Demonic Angel (A Touch Of Magic) (3 page)

“I don't know okay! It scared the crap out of me! Your little brother was sat right next to me when this
thing
appeared in my garden! Anything could have happened!” I am shouting again but I don't care.

“Okay. Calm down. I will be there in two minutes.” I sigh with relief. “Oh and Calissa? Make sure you stay inside and keep Aeron away from the garden.” Oh like I am going to go back out there any time soon. Idiot. He hangs up and I shove my phone in my shorts pocket. I walk back into the living room and Tessa, Ana and Aeron are all staring up with me with curious glances on their faces. “You guys okay?” I ask.

              “Yeah. What the hell was that thing?” Tessa asks while hugging a teary eyed Ana close to her.

“I have no idea. I just told Jaxon to come over immediatley. Ana? You okay baby?” I open my arms for her and she leaves Tessa and runs into them.

              “I want daddy.” My heart cracks in my chest.

“I know baby.” Not that dad would be much help he is such a wimp. Mum was the muscle in our family. She can make someone crap their pants with one look. Oh to have that power.

“Doggy.” Aeron says, causing us all to look over at his angelic face. “Doggy come back.” My eyebrows raise on their own account and Tessa looks back at me in confusion.

“I don't think that was a doggy sweetie. I don't know what that was.” I tell him.

              “No! DOGGY!” He shouts making me jump. He has never had a tantrum before. I hope he isn't about to start having them or I might have to tell Caroline to find someone else to look after him. “Aero doggy! Aero doggy! Aero doggy!” He screams this over and over the sound makes me flinch. Tessa, Ana and I stare at Aeron in shock when the doorbell ringing catches my attention. I am more than happy to leave this child right now. I pass Ana on to Tessa and then I go to answer the door. I open it and see Jaxon leaning against the door frame as if nothing is wrong.

              “I have
never
been so happy to see you. Get in here!” I grab his arm and yank him into the house before slamming the door and locking it.

“Damn Calissa. If I knew you were going to be dressed like
that
and man handling me, I would have come over sooner. Don't you know that I like it rough?.” He smirks and I drop my hand as if he was burning me. “I am joking. Calm down Titch.” Titch? That is a new one.

              “I will
not
calm down! Don't think I won't smack that smirk off your face you overgrown ape!” He opens his mouth to retaliate but Aeron's shouting stops him.

“Crap! How long has he been doing that?” He gestures to the living room door.

              “Um... five minutes? Although he seemed extremely happy to see the creature. In fact he called it a 'doggy' and demanded it come back.” I reply coolly. Jaxon tenses up and sighs.

“Great.” He mutters and then he walks off into the living room. Obviously I follow. I am not gonna stand in my entrance hall like a loser now am I? We enter the living room and Aeron looks over at us and the frown he has going on, instantly changes into a devilish grin. If I didn't love this boy so much, I would totally be freaked out. Hell, I
am
freaked out.

              “Daxon!” The toddler yells and wriggles off the sofa and runs over to his big brother who welcomes him with open arms.

“Hey little guy. Think it is time we headed home. Don't you?” Aeron nods his head quickly and then looks over at me.

              “Bye Cally!” He shouts. I give him a nimble wave and fake a smile. Jaxon goes to walk out of the room but I grab his arm. He stares down at my hand and then his eyes slowly make their way up to my face.

“Yes?” He asks.

“Can you, uh, check in the garden to see if that thing is still out there?” I
hate
asking for favours from people, especially ones I hate. He frowns but nods anyway before passing over his brother and walking towards the kitchen. I follow. He opens the back door and walks straight out. He isn't even scared. Or maybe he is and just hides it well?' He walks around the garden for a bit and then comes back. “Nothing out there Calissa. Can I go now?” He asks, sounding bored.

“Um, okay.” I am hesitant to let him leave. Don't ask me why because it baffles me too. He walks over to me and takes Aeron from me again and then walks back into the kitchen.

              “You might want to put something on those hands of yours. That burn looks pretty nasty by the way.” He calls over his shoulder. Burn? I hold my hands up and look at my palms. Oh my gosh! They are red raw and blistered. When did I- the creature thing! I pushed it off me and it burnt me! Oh God! I feel the pain now. I absent-mindedly cry out and Jaxon spins around to look at me. I squeeze my eyes shut briefly before opening them and masking the pain. I give him a forced smile and if he sees right through it, he doesn't make it obvious.

