The Appeal of Evil (The Road to Salvation) (29 page)

Katie climbed to her feet. The room around her disappeared. Her vision focused on Wes and Josh. She stepped forward, attempting to walk with a confidence she didn’t feel. What was she doing? How could she possibly conceive of killing another human being, especially Wes? Yeah, he had abandoned her and broke her heart multiple times, but it was Wes. She’d known him all her life. He was her first crush, her first kiss, her first everything, and she was going to end it for a demon she’d just met. Why was this happening? Shouldn’t God do something to intervene? Why wasn’t He protecting His chosen people?

The closer Katie got, the more she hoped lightning would strike through the roof and knock her dead. It would solve so many issues. Her eyes drifted upward and around the room. The sun shone harshly through the windows. Only the sounds of panting dogs and her footsteps filled her ears. Her gaze met Wes’s. His face was still red, but Katie realized it wasn’t from struggling against his bonds. Trails of tears lined his cheeks, his eyelids were puffy. Her heart skipped a beat.

“Don’t do this.” Randy said calmly, soothingly. “You have other choices. This isn’t what you want.”

Katie hesitated. He was right; this wasn’t what she wanted. What she really wanted was to be in bed, sleeping, or at the mall with Deb. She wanted to be sitting on the couch watching TV with her mom. She wanted anything but to be stuck in a warehouse with demons and the possibility of death. At that moment, she would have taken being back in the hospital. But she couldn’t change it. The option to turn around and walk out of the warehouse existed. She could turn her back and not take any side, go back to living a neutral life. But then she risked putting her mom’s life in jeopardy. Josh already planned on using her against Katie, so he would more than likely do it again. Or go after Deb. Or any other of her friends and family. So what if Randy and Wes had to die? Didn’t they say that sometimes the life of one was needed for the good of many? This was their chance to sacrifice themselves for the greater good. Katie hated that she had to be the one to do it. After that, she would find a way to get out of Josh’s grasp. She would find other Praesuls, talk to priests, do whatever it took to free herself from evil. At least she hoped she would. Maybe she would enjoy what she was about to do. Perhaps the dark spot on her soul would take over her entire being. What if this was her destiny?

She regained her conviction and continued forward. When she was directly in front of Wes, he fell to his knees. His eyes never left her face. Tears flowed freely down his cheeks.

“Please, Katie.” The words croaked out of him, coated in sorrow. “Show mercy and forgiveness. I’m sorry I hurt you. I never meant to. I only wanted what was best for you.”

Katie reached forward and stroked Wes’s hair. “I know.” She spoke the words softly. “But it’s too late to change things now.”

Wes’s gaze dropped to the floor.

The action should have brought some kind of emotion from Katie, but she found herself not feeling anything. Her whole body had gone numb, and she felt as if she was floating above the scene, watching it from a distance, not actively participating in it. She looked at Josh. A wide smile covered his face. He placed his hand on the back of Katie’s head and kissed her passionately on the lips. Katie returned the gesture, wrapping her arms around his neck and losing herself in the moment. This was what her future held. It was best to enjoy and get used to it now.

When he released her, he reached behind his back and pulled something from his waist band. He held a matte black knife with a serpent handle out to her. She took it, aware that her limbs had stopped shaking. Was she so calm because this was what she was fated to be? Was her whole life leading up to this moment? Was it always ordained that she would betray her first love and turn to evil? Had there been any signs earlier in her life that would let her know what she was doing was right? Her mind drifted through her memories, trying to figure out when and where things had gone wrong. All she could think about was her mom. What would she say if she knew what Katie was doing? She would be so disappointed, so sad. Katie had failed her.

The knife shook in her hand. She gagged and turned away. She couldn’t do it. No matter how much pain and suffering Wes caused, she couldn’t take his life. Hadn’t she done enough by breaking him? Surely he was putting himself through enough pain and suffering. Hands encircled her shoulders and her chest. Warm breath tickled her earlobe, and a sense of safety washed over her. She closed her eyes and allowed herself a brief moment of respite.

“You have to do this,” Josh whispered. “You have to prove to me that you’re all mine. One quick second and it will be done. If you want to be merciful, put the blade right in his heart. It will be quick and painless. End his suffering.” He nuzzled against her neck.

