Destiny's Revenge (Destiny Series - Book 2) Straight, Nancy (book club reads .TXT) 📖

these demons that are able to possess humans. One tried to possess me after I woke up at the nursing home, so all I can tell you is it hurts like hell, like a giant bolt of lightning is trying to enter your head. If you feel something like that, you can fight it off. Don’t let it in. Don’t surrender to the pain. Max, his grandfather and his cousin were all attacked by demons last week.”

Seth, the most vocal so far, asked, “Is that why he isn’t here?”

I shook my head, “No, I don’t know where Max is. I left a voice message for him to come here, but he hasn’t called back. After Peanut and I escaped from Joe’s house that day, the demons let all three of them go. I stopped back by the house to get something when I thought it was safe. I was wrong. One took control of Joe in a matter of seconds.”

Seth looked around to all the doubters in the room, making a plea on my behalf, “I don’t care if you believe her or not, you can all choose to think she came out of her coma damaged if you want to. If I had heard all this two hours ago, I would probably feel the same way that you do. I can tell you, I do not have delusions, and I have no reason in the world to lie to any of you. This Samael, or Beast, or whatever he is, isn’t human, but he’s definitely real. Amanda and I were both really lucky tonight to escape with our lives, so I’m only going to say this once.” Seth looked at me, “I know you’re telling the truth, I know it’s real, I don’t need any more convincing. Just tell me what to do so I don’t ever have to experience that again.”

Rewsna cleared her throat. “I’m afraid the answer to your question is not an easy one. He is angry with Lauren, and knows he is not strong enough to attack her alone. In addition, our whole Council is with her to provide additional protection. We are too strong for him to attack her while she is in our care. The only way he can get to Lauren is through each of you. I assume you all know she loves all of you deeply. While she was captive, the Beast was able to see your bond with her first hand. He knows the easiest way to hurt her, to get her away from the Council’s protection is to attack one of you. That is why we have asked you all here tonight. While we come up with a plan to destroy the Beast, we need for all of you to be safe.” She stopped addressing all of my family and friends and turned her attention back to me, “Lauren, you need to tell us where Max is. Find him so we can go get him and bring him back here. We need to find him before the Beast does.”

Seth immediately spoke up, “She can’t go find him, that thing is out there somewhere. I can go look for Max.” Seth’s tone softened a bit when he continued, “He tried to warn me about all this last week and I didn’t believe him. I told him the best thing he could do was to stay away from Lauren.” He gave me an apologetic look, “I really had no idea, Lauren. I’m so sorry I didn’t believe him.”

“Seth, it’s okay, I didn’t include any of you because this is all so unbelievable. But don’t worry, I don’t have to go anywhere to find Max. I can find him. I just need a few minutes to myself.” I stepped into the bedroom, and Peanut automatically stood up and followed me.

Chapter 24

I lay on the bed while my four-legged sidekick stretched out right beside me. I got the impression Peanut thought it was his responsibility to protect my body while I was absent from it. I patted him lightly, then closed my eyes and thought of Max, concentrating on his image, the feel of his skin, his scent. The familiar tunnel appeared, and I anxiously stepped in.

I didn’t see Max, but I could sense his presence. I knew he was close but saw and heard nothing. The room I had stepped into was pitch black. I knew calling out to him was useless. Looking to my left and right, I could see nothing, not objects or shadows, no light of any kind. I could hear heavy footsteps echoing off a wooden floor, but they didn’t sound close, and I couldn’t see the source of the noise.

The blackness felt as though it were a sensory deprivation chamber. I could feel I was with Max even though my five senses provided no proof. I felt around this cavernous room. There was no furniture, no windows, and although not possible, there didn’t seem to be a door anywhere. The walls were cool to the touch and rough like cinder block; the floor was cool and felt like concrete. I crouched down with both hands on the floor where I believed the middle of the room to be. Max was near, I knew it, but I couldn’t see or feel him.

My ears listened for the far off sound of footsteps again but there was only silence. The coolness of the room felt damp. If I didn’t know better, I would have thought I was in a basement or a bomb shelter long forgotten. But neither of these choices were possible: the water table in the Low Country, even in a draught, was far too high. No one in this area of the country could have an underground structure.

I needed Rewsna’s help, but she couldn’t help me while I was here. I stepped back through the tunnel and back into my awaiting body. I looked up to