Raging Inferno (Delphine Rising Book 1), page 6
Apparently, Dauphine Street was the new hub for whatever dark forces were behind this bullshit; Marie Delphine’s name was written all over it. I just had to figure out how and who the hell she was using to get to my friends. Was it because of her ancestral connection to the Dauphine Orleans Hotel, a place of power, maybe?
We ran toward them, sprinting, yelling out for Christopher, and attempting to turn his attention toward us—it worked. His dark, crazed eyes centered on me and he came out in a dash, headed in my direction. Mom went right and Liz went left. I attempted to get him out of the line of sight, leading him toward an alleyway, with Mom and Liz not too far behind. We had him cornered. Just as I entered the alley, I noticed Sheri’s long, auburn hair, but something was definitely off. She was just standing there, waiting, with her back turned. I went out on a limb and asked her to help us with Christopher, but when she turned to look at me, blood covered her gorgeous face; her victim lay just beneath her feet. She too was surrounded in a black aura. She gave me a wicked smile and lunged forward just as Christopher stepped to her side.
The two of them stood side by side, while I looked on a bit petrified and heartbroken. I didn’t know what to think at that point. Could I be infected by this filthy magic as well? Christopher and Sheri were two of my closest friends from the Hybrid Coven. Sheri and I hung out all the time. Seeing her with blood dripping down her face and that maniac smile cut me to bone. How was I supposed to kill my friends? Was there any other way?
I saw Liz standing in the back part of the alley, blocking them off. I gave her a knowing look as tears formed in my eyes, letting her know Sheri was infected too. Liz raised both hands and a white beam of light discharged from her palms, slamming into both Christopher and Sheri, sending them crashing to the ground. They struggled and made the same keening, gurgling noise as the vampires from last night, unable to speak. At the same time, Mom, Danny and Genevieve arrived on the scene to see Liz take them down.
Genevieve walked toward her beloved hybrids, whispering a prayer over them as they hissed and attempted to break free from Liz’s magic. She then walked toward me; with a heavy heart, I nodded toward Liz and sent out my magic, disabling them further as Liz unsheathed her sword, decapitating them both in one fell swoop. She followed up with the prayer of redemption, sending their ashes to God for judgment.
We all stood there, transfixed, with tears in our eyes. Christopher, Tristan and Sheri had all been the kindest of souls. For the three of them to be taken over by dark magic was just…maddening and unacceptable. My heart was in pieces. Delphine had taken my friends with some sort of accomplice and we would get to the bottom of it, even if it meant my going into another one of her crazy illusions to confront the evil bitch myself.
The next, most pressing issue we had to take care of was cleaning up whatever mess the three of them had made: bodies in the street or alleyway, at least where Sheri was concerned. I only hoped that was all of their victims. As far as I knew, I was the only one Christopher had attempted to attack.
Genevieve was a bundle of nerves; she’d lost all composure from the beginning. She and Mom walked Dauphine and Conti Street to assess the damage and stave off any onlookers. Genevieve compelled anyone who saw the poor, old man Tristan had left dead in the street. Mom used her magic to clean his wound and they notified the police of an attack, saying they found the man along a side street. Thankfully, Luke, from our coven, was working today; he would be able to dispel any type of unease or rumors associated with the attacks.
Liz, Danny and I did much of the same with Sheri’s victim, attempting to cover her wounds with magic. Sheri had nearly decapitated her; it was a horrific scene. I wasn’t sure how we’d be able to explain that one. The best solution we could come up with was to have Danny make an anonymous call to the New Orleans Police Department that a body of a young woman had been found. At least that way, her family would be notified and they could put her body to rest. Today was an all-around craptastic suck festival.
We decided to head back to the shop after everything was said and done. I was numb. I didn’t even object when Danny sat next to me and rubbed my arms to console me. Sheri…my friend. We’d made plans to go out Friday night, and now? She was just… just gone; nothing more than a pile of ash sent away before I could even say goodbye.
I couldn’t wrap my mind around it. My mind and heart were in fragments as I lay my head on Danny’s shoulder and began to sob. No one said a word the entire trip; the mood was solemn and dreadful.
