Raging Inferno (Delphine Rising Book 1), page 7
We were being stalked by a witch named, Crystal Davenport who’d turned to dark magic. She had been furious about my relationship with Danny and thought the two of them were ‘destined’ to be together. Crystal attacked Danny and me in an alley and I nearly killed her, but not before she mentioned that something had happened to Danielle. Later that night, I learned Danielle was killed in a car accident on her way to the hospital to see her sister, Jeannie, who was having a baby. I knew in my heart Crystal was responsible, but couldn’t prove it.
I was completely devastated and changed forever; my heart was shattered and I didn’t know how to come back from the pain of loss. I drank every day, hunting rogue vampires at night, seeing Crystal’s face in their undead stare as I set them ablaze. I couldn’t understand why someone as evil as Crystal was allowed to live, while my best friend lie rotting in a grave.
When I wasn’t drinking or hunting vamps, I cried myself to sleep, hoping she would appear in the faces of the ghosts who showed themselves to me, but I never saw her. We’d been friends since we were ten years old. It was still hard to think of my life without her amazing smile and bubbly personality. She lit up any room, her long blonde hair flowing down her back; she was loved by all. We were twin souls, and our snarky attitudes couldn’t be outmatched. “Double Trouble” people would call us.
After Danielle’s death, I had to let Danny go, telling him I needed space to work things out. It nearly broke me further, but I knew I wasn’t being fair and couldn’t allow my darkness to overshadow his light.
I latched onto Sheri right away, knowing she’d never leave me. She was a hybrid vampire and I was able to be more like the “old” Abby around her. She understood and never asked questions. That’s what I loved about our friendship. I could act like a fool and she never once judged me; usually she was my partner in crime, secretly protecting my ass from drunken stupors late at night. What would I do without her now? And Christopher, our sidekick? They kept my secrets and loved me, along with all of my brokenness. I wished I could erase the image of that final look in their eyes before their death—it just wasn’t them, but it would be forever etched in my memory.
Losing Sheri and Christopher today reminded me of my pain and brought it all back to the surface, allowing me to see what I’d done to the people closest to me, because I was wallowing in a pit of despair after Danielle’s death. I’d pushed Danny away, yet allowed him to hang around at arm’s length, because deep down, I never wanted him to go and I never truly wanted to be alone. But was afraid if I were to get too close to anyone, they’d eventually leave me anyway. I missed Danielle every day and saw her in my dreams, but the thought of losing someone else was too much to bear.
“Sis was right about Danny all along. The brat must have precognition abilities she’s hiding from me.” I smiled to myself and shook my head, trying to rid my mind and my heart of painful memories as I walked through the gate.
I entered the house to find Danny waiting for me in the parlor. He seemed a bit lost in thought, with his elbows resting on his knees and head down until I entered the room. He looked up and gave me a half smile. I sat next to him and asked what he was thinking about.
“You,” he replied. “I can’t stop thinking about what I would do without you – if something were to happen to you. Abby, I know you don’t feel the same, but—”
I cut him off, trying to hold back the tears forming behind my eyes. “Danny, I’ve been thinking a lot about our relationship and the past. I need to apologize to you.”
“After Danielle died, I was so lost and I pushed everyone away, most of all you. I know you tried to help me get through my pain, but I couldn’t see it at the time, and for that, I’m so sorry. You don’t deserve… you deserve so much more than the way I’ve treated you,” I half whispered, hanging my head as tears fell into my lap.
Danny tipped up my chin so we were eye level and gently wiped my tears. I looked into his shimmering blue eyes, expecting to see some level of regret or even anger, but all I saw was love, the same love he’d always shown me, the love I’d ignored and even made fun of. I felt like a horrible person, lashing out at the man who had never stopped loving me, regardless of my flaws.
“I...I don’t know what to say, Danny. Sheri’s death brought everything into perspective. I can’t keep running from life. We never know how much longer we have; each day is precious—it’s a gift. I don’t want to waste another day in misery and loneliness,” I confessed, but before I could say another word, Danny crushed his full lips against mine. I was in heaven.
