Tempted (17 page)

Authors: Elise Marion

Fear slid down Jackson’s spine, and dread coiled in his stomach. The stench of sewage and rotting meat filled the hallway. He shoved his key in the lock and threw open the apartment door before pushing little Jack inside.

“
Mason, guard!” he commanded.

The massive guard dog moved between Jack and the doorway, having been trained to protect the boy at all costs.

Jackson reached behind him and pulled his golden pistol from the waistband of his jeans. Sarah slid a matching one from her purse. They turned back to back as they’d practiced, alert and ready for the impending attack.

“
We know you’re here, demon!” Sarah called out, her voice strong and purposeful. “Show yourself.”

The sound of shattering glass echoed through the hallway at each end, as twin demons came at them from either side. They were both equally grotesque, with glowing red eyes, jagged, uneven teeth dripping saliva, and moss green scales covering their bodies. They ran on all fours, snapping and growling at Jackson and Sarah as they approached. Jackson used his inner light to create a barrier around both him and Sarah. He aimed his gun squarely at his demons’ chest.

Sarah produced a flash of white light that shot from her chest, down the hall toward the demon. It fell to the floor, stunned just long enough for Sarah to put a bullet between its eyes. At the same instant, Jackson’s bullet found its place in the other demon’s heart. In a puff of gray smoke and ash, the twin demons disappeared, dispatched back to hell where they belonged.

“
What do you think that was about?” Jackson asked once they were alone again.

“
I don’t know,” Sarah replied honestly. “I shudder to think that those things were after Jack. But that wouldn’t make sense. He hasn’t even manifested his power yet; what would they want with him?”

“
It’s not your boy they were after,” boomed a third voice.

Jackson swiveled around to find Reniel standing in the doorway of the apartment across the hall.

“
Renny? What are you doing here?”

Reniel frowned. He hated Jackson’s nickname for him. “I’m here with your new assignment. Those demons were after him, not little Jack.”

Sarah breathed a sigh of relief. Jackson wrapped one arm around her.

“
It’s about time,” he said with a smile, “we’ve been waiting forever for an assignment.”

“
This one is dangerous,” Reniel warned. “You’ll have to be constantly on your guard, which is why I persuaded the child’s mother to move into your building.”

“
Child?” Sarah questioned. “A Naphil?”

Reniel nodded. “His name is Elian, and he is the child of one of the Fallen. His father possesses great power, and we’ve received word that Eligos has sent his minions for the boy. He wants to take the child as his own, a protégé of sorts. I don’t need to tell you what the boy will become if mentored by Eligos.”

Jackson nodded. “We understand.”

As the woman stepped forward, Sarah gasped in recognition. She vaguely recognized her. As she stepped through the doorway, clutching an infant to her chest, Sarah realized who she was.

That fateful day over a year and a half ago, when she’d had to strip her friend Nathaniel of his wings, a beautiful woman named Carmen had been sleeping in the bedroom. Now she stood, framed in the doorway holding a child. Nathaniel’s child.

“
Good,” said Reniel. “I’d like you to meet the boy’s mother. This is Carmen Rodriguez.”

To be continued….

Dear Reader,

I hope that you enjoyed the second book in my ‘Angels Among Us’ Series.

Book 3, entitled ‘Redemption’, follows the story of the Fallen angel Nathaniel. Can a Fallen angel find redemption? Find out Summer 2012!

In the meantime, visit my website for more on other books and release dates, as well as current and future giveaways and promotions.

Happy Reading,

Elise

P.S. I am always happy to interact with my readers. Visit me at any of the following locations:

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www.elisemarion.com

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