The Darkest Angel: The Castle Trilogy

By M W Russell

Her father is gone. The town of Cohoes is gripped in an unearthly quiet as tumbleweeds barrel the streets. Heartworth Castle is bare – of antiquities, of chattels, of warmth, of laughter as the forces of hatred bare down.
The Demonic Empire’s fold grows each passing day and purgatory is buckling under the storm. Can Melodie and Joseph protect mortality from being caught up in a power struggle that has its origins in the afterlife and beyond?
Cloaked in shadow and the deepest corners of the underworld, The Darkest Angel – Book three in The Castle Series.

• Language: English
• Publisher: M W Russell
• Release date: Jan 10, 2014
• ISBN: 9781311273864

M W Russell

Maree was born in New Plymouth, New Zealand . She currently resides in Auckland, in a home with a sea view across Auckland Harbor. When not writing and looking after family she dreams of Dragons and Demons in the dark. She has been a Registered Nurse for thirty plus and has an Advanced Diploma in Novel Writing from the New Zealand Business Institute and is currently completing a Bachelor of English Literature at Massey University.

Book preview

Prologue

"Arise, my sister. There is no need for you to kneel."

The petite woman cautiously stood. Sweat dribbled down her spine from the enormity of the heat that emanated from the eerie blue flames.

"You will soon be one of us. We are all equals here. There is no need to stand on ceremony. Isn’t that right?" This woman had a voice of authority, with a stern glare to match. Although slight, she had a jawline that suggested strength and determination that all around her respected without question.

A tall, muscular man behind her nodded with a leer.

"Thank you," the quiet one stammered.

"Now if you are truly ready to join our fold, I ask you to take off your shirt. The dominant woman held out her hand to the other, who offered her blouse willingly but with a tremulous hand, then led her to a black stone table with hideous runes carved around its sides. Lie down," she instructed tersely.

The subservient one’s head twisted from side to side, tentatively viewing her audience. They were all dressed similarly, in ceremonial robes of black trimmed with emerald thread. The altar had an eerie glow as orange shadows danced across the walls. After a moment’s hesitation she did what she was told and lay down face-first on the cold, hard surface of the stone. The icy tablet bit at her bare chest, and she gripped the stone tightly, knowing full well what was to come.

The leader turned to the second man behind her. He was slighter than the first, although just as tall. His face was ghostly white and his hair an exact match. He looked no older than a boy. My young brother, if you would do the honors. Since you were the last to join us, I think it only fitting that you perform the next.

The young man nodded with a thirsty look in his eye and stepped toward the large fire pit. These were no ordinary flames. Piercing blue, they rose higher than normal with a blistering amount of heat. He picked up a long metal object. On the end of its handle was the carved effigy. He placed this end in the embers and gave it a prolonged stir. When he lifted it out it was glowing molten white.

The woman on the stone table shut her eyes and let out a petrified moan.

The boy walked toward her with his bare arms raised and the burning iron in his hands. He stepped behind her prostrate body and stared eagerly at the exposed surface of her skin. His eyes averted for a split second to accept an encouraging nod. Then with an almighty thrust he pressed the scorching iron hard into her flesh above her shoulder blade. Smoke rose to the sounds of bubbling flesh and the young woman’s screams.

When finally the boy released the iron, the only thing remaining were the sounds of her sobs and the bright glowing replica of a perfect set of wings.

CHAPTER ONE

There was no real excuse for my behavior—although there was the remotest of chances that I was quietly going insane. No matter how I rationalized the outbursts, I knew there was a simpler reason for my fragile state of mind. Weeks of hurried renovations to the castle in time for my father’s imminent arrival from Australia had finally started to take its toll. I was fraught to a breaking point. Not even Joseph’s words of strength were able to ease my stress.

I flopped back wearily on the center of my bed, completely unaware of the time of day. Within seconds my heavy eyes sagged and a dark but all too familiar dream began to replay through my brain.

In the dream I had walked into a room and caught her by surprise. Her shirt lay discarded on the nearest chair. I should have felt embarrassed at catching her naked, but instead another sight immediately caught my eye: a tattoo on her left shoulder of some strangely familiar red wings. The ink blazed with some unearthly metallic luster, and the wings glistened like a neon sign as she moved. Her black eyes flicked up at me in sharp surprise, and for a heart-stopping moment I thought I saw them flash red. She followed my gaze to her shoulder and sucked in a low, feral breath. As I stared back at her, it became chillingly clear that neither one of us was quite what we seemed.

