The Sacrifice (The Alexandra Denton Chronicles Book 4) (9 page)

              I closed my eyes as I laid back on Gloria and Drake’s couch.  Exhaustion swamped me and I had to force my eyes opened.  Lynne and Everly stood side by side staring down at me as if I gave them some form of amusement.  My two best girlfriends were so different from each other in appearance but their personalities held some of the same characteristics.  Both were sure of themselves.  Both were kind and generous.  Both believed themselves the most important people in the room and both could be extremely annoying. 

              “You should sleep,” Lynne said, frowning, “We won’t let anything happen to you.”

              I gave a short laugh, “I appreciate that, Lynne,” I said, raising my brows, “But Lucifer likes to come to me when I sleep.”

              Everyly raised her brows, “How long has it been since you’ve slept, Alex?”

              I shrugged, “I’ve slept,” I said with a weak smile, “But it’s been either interrupted by Lucifer or by visions.  Right now, I’m not ready to face Lucifer but I need the visions.”

              My father walked into the room.  His eyes clouded with worry and sympathy.  After all, he knew exactly how I felt because he used to have my gift and he had begged to be released from it.

              “How are you holding up, Baby Girl?” He asked, frowning. 

              “I’m okay, Daddy,” I said, shrugging as Daniel and Ky walked into the room followed by every other member of the Appointed and the next generation of us with the exceptions of Ariel and Annaleigh. 

              “Daddy are you sure Ariel and Annaleigh are safe?” I asked, frowning. 

              He nodded, “Semarias helped me and asked Michael for extra protection for them.  They have twelve warrior angels with them when I left,” he said giving me a strained smile, “They’re safe.  They are probably safer than we are.”

              I nodded as a frown crossed my brow and I glanced around the living room, “It’s weird to be here,” I said, shrugging as I glanced toward the spot where I had first seen the body of Drake in my vision before I had returned to Barrington, “Everything seems to have begun here.”

              My father frowned as he glanced around the living room, “But it won’t end here, Alex.  You have to keep faith in that.”

              As soon as he finished speaking the house began to shake.  My eyes widened as I sat up on the couch and glanced around. 

              “What the hell was that?” Everyly asked with wide eyes.  A full body tremble shook through her. 

              “The demons,” Daniel said, frowning as he glanced out of the window, “They’re here.”

              “Get the kids out of here, Daniel,” I said, standing as the front door blew inward. 

              Daniel shook his head, “There isn’t time,” He said, glancing around, “Everyone grab hands.  Make sure you are all touching and everyone is included.”

              Everyone grabbed each other’s hands except for me, “Daniel, you’ve never done this,” I said as my stomach twisted in worry, “You’ve never transported this many.  You don’t know what it will do to you.”

              “For once, don’t argue,” he said in a stern tone I had never heard him use before grabbing my hand and completing the line.  A moment later, a wind whipped around us.  I stared up into Daniel’s face as we fell into my home.  I glanced around as I saw everyone on the ground and slowly sitting up.  Finally, I found Daniel who was grabbing his head.  He stood slowly, swaying before gazing at me. 

              “Are you okay?” I asked, terrified by his suddenly pale face.  He seemed like he was struggling to say something but then, blood dripped from his nose and he fell shaking into a seizure. 

              I screamed and screamed and screamed as the first boy I had ever loved lay dying in front of me.

***********

              I knelt beside him as the shaking stopped.  Tears blurred my vision as I stared down into his beloved face.  I pulled his limp body to me as I cried. 

              Kelly broke through the crowd.  A frown marred her face as she glanced from me to him, “Alex, is he still alive?” She asked and I blinked trying to make sense of her question, “Alex, does his heart still beat?”

              I inhaled sharply as I finally understood.  I shook as I pulled from him and placed my ear against his chest.  I trembled as one thump and then, two beat slowly and weakly in his chest. 

              “Barely, Kelly,” I said as I stared up at her, pleading for her help, “Please, hurry.  Help him.”

              I placed his head in my lap as Kelly moved to kneel beside him and moved her hands to his chest.  A white glow burned from her hands, spreading as he healed.  Tears fell down my cheeks as I prayed that he would return to me.  I couldn’t live without him.  Slowly, his chest moved up and down and his lids fluttered.  A low groan broke from between his lips as his eyes opened to stare up into mine.  A sob of relief broke from my throat as I stared at him.   

              He frowned as he reached up and caressed my cheek, “Alex, what’s wrong?”

              My heart trembled as he sat up and faced me, “You almost died,” I whispered and then, said it again but louder, “You almost died!”

              Those words slammed through me.  I had to make sure he was there…That he was okay.  My lips slammed into his pouring everything into the kiss.  I felt him jerk in surprise and then, slowly respond to my imploring lips.  His hands tangled into my hair pulling me close to him as my lips met his again and again. 