“Go on you two. Get home.” I flash him a toothy smile that even I know must look stupid considering my teeth are clenched together. He doesn't say anything to me, just turns back around and then I hear him leave the house. I wait until I know he is out of hearing distance before I released the pent up pain. I scream and fall to my knees, not caring that I have probably just bruised them on the hard tiles.

              My hands feel like they are on fire. I look at them are they are actually bubbling like something you would see in a horror film. Oh my God, I am going to be sick. I make my way to the sink just in time before I spew my guts. I feel hands stroking my back and I know it is Tessa. I ignore her as I turn on the tap and rinse out the sink. I have never felt so rough in my life. What the hell is wrong with me? I fill a glass up from the draining board and rinse my mouth out before turning to my friend.

“Ice.” I croak. She immediately runs to the freezer and grabs the bag of ice and pours it into a plastic bowl. She adds some ice cold water and then just as she is finished adding it, I dunk my hands straight in. Aaaahhhhhh!!!!!! So much relief!

              “Cal?” Tessa strokes my back as silent tears drip down my face. I
never
cry. This is a first for me and obviously for Tessa too. She looks like she would rather be anywhere but here right now.

“That thing burnt me.” I whisper so that Ana doesn't hear me. Oh crap! Ana. “Is Ana okay? She didn't see this did she?”

              “No, she went to Jamie's house when Jaxon gave the all clear. She missed the entire thing so don't worry.” I nod but it feels like my head is now too heavy for my neck. I sway and Tessa catches me. “Oh Cally. Should I ring your dad?” I manage to shake my head to say no. He will be home later tonight anyway, no point in rushing him. Tessa picks up the bowl of ice with one hand and guides me up to my room with other. When we get in there, she lays me down on the bed and places my hands back into the bowl. “I am going to make a run to the pharmacy to grab you some painkillers. I won't be long Cal. I promise.” She kisses my forehead and leaves the room but not before grabbing a black vest top. It isn't long before darkness takes over my body.

THREE

I am woken up to angry voices just outside of my room. I open my eyes and see that it is dark in the room yet tiny rays of sunlight are trying to emerge from behind my thick purple curtains. I blink several times to get my eyes to adjust to the dim light but it doesn't work, my brain is too muffled right now. Instead I try to make out the voices and I think Jaxon is out there.

“Why did you call
me?”
He snaps.

              “Because her dad called and said the conference has been extended until
tomorrow
, her mum is in Paris and my parents are dicks. Her grandparents are in Australia, aunt in Mexico, Caroline didn't answer her phone and so
you
were my last hope.” Tessa's voice argues back. My dad isn't coming home today? My stomach sinks.

              “Ugh! Why am I such a nice guy?” He mutters. “Where is she?” Before I know it, light floods the room and I close my eyes to pretend to be asleep. I don't want them to know I was eavesdropping. I feel a hand touch my forehead and then just as quickly as it does, it flies off again. “Jeez! She is burning up! How long has she been like this?” Concern drips off his voice.

“I'm not sure exactly. She seemed to have some kind of breakdown seconds after you left and she was sick and there was blood-”

“Blood?”

              “Yeah, from her hands.” The thin blanket I have covering my body, gently pulls down and then I feel a large, rough hand take my wrist and lift it up. I hear a faint hiss and then my hand is slowly placed back into something cool.

“I noticed that before I left. In fact I heard her cry out in pain. Why did I leave her?!” He bellows and I tense up. I wasn't expecting him to shout. I might have just blown the fact that I am awake. “Do you know how she did it?”

              “No. She was fine earlier on today but then that thing showed up...” She trails off and I hear a grunt before a sigh. I am so tempted to open my eyes but I have gotten this far. “She did mention something about it burning her though.”

“I need some more ice. Some gauze and bandages.” He pauses. “Now Tessa.” I hear light footsteps leave the room with a bunch of cursing being muttered. I clench my jaw to stop myself from smiling.

              “I know you are awake. I felt you tense up when I yelled.” He whispers close to my ear and I hate to admit it, but it gives me goosebumps. “Be honest, it's all make-up on your hands isn't it? You just wanted to lure me into your bedroom, didn't you? You don't need to fake an injury Titch, if you want me in your room, just ask.” Sleaze-ball. I don't need to have my eyes open to know that he is smirking. I roll my eyes behind my eyelids and force myself not to snarl at his comment. “Oh, maybe you are still sleeping then. If that is so, then you won't mind me doing this.” Doing what? The bed dips slightly and then I feel the fabric of his top brush my shoulder before something wet trails up my cheek to my eyebrow. My eyes shoot open and I gape at him.