I sat up sweating and climbed back off my bed and traipsed out my bedroom door, still battling my thoughts.

* * * *

Melodie, what in God’s name are you doing? Amy was leaning against the doorframe of one of the three downstairs bathrooms surveying me with a look of exasperation.

I looked up from my tile scrubbing and caught sight of myself in the vanity mirror. It was a sorry sight. I wore a manic look, with distinct purple rings under my eyes. Sleep had been eluding me still. Strands of hair mingled with sweat cascaded across my face, and my cheeks were polished pink. Black smudges decorated my forehead and lower arms.

Amy shook her head in disbelief. You do realize that the guests don’t actually eat in here, don’t you?

Yes, I know. I just want everything perfect for when Dad gets back.

So you keep reminding us.

I turned toward the sink, ready to launch another frenzied attack.

Amy had other ideas. She leapt forward, grabbed the toothbrush from my hand, and threw it firmly into the bin below the sink. It echoed with a protesting clang. Come on. She placed both hands firmly on my shoulders and steered me toward the door.

I succumbed to her instructions without argument, my aching limbs caving in defeat as we walked.

So, what day did you say Ben was flying in? she asked casually as she reached for the door to the kitchen.

Sunday I think. I’m still waiting for the specifics. I’ll get up early on the day of, and drive out to meet him.

We crossed the threshold into the wide, gleaming kitchen. Our bare feet made slapping noises on the cobbled floor as we meandered through, and the grey of the stone walls cast shadows on the surfaces, giving the kitchen a cold but organized feel.

Hey guys, Holly called out from behind the counter. She was wearing a black apron and was just putting the finishing touches on a chocolate cake.

Chase was languishing on a stool next to her, eyeing the cake hungrily. His finger sneaked toward some dripping frosting; and as quick as a cobra, Holly’s spatula hand struck.

Ow! Don’t be so miserable, he griped, pulling his hand away.

You can wait until it’s finished like everyone else. Here, you big idiot, you can lick this.

Chase grabbed the frosting-covered spatula with a satisfied grin.

Holly’s look softened as she turned back to me. I think I heard the fax machine a moment ago. Aren’t you expecting to hear flight details from your dad?

My pulse quickened. Yes, I am. I’ll go take a look.

I hastened toward the office. Ben’s approaching arrival was killing my nerves. It was also tinged with guilt for me. Between the goings on around here and the devastation of losing Kate, I had hardly been in touch with him. The days we had ever spent apart over the years could be counted on one hand. I thought I should have missed him, be excited to see him. Instead my stomach just ached with dread.

So much had changed in such a short space of time.

It had been almost two years since my dad moved us from Sydney, Australia, to New York State when his Great-Aunt Lucy died. She had bequeathed him the eccentric Heartworth Castle, a bed and breakfast. It had become our home, and with it had come new friends, a new culture, and the love of my life, our resident transient ghost, Joseph. Falling headlong into his world of the supernatural, I had inexplicably been confronted with immortality, discovered I was a soul keeper in charge of transient ghosts, and acquired powers of my own. From protecting the ones I love to fighting the dark shadows, we had even endured demonic menaces ripping the castle apart. The biggest shock of all was discovering that Joseph and I were now connected like a couple of cosmic superheroes, glistening when we touched. Then there was the death of the Montaya, the fallen member of the Governance, followed by the realization that his vicious sister would be taking up where he left off. And, of course, the worst moment of all—the gut-wrenching loss of our housekeeper, Kate. Her absence left me hollow. The pain was as intense as the day that I had lost my own mum.

In the midst of this madness my dad had been away, so now there was so much to plan for. One of the biggest was how precisely to keep to the lie of how we had lost Kate and Ted so suddenly. As far as Ben knew, they had shipped off abruptly to Canada, but my mind had to harbor the crippling truth: Kate was gone, and Ted—well, it turns out he wasn’t exactly mortal. But that’s another story.

The office was gloomy in the autumn sun. Through the window, the blazing tangerines and reds of the turning leaves shimmered against the backdrop of clouds. I turned back and sniffed. It smelled musty. I hadn’t spent much time in here of late; and with snow approaching and the wind chill we’d kept most of the windows shut.

I glanced back outside at the changing sky and decided it might be safe to raise the window a fraction. The old sash groaned as I heaved, and I was met by a fluttering, chilly breeze. I breathed deeply, rubbing my arms, and then felt suddenly compelled to get back to a warmer room. I grabbed the fax sheet and hightailed it to the kitchen.