              Slowly, he pulled away from me and stared into my eyes, hopeful and confused. Slowly, I broke my gaze and turned only to find Ky who had tears rolling down his cheeks.  My heart broke into as he turned and ran.  I stood and stepped to go after him but in that instant, Lucifer screamed out my name and I sank into unconsciousness and into a Hell that was beginning to be no match for the one I made for myself.

              Lucifer held me in his thrall as everything began to crash around me.  His smile was sadistic as he stepped closer.  His eyes were bright with malice.  He made me jump when he surprised me by laughing. 

              The cave he stood in shook so much that it was hard to stand but suddenly it calmed and became deadly quiet.  His smile widened as he tilted his head to the side taking me in with red pulsing eyes. 

              He reached forward and caressed my cheek with his searing hands, “Alex,” he said and then, clicked his tongue, “It’s too bad you didn’t offer to be the sacrifice this time,” he said and I raised my eyebrows in confusion.

              “I will never be the sacrifice for you,” I said, raising my chin, “We’ll find another way.”

              Lucifer laughed as he walked toward a flat part of the cave wall, “You poor disillusioned child.  There is no other way.  There is only blood for blood to prevent my return.  Yes, I wouldn’t be in my own form as I would be when it is my time but I would be able to fully control Ezra and that would be enough.  I could do a lot of damage with him under my control.”

              “I would still never be the sacrifice,” I said, determined that I would find a way no matter what he said. 

              Lucifer shrugged, “There were other people I wanted more than you,” he said, scoffing as I narrowed my eyes.

              I raised my brows, “I suppose any of the Appointed would do,” I said, as he began to show me images of the Appointed against the flat cave wall.  The images began to move at a speed where they seemed to blend, making me dizzy.  Finally, they slowed.

              “Yes,” he said as he slowed the image to Drake.

              “He would do,” he said, grinning, “He’s been tormented by me before.  Still, he bores me.”

              “Well, Drake will be happy to know that he’s safe,” I said, rolling my eyes. 

              Gloria’s image came next, “Her sacrifice would cause everyone to cry,” he said and then, sneered, “But she would never do it for that very reason.  She would do it for love.  As sweet as that is, she bores me too.”

              He paused at Lynne but then shook his head as if he were just going through his closet choosing an outfit for that day and discarding the ones he didn’t want.  He paused at Ky and then, laughed. 

              “I could get him.  After all, he’s kicking himself for not becoming a sacrifice before,” he said and I blanched.  He grinned and then, shook his head, “That would cause you pain but not enough.”

              Daniel’s image came next and my heart squeezed.  He tapped his chin, “I could definitely get him by threatening you,” he said as I pressed my lips together to keep from saying anything but he shrugged, “Maybe another time.”

              “You’re not going to get a sacrifice,” I said, rolling my eyes. 

              Lucifer continued as if I had not spoken, “There is one that I can get and I want this one more than the rest.  I want him more than you.  His power is undeniable,” he chuckled as my father’s picture was cast against his wall.  My stomach clenched and I forced myself not to react. 

              “He would never be your sacrifice,” I said frowning, “He wouldn’t do that to me or his other children.”

              He grinned as he took a menacing step toward me, “You think that, Alex,” he said as he stood right in front of me.  He leaned forward, “But he’s already offered…And I’ve accepted.”

              I couldn’t stop the scream that broke from between my lips as I sat up within the living room.  The cavern had faded from me and I was left on the couch.  Everly was holding my hand as her eyes widened in fear. 

              “Alex, are you okay?” She asked as I glanced around the room in a panic to find my father. 

              My heart sank as I found everyone but him.  A tear fell from my eye as I glanced at Matt.

              “Where’s Daddy?” I asked and he looked around, suddenly frightened.  It was obvious that Matt had thought he was still there too. 

              “He was just here,” he said, frowning and shaking his head. 

              My heart sank as I realized that only one thing could have happened.  Our father had chosen to become the sacrifice and we had to get to him before it happened. 

**********

              We searched for my father throughout the house again but both Matt and I knew that he was gone. Tears rolled down my cheeks as my heart clenched.  A tremble shook through me as I wondered what I could do. 

              “I don’t know how we’re going to find him,” I whispered, “I guess an angel shouldn’t be too hard to find.”

Bastian shook his head, “He’s a demon possessed angel which means that Ezra can possess anyone,” He said, sadly.

“It’s hopeless,” I cried, “That’s what you’re saying.  Even if I want to find Dad, we won’t be able to find him.”

              Matt frowned as he repeated my words, “We want to find Dad but we don’t know where he is.”

              “Matty, why did you repeat that?” I asked, sniffling.               