Chapter 7
We arrived at the shop to find the front window smashed; this day couldn’t possibly get any worse. As if we weren’t already in a shitty mood, now this? Mom and Genevieve were the first to arrive at the door, with Liz hovering over their shoulder.
“What the hell, Mom? This is unbelievable! We’re gonna have to check for clues to see if we can find out who was here. Maybe they left something behind and we can scry for them,” Liz said, impatiently waiting for her to open the door.
“It couldn’t possibly be rogue vampires… I’m done with vampires today,” she continued crossing her arms and tapping her booted foot, a nervous habit Liz had when she was upset, along with talking too much and rattling off whatever came to mind.
I stood behind, allowing Danny to hold my hand. For the first time in two years, I wasn’t uncomfortable and it didn’t feel awkward. I needed his comfort right then more than anything. I wasn’t sure what was going on in my head, but losing my friends had put my life in a different perspective. Sure, Danny was clingy, but at least I knew he cared about me and had my back when I needed him the most. I could think about the rest tomorrow. I was just holding his hand, no need to label anything, although, I was certain he would try.
Liz looked back at me and laughed. Seriously? I wanted to punch her. She didn’t do feelings… I got it, but she needed to leave me the hell alone.
“What are you laughing at? The shop was vandalized and we just lost our dear friends. Do you think you could be serious for at least a few minutes?” I asked, with more tears forming behind my eyes. I didn’t want to cry anymore, but I couldn’t help how much my heart hurt.
“Oh, Sis, I’m so sorry. I was only trying to lighten the mood. I didn’t mean to be insensitive. You know how I am. I didn’t mean… Sorry.” She broke out and bear hugged me.
“Girls, come on. We need to check out the damages and see if anything was stolen,” Mom said. “Danny, here’s a list of inventory; go through the shelves and see if any of the magical items marked with an asterisks are missing; they’re what’s most important.”
Genevieve stood by quietly assessing the scene. I could tell she was just as lost and heartbroken as I was…even more so. She’d known Tristan, Christopher and Sheri much longer than we had; they were her family.
“Genevieve, you don’t have to stay and help; we’ve got this under control, darling. I know you probably wish to get back to your coven and make sure everyone is safe and let them know what happened today,” Mom said with a sad expression marring her tired face. “All hybrids need to be cautious and stay away from Dauphine Street until we’re able to locate where the black magic’s originating from.”
“Yes, you’re right. I’m not quite sure how this happened; it shouldn’t have been possible. We’re supposed to be immune to black magic. I believe I should evacuate our current location and move to our home near St. Charles Avenue. We’d be closer to you and your family and able to meet with you at any time. It’s just not safe out there after what happened today. I’m not sure how—” Genevieve broke off in a sob.
I walked over and embraced her in a tight hug, sobbing right along with her. It was just too much for us to take. I decided to walk her out as she waved her goodbyes and offered apologies. Poor Liz just stood there with tears in her eyes, not exactly sure how to react.
Once we arrived back at her van, Genevieve thanked me and asked if she could meet with me sometime tomorrow. She had a few questions about the talisman’s magic that she was unable to ask earlier. She was certain it was somehow connected to today’s events. I agreed and hugged her one last time before she drove off.
I turned and looked toward the shop to see Danny watching me from the door. Of course, I’d let him hug me, hold my hand and now the dreamy eyes were back. I’d deal with that tomorrow too… Or not.
I walked toward the door and Danny grabbed my hand. “Abby, are you okay? I’m here if you need me, ya know,” he said, looking at me with those gorgeous blue eyes that used to turn me into a puddle of goo. Right then, I felt safe, comfortable.
“Thanks, Danny. I really appreciate it. I do, but right now…we need your help in the shop if you don’t mind sticking around. Do you still have the inventory list Mom gave you? I’ll help you with it.” I looked away toward the ruined window, confused by an onslaught of emotions.
