Rise From Darkness Read online

  Laughter caught his attention. Alexander shook with rage when Forras took on his human form and strode onto the beach, celebrating his reign of terror on that girl, Gaby. A vibration shot from vertebrae to vertebrae up Alexander’s spine. His muscles twitched and bones cracked, but no wings emerged.

  Forras signaled the other vile demons to stay and headed to Alexander. “If it’s not the white knight.”

  Alexander’s fists clenched tight. He wanted to fight, drive them out of the area.

  One of the demons, at the edge of the surf, waved his hand around and wind blew up a wall of sand. Damn demons and their control of nature.

  “Go, Forras. You’ve had your fun.” Alexander swatted the sand away and stepped forward.

  “If you’re not having fun, why don’t you go away - far away?” Forras glanced at the others and turned back with a grin. “Oh, that’s right. You’re impotent. You can’t get your wings up.”

  Rage boiled to the surface, wings or no wings he’d take this smug demon out.

  “Still no movement back there?” Forras leaned around to see Alexander’s back. “Too bad you killed that woman in the car crash. Maybe if you saved her you could still fly?”

  Alexander tackled Forras and threw him to the ground. Forras kicked Alexander in the ribs sending him several feet in the air. Alexander’s back slammed against the dirt. Before he could tackle Forras again Sammy landed in between them, her rose hue wings spread wide. Each feather fluttered in the sea breeze.

  “Saved by your little sis?” Forras laughed.

  “It’s time to go,” Sammy said.

  Forras stepped into view and snarled at Alexander. His eyes mutated from bright green to blood orange. Red lines erupted from the pupils. Bones and tendons cracked as Forras’ body pulled and stretched. Four horns punctured his skull and jetted up, two on each side of his head. His ashen skin bubbled and contorted.

  In full demon form Forras bounded into the woods.

  The other three demons followed. The stench of rotting garbage lingered in the air causing a stinging liquid to bubble up his throat into his mouth. Over a year on Earth and he still couldn’t control the retched bodily functions and human emotions.

  Sammy’s wings folded, a pale pink light faded as they disappeared into her tiny human frame. She turned with a bright smile. “No need to worry. I followed Gaby home. Her father’s there so she should be fine.”

  Alexander took the path home and his body still shook with disgust. What good was he? An angel without the power to fly wasn’t an angel at all.

  “Why’d you walk away? You didn’t even say good bye to Gaby,” Sammy asked.

  “You know why,” Alexander snapped. He cringed at his own tone, but she needed to leave it alone.

  “Forras will target her now that you’ve saved her. There’s no turning back. He won’t give up. You need to be careful.”

  He hated when she was right. Muscles in his face twitched with agitation. “I’m always careful.”

  His white Victorian home, on the edge of the beach, came into view. The sight warmed his heart a little. He usually loved to sit on the front porch with Grace and Sammy watching the waves. But he didn’t want their company right now. He slammed the front door and darted up the stairs.

  “Are you hungry?” Grace called from the kitchen.

  Alexander sighed. In the last year, she’d become more than just a mother in name only. Of course, he and Sammy would’ve been lost if Grace hadn’t taken them in. Having the assistance of a fallen angel who had been here for a couple of centuries helped the transition after their fall.

  “No thanks,” he yelled down from the top of the stairs, then stepped into his room and closed the door. Hands shaking, he lifted a leather-bound copy of Edgar Allen Poe from the nightstand.

  Book clutched to his chest, he moved to the windows. Pulling back navy blue curtains, he peered out the floor-to-ceiling glass. His gaze drifted down the beach in the direction of Gaby’s house. There was something familiar about the way that girl’s blond hair danced in the wind, and her hips swayed when she walked.

  Grace tapped on his door. “Alexander, are you okay, son?”

  He gritted his teeth, torn. Half of him needed to open the door and talk. Grace would know why his heart felt so heavy and his hands cold and clammy. But the other half wanted to avoid any conversation pertaining to Gaby Moore.

