Things To Come

By Christine L. Szymanski

The Rasmey family descendants had money, land, and of course, power. Unfortunately, all of these things came from a pact with Satan and was paid with blood, flesh, and bone. That is, until the agreement with the Guardian was severed. But all good things come in time, and time is all that this ancient evil has had as it plotted, and waited for its time to reclaim the Rasmey family and the town of Appleton.

Unknown to Devlin and his family, the tragedy that sent them all back to his family home was all a ruse to get him, his older brother Josh, and his sister, Sasha in place to open the gates that would unleash an evil like no other. However, there is still hope in the form of Iris, Devlin's troubled daughter, if she is strong enough to keep her mind from cracking under all of the hellish things that she's experiencing.

When the dead begins walking, secrets are revealed, and the body count begins stacking up, will Iris be able save them all? And just whom within the camp has been pulling the strings anyway? In the final hours, allegiances are formed as the ghastly warriors of Hell and the elite fighters of Heaven clash swords on human soil for all to see.

Taking you into the depths of Hell, to the very throne room of Heaven, to epic battles between angels and demons, Things To Come takes you on a journey that's laced with humor, suspense, horror and lust.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Christine L. Szymanski
• Release date: Nov 23, 2012
• ISBN: 9781301392223

Christine L. Szymanski

Hello Readers!I was born to two awesome parents that supported me and my wild imagination. Even though I am older, I am still a big dreamer. Its thanks to that talent to dream that has lead me to write. From children series, to funny stories that are designed to help parents open the doors of communication with their children, or a supernatural thriller (for adults),I desire to leave an impact on the world in a way that I believe can only be do through the written language. If I can do that, my life will be great!!ThanxEmail: [e-mail]

Book preview

Things To Come

By

Christine Szymanski

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Published by Christine Szymanski at Smashwords

Copyright 1996 by Christine L. Szymanski. Revised 2012. All rights reserved.

Smashwords Edition, License Notes

This ebook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This ebook may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each recipient. If you’re reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, then please return to Smashwords.com and purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.

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This book has been years in the making. I remember writing this novel during the summer of my senior year in high school. Now, fast forward over twenty years later, it is now ready for the human eyes to see and read.

I want to thank Elder Pastor Dix for seeing something in a young girl that so many others dismissed as foolishness. I so wish you were still here on Earth to see the first of the many projects I attend to do and be successful at.

Thank You Mom and Dad for letting me know it’s ok to dream and dare to be different!

And lastly, Thank You to Ron, Zachary, Ronald, and Alyssia, my current Dream Catchers!

I luv you all!!

And to the reader…Thank You and ENJOY

PROLOGUE

The young man nearly buckled under the weight of the ancient book. Looking behind him, he could not altogether shake the feeling that someone was following him. However, he would not allow himself to turn back. Something had to change, and he was just the person to do it. Let everyone at the house he left behind laugh and be merry at the big feast. Nevertheless, he was having no part of it. Let them have their fun now, but he will have the last laugh.

Panting, he dropped the book to warm his cold hands. Blowing hot air into them, he took in his surroundings. The dark green color of the forest had been replaced with dark, barren colors of winter. The snow of just a few days before had at last melted away, giving him the chance to get out of the house and get on with his mission. He would never have dreamed of coming outside, not with his illness, if the ground was still frosty white snow. No, his feet, let alone his undeveloped lungs, would have never brought him this far.

According to the map that he founded in the book, the place should be just to the right of here. Which was a good thing, he thought as once again he bent down to pick up his heavy load. The distant sound of thunder was getting closer.

It took some time to finding, but at last, he was there. Everything had started to look the same after awhile. However, as he laid the book down, the boy began to realize that this place was indeed different. Unlike the other parts of the forest where winter colors of gold and brown could still be found, there was no such thing here. The ground was dry. The once proud oaks were now all twisted to the point of being deformed. The massive trees were locked in an eternal state of worship with their tops bowed in the direction of a large rock in the center.

This was it! , the boy thought as he let out a shout of glee. Picking up the book, he ran over to the smooth rock and placed the wrapped bundle upon it. Taking a deep breath to calm himself, he pulled back the pieces of fabric to reveal the leather bound book underneath. With shaking hands, he reached out to stroke its smooth cover before opening it to find the marked page.

Finally, all was ready. The Stone. The Book. And now, the Words. In a voice that sounded foreign to him, he called upon the Guardian.

His ancestral right. The ONE that granted wishes. The filler of desires. Now, his as well.

Bouncing off the trees, his words came crashing back at him. The chant had become something of a harsh nursery rhyme as he spoke them faster and faster to a strange tempo and beat.

What am I doing? he shouted as he fell onto the dusty ground,

exhausted. This is silly, insane. This hoodoo- voodoo isn’t going to work.

Not necessarily, said a voice from behind a tree. It’s a long ride from where I came from.

Shocked, the boy jumped to his feet to run behind the rock slab.