“UGH!” I yell, though it comes out husky. “Did you seriously just lick my face?!” He is sat on the floor laughing and if I wasn't too grossed out about the fact that this complete weirdo that barely speaks to me, just frigging' licked me; I would be laughing too, I think.

              “Works every time.” He breathes between laughs. I push myself up without using my hands and he stops laughing instantly. I see him peer at the door and then back at me. “I had no idea Calissa. Why didn't you tell me?”

“Tell you what? That I burnt my hand? I thought you saw it? I wouldn't have noticed if you didn't point it out.” I shrug trying to think why that was.

              “No, why didn't you tell me you were one of
them
?” He's lost me. I stare at him and blink. Once. Twice. He sighs with frustration and runs his large hands through his black, shaggy, ear length hair. I have never actually taken in his looks before. I just hated him. He is actually quite attractive with his bright green eyes, smoothly sculpted lips, chiselled chin and jaw, high cheek bones, straight nose and mild stubble. He is wearing a tight black V-neck top that hugs every curve of his muscles and stretches across his broad shoulders. A pair of dark wash jeans with a black and titanium belt around his waist. On his feet, he has army styled boots with the laces untied and around his neck is a titanium chain. Back to his eyes though; they are absolutely mesmerizing and if I didn't hate him so much, I could stare at them all day.
Oh shut up Calissa! You stupid blonde bimbo! He is horrible! Always has been! Why are you even bothering to check him out?? He just licked you for crying out loud!
(Clearly my brain needs to give itself a pep-talk).

              “One of what?” I raise an eyebrow at him and he practically growls at me as he gets up onto his knees and leans towards my face.

“I am risking a lot by coming here! You could have gotten killed today! Haven't your parents ever told you not to touch Hellhounds?!” Hell-what?????? My eyes widen.

              “You are joking?” He doesn't smile so I assume he is serious. “
That
was what did
this
to me? A Hellhound was in my garden? Oh my God! How did it get here?” I raise my hands into his face. They are so close to him I can feel the heat radiate off of him. I almost want to touch him.
Shut up Cally!
Hey brain! I said almost! He blanches at my questions and looks like he just committed a crime by accident. Maybe he did.

“You really didn't know what it was?” I shake my head and frown at him. I have heard of Hellhounds. I have read books about them and seem them in films and even Googled them. I always wondered if they were real. I guess I got my answer considering I have
touched
one. My dad is going to freak. Probably not as much as mum will. Not that I am going to tell them though. “Shit!” I am so tempted to tell him off for his language but I think better of it. He is clearly going through something right now. “You cannot mention this to anyone. My father is going to kill me when he finds out that I am talking to one of you.”

              “When you say 'one of you', what do you mean, exactly?” I narrow my eyes at him.

“An angel.” He says as if I am stupid. My face is void of any emotion. I blink at him. He
has
to be kidding.

              “Why would you think I am an angel?”

“You're not full. I'd say, half? Yeah, half. Nephilim. I had a feeling there was something in this house not quite human last night, besides my brother.” I think he has lost his marbles. He is just sitting there talking to himself now. He's not even looking at me anymore, he's staring off into space. “I thought it was Tessa, but no... it most definitely is not Tessa. Oh, this could be good. Or very bad. I need to speak to father.”

              “Hey! Jaxon. Stop!” He blinks several times and turns those beautiful green eyes back onto me. “Why. Would. You. Think. I. Am. An. Angel?” I say it slowly as if I am talking to someone that comes from a foreign country.

              “Because you got burnt by a Hellhound. Only angels can be burnt. Nephilim should come into their powers when they turn eighteen- wait, how old are you?”

              “Nineteen.” He frowns and looks at me like I am the crazy one.

“That can't be right.” He whispers. Tessa chooses that moment to walk into the room with a plastic bag filled with goodies. I say goodies lightly of course. It is just stuff for my hands. I would much rather chocolate but hey that's just me.