Why did he have to be so damned good looking and sweet and all of the things I needed right then? Why? I wasn’t supposed to feel. I wasn’t supposed to allow him in, but at that moment I couldn’t help myself and I couldn’t be mean to him or push him away as I normally would. I’d just been through too much and his presence calmed me just like it used to when we were together. I wasn’t sure what it meant, but I couldn’t bear to be without him.
I caught Liz as she looked our way; she smiled and turned to Mom just as a loud bang rang out from the attic. All four of us stared at the attic door, but not for long. Danny took off running, jerking the door open, gold fire raging in his left hand. I wasn’t far behind and Liz unsheathed her sword.
Danny took two steps at a time, with Liz and me hot on his heels. When we reached the attic, it was all I could do not to scream in a panic. The hollow-eyed, soul-sucking demon, just as I’d seen in Delphine’s illusion from hell, was standing in the middle of the room. I couldn’t move; it was as if invisible restraints held me to the spot where I stood. I tried to cleanse my panic-stricken mind and focus, but nothing I did brought my magic forth. I was being held by someone or something much more powerful than myself. I was forced to watch and pray I wouldn’t be hit in the crossfire.
Liz was standing in the same, statue-like position, sword drawn and not moving. We were both suspended, as if time stood still and everything around us spun out of control. She glanced over at me with fear in her eyes, but there was nothing I could do for either of us. It was up to Danny whether we lived or died in that attic. I’d never felt so helpless, so exposed, not even when I was trapped in Delphine’s illusion.
Danny threw a fireball toward him and he easily deflected; it literally disintegrated and turned to smoke. Danny was undeterred as he stood in front of Liz and me, throwing fire balls and gold streams of magic toward the demon, but to no avail. It seemed as if nothing could touch him. The demon advanced as if to grab me, and Danny leapt forward, seizing his hooded head, chanting and glowing with gold magic; it flowed from him, latching onto the demon. Danny stood firm, clutching and chanting a spell, attempting to do everything within his power to send him back to hell.
All of a sudden, Danny was thrown to the floor by an invisible force, releasing the spell from the demon. A high-pitched shriek escaped the demon. His body was smoking, with what could only be described as hellfire—it surrounded him. But where did it come from? Danny jumped to his feet just as the hell spawn backed away in pain.
I looked toward the far window and noticed he wasn’t alone. I could only make out a shadow of a tall man in a long, black cloak as he jumped through the attic window, with the demon creature soon following behind him, but not before his hollow eyes met mine. Again. Not creepy at all.
Liz and I had been paralyzed by a strange, dark force, greater than anything we’d ever come up against. Once the pair leapt three-stories down, the spell was broken.
Danny rushed toward the window with me at his side; the only thing we saw was a crimson robe blustering in the breeze as it disappeared in thin air. We turned to look at Liz who was standing, shock-still staring at the attic floor and that’s when I saw it. A pulsing light, radiating in front of our family’s trunk— the talisman. It had, in fact, been activated and not by me. We had to find out who the shadowed man was; he was the key. He had to be responsible for bringing the soul-sucking demon from a dream state, unless he was walking the earth long before Delphine’s illusion. That demon belonged in hell. So many unanswered questions, but we were determined to get to the bottom of it.
Danny had a mad gleam in his eyes; pissed off was too light of an emotion to even begin to describe the look on his face. “Abby, Liz, are you okay? Liz…?” he asked. She had yet to utter a word since noticing the light pulsating from the talisman.
“I’m fine, Danny,” I said, trembling as I walked toward Liz. “Only a little shaken up after seeing the same creature from that horrible illusion, but at least we have a lead on who awakened the talisman. We just have to find out who else is involved. I only wish I could’ve seen who the man was hiding out in the shadows.”
I was lying, of course. I was terrified! What magic could’ve been so powerful to leave Liz and me incapacitated? I knew then, whoever that was, was after me and me alone.
“Sis, it’s okay. We’re safe now. Just don’t touch the talisman—leave it and let Mom and Genevieve deal with it. Mom can cast a spell of protection over the space so we’re not affected.”