This couldn’t be happening. he thought as he watched with sheer amazement as a figure walked round from behind a tree. This was not what he expected. This person before him was no more than sixteen at the least. He had been thinking more on the lines of a beast of some kind, not the blond head, tanned male before him.

You can’t be him. the boy said in disbelief.

Oh and why not? the male asked as he looked down at his appearance. Surly you weren’t expecting something with fire and brimstone? Wait! It’s the tanned skin, right? he said jokingly. I just knew it would be pushing it a bit with it being cold and all. I should’ve chosen something a little lighter. The male finished thoughtfully.

Yea, it-

Trust me. It is better this way. You would not have wanted to be my friend if you saw me for what I really am. I tend to lose a lot of friends that way. He mumbled.

Examining the older male closely, the boy had to admit that the newcomer was a lot more than he seemed. The way he spoke with a mocking air. The cruel way his mouth turned up at its side. Or the way his open smile never really reached his clear, almost colorless pale blue eyes.

The silence appeared to stretch out for hours until the older male broke it with a loud clap of his hands. So, you found out about the Ramsey family’s little secret. You know, you come from a long line of very powerful people. You should be honored, Sighing wistfully; he threw himself down on a tree stump.

Yes, back then they used to teach the children to fear and love me. But now, he said with disgust. Everything is so modern. Now it’s the favor system. They give me their soul and I give them wealth, youth, health. Where’s the love?

But, they’re all dead. the boy said, stating a fact.

Well, they couldn’t live forever. I’m sure I told them that, but enough about me. Let's talk about you.

Well-, the boy began shyly, but broke off.

Come, come, said the blond male as he began approaching the boy. There’s no need to be bashful. I feel your pain. he said as he leaned forward on the rock that stood to separated them. "They have replaced you with that

bouncing little baby. Although, I must say, she is a cute one. She is the life of the party."

They don’t even care about me anymore. the boy said hurtfully.

Poor thing, they gave up on you the day they put it in the hands of their God. But I care. the taller male whispered.

Can you help me then? the boy asked hopefully.

Staring at the little, pale lad, the older, dark skinned boy considered all before answering.

My young lad, I’ll do a lot more than that, he mumbled under his breath. Louder for the little boy to hear him, Granted, Walking away to take his seat again.

You may take your leave and make sure you return that book to its resting place. the blond male added as an afterthought.

Wait, the younger boy shouted. What of payment? There’s always payment.

True. was the evil one’s only reply.

I guess you want my soul.

And what if I did? Would you weep and change your mind?

No.

Good. You’ll know when payment is due and in what form when the time is right. Now, go.

With hood eyes, the older male watched the boy’s form disappear into the distance.

Payment, he thought. Even now, the seed was growing. His soul was delivered to me as soon as he took the first step on his journey." Only after the boy was gone completely from his sight, did the tall blond let out a scream of victory. He still couldn’t believe his luck. He had almost counted it all a lost. Now, here is the door he needed. How dare they turn their backs on him?!! Everything they had acquired was because of him.

Getting up, he strolled over to the slab once again. Running his hands over its cool surface, he let his mind go back to a time when blood flowed like a river from it.

Ah, the screams.

CHAPTER ONE

Many years later

The piercing sound of steel could be heard from miles away as

the two warriors danced around the room. This wasn’t the first time their swords had met in battle, and they knew, it wouldn’t be the last.

She’s mine!

No, she’s the Lord’s

"She is my prize, and I will have her." Red glowing eyes of determination shone brightly as Death lunged forward. Constantly he drove her back, looking for his chance to finish it. She’s just too good, he thought.

With the authority of Jesus, I command you to release her. You have no place here and I cast you into the utter darkness from which you came. She was growing tired of the chase. Surly, he didn’t think she was just going to give up. Swinging around to catch Death’s blow, Zora couldn’t help but chuckle. He was really giving it all he had. Those big, vulture wings were taking up the space within the whole room. And on top of that, the wings were shedding. He was a nasty thing.

Backing Death against the wall, Zora leaned into her trust only to have a wing deflect the blow. Those wings!!! Fine, two can play at this game. Using her hair as a silky whip, she threw it out. Flying through the air, it gripped and latched on to Death’s sword arm while it was still in midair.

He knew he was defected now. He knew the more he fought, the tighter the hair’s grip would become. Harder and harder, the pressure became not only on his arm, but on her scalp, also. And the tug-a-war continued on. Death trying to twist free and Zora smiling as her mane’s grip got tighter until with a loud snap, Death fell to the ground to wither in pain after his arm was severed.

She kicked the smelly, smoking arm into a distant corner. The stench of the burning flesh as it dissolved into ashes was enough to turn even the strongest stomach.

This isn’t over. I’ll-

You’ll what? It is over. Raising her double edge sword high above her head, she delivered the final blow. Cutting from top to bottom, the cold blades of Deliverance sliced Death in half.