Amy called to me as I scuttled in. Hey Mel, where are the ghosts this afternoon? Haven’t seen hide nor hair of them.

Meeting with the tracers, I think. Joseph didn’t really say.

Although on the side of good, the tracers were the menacing guards of Purgatory whose sheer presence rendered one jaw-dropping speechless. Each time Joseph and Alex met with them it set my nerves on edge in fear of what dark rumblings they may have to report.

I continued to scan the fax that had indeed come from my dad.

Melodie, what’s wrong?

I didn’t look up. Instead I wandered to a stool close to Chase and sat down with an irritated huff. I don’t really know. It’s Dad’s message...

Holly squeaked with alarm. Is there something wrong with Ben?

No. I’m being silly, I know.

Read it. Don’t keep us hanging, Chase encouraged.

I cleared my throat and swallowed.

Dear Mel,

Can’t wait to see you. Arriving Saturday at 11 p.m. No need to pick me up at the airport. Sue is going to drive down the day before, and we’ll spend the night in the city and then head home the next day. I have great news but will wait until I see you.

Love you heaps,

Dad

I scowled. I don’t know why, but for some reason this just irritates the crap out of me. I crumpled up the fax and flung it across the room.

Holly was looking at me quizzically from the sink where she was soaking the mucky bowl. But you’ve never had a problem with your dad being with Sue. What’s up?

I stood and began to pace. I know. I don’t get it either. For some reason she unnerves me, and I don’t know why. We’ve hardly ever had a decent conversation but not through lack of trying on my behalf. And the way she looks at me—she gives me the creeps.

How could someone that hot give you the creeps? Chase laughed.

Amy flicked him swiftly on the ear. Do you mind? She’s old enough to be your mother.

Chase inched his chair farther away from Amy wearing an unrepentant grin.

He was right though. Sue was beautiful. Of Native American roots, she had smooth russet skin and thick, night-black hair that hung unmoving to her waist, accentuating the lines of her petite frame. But it was her eyes that always held me transfixed when she looked directly at me—which wasn’t very often. They were caramel and cat-like, with long, black lashes curling toward her brows.

"Look, it’s not that I take issue with a woman being with my dad. I want him to be happy. It’s just her. I don’t trust her. And they got together too fast. I dunno, maybe I’m just tired or something."

Amy walked over and patted me gently on the shoulder. You’ve been working like a marine for the last couple of weeks. Between that and Kate and Ted leaving, it’s been pretty tough. She turned to the others. I vote we take the rest of the day off. We’ll round up those ghosts and have a picnic and a game of football on the lawn.

Holly’s face lit up. How about we get away from here and go to the rapids on Clancy Myer’s land like we used to?

I raised a questioning eyebrow. "Holly, do you remember the last time we did the rapids?"

Everyone grinned in unison, remembering my almost disastrous encounter with a particularly snarly rapid called Hunter’s Hole.

Holly wasn’t deterred. Yes, but as I recall, wasn’t that also the day you had your first real contact with Joseph? Kind of romantic, don’t you think? Her eyes twinkled mischievously.

I controlled the roll of my eyes with some difficulty. "There is also the small matter that the ghosts aren’t exactly supposed to leave Heartworth Castle, and as a soul keeper I’m supposed to enforce that fact. I’ve done a pretty poor job of sticking to the rules so far. I don’t know if I should push it any further."

Chase snorted. So when has that ever stopped us before?

Holly looked at me with pleading brown eyes. Come on, Mel. Please.

I gave Holly as stern a stare as I could muster, but the picture she had painted in my head had already stuck firmly. I had been held like a prisoner in these old rock walls, and cabin fever had begun to set in. The thought of a break effectively crushed my resolve. I know I’m going to end up in deep trouble for this. Okay, okay. The rapids it is.

Chase slapped his hands together. Now you’re talking.

I’ll give the boys a call, I said, turning quickly away to hide some fatigue-fueled tears.

CHAPTER TWO

As the car barreled along Hudson River Road, I stared blankly out the window at the myriad of colors in the changing landscape. Above us, birds in V formations were headed south, bags firmly packed, for the approaching winter. I turned to Holly, seated in the back. The water is going to be freezing, you know. Why don’t we just wait for the first snowfall and really catch exposure?

Don’t be such a grinch, she giggled. There’s nothing like an ice cold dip to soothe the soul.

I shook my head with a reluctant grin. Holly’s enthusiasm was infectious.