It was even better than I remembered as our magic collided like a symphony. It was urgent and desperate as he grasped the back of my head, pulling me closer and I felt as if I could melt away at any moment. I laced my hands around his neck and we fell back against the sofa, making out like two hurried teenagers. I was completely lost in his kiss, as if in a dream and I didn’t want to wake up. I was home again.
Mom cleared her throat at the entryway and we jumped up like school kids, slamming our foreheads together at the same time. Our faces had to be beet-red. Nothing could be more embarrassing than your mother walking in on you hot and heavy with a guy. Mortified, doesn’t even begin to describe it. Flaming crap balls! What was I thinking? In the parlor of all places… Oh, Liz was going to have a field day with this.
“Hey, Mom,” I said with the guiltiest look ever, attempting a smile.
“Abby. Danny. I thought I heard the two of you in here. I was dropping in to see if you wanted something to eat, but it seems you’re all set,” she said, with a smirk, raising a brow.
Oh for heaven’s sake. Could this get any worse? Mom was making fun of me too? She had no shame. None. Danny cleared his throat and said, “No, thank you, Mrs. Blanque. I’m not hungry right now. Abby?” he looked at me, red-faced. I just shook my head.
“No, Mom. I’m good, thanks,” I replied, dying of utter embarrassment.
Then Liz strolled in and plopped on the chair next to the sofa where we were sitting. I just threw my head in my hands and Mom started cackling like a hen.
“What’s so funny?” Liz asked.
“Ask your sister and Danny,” Mom replied with laughter in her voice. “Apparently, they’re in high school again and believe necking is appropriate in the parlor with me in the next room.”
She did not just call me out! Okay, we’ve had a day from hell and now I’m the comedy relief. Just freakin’ great.
Liz began laughing so hard, she cried and fell to the floor on her butt. I wanted to kick her. Danny and I just sat there and took it all in as everyone used us for their amusement. I guess it was somewhat comical, but damn… I wanted to hide and seriously, I was too old to be living at home, even if it was customary for female witches until the age of twenty-five. I needed my own space.
I grabbed Danny’s hand and pulled him to the front porch. I was done listening to their teasing. I assumed they were working through their grief in their own way, but I had just kissed, made out rather, with a man I hadn’t touched in two years. That was a huge deal for me. I was having a breakthrough and needed some privacy.
“So, that was humiliating…” I trailed off and Danny smiled with those dimples that made my insides melt, grabbed me by the waist and pulled me close. I could feel the hard ripple of muscle beneath his T-shirt. Lord help me. If the butterflies in my stomach were any indication of my decision to take a leap into bliss, I was on the right track.
“Nah, well, maybe just a little. I’ve waited too long for you to come back around. I don’t care who sees me kiss you.” He gently pressed his lips to mine.
I felt giddy, actually giddy, as if Danny could help erase the pain I’d been feeling for so long. I had a lot to make up for; we’d make new memories together, side by side, at my pace of course.
“I never got a chance to say thank you for saving my life, Liz’s life. You kicked demon ass back there. If not for you, I’m not sure what would’ve happened. So, thanks,” I said looking into his baby blues with a lopsided grin.
Oh my gosh, I felt like a teenager. I seriously needed to get back into the house, deal with everything that had happened and take a freakin’ nap.
“It was nothing. I’d do anything to protect you. I hope you know that.”
“I do,” I said, as I looked down at my feet.
“Look, I’m not going anywhere, okay? I’ll help you fight this thing until the end, and even after that, you can’t get rid of me. I won’t let you push me away again. We don’t have to label anything. I don’t care what you wanna call it; I just want you,” Danny said as he held my face.
All I could do was nod in return. Inside, my heart was jackhammering and part of me wanted to run again, but I forced myself to stay put.
“Okay. I can do that, but we need to rest, Danny. I’m exhausted and I’m sure you are too after everything. We’re going to have our hands full for a while. I guess I have to go in and face the music. No need in you witnessing my further humiliation at the hands of my sister.” I smiled, then pecked him on the lips and started toward the door.
