her. The burn of anxiety blanketed her skin. Could
Forras
be forcing her to relive everything? To see Alexander’s role in this? No, he couldn’t have caused the accident.

Why didn’t he deny it? She crouched holding her head in her hands trying to make the vision go away. It was vivid like one of her dreams, but she never had one during the day before. Her head pounded as hard as her heart but she couldn’t escape the memory.

Crawling to her mother - her father’s screams - the fire - it all flashed by, but there was more. She saw him. Alexander kneeling in a snow covered field not too far from the crash. Wings outstretched and fire in his eyes. She heard laughter, deep sinister laughter—
Forras
. Both were there.

Someone touched her shoulder. She glanced up trying to see though the blur of water in her eyes.

“I’m so sorry.” Alexander wrapped his arms around her shoulders.

“No, you don’t get to comfort me.” She pushed him away and slid up the wall to stand.

“You’re only sorry you got caught.”
Forras
’ mark on her abdomen pulsed with the beat of her heart.

Gremory
stood behind him taunting,
Forras
loomed behind with a large grin adorning his face.

“Leave her alone, haven’t you done enough?” Alexander ordered.

“I’m just getting started. She’s mine now. You lost.”
Forras
’ voice came with deep-seated pleasure.

“I’m not anyone’s. I’m not a thing you can posses.” Gaby’s body betrayed her as it shook violently.

She turned to run but Alexander grabbed her arm. “No, you have to stay with me. I understand if you never want to see me again, but I’ll take you home. You’re not safe, not with
Forras
targeting you.”

Forras
laughed. “I need a new pet. You’ll be perfect.”

Gaby pulled from Alexander and fell into
Forras
. His arms locked around her. Everything around her erupted. Wings and claws and red eyes. Smears of browns and greens in the darkness. It was one of her paintings—the one that evoked so much pain.

Forras
raked his claws across her shoulder and blood ran down her arm. Red mixed with brown and yellow. She pulled away with a sharp pain in radiating from her neck all the way to her fingers.

Forras
stood a foot away with a sadistic smile. His own blood trickling down his wart covered grey cheek. It was his blood that mixed with hers. The world around her spun. The ground quaked and lights exploded as she ran to the woods.

She bolted, faster, harder, leaving her shoes behind. The twigs and rocks cut into her feet. Glancing down she saw the trail of blood but nothing stopped her.

A rage surfaced from within. She reached a large clearing. Boon and Sammy jumped from their blanket on the ground.

“Sorry to interrupt your secret rendezvous.” She could hear the hate and sarcasm of her own voice.

“What’s wrong?” Sammy ran over to Gaby but she pushed her away, knocking her to the ground. The strength empowered her, there was no pain or sorrow just unadulterated hate and fury that made her strong. No more being a victim. She could handle herself.

Boon ran to her. “Gaby, you’re bleeding. What happened?”

“Nothing. I feel great.”

Boon shifted and analyzed her wound. “I bet you do. For another couple of minutes anyway.”

“What are you talking about?” Sammy looked between her and Boon.

Boon approached with a cautious step. “Can I look at your shoulder Gaby?”

She ripped the shrug from her shoulder and threw it to the ground. Not feeling the need to hide her skin, or anything else on her body for that matter.

“Where’s Alexander?” Sammy shrieked.

“Who cares?” Gaby shrugged her shoulders. “Poor little Boon. You’re so pathetic. Why do you hide from him?”

Boon leaned in and sniffed her shoulder. “Sammy, find Alexander. We might have minutes left.”

Sammy took off in a blinding light.

“Why do you sound so concerned? Everything is great, amazing, stupendous. I’ve never felt so alive before.”

“Gaby you have to listen to me. You have to fight it.”

“Fight what?”

“The poison. It is going to be painful, excruciating, but you have to try to be strong.” Boon clutched her arms. “Look at me.”

What was he talking about? “I feel fantastic. I could take on the world right now.”

“I know. You have this euphoric sensation, but it’s going to pass. You are going to hate everyone and everything. You’re going to want to cause pain to everyone you love. You’re going to feel like … a demon.”

Alex raced toward Gaby with a navy hue surrounding him. “What happened?”

