Free Specters: A Monster Squad Novel - 8 by Heath Stallcup Page A

to cover her mouth but he held it back. “Don’t, they suit you.”
    He kissed her again, harder than the first time and ran his tongue across her fangs. He felt her shudder and she leaned into him. When finally they parted her eyes were as glazed as they were when she stepped out of the shower. She looked up to him and Kalen felt as though his heart would rip from his chest. “Shall we make the vision a reality?”
    Kalen nodded. “I thought you’d never ask.”
     
    *****
     
    Samael kept constant vigil over Lilith as she slept. Even though Azazel healed her body, her mind still needed rest. The angel took flight twice to find a suitable place for the pair to respite. He found a hunting cabin deep within the woods that he felt was far enough away from others that it was unlikely they would be discovered. He took her there and got her settled on the old bed, covered her in handmade quilts and worked diligently at preparing food for her once she awoke.
    Now he sat in the shadows, the light from the fire casting strange orange glows across the cabin as she slumbered. He tried to think of anything else, but the glow of the fire reminded him of the torture pits of Hell. He remembered the numerous ways that the Fallen and the demons had dreamt up to torture the lost souls sent there. Of all of the tortures, he felt the total loss of hope was more torture than any should have to endure. To be anywhere where God’s presence wasn’t…was intolerable to most souls. It made them go mad. Some eventually became so twisted that they searched out the torture. They helped to dream up new and even more inventive ways to inflict pain.
    Samael shook his head forlornly and stared at her form on the bed, breathing softly in the corner of the cabin. He had paid a hefty price once for her. He would gladly do it again. He would do whatever it took to keep her away from his brothers. If it meant surrendering himself to them to take her place, so be it.
    Lilith stirred and groaned. Samael was on his feet and by her side before she could open her eyes. “Tell me how you are.” His hand grasped hers and squeezed gently.
    Her eyes fluttered open and she glanced about the room. “Where are we?”
    “Safe. For now. How do you feel?”
    She sat up and placed her feet on the floor. “I’m okay. A little shaky.” She touched her head with her hand and tried to replay the last memories she had. “The room…” She turned questioning eyes to him.
    Samael growled and turned his gaze from her. “The vampire turned against us. His people attacked. They brought explosives.”
    Lilith stood suddenly and glanced about. “My demons!”
    Samael patted her hand, calming her. “They are fine. They are collecting new bodies as we speak.”
    “And the devices?” She sat slowly, her eyes searching his features.
    “We lost a good portion, I do not know exactly how many yet.” He groaned as he sat beside the bed. “Not all of the shipments were sent out before they struck.”
    Lilith ground her teeth in frustration. “How many shipments were sent out safely?”
    “Two.” He lowered his head, avoiding her gaze. “One was headed for Europe.”
    “Oh no, no, no…” She stood and began pacing. “We have barely a third of what we started with. Can we make more?”
    “I do not think there is time. Nor do we have the supplies.” He stood and had to bend his head to keep from brushing it across the ceiling.
    “The vampire’s people took them?” She scowled as she stared out the window.
    “Yes, my queen. The ones not destroyed or damaged were taken by them, I am certain.”
    She squared her shoulders and an evil smile crossed her features. “Then we will just have to take them back.”
     
    *****
     
    Agent Bob Stevens rushed through his small apartment scooping up anything that he thought may be of value to him. He shoved it into duffle bags and set them by the door. He fell into the chair behind his computer and began copying files to a thumb