Danny yanked me back for one last, long kiss in front of God and everybody. I was breathless and weak in the knees. I’d forgotten the effect he had on me, and I couldn’t wait to kiss him again when we weren’t standing on the front porch with nosy neighbors looking on.
I pulled away with a dopey smile on my face and said goodbye. Danny jumped down the steps and jogged to his truck. I stood there watching him like an idiot. Once I realized what I was doing, I turned abruptly on my heel and opened the door, smacking right into Liz.
“Were you spying on me? Can you be any more…? Ugh! You suck, you know that? I’m going to lie down. No one bother me,” I said and marched up the stairs to my room with Liz giggling in the background.
What where we, twelve? I needed to think, and not about Danny, because, well, I just needed to deal with what was most important and sort it out in my wacked out brain. Danny and I would work things out one day at a time. Delphine, on the other hand, I had to worry about.
No sooner than my head hit the pillow, there was a light knock at the door. I knew that knock. “Come in, Liz,” I said in an irritated voice.
“I know you said not to bother you, but…I just wanted to say a few things. Well, okay, sorry I spied on you. I couldn’t resist. It’s about time.” She said, holding back a snicker.
I continued to look at the ceiling, feeling mortified.
“But seriously, I’m happy for you, especially after losing Sheri and Christopher. I know how close you were to them and how much they meant to you. I feel like this is some kind of turning point in your life, Sis. Use it and heal your broken heart.” Liz laid her head on my shoulder and snuggled up next to me on the bed.
I glanced down at her and smiled. For someone who didn’t do feelings, she hit the nail on the head, knowing exactly what to say.
“So, changing topic… What do you think about me being able to send lost souls on to the other side?” I asked. “I have no idea how to go about it. Mom didn’t exactly explain that part.”
“Well, I’d say it’s not much different than what I do, but you have to actually talk to them, not ignore them as you’ve been doing. They’ll probably guide you more than anything,” she mused.
“More importantly, we need to do some recon tonight. I know what you’re thinking, but it’s necessary. We have to stay on top of the situation and be on the lookout for rogue vampires, especially those infected with dark magic. Maybe we’ll find a lead,” I added and she agreed, nodding her head.
“I need my beauty sleep, Sis. I’m so tired. I just need a few hours and I’ll be ready to go. I’d also like to do a drive by the shop to see if anyone suspicious is lurking around.”
“Okay. I’ll get out of your hair, but just so you know, Mom’s expecting a conversation later. I can only guess what it’s about.” She winked at me and jumped off the bed.
“I’ll wake you in a few hours,” she said as she closed the door behind her.
Finally, I could get some rest.
Chapter 8
I find myself back in the attic, staring into the eyes of the soul-sucking demon, only I’m alone. I don’t see Danny or Liz anywhere. The pain in my chest is excruciating; I can barely breathe. It’s as if oxygen is slowly being syphoned from my lungs; he’s just standing there, motionless like he’s waiting for something to happen. Out of the corner of my eye I see the shadow man from before, but he’s more man than shadow. I can only see his profile from where I’m standing, locked in place, gasping for air. He looks to be a dark-haired man around six foot three with a chiseled jaw. Green streams of magic are swirling around him, linking directly to me. He must be a dark witch working with the demon or the host for Delphine’s magic, but I can’t be sure.
I’m beginning to lose consciousness as darkness ebbs around the edges of my vision.
Is this what they want? Am I in a dream? I can’t die in my dream, if I do, I’ll never wake up.
Panic sets in and I try to locate my magic, but I feel nothing—I’m empty.
What’s this witch doing to me, taking my magic? I have to find a way to fight back.
My mother’s words flash in my mind—when she told me about using the gifts God had bestowed upon me. If I’m supposed to send lost souls to Heaven for redemption, can’t I use the same gift to send demons back to Hell? I have no idea, but I have to try something. Anything.