Will Joseph and Alex meet us at the rock pools? Amy asked, scrambling my thoughts.

Yeah. They’re meeting with Medora first, and then said they would fade out here to meet us.

Fading, a transient ghost’s ability to move from one place to the next amongst a handy concealing mist, was so much more convenient than driving. It was one of the few powers I had acquired as a soul keeper, but I was still not confident enough with it to venture this far without the boys on my side. Besides, it felt nice to do something mundane and mortal for a change. A road trip was just what I needed.

Chase was chuckling quietly as he drove.

What? I asked, turning to look at his grinning face in the driver’s seat.

I was just remembering the time I asked Alex if he wanted a ride in the car. I thought he was going to have an aneurysm. ‘There’s no way you’ll get me in one of those confounded contraptions!’ Chase imitated Alex’s Irish accent perfectly.

We pealed with laughter. Our ghostly friends had lived their mortal lives during the eighteen hundreds, and modern technology was something they both adamantly avoided—and in Alex’s case, motor vehicles especially.

The car bounced and jostled us along the broken side road to the back of Myer’s land. We ground to a halt at the foot of the old gate. The No Trespassing sign had rotted and split in two and swung pathetically, tossing in the breeze.

As we stepped from the car, the silence bothered me. Usually the surrounding brush teemed with activity: screeching birds, busy squirrels, and the odd inquisitive raccoon. But today there seemed to be nothing. I tried to shake off the suspicious feeling as we trekked quietly along the path.

The walk through the woods appeared to take longer than the first time we had come. The gloomy skies had dimmed the woodland to an almost nighttime shade, and it felt like the trees were bending inward, swallowing the pathway ahead. This claustrophobic feeling only intensified the farther we walked. The breeze had been smothered by the canopy, and the silence was overpowering.

Is it just me, or does this place seem creepier than last time?

I turned to Holly, who I was pleased to see looked as nervous as I felt.

She walked with her arms wrapped securely around her middle, glancing this way, then that. Yeah, I was just thinking the same thing, she whispered.

Nah, it’s just ‘cause it’s a bit more overgrown this time, Chase called back over his shoulder. Nothing ever really bothered him.

Cut it out, you two, Amy called from ahead. You’ll start making us all jumpy. Look, the clearing’s coming up.

I looked in the direction Amy was pointing and was quietly relieved to see light growing in the short distance. The faint tinkling of water grew steadily louder, and instinctively my feet picked up the pace.

As we stepped out toward the riverbank the contrast to the woods was almost blinding. The menacing clouds still clumped tightly together, but with the sun pushing through them they cast long patterns on the pond’s surface. As the water flowed softly to the rocks below, the trickles intensified to moderately bouncing rapids. The river was lower than last time we had come, and considerably more moss-covered rocks were visible jutting out from the current. The surrounding brush and reeds were split by scattered clumps of winter daisies.

Chase wandered toward the only patch of grass adjacent to the highest point of rocks and we all slipped quietly in behind him. Amy laid out the two quilts.

Just as we were settling down to eat, I felt a chilly breeze on the back of my neck. I stared toward the trees and felt dark eyes peering back at me. I was straining my eyes to gain confirmation when a deer stepped gingerly into the clearing and faced us. As soon as the deer caught our scent, it turned and fled the way it had come. My shoulders dropped with relief.

Amy was unwrapping her sandwich when she cleared her throat to speak. So, Chase and I were wondering if your dad had any plans for the old servants’ cottage on the back of your land. She hesitated, glancing at Chase.

He lowered his eyes with a mouthful of food. Just spit it out already. Melodie won’t bite, he mumbled.

I stared blankly at them both. That ramshackle cottage by the orchard?

They both nodded.

Not that I know of. Why?

Amy shuffled nervously. It’s just that in a few weeks everything’s going to change. Our break will be over. Your dad will be back. Chase will be starting his mechanic’s apprenticeship. I’ll be working at the gym as a personal trainer. And you and Holly will be doing college stuff. Amy’s voice had uncharacteristically raised a couple of octaves.

The same thoughts had of course crossed my mind. We had enjoyed living virtually in each other’s pockets for the last few months since finishing high school. With my dad suddenly called back to Australia to help a sick friend, my three best friends had moved into Heartworth to keep things running in his absence. It had also served the purpose of them being on hand for all the ghostly disturbances. But with Ben’s return and college about to start, this was all about to change. Holly was heading off to college in Albany to study history, and