Gaby shoved him away from her. He stumbled back several steps. “What do you mean, what happened? You know what happened. You murdered my mother.

Her skin started to burn.

“Gaby stay calm, you’re going to make it worse.” Boon said in a smooth tone.

“Shut up, Boon. You don’t even like Alex.” Gaby wanted to destroy both of them, “Are you going to tell Alex, or shall I?”

“Gaby, don’t,” Sammy yelled out, but there was no stopping her.

“Sweet, dear Alex, love of my life, liar and murderer.” The burning sensation rose up in her throat, she could spit fire. She knew she could burn them all to Hell with her words. “Your sweet little innocent sister here and Boon have been getting it on behind your back.”

“What?” Alexander’s voice came weak.

“Alexander, focus. Gaby is losing it. We have to get her to some place safe before we can’t control her at all.” Boon insisted.

Alexander turned on Boon. “How can I trust you? You could be lying. All of you are liars.”

“You don’t have to believe me. Look at her.” Boon gestured to Gaby.

“Alexander, please. I will explain everything later. I know you see Boon only as a demon but—”

“Demon? Oh dear Sammy, really? How perfect. Your brother despises demons. He thinks he’s better than them. Even though he hasn’t realized yet he is nothing more than a demon with wings.” Gaby purred.

Boon tried to grab Alex but he moved away. “Don’t listen to her. She doesn’t know what she’s saying.”

Gaby laughed deep and loud. “Please, Boon, I know exactly what I’m saying and don’t try to change the subject. We were talking about you and Sammy and your sordid love affair. Alexander, what do you think their babies will look like? Fangs, greenish-red eyes, with or without wings? That would be a sight.”

The burning grew more intense. She lunged to attack Alex with the intention on killing him or sending him to hell. There would be no stopping her. She could feel the strength and power surge through her body. She threw him to the ground.

“Come on, fight back. Aw, are you going to cry now? Poor, Alexander isn’t as good as he thought he was. He’s no better than a low life demon.” The skin on her arms started to bubble in front of her eyes. She jumped down on him and started punching him. He didn’t turn, his eyes stayed cool, wings invisible.

“Fight back.” Gaby yelled at him trying to get him to change. She wanted to conquer him in his angel form. Boon and Sammy grabbed each of her arms but she jerked free.

“Alex, come on we have to get her home.” Sammy pleaded.

Gaby jumped to her feet and turned to fight them all, but her arms erupted in flames. She waved them up and down rapidly and fell to the ground rolling trying to put the flames out, but her entire body exploded in an inferno. The pain was maddening and she could smell her flesh melt. “Help me. Help!”

“Boon, help her, what do we do?” Sammy reached for Gaby but the heat intensified. “No, don’t touch me.”

“We have to get her home now. The hallucinations have started. She’s going to be out of control soon,” Boon urged them.

Hallucinations? Was he mad? She was burning alive.

“I’m so sorry Gaby. So, so sorry.” She could hear Alexander’s words and hated him more, but she couldn’t respond. The pain and rage empowered and crippled her at the same time. Maybe if she gave into the pain, it would stop but something warned her it would only be the beginning if she did.

Chapter Ten

Alexander shoved Boon out of the way. “I have to try.” He touched Gaby’s shoulder only to jerk his searing hand away. “She’s burning up.”

His stomach twisted as Gaby thrashed about. He cursed himself for not listening to Grace. This was his fault. If she died, he had no one to blame but himself.

Boon helped him up from the ground. “Alexander, you can’t help her. Even with the powers you once possessed—”

“I-I can’t lose her.” Alex jerked away and Boon knelt next to her. What had he done? She was the only person on this Godforsaken planet he cared for more than Grace or Sammy. A strange heaviness covered his heart. A sense of loss he’d never felt before, not even when he fell. His insides twisted and he doubled over unable to rid himself of an overwhelming desire to die.

Pain, sadness, and fear collided in a sea of emotion. His heart ached with each beat, as if it had been created for one purpose. Not just to pump blood through his body. How he yearned for her wasn’t just physical, or emotional, but a compound of everything. He couldn’t think of a word to describe his emotion except, love. He loved her and he couldn’t lose her now.

He placed one hand on her shoulder and the other on her waist.