I attempt to stop focusing on my lungs and lack of air, closing my eyes and praying for the strength of God’s protection, along with my ancestors. I’m not even sure if the shadow man is real or a ghost, but either way, I’m going to do what I can to chase them both from my dreamscape or whatever this is.
I continue to pray, using what little strength I have left. The only thing holding me up is the spell those evil creatures placed on me. I guess that’s one good thing I have going for me at the moment. My breathing begins to slow; it’s less labored now and I’m able to take long pulls of air—it’s working. Thank God.
I open my eyes to see several lost souls surrounding me in a protective stance. I didn’t expect to see them here, but the more the merrier, I guess. The demon laughs menacingly, but not for long. A bright, white light engulfs me, lighting me up like a Christmas tree. The white light shoots straight through the demons midsection sending him flying against the far wall. I’m immediately released from my imprisonment and I seek out the shadow man, but he’s nowhere to be found. Are they linked somehow?
The demon lies motionless on the floor and I take a step toward him to get a closer look—bad move. He reaches his claw-like hands and wraps them around my throat, lifting me high up into the air. He begins chanting again in the same ancient language as before and I feel my body catch fire from the inside. I’m burning alive! I frantically reach for my throat and notice my hands are still glowing in a white light and the ghosts have the demon surrounded again.
An unfamiliar voice inside my head tells me to lift my hands up toward the Heavens above to allow the light of God to take over, and I obey to best of my ability. The white light shoots from my hands and all around the lost souls, blinding me for a few seconds as I’m dropped to floor like a ragdoll. The ghosts are grabbing the demon’s crimson robe, attempting to drag him into the light, but black tendrils of tainted, dark magic stream from his left hand and he rises to the ceiling, letting out a crackle of laughter.
“Abigail, you can’t escape your destiny. You will be ours. You belong to the darkness and to the darkness you shall go. It’s only a matter of time—there is no escape. Madame LaLaurie’s talisman has nothing on my magic! You belong to me!” the demon shouts, then disappears in a thick black smoke.
I sit up, stunned by his words, not understanding how I could possibly belong to the darkness. Did Delphine’s conjuring deal go all wrong or is it every man or woman for themselves with me the only item on the menu? I’ve just entered Suck Town.
When I look around again, after my initial shock, I see the lost souls walking toward the light brought forth from God. They wave their goodbyes with a nod of thanks. I can’t help but smile because they helped save my life, even in my dream. I’m not sure how much of this is real or if it it’s like Delphine’s illusion, but I sure as hell don’t want to stick around to find out.
I get up and take a step toward the attic doorway and everything goes dark.
***
I awoke with a start, sweating profusely, wondering what the hell had just happened. I looked at my alarm clock and it read seven fifteen p.m. Was that another illusion or did the demon invade my dreams? Could he even do that? I’d have to ask Genevieve or Danny. The crap just got real…
If what the demon said was true and I actually “belonged to the darkness,” somebody had some serious explaining to do. I wouldn’t go down without a fight and that SOB would have to take me kicking and screaming. What the hell was up with that demon and Delphine anyway and how did the shadow man just disappear? He was the one holding me down with an immobilization spell. None of it made sense… Heck, nothing made sense lately. My life had become one big, chaotic craptastrophy.
I sank down in my bed and pulled the covers over my head just as Liz came crashing through my door, panting. “Well, hello. Knock much?” I asked, peeking just above my down comforter.
Liz looked at me, her face paling by the second. “Danny just called with another vision. Are you okay?”
Of course he did. Maybe there was something to our souls or auras being linked, but it was really annoying. I’d barely had time to process the dream, let alone speak about it. I had just woken up. Damn.
I sat up in bed and looked at her, annoyed. “Yes, I’m fine, but I had another vision, dream or illusion, I’m not sure which. This time, I honestly have no idea what the hell happened.”
“Seriously, Abby? What do you mean you don’t know what happened? You have to tell me. I was worried sick and hung up on Danny before he finished telling me what was going on. I ran straight up here.” She sat at the foot of my bed, still trying to catch her breath.