Liz nodded and looked back to me with noxious fear in her eyes. I’d never seen her so scared. I assumed seeing the talisman activated made it all the more real for her, not to mention, the demon up close and personal. I pulled her into a hug.
“Come on, Sis. Let’s head downstairs before Mom has a coronary.”
That made her smile a bit. Danny reached over and placed his hand on her shoulder and squeezed it, reassuring her she wasn’t alone in this; we were a team.
We walked back to the main part of the shop to find Mom blessing it with sage and chanting spells of protection, in an attempt to keep all evil from entering our sacred space. I only hoped it worked against demons and whatever that shadow man was. I was too drained at that point to help Mom with the spell. I looked on as Danny hugged me from behind. I let my head fall back on his shoulder as if no time had passed since our relationship ended. It was a strange, yet comforting feeling to be held in his strong arms again.
A few minutes later, Mom finished her ritual. Sis, Danny and I briefed her on the events that had just taken place, along with the talisman, then began boarding up the front window, preparing to head home for the night.
Mom took over the inventory for Danny while we did the heavy lifting; nothing was missing as far as she could tell. The only anomaly was the glowing talisman and our evil visitors from hell.
“Danny, girls, come over here and sit down for a moment. We need to talk,” Mom said as we finished boarding the window, then went to sit on the sofa.
“I don’t want you venturing into the attic until I’ve had a chance to cleanse it and find out what’s going on up there, okay?” she pleaded.
“The three of you are very powerful and I have no doubt you can handle yourself, but it’s my responsibility to keep the evil from the talisman locked inside and I’ve failed. I have to protect all of you… and New Orleans,” Mom continued with tears brimming her eyes.
“I could sense the evil upstairs and I did the only thing I knew how to do. I tried to vanquish it from our presence, then completed the cleansing ritual. My hope is that the evil chasing the talisman’s magic can no longer enter this space.”
“Mom, you’re not alone in this,” I said. “You know that, right? We’re all here to help, along with Genevieve and the Hybrid Coven. I know you feel responsible, but you’re not. How could you have known a demon would somehow be unleashed? It’s not like it’s a common thing around here. Their powers are somewhat unknown, at least to some.
“Thankfully, we have our combined knowledge. Let us help, but we’ll stay away from the talisman as you ask. I don’t want to be anywhere near that thing.”
Liz and Danny nodded in agreement. For the first time in Liz’s twenty-one years, she was silent. Hanging on to me like a lifeline. I felt bad for her. She had to be in shock after all of today’s events, then the attic? Yeah…it was a bit too much, even for me.
“You kids are all I have left in this world. I couldn’t bear it if one of you were hurt or worse…. Too many have died because of Delphine. At least we have a lead now, where we didn’t earlier. I’ll inform Genevieve some time tomorrow after she’s settled.” Mom teetered on agreeing and it was good enough for me at that particular moment. I just wanted to go home, crawl into my bed and try to forget about the horrific day. I’d talk to her about the possible significance of Dauphine Orleans Hotel tomorrow with Genevieve. No need in going over it twice.
We had to call a cab to pick us up because we’d packed into Genevieve’s van earlier that morning. Mom closed the shop for the day; it was already half past four. It wasn’t like we were going to have many customers that time of day anyway, especially with a broken window. One day unopened wouldn’t hurt anything. We had more pressing matters to attend to; the shop would still be there when we were done. Well, I hoped it would at least. We certainly didn’t need any more demon-spawned visitors while we were gone. The spell had to work…
Once we arrived back at the house, I stood outside the gate and stared at our yellow, three-story, Antebellum home, with its wide, inviting front porch. I thought of simpler times before my life had descended into chaos, before the talisman, before my breakup with Danny, just before… I began to think about why Delphine might have targeted me and it dawned on me that maybe she’d picked up on the darkness lurking within my soul. I’d allowed so much pain to consume me and become bitter. I’d pushed everyone away, including my family for a time. I used to be so outgoing and alive, and then my childhood friend, Danielle, had been killed in car accident by a drunk driver two-years ago. Or so that’s what the reports had said.