She closed her eyes and pretended like all was right with the world. Her mind drifted back to the beach and the way Josh looked at her. The hope deep in her chest sparked.

Katie opened her eyes slowly and took a deep breath. “What if I can’t?”

“Think of all the heartache he’s caused. The lies. Focus on your anger and let it grow.”

For once, Katie didn’t want to. She was tired of thinking about the pain, tired of the tightness in her chest. She wanted it to end, but not like this. This wouldn’t make the pain go away. This wouldn’t undo years of tears and abandonment. It would possibly provide temporary relief, but in the long run, Katie was sure the guilt would consume her.

“If you need some motivation,” Although Josh’s voice was soft, it had an edge to it, “I can always have your mom brought back. I don’t want to do that, Katie, so you had better prove you really want to be with me.”

Katie’s mouth went dry, her throat constricted. Visions of her mom lying in bed with a demon looming over her drifted through her mind. She had gotten her mom into this mess, so she had to get her out. Whatever Josh wanted, she would do, especially if it saved her mom.

“He’s going to die either way. You decide if it’s quick and painless or I torture him. And you will pay for deserting me. With your soul.”

Katie turned and faced him. She placed her hand on his cheek. “I don’t want to desert you. You need me.”

Josh placed his hand over hers. “I do.”

She turned her gaze from Josh to Wes. He had gained control of his emotions. His jaw muscles were tight, his eyes were hard. He climbed onto his feet and squared his shoulders.

“I’m not going to beg, Katie. And I’m done apologizing. I made my decisions and I can’t change them. If I’m going to die in this warehouse, I want you to be the one to do it, not this beast.” He spit the word at Josh.

Josh chuckled. “Valiant display of chivalry. It will serve you well in Heaven.” He smirked. “And you’ll be there momentarily.” He nodded at Katie.

She tightened her grip on the knife and stepped forward. She was within an arm’s length of Wes. It’s for Mom, she told herself. Be brave. Be strong. She glanced again at Josh. He gave her an encouraging nod. Katie brought the knife back and stepped in close to Wes. She placed her hand on his shoulder for leverage. Clearing her mind, she tried not to think about what she was about to do. Her mom’s face dominated her mind’s eye. It was the only thing that would get her through what she needed to do. She brought her arm forward with all her might, but before the knife tip could penetrate his flesh, a blinding white light flashed through the room.

Katie was temporarily blinded, and the knife clanged onto the floor as she brought up her hands to rub her eyes. The sounds of growls and snarls echoed around the warehouse, followed by the scuffing of feet. She blinked and tried to clear her vision. A black blob floated in front of her, but the edges were clearing. She blinked a few more times. A dog rushed by her legs, catching her in the back of her knees and knocking her over. Her wrists and knees slammed into the concrete, and pain radiated through her body. Snarls and yips now sounded through the room. She turned to her left, where the sounds originated, and her vision cleared further. The demon who had had a hold of Randy wavered; his arms had been blown off, his chest and face oozed black liquid. Randy had a hold of his son, and the pair of them flicked water on the dogs around them. Explosions resounded.

“Don’t let them escape!”

The knife! Katie needed to find the knife. It was unclear exactly what was going on, and with her eyesight slowly returning, it would be nice to have a little protection. On hands and knees, she felt around the floor, hoping her fingers would brush against the cool metal of the weapon.

Someone grabbed her arm and pulled her to her feet. The grip was soft but firm, so she figured it wasn’t a demon. After several more blinks, her eyesight had almost completely returned. The person at the end of her arm came into focus. Wes pulled her across the room, and he had the knife in his hand. What was he planning on doing with that?

“NO!” Josh’s voice rang through the warehouse.

To her left, Katie saw a portal open. Large black demons streamed through, followed by more Hounds. Josh charged toward Wes. He released his grip on Katie’s arm and squared off to fight. Josh wrapped his arms around Wes’s waist and drove him to the floor. Wes landed with a whump, the air left his lungs. Josh reared up to punch Wes in the head, but he never got the chance. As soon as his side was exposed, Wes jammed the knife into his flesh. Josh cried out and toppled to the side.