“I’m not doing it to be weird or anything,” he said as his eyes widened, “It’s just…When you said that, I was able to see where he was.”

              My heart sank as I understood fully what was happening.  Matty was beginning to get our father’s gift that allowed him to find things or people that were lost.  That could only mean one thing.

“That means that he’s about to die,” I said as I trembled, uncontrollably. 

              “How do you know that?” Matt asked, frowning. 

              “Because before Micah passed, Ky started to get her gift,” I said, grasping his hand, “You’ve got to tell me what you saw.”

              Matt closed his eyes, “Woods,” he said and then, he smiled, “And the creek…He’s at the creek.”

              I grabbed his hand, “We’ve got to hurry.”

              He nodded as we ran into the living room, “Catherine, watch them,” I said pointing at the children as I picked up my purse, “We’re going to go get our dad.”

              She nodded and was about to say something but we were already leaving.  We raced to the car but Jace ran after us. 

              “Daniel can take you,” he said but I was already shaking my head.

              “I’m not risking losing him,” I said, swallowing over the lump in my throat.

              Jace nodded in perfect understanding, “Let me drive,” Jace said and I opened my mouth to argue but Jace interrupted, “What if you have a vision?  You’ll wreck.  Besides, I might be able to hear his thoughts.” 

              I didn’t argue.  I threw the keys at him and he caught them easily.  He got into the driver’s seat.  Matt took the passenger seat and I got into the back.

              “Where is he?” Jace asked, frowning as he started the car.

              “Shiloh Creek,” Matt said as Jace squealed out of the driveway and raced toward my father. 

              Tears flowed down my cheeks as I tried not to panic.   It seemed to take forever to get to the turn off for the creek.  As Jace turned, a gunshot rang in the air.  My heart trembled as the brakes were slammed and I was nearly thrown into the front seat.  I raised my head confused when I saw Semarias and Michael standing in front of us. 

              I got out of the car and ran toward them with Matt and Jace on my heels.  I stared up at Semarias with wide eyes pleading with him to tell me that my father was okay. 

              “I have to get to my dad,” I said, when everything was silent for too long.  I gazed from Semarias to Michael, “Please.  He’s going to die if I don’t get to him.”

              Semarias’ bottom lip trembled as he glanced from me to Matt with tear filled eyes and shook his head. 

              “He called for me,” Semarias said as he fought a sob, “He wanted me to tell his children that he loves them more than his own life.  He always has.  He always will.”

              “Please,” I pleaded as tears fell down my cheeks, “Let me go to him.”

              Michael stepped forward and gripped my shoulders, “I’m sorry, Alex,” he said as he stared into my eyes, “He’s already left this world.”

              “He’s dead?” Matt asked as I heard all of the breath leave his body. 

              “No,” I said, wanting to scream that they lied but I knew that angels didn’t lie.  They only spoke the truth.  I fell to my knees as I began to scream over and over again.

              Semarias picked me up and glanced at Jace and Matt, “Take him to Alex’s house,” he said as I noticed that Jace helped Matt to the car but still I screamed unable to stop the absolute grief of my father leaving this world…Leaving me…Leaving my brother and sisters. 

              Semarias’ wings spread out and a moment later, I was in flight.  Semarias held me close as my screams became tears and then, I fell into a deep, deep sleep. 

**********

              Sometime during the night, my mother came to me, waking me from the deep, peaceful slumber that had fallen over me.  Her eyes were darkened in worry as she caressed my cheek.  Still, I sighed in peace because it had all been a dream…Just a horrible dream. 

              “Mom,” I whispered as I watched her face steadily darken. 

              A tear fell down her cheek and my heart froze, “What’s wrong?” I whispered. 

              She swallowed, hard as her grief mixed with surprise, “Alex, you don’t remember?,” She said, caressing my cheek before taking a deep breath.  She licked her lips as complete sorrow covered her face, “Something horrible has happened.”

              I sat up as I began to tremble hoping that she wouldn’t say what I knew she would, “What?”  I asked in hoarse voice. 

              “I just came to check on you.  I thought you would know,” she said, fighting back a sob and then, shaking her head, “I realize Semarias told you that your father passed and maybe you didn’t believe it but I thought you would remember.”

“No,” I whispered, shaking my head.

“Alex, your dad is dead,” she said, taking a shaky breath, “They’ve found his body.  I’m so sorry, Alex.” 

              I blinked and immediately, tears dropped from my eyes and down my cheek, “No,” I whispered again, “This isn’t real.  It was a dream.  It was a nightmare.”

              She shook her head and I began to sob, “Baby, I’m sorry,” she said wrapping me in her arms and rocked me back and forth.  My mind tried but there was no denying what had happened. 

              My daddy was dead.