  “I’m fine.”

  “May I come in?”

  “It’s your house.” Shame filled him. Grace didn’t deserve his rude behavior. She was so good and kind to him and Sammy, their only hope to prevent the continued descent so many had taken.

  He forced a smile when she entered and shut the door behind her. A gray wisp of hair fell into her eyes and she sat on the bed. Her hand brushed it back toward the tight bun resting neatly on the top of her head.

  Grace tapped the bed next to her inviting him to sit. “I heard you met a girl today.”

  Alexander wanted to smack Sammy upside the head for saying something. He shrugged and remained by the window, ignoring the way his heart sped at the memory of her. The girl was nothing to him.

  “I was wondering when this might happen.” Grace rested her hands in her lap, her eyes haunted.

  “I don’t know what the fuss is about. She’s just some girl.” But there was something familiar about that girl.

  Alexander placed the well-worn book back on the nightstand. “Something else happened though.” A rise of excitement traveled up within him. “It was…was.”

  “What?”

  He pivoted to face her.

  “I’m not sure. Something strange is happening to me. Do you think I might be gaining some of my powers back?” Alexander plopped down onto his bed. He hated that he sounded like a typical teenager waiting with baited breath for permission to attend some party. Except this was no party. This was everything.

  Grace squeezed his hand. “Anything is possible, but why do you think you’re getting them back?”

  “I felt different when I tried to push the demonic images from her mind. It was as if something was moving in my stomach. My hands were shaking and sweaty, and my head spun.”

  “I see.” Grace rose from the bed and walked around the room for a moment. “Where your powers are concerned, I’ve often wondered if their loss was due to guilt you clung to over the woman dying in the car crash, and that they’d return when you’re ready to forgive yourself. I never believed Heaven revoked them. However, in this case I think something else is going on.”

  “What? What else could it be?”

  “Alex, the symptoms you spoke of could also mean that you feel something for this girl. Something a teenage boy might feel for a teenage girl.”

  Alexander clinched his fist tight around the corner of a navy blue pillow. “I don’t want anything to do with her. I only experienced my powers returning.” She glanced at his hand. He unclenched it and smoothed the wrinkles on the gray bedspread.

  “Again, I believe it may be possible. But if you do start to find yourself attracted to this girl, I urge you to talk to me about it. There are things you need to know.”

  “What kind of things?”

  Grace took a deep accentuated breath, “You need to understand, you might have the body of a teenage boy, and the healing powers of an ancient angel, but you have the self-control of a two-year-old child.”

  Alexander bolted from the bed, pillow clutched tight in his hand. “Self-control of a two-year-old?

  “Yes, after all you’ve only been human a little less than two years.”

  “That’s ridiculous. I showed amazing restraint today when I didn’t kill all those worthless demons.” As he paced the floor, anxiety burned his skin at the thought of those demons touching Gaby.

  “You must speak to me about these things. It is imperative you understand how powerful you are and how easily you can lose control. I love you, son. I’m here for a reason.”

  As Grace left, Alexander scoffed. He was
n’t two and he didn’t have a problem with control and certainly didn’t have feelings for a human. It was just that she seemed so frail and in need of protection.

  A shiver raced down his back as if his feathers locked in his flesh and bones, ruffled. What Sammy had said was true. He’d interfered with Forras and his friends’ fun. By saving Gaby he’d made things worse. She’d suffer years of torture until she went insane. It wouldn’t hurt to keep an eye on her for a while. This could be a second chance to save a life. It was his duty and he wouldn’t fail. Not this time.

  Chapter Two

  Gaby took a step back when her father shifted forward in the chair.

  “Where were you?” His faint yet deep voice could barely be heard.

  “I-I went for a walk on the beach.”

  “Came home early to help with the unpacking.” His eyes scanned the room. “Anything left to do?”

  Thank God. His words came clear with no slurring. He wasn’t drunk. This would be a civil conversation. But his tone indicated something was up. She ran her toe along the edge where the linoleum kitchen floor and carpet met.

