Free Above The Flames (The Flames Trilogy #1) by Cassandra Fear Page B

Grizzles and stood. The room swayed around her. She raised her arms out to her sides, trying to balance herself.
    “Get her out of here. Now!” someone said—it sounded like that woman from earlier. Lamia. Was she here too? Jasmine couldn’t be sure what exactly was going on.
    Black spots were on every surface she looked at. There was still fighting going on around her. Every sound registered in her brain, but she couldn’t see a single thing. The spots were too big.
    Another set of arms scooped her up. She bounced as Amon carried her out the open front door and into the sunlight. The heat of summer did nothing to warm her.
    “It’s okay, Jasmine. You are fine,” he said.
    She nodded, not trusting herself to speak. Her head fell onto his shoulder, and for a moment she let his heat warm her. It felt like he carried her for a long time, but she had no idea how much time had passed when he laid her down on something soft.
    “Rest for a while. The demon who attacked you is dead, and I will make sure you are safe.” He spoke softly.
    “But I’m not safe!” Jasmine sat up, panic taking hold. “He was going to kill me. He killed Grizzles. Look at all this blood.”
    Amon stroked the side of Jasmine’s head, petting the length of her hair. “It’s okay. He didn’t kill you, Jasmine. You are safe. We will leave as soon as the others join us. Close your eyes and rest.”
    Goosebumps broke out down her arms and legs. “I’m so cold,” she said, her words shaky as she started shivering.
    Thick cloth covered her front. “This will keep you warm. Now rest.”
    With no more protests, she let her eyes close again, and sleep took over from there.

 
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
    Chapter 7
     
     
    A Demon’s Predicament
     
    Bael
     
    Bael seethed as he stared into utter darkness. His hands were cuffed in front of him in the basement that he’d created as a prison. This kind of thing never happened. The fallen angels had overpowered him. How, though? They weren’t particularly strong. Most of their powers had been taken as they fell from Heaven. So how did they lock him up?
    He stood and pulled against the chains. They didn’t budge, which made sense since he’d created them to be stronger than himself. He needed the key, and of course he didn’t have one.
    “M-master. W-what happened here?” Belze asked, stepping into the room.
    “Do you know how long I have waited for you to show up? I sent you a message quite some time ago. Tell me, Belze. What took you so long?” Bael kept his voice even.
    “I c-came as soon as I c-could. It isn’t as if I knew w-where you w-were.” Belze paused, but continued forward until he stopped in front of Bael. “I’m here n-now. W-where is the key?”
    “If I knew that, I would have already been free. Search the house, drawers. The key is small, bronze with an oval tip.”
    Belze nodded, and then disappeared.
    He had better find that key, or I will kill him , he thought.
    “ What key? ” a loud voice spoke into his mind.
    “ Lucifer. You are listening to my thoughts? How lovely. ”
    Lucifer laughed inside Bael’s head, giving him an instant headache. “ Somebody must keep you in line, Bael. I know how you can get distracted. Your goal is simple, and must stay at the front of your mind. ”
    “ Yes, I know exactly what I must do. ”
    “ Then, why, may I ask, have you let someone capture you? ”
    “ Tell me how you know this. ”
    “ I have my sources. Do you think you are the only demon I can speak to in this way? ”
    Actually, Bael did think that, but now that he knew the truth, he’d be a lot more careful who he told his plans to. Lucifer had a lot of secrets, even from Bael.
    “ I do have secrets, Bael. And it would be good to remember that. I am the ruler of Hell, and I didn’t get here by chance. Now, tell me of your plans. ”
    Bael mentally slapped himself. He couldn’t believe he’d been so careless. He had to remember to keep his mind clear.
    “ We