Hey all,
It's our last week here in Brazil. Then it's off to Argentina! WooHoo! It's been an excellent fourteen months, and I'm so pleased to have lived in this diverse and beautiful country. It wasn't anything like I expected, but we found it was a true adventure.
Which leads us to Amaris. I'm pretty sure she has an adventure of her own in the making. Shall we see how she deals with the demonic Asmodeous? Enjoy!!!
The Watcher's Guild: Sweet Nephilim
~~~~***~~~~
Chapter Eight
Temptations
“Some
Nephilim are not given that gift—” it was Eran who answered, “—but yes, in your
case while you may be half-human, your angelic side decided your mortality.”
“Oh
wow.” It was all she could say. Suddenly, she understood the nature of
Asmodeous’ gift. Without it, she would
watch her family turn old and die before her eyes. Her lips trembled and sudden tears
burned.
“But,” Eran
continued, “the cost of this promise will be very high. You would become one of the dark
Nephilim. Those few who have given their
souls to Satan. And as for your family…”
“What?” She could still barely speak.
“They would
live forever, little angel, just as Asmodeous promises. What he doesn’t tell you is that all humans have eternal life. Their choice is where they spend it.”
Shivering,
she turned back to the demon. “And…and
where will my family live?”
Asmodeous’
eyes had darkened with anger, but his voice was still smooth. “Where else would they live, sweet Amaris? With you of course.”
Although
she knew the answer, she asked it anyway.
“And just where would that be?”
His smile
was suddenly malicious. “In Hell.”
Understanding
shot through her. “So what you’re saying
is, if I go with you, no matter what my family’s beliefs are, they will be
sentenced to Hell everlasting?”
The demon’s
face tightened. “They will be alive and
you can see them whenever you want. Not
something you can do if they dead in the ground.”
She looked
at Eran who returned her gaze seriously.
“Your
family would receive no special treatment, angel. Not from Jehovah. Their presence in Heaven depends on what they
believe, not what you might do.”
“In other
words, if I stay with you, my family would have a chance at Heaven, but if I go
with Asmodeous, then they’d have no chance at all.”
The demon
cursed, his words ugly and foul. “You
don’t understand what I’m offering you.
They would become immortal. Live
forever.” His voice changed. It became
low and entreating. “I promise you, living
in Hell wouldn’t be so bad. They
wouldn’t suffer as the other damned would.
I would take care of them. Treat
them very special. You have my word.”
It was the way he said it that made her blood
run cold. Insincerity rolled off him in
noxious waves. Asmodeous was a dangerous
enemy to her now, but somehow she didn’t think he’d be any better as a
friend. Knowing she could be with her
family forever was tempting, but the cost for all of them would be too
high. It wasn’t a hard choice to
make. Slowly, she shook her head and
leaned back against Eran’s powerful chest.
“I’d rather
see my family in a broken down shack in Heaven than a palatial mansion in
Hell. As for your other offers... It’s all just too easy. God knows what’s best for me, so I’ll wait on
him for what I want and need. So, no, Asmodeous,
I won’t go with you. Leave me alone!”
Eran’s soul
almost exploded with pride. The temptation
had been great, but she’d handled it with all the aplomb of a seasoned
warrior. He put his hand on her shoulder
and squeezed. “Well done, Amaris. You have chosen wisely.”
“Stupid
bitch,” Asmodeous spat out. “You doom
everyone you love. I may not be able to
take them now, but I will spend my eternity convincing your family to choose
Hell as their final destination.”
Amaris
trembled, but Eran wrapped his arms around her.
“And I will send them guardians who will protect and instruct them. I will do all that I can to make sure
whatever choice they do make, they do so without coercion.”
Leaning
back, she surprised him with a soft kiss on the chin. “Thank you.”
“How disgustingly
sweet. But you cannot win.” Asmodeous’ anger was like a cloud around them. “I told you, little one. You will belong to me.”
This time
she surprised both men as she struggled to her feet. Her new wings glowed softly. She glared at the demon, her eyes snapping
with blue fire. “You think trying to
frighten me will bring me to your side?
Are you that stupid?”
Eran
swallowed a chuckle at the incredulous look on the hellspawn’s face. It was rare anyone had the courage to stand
up to the creature, but Amaris wasn’t finished yet. She stabbed the other man in the chest with
her finger.
“You
threatened the people I love. No matter
what, I’d rather die now than go with you.
Your temptations won’t work and neither will your ridiculous brand of
seduction.” She looked him up and down,
her lip curved in a slight sneer. “All
the attractiveness in the world can’t cover up the rotted core of you. You’re not just a demon, you’re a
sadist. You enjoy hurting people. I could never want to be with you. Ever.”
The demon’s
eyes flared hot in fury, but he took a careful step backwards. “Never say never, little one. Soon I will have you right where I want
you. Before, I would have allowed you to
enjoy it. But now? Now when you lie
beneath me, I will make you suffer and bleed.
You will scream for my mercy, but no one will hear you.”
“Enough!” Eran stepped between the two before the creature
lost his control and assaulted Amaris. Or
vice versa. He almost hoped Asmodeous
would attack. Eran was itching to do
some more damage to the creature. “Be on
your way, evil one. You have your answer
and are no longer welcome here.”
~~~~***~~~~
Whew!!! I think she made the correct decision, don't you? I miss my family, but I don't think I'd get an apartment in Hell with them. *grin* Even if it meant living forever. But it sounds as though Asmodeous is pretty angry with her attitude. I wonder what he'll do next. Check back next Sunday to find out!
Have a great week!
Hugs,
CJ England
Follow Your Dreams
http://cjengland.com/luckbealady/luckbealady.htm
2 comments:
I think Amaris made the right choice too. Like she said, rather a shack in Heaven than a mansion in Hell.
Didn't get to read this yesterday so read this morning! Yay Amaris! lol Makes me a little fearful of what he might do next though.
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