Ignoring the burning that radiated from his palms, he struggled with every ounce of light within his body to keep his hands against her flesh. He swallowed down a lump in his throat as his head spun. The horrific sensation of falling forever into a sea of darkness invaded his mind. The evil radiating from her body forced him to relive the feelings he experienced the day of his banishment from Heaven.

His eyes burned and his body trembled. He cried out and panted forcing himself to continue.

“Alex, stop!” Sammy grabbed his arm and yanked him away.

He choked and gasped for air, watching Gaby through watering eyes, curled in a fetal position, her screams growing louder with each second.

She lay there dying. And he knew there was nothing else he could do. He had failed. “What’ve I done?” He held his head and beat it against the ground. Sobs escaped his lips while he fought for control.

Boon ran past Alexander to Gaby. “There’s no more time. We need to go.”

“We’ll never make it to our house and we can’t take her back to your car, at the pier, in her condition. What are we going to do?” Sammy sobbed.

“Gaby’s house.” Alexander whispered. “Her dad shouldn’t be home. It’s our only choice.”

Did it matter? Was there anything anyone could do to save her now?

Life would be meaningless without her. His entire body ached to help her.

Gaby thrashed about and he reached out to touch her but halted. Instead rested his body next to hers on the ground, trying to remain as close as possible without physical contact.

“Alex’s too weak. I’ll fly her home.” Sammy reached down but Boon took her hand in his.

“No Sammy. You can’t change into your angel form. It could kill her or you. We can’t take the chance. We’ll have to walk.”

It took all three of them to carry her. With each step Alexander weakened further. Her skin burned his hands as he fought to hold onto her. He grasped tighter welcoming the penance for what he’d done.

“Sammy, are you—” Alexander tried to mutter the words.

“Yes, just keep walking, we’ll make it.” Sammy managed through gritted teeth.

“It’s Gaby. She’s draining you. We have to hurry.” Boon ushered them on.

They picked up speed ignoring her screams and growls that echoed through the darkening woods.

If only he could calm her, touch her, kiss her, heal her. He’d give up his own life if he could.

To their relief, when they reached her house no one was home except
Patronus
. He barked and jumped at them as they opened the front door.

“Sammy, find Grace. She’ll know more about what to do.” Boon said while he and Alexander maneuvered through the tight hall.

“Alex you go.” Sammy pleaded.

“No, Sammy, I need Alexander’s help. You have to get Grace.”

“I can’t leave you two alone, you might kill each other.”

Alexander looked up at Boon and the hatred was gone. All he cared about was saving Gaby and if Boon could help even a little, he didn’t care if he was demon, angel, or hunter. He’d take it.

“Go, now. We don’t have any other choice.” Boon insisted.

Sammy’s eyes pleaded with Alexander.

“I won’t harm him. I promise.” He couldn’t if he wanted to. Not in the state he was in. Gaby had drained all energy from him.

Sammy rushed to the front door, pausing to grasp the wall for balance. It was obvious Gaby had weakened her too.

“Hurry, Sammy.” Alexander called out before the door slammed shut behind her.

Alexander’s body shook, not only from the pain, but the gravity of the situation. His chest tightened and he fought back tears. He couldn’t cry now, there’d be time for that later. Right now he had to focus on getting her upstairs.

They fought their way up to her room while
Patronus
followed close behind.

“Why isn’t
Patronus
barking and attacking you or Gaby?”

“He doesn’t have a problem with me, and as for Gaby she isn’t exactly a demon.”

Not a demon. Then there was hope. “What do you mean?”

“I’ll have Grace explain when she gets here.” Boon fell to his knees as they lowered Gaby on to her bed. They sat across from each other on the floor, holding her down, while she continued contorting and twisting in obvious pain.

Alexander brushed the dirt stained hair from Gaby’s face. Her eyes looked vacant and unresponsive. He didn’t know what was worse. The episodes of screaming and cursing or the deafening quiet when she appeared lifeless. Each made his insides twist in all directions.

“Why do you think Grace will know what to do? How do you even know her?” Alexander asked.

“I’ve known Grace for years.” Boon looked away. “It’s a long story. One I don’t want to share.”