  Please don’t move us. Not now!

  She glanced at the few remaining boxes nestled in the corner of the room which could easily be thrown in the back of his truck again. Not even the items already tucked neatly into their new residence would be a barrier to leaving in the morning. No, she wouldn’t let that happen. Not this time.

  “Catch any bad guys today?” Gaby tried to approach the subject of his job with caution.

  “Not today, but I’m close.”

  “Dad, couldn’t you take a break. I know your job is important, but I want to stay in one place for awhile. No more name changes, or moves. Please.”

  “Gaby, we’ve been over this a hundred times. I have to do this—”

  “The government can find someone else.” Gaby’s heart began to beat faster.

  “Not with my, um, unique skills.”

  “What does that mean? How many different ways is there to kill a bad guy?”

  His brow furrowed and he shifted forward in the chair. “I’m not getting into this again. I have a job, it pays the bills, I keep you safe. End of discussion.”

  “Fine, I’m going to shower then start dinner. You going to be home tonight?” She paused, hoping he’d feel guilty for leaving her home alone, again.

  “What do you think about attending the local public school this year?” Her father’s words hung in the air as if to tease her.

  She hadn’t attended school since the age of ten. Cookies and milk, laughter, and plenty of hugs were all part of homeschooling with her mom. Reading became an adventure with play swords and princess tiaras. Nothing was ever boring or old. Her heart ached when she envisioned her mom stroking her hair while she sat at the kitchen table working math problems. But now the seat next to her remained empty each day.

  “You mean it?” Gaby hesitantly stepped one foot onto the old shaggy carpet.

  “Yeah, I mean it.”

  Gaby took two long steps and lunged forward to hug him, with a warm sense of happiness. She’d never done that before, not with him. Those were mom hugs. She pulled back and looked into his face. Deep creases lined his eyes and his mouth stretched wide into a grin. He slugged her shoulder, like a father to a son.

  She shuffled backward knocking into a side table. “Thanks, dad. I’ll do great.” She pivoted and ran upstairs, closed the bathroom door and jumped up and down. Was it a dream, or did her dad just give her permission to attend school? She cupped her hands to her mouth and screamed into them. She might see Sammy and her brother Alexander at school. They appeared her age.

  A best friend and a boyfriend. She chuckled, realizing how she’d jumped forward just a little. But she couldn’t help it. For the first time in six years, she’d be able to hang out with kids her own age.

  Finally, her father seemed human again. He’d actually smiled after she hugged him. How long had it been since he smiled? A year?

  She cranked the old handle and pulled it out watching water sputter to life from the showerhead. Removing her shirt, Gaby traced a small, puffy, zigzag pattern on her abdomen. Her gaze went to her ankle. Another reddish bruise.

  Frowning she rubbed the mark. The sting subsided a little. She knew she hadn’t been tangled in mutant weeds. Something was out there. It was a creature she recognized from a dream that haunted her nightly, causing her to wake soaked in sweat. She shivered at the image and knew what kind of monster caused night terrors. And if the dark shadow in the ocean was anything like the one in her dreams … It was evil and deadly.

  ****

  The minute darkness fell, Alexander stood at his window. An entire world waited beyond the tree line. Maybe Grace was right and he could fly, if he let go of his grief. But how could he let go of the images of the woman’s death that haunted him nightly?

  He ran his hand through his hair and teetered on the edge of the window molding. Time to test if his powers really were returning. Heaven’s stamp of approval to protect Gaby.

  He concentrated on opening his skin and bones to free his wings. His body tensed with anticipation. Cracks echoed in his ears as muscles and bones painfully pulled allowing his wings to extend. He stretched through the tightness and glided to the ground. Good thing angel wings didn’t atrophy.

  He looked down the length of his right wing and watched it ripple. With a deep breath and a flutter of his wings, he pushed off from the ground, only to land a few feet ahead.

  Cursing, he kicked a rock and sent it sailing down the sand dunes into the ocean. He closed his eyes and drank in the sea’s night air then launched himself toward the sky.