Katie watched the scene unfold as if it were happening in slow motion. Wes scrambled out from under the demon toward her. He made it a few steps before Josh reached out and grabbed his ankle. Wes went down to his knees and used his free foot to kick at Josh. Several Hounds jumped on Wes, grabbing his pant legs and arms. Blood soaked through the material. The thought that Katie should help ran through her mind, but who was she going to help? All she could do was stand and stare. Josh pulled the knife from his side and raised it over his head. He was about to drive it into Wes’s back when Randy appeared out of nowhere and kicked Josh in the face. He rolled to one side, blood leaking from his nose. His eyes rolled in his head as he attempted to regain his senses. Randy grabbed Wes under the arms and pulled him to his feet.

Katie wasn’t sure who she wanted to win the fight between those two. Both Josh and Wes had their admirable qualities, and both of them had their reprehensible sides. The ideal situation would have been for them to mortally wound each other. Then Katie wouldn’t have to decide which side she wanted to be on. It was a horrible thought, she knew that, but things would be so much simpler without them fighting over her. Perhaps things would go back to normal if both of them were gone. If nothing else, her mom and her would be safe.

And why was Wes fighting for her? She’d broken him, tried to kill him. Maybe she was confused about the situation. Maybe his hatred of Josh was so deep Wes would take any opportunity to go after him. Katie may have been completely out of the picture. That wouldn’t surprise her.

Hissing and shrieks filled the room. Katie pulled her gaze from Wes and Josh to take in her surroundings. Wave upon wave of demons flooded into the warehouse, each with fangs bared and claws ready to fight. Fear gripped Katie’s chest. She scanned the floor for her pipe, knowing the metal would do little to protect her against the evil army, but the weight would feel comfortable in her hands. The floor was a tangle of talons and dog paws. She couldn’t see a thing.

“Wes!” Randy’s voice rang out over the melee. “We have to go!”

Katie looked up to see where the man was. Her gaze fell on Wes, who once again raced toward her. What was he going to do? The look on his face was intense, focused. His eyes were locked on hers, determination covered his face. Was he going to kill her? He was surely angry that she had almost killed him, and after the fight and everything they had been through, it wouldn’t surprise her if he had murder on his mind. Plus, she had chosen Josh’s side. She was a threat to everything he believed and fought for. The last thing he needed was her running around threatening him and his family. No longer was he going to fight to save her. He was going to hunt her.

Her stomach tingled at the thought. If that was what Wes wanted to do, she wasn’t exactly in a position to stop him. Her only hope was that a demon or a dog would intervene before he reached her. He was within a few arm’s lengths and held out his hand, reaching for her. Katie stared at the limb as if it were radioactive. A few more steps and he would reach her. She braced for his touch. His fingertips brushed against her arm, but before he could grab her wrist, something grabbed her from behind. The grip was strong, forceful, but not threatening. Katie glanced down and saw the black flesh, the sharp claws, but she didn’t cry out or struggle. She let the demon lift her from the ground and back away. Black wings closed around her, encapsulating her in a protective shell.

“Katie!” Wes’s voice was full of anger and concern.

Hounds barked and lunged forward, demons’ claws clattered against the floor. Katie peered through the crack in the demon’s wings. Wes ran for her again, but was stopped by Randy. Wes struggled and fought against his father’s grip, but Randy held tight.

Randy whispered something in Wes’s ear, and he stopped fighting against his grip. Katie could only imagine what he told his son. No doubt it had something to do with her being an evil witch and making her choices. She imagined he convinced Wes there would be another chance to kill her. They lived across the street; opportunities would abound.

A portal opened behind them, and Randy ran through. Wes hesitated before stepping into the light, glancing over his shoulder. Katie felt a pang run through her chest. With lips pursed and demons closing in on his position, Wes stepped into the light and disappeared. A small, sad smile crossed her lips. Typical Wes, abandoning her when she needed him the most. At least this time, she had given him a reason to leave. At least she had driven him away by attempting to kill him. With him truly out of the picture, Katie could focus on what she needed to do next. She could figure out how to save herself.