Alexander didn’t have time to ask any more questions before Gaby went into another fit. His skin blazed as he struggled to keep control of her. Even his heart caught afire, although not for the same reason. Wings started to emerge from his body without warning, as if he’d lost all control of himself.

Patronus
started barking wildly at him.

“
Patronus
, it’s okay, I’m trying to help her.”

“You have to stay in human form. She’ll drain you completely if you change.”

Alexander concentrated on holding her down while staying in human form. But instinct took over and his healing powers were controlling him.

Gaby’s fit slowed to a dull groan and whine.

Patronus
sat back down and rested his head on his paws. Every so often when Gaby growled too loud he would sit back up and whimper.

After a moment, his wings relaxed and he could breathe again.

“Alex, we’re here.” Sammy’s voice echoed from the stairway. His heart leapt with hope.

Grace entered the room and leaned against the doorframe, trying to steady herself between labored breaths.

Alexander pleaded with his eyes for Grace to do something.

Grace shuffled toward him. “I’m afraid there is little I can do to help, son.”

Alexander’s mind and body collapsed in despair.

“You’ve got to do something. Boon said you could help.”

Boon held up a hand in defense. “I said she would know more.”

Grace glanced at Boon and lifted a brow.

“What is it?” Alexander wanted to know this secret past between them, especially if it could help Gaby. “How do you know Boon, and why haven’t you told me before? I’m tired of secrets. Look at what secrets have done.” Alexander’s voice broke.

“I’ve told you that I knew demons in my past. Some good, some lost, some doomed.” Grace spoke with a hushed calm voice.

“You never mentioned Boon specifically, why?”

Another fit raged from Gaby. The wound on her shoulder oozed greenish-brown mucus and Alexander gagged at the putrid smell. Each breath brought pain. His heart ripped open like her wound, at the sight of her struggle.

“Stand back.” Grace made her way to the bed and knelt using the nightstand to brace her descent to the floor. “Gaby, can you hear me? You need to keep fighting, my child. Don’t give up. I know it hurts but remember
God will fight for you; you need only to be still.” Grace touched Gaby’s forehead and she calmed down.

“How’d you do that?” Alexander stood over them. “I tried and couldn’t—”

“I only calmed her soul enough to fight. I didn’t heal her. She still wages a war within herself.”

“Is she going to—” He couldn’t get the words out, it was too horrifying.

“No, she’s not turning into a demon, not exactly.” Grace’s words came heavy.

Gaby stirred in the bed “Mom? Is that you?”

Alexander cringed; he’d taken her mother from her. The tears escaped and he turned to face the wall. Bile rose in his throat as he flashed back to the accident again. Smoke, cries, her mother’s arm resting limp from her father’s embrace.

“Alex.” Gaby whispered.

“Gaby, sweetheart, I’m here.” Alexander raced to her side to take her hand in his. His heart leapt at the thought that she wanted him there, he hadn’t lost her forever.

In an instant her eyes changed to yellow and the skin on her arms started to bubble as if small bugs crawled beneath it. Alexander fell back when she swung her arm to hit him.

“Murderer, murderer, you murdered my mother!”

Grace pulled Alexander back and caressed Gaby’s hair. “It’s time to rest child.”

Gaby’s skin stopped moving and her breathing steadied.

“What is going on? How can she still be alive? I’ve never heard of a human lasting this long.” Alexander managed through choked breaths.

Grace looked at him with haunted eyes. “You’re right. No ordinary human could survive.”

“What are you saying?” Alexander’s mind reeled with possibilities.

Grace traced the scar on Gaby’s shoulder from the accident that he had caused. “All I’m certain of is that there is something special about this child. Something not of this world is helping her. Only time will tell if she will survive.”

“You failed me. You’ve failed everyone and everything. Give up and go to hell.” Gaby’s voice came deep and demented. Alexander looked away unable to face her.

“Alex, she doesn’t know what she’s saying.” Sammy embraced him.

“It doesn’t matter, she’s right.” Alexander yearned to help.

Grace faced him with loving eyes. “Alexander, you have to leave. The evil raging within her is feeding off your grief. You can stay near, in another room, and we’ll call if we need you.”

“It won’t work. I’ve tried to stay far enough away so I wouldn’t harm her and close enough to protect her. Look at what that accomplished.” Alexander turned for the door arms stiff by his side.