  With determination he soared toward the clouds and broke through the white fluff in the sky. He tasted the damp air and the cool breeze swept through his hair. He fought the muscle spasms calling him back to the ground and continued. His heart lifted higher than he flew, finally, he was free. He’d earned his wings back.

  Grace could’ve been right, but it could also be a sign from Heaven.

  He reveled in the joy and freedom of flying. The wind caressed each feather as he circled around skimming treetops. It required all his focus to stay on target and not take to the heavens and perform his beloved loops.

  It didn’t prove difficult to find Gaby’s home. There was only one house in the direction she’d walked earlier. He dove into the shadows of the trees.

  The moon shone down on the grass around him. The sound of crickets chirping and frogs croaking filled him with peace. No lights illuminated her house, but he felt her stirring in bed. She cried out into the night, but he didn’t sense anyone in the house. His insides hummed when he connected with her. It was happening again. It had to be his powers. He felt her toss and turn in despair. Concentrating on her mind, he pulled the energy from deep inside. A vibration rolled through his body and exited his hands. She settled into a deep sleep. He’d calmed her dreams. If his powers were truly returning then the ability to heal someone wouldn’t be far behind.

  A dull ache welled up within as he jumped down from the tree and paced back and forth outside the home.

  Everything went silent.

  The hair on the back of his neck stood up. His stomach lurched. Pungent smell of rotting fruit assaulted his nostrils.

  There was only one demon with a smell that rank.

  “Alexander.” A smooth voice from above enunciated each syllable of his name. Forras leapt down from a ten-foot high branch in an old oak tree, landing in front of him in a fighting stance. “Since when does Alexander Lorre fly?”

  “Should I feel honored that you’ve taken an interest in me today, Forras?” Alexander gritted his teeth, suppressing his hatred. It wouldn’t do any good to give into the anger and lose focus.

  “Boys, anyone notice something different about Alexander?” Forras glanced up toward the canopy above. “I think he might be ill. Is there anything I can do for you?”

  Alexander met Forras’ gaze, har
dening his features and refusing to react to Forras’ feigned concern. Despite the demon’s large athletic build, he moved with the grace of a gymnast.

  “You appear a little flushed. I hope, no, wait a minute, I know what ails you. It’s obvious. You’re in love. You have fallen, oh pardon the pun, for that little blond human.” Eerie chuckles echoed through the woods around him.

  “Are you finished?” Alexander made his way around him when three others jumped down from nearby trees. Now outnumbered four to one, Alexander stopped mid-step. Fists clenched at his side, a hot flash ran through his body. If he tried to take them all, there could be collateral damage. Maybe even Gaby.

  “Alexander thinks he’s so much better than us. Who do you think you are, spoiling our fun this morning? Why don’t you just stay out of it and let us have her?”

  Alexander’s blood boiled, “Stay away from her, Forras!”

  “There, that’s better. I told my friends here that you are too pure and perfect to get involved with a human girl. I’m afraid the others don’t believe me though. They want to know what’s so special about her. What is it? Her bright blue eyes, her tight body—”

  “There is nothing between us.” Alexander lunged forward.

  Forras jumped in front of him. “You think you have some sort of higher purpose here on Earth? Wrong. You’re only one step away from becoming a demon.”

  “You’ll never turn me. I’m nothing like you.”

  “It’s not you I’m thinking about turning.” He smiled revealing his crooked yellowed teeth. The demon kind, not the straight ones he displayed to humans. He pivoted on his heels and jumped to a branch six feet overhead. The mangrove and oak trees swayed, producing a creaking sound that radiated through the woods.

  “I told you to stay away from Gaby.”

  “Gaby? Hmm, I like that name. It sounds… spunky.” Forras stared down at him with a wicked grin. “It was fun playing with her, but she isn’t the one I’m referring to.” He paused, jumping from the tree landing on all fours then standing erect before him. “Have you seen your little Sammy lately?”