The two of them busy themselves with cleaning up my hands and then wrapping them gently with bandages. I don't really pay attention to any of it, I am too busy reeling on everything that Jaxon has just told me. Surely he can't be right? I do remember reading somewhere about Nephilim. Might have been on Wikipedia. I will check later. If I can move my hands. If what he says is true, then one of my parents is an actual angel. My money is on my mother. She is never around and is out of this world beautiful. Who knows? I could be right about that one. Oh it could be dad! The glasses could be a cover up like Clark Kent and Superman! Yeah, probably dad. Okay, I don't actually know. I could be losing my mind by listening to someone who is clearly crazy. I sigh and lean further into my pillows and try not to think about the fact that I have a guy in my bedroom. One that I am not babysitting or related to I mean. I look around my room to check if anything is out of place. There is a pair of socks on the floor by the door and a bra on the end of my bed. Brilliant. I look up at Tessa who is cleaning away the wrappers and I discreetly motion to the bra on the bed. It takes a while but she finally gets it. As she is passing to leave the room, she swipes it up and leaves. I do love that girl, every if she is a tad slow.

              Jaxon double checks my hands and then when he is satisfied he looks up at me. “Keep it clean. Not sure if you heal at the same rate as humans or angels but you should be okay in a few days at the most.”

              “Thank you.” He gets up and walks to the door but pauses as he gets to it.

“This could end badly for you if any elders find out you exist Calissa.” He whispers with his back to me. “You and your sister should run. If Aeron didn't summon that Hellhound, things would be fine for you. But he did. And now things will turn. I am not an angel like you Titch. I am the complete opposite and I will not hesitate to kill you if it comes down to it. But because Caroline loves you...” He takes a deep breath and then slowly exhales. “Like I said. Leave with your sister. Take Tessa too if you must. Just go. Soon.” With that, he walks out of the room leaving me staring after him in shock of what he has just said.

Complete opposite of an angel? A demon? Is that what he means? And how the hell did little Aeron summon Hellhound? He is a baby! Okay, he is a toddler, but still. Maybe I am having a really bad dream. A long one.

I need answers. Jaxon obviously isn't going to give me any. I need my dad. Or mum. Any parent would do just fine. Actually, the one that is the angel would be better. But I will be happy with either. I think.

Feeling frustrated, I hunt around the bed for my phone and then search my shorts pockets. Where the hell did that go? I could have sworn that I shoved it in my pocket earlier. I shimmy out of bed and make my way out of my room and downstairs. The house is very quiet for a Saturday afternoon. It is too quiet.

              I enter the kitchen and search for my phone but cannot find it. I check the living room and then after a deep breath, I take a step out into the garden. I wonder where Tessa is. Surely I would have seen her by now? I walk over to where we were sat earlier on and search around in the grass for my silver cased phone. No luck. “UGH! Where is it?” I turn back around to go back into the house and come face to face with the 'Hellhound' again.

              My breath catches in my throat and I feel bile rise up into my mouth. This is it... I am going to die. A virgin too. Brilliant. The creature stares at me with its glowing red eyes and its mouth set into a permanent snarl. It looks as if it is frothing at the mouth too. Its black body looks slimy and there are two little horns sticking out of its head. It looks like something you would see on
Pokemon
or something. Except more evil. The hound doesn't move from where it is stood in front of the entrance to my house. My heart has never pounded so hard. My hands start to clam up. Then the creature growls and the sound is something I have never heard before. It is a rumble, deep and low, and gargles fill it. Like a lion that is growling with a mouth full of antelope. I shiver at the thought.

And then it barks. Flames come flying out of its mouth and head straight for me. I yelp and drop down to the floor so that the fireball doesn't hit me. I need my phone!

“TESSA!!” I scream. I am not even sure if she is in the house or not, I just need her here or to call Jaxon since he knows about Hellhounds and claims that his little brother conjured the frigging thing! “Tessa!! Call Jaxon!!” I shout.

The creature shuts its froth covered mouth and tilts its head slightly to the side at my voice. It takes a curious step towards me and I instinctively take a frightened step back. It whines and I have to slam my hands over my ears to stop the high pitch shrill bursting my eardrums.

It continues to step towards me and I try to walk as fast as I can while stepping backwards. In barefoot and on the stony path, it isn't easy. Sharp stones jab into my feet and I take a quick step to the left so that I am on the grass. The dog follows.

              “What do you want with me?” I whisper, not caring that the dog won't reply. “Oh God! Someone help me.” I mumble to myself. The dog seems to have taken my fear as its cue because it starts running towards me. I scream and run as fast as I can to get away from it. I get to the back gate and run straight through the open gate and out onto the quiet street which my house sits on.

I hear the deathly pants from the hound which is still chasing me but I try to focus on running. I run almost everyday! This shouldn't be hurting my lungs as much as it is. I head towards Jaxon's house and although it is like five minutes up the road, I do not stop running until I see the large black metal fence that surrounds his property. I take a risky glance behind me and see the dog is still hot on my tail. How am I out running this thing?