Beast Anew (Beasty Series #2)

By Tyffani Clark Kemp

Now, it's Luna's turn...

Gabriel Slade has returned to take his rightful place as Captain of The General's army. Luna stayed behind to nurse a broken heart and a precious secret that could mean the end of all mankind.

Humans possessed by the spirits of the dead are searching the earth for a child that will have the power to bring the apocalypse upon the world. Gabriel must find this child if he hopes to keep order and peace with the humans, but his heart keeps getting in the way. He must save the world from darkness, while making the one decision that could cost him everything.

Gabe once thought that roaming the earth as a hideous, angry beast was his curse. Now, without the love of his life he feels more helpless than before.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Tyffani Clark Kemp
• Release date: Sep 24, 2015
• ISBN: 9781311957276

Tyffani Clark Kemp

Tyffani Clark Kemp might be the quietest person in the room, but that just means she’s probably the biggest freak too. She is a multi-genre author with a gift for the written word and a desire to help all Indies reach their full potential. In 2012, she and her best friend Kimberly Fudge started SideStreet Cookie Publishing for authors who want to remain independent, but don’t have the time or the knowledge to do it all themselves. From the age of eleven she dedicated her life to writing and making sure she was good at her craft. Now, she passes that knowledge on to others. Her friends would describe her as determined and giving. She may be quite, but she always has a story to tell.

Book preview

Gabriel slammed his fist through the wall of the shit hole hotel room he'd been stuck in for the last week.

Calm down, Michael said from the other side of the room. He was looking out the window keeping watch for God only knew what.

How in…heaven and earth can you tell me to calm down? Gabriel growled, wishing he could use stronger language. It's been a week since Luna confessed her love for me. One whole week since she broke the curse. I thought being forced to change into that beast once a month was the real curse, but this… This is worse. Without Luna, I'm helpless. He slammed his fist through the wall again, making a fourth hole. I want to see Him!

If you don't stop, Michael said, his voice calm, the only thing you're going to see is the inside of a jail cell. The manager is coming now as it is.

Gabe wiped all emotion from his face and put his swords away, unsure of when he'd actually called them forth to manifest. Without looking he fixed the wall and settled against the edge of the desk, though he was anything but relaxed. He was coiled tight with pent up aggression and frustration, ready to spring without warning.

Michael had been a friend before the fall, a friend during, and now he was the only one who really understood what Gabe was going through. Well, with the exception of The General who didn't want to give him audience.

You'll see Luna again, Michael said on his way to the door. But you won't get an audience with The General any time soon. He pulled the door open as the manager, a fat slob with greasy hair, lifted his meaty fist to knock.

I have complaints of loud noises and shouting coming from this room.

Gabe's grief wound its way through his chest and squeezed his heart. He had little left but the anger and pain of losing Luna after working so hard to win her over. How was this fair? He was supposed to love her. How could that be taken away from him?

We're sorry. We'll try to keep the noise down. Michael shot Gabe a fiery glance and Gabe nodded his acquiescence.

Alright. Any more, though, and I'm going to have to ask you to leave.

We understand.

Michael closed the door before the man was obviously ready to go. The knock that was interrupted moments ago sounded now. Michael pulled the door open again and gave an irritated, impatient glare.

When did your friend get here? the manager asked, unphased.

He was with me when I checked in.

No, I don't think he was.

Yes. He was.

Michael and the manager stared each other down until the manager gave in and nodded. Must have been with you when you checked in. Keep the noise down.

Yes sir.

The manager walked away scratching his dirty hair. Michael closed the door, set the locks in place and closed the blinds as the room burst with white light. Three beams shot from the ceiling to the floor and three of the Host of Heaven materialized within them.

Captain, one of them said, his eyes trained on Gabe. We are here to receive our orders.

Gabe scrubbed his face with a hand. His stubble had grown into a full beard and mustache in the last few days. His shoulder-length blonde hair was tied back but needed a good scrub and combing before he started to look like the manager.

I don't even know what the problem is yet, he growled.

The angel looked to Michael. He hasn't been apprised of the situation?

He's mourning. He needed some time.

Gabe nodded thankfully to Michael. Time was obviously something they couldn't afford, but his friend - his brother - knew how badly he needed it.

He's had all the time in the world, the new angel said. Now is the time for war. He turned to Gabriel. Haven't you had enough time in the last millennia?

Gabe growled and clenched his fists. For the first time in two thousand years, he missed the beast he used to be. It struck fear into the hearts of all, even warriors of the Host of Heaven. Not even Michael-

Enough, Michael intervened, a staying hand on Gabe's chest. You have no idea what he's been through in these last days. He is ready to lead. He needed time to adjust.

Adjust was a word the angel seemed to understand, though it was a crude understatement. Gabe stood his ground. Emotion seeped from his pores like a human, but he wasn't human anymore. Once again, his heart had stopped beating. He no longer needed it to sustain life. He was an angel.

Well, is he adjusted yet?

No mercy. He would receive none from these men. His men. His only job was to lead them in the war that could mean the end of mankind.

Michael started to speak, but Gabriel stopped him. As adjusted as one can be. Tell me of the danger we face.

Cethin, the high one, plans to unleash the spirits of the dead upon the world, just as it is foretold will happen in The Judgment.

Gabe nodded. Do we know how he plans to do this?

The angels shook their heads.

With a deep breath, Gabe cleared his mind and his heart. Alright, he thought. If You won't grant me audience, show me what I need to do.

Someone screamed. Gabe's chest tightened painfully. Since his heart didn't beat, he knew it couldn't be a heart attack. He hadn't felt the urging in two thousand years. It left an aching gap in his chest that slowly filled with molten lava.

The men, his men once again, were looking to him expectantly. Wasn't this what he'd strived toward for so many years? Wasn't this where he wanted to be? Yes, two thousand years ago - fuck that, three months ago - this was his sole purpose for living, to be in this position again. But today, the only position he wanted to be in was laying next to Luna and watching her sleep.

There wasn't time for that though. His chest throbbed like there was a beast within him trying to escape and he knew all about how that felt. The men's expectant faces, the urging, this was his new purpose.

With me, he ordered, his gruff voice giving no room to argue.

They were in the next room a split second later. It took another second to assess the situation. There was a woman in her underclothes with her back pressed the wall. She screamed again when they appeared. He could feel the fear rolling off her. A man stood between her and the door.

I don't need the Host of Heaven. The man spoke and his voice was high and low at the same time, English and Austrian.

Who has possessed you? Gabe demanded. At the word 'possessed' the woman looked at him, her eyes wide.

Who or what I am is of no concern to you. What you should ask is why I am here. It turned to look at him. Its neck swiveled in a non-human way and its eyes were black as the darkest night.

Why are you here? What is your name? Gabe let all of his power and authority drip into his voice. It dropped an octave and vibrated through the room. The woman blinked at him.

The possessed man turn its body to face the direction it was looking. We will be the ruination of this world until we have the child. When they child is in our possession we will feed from it until we can bring forth the pestilence upon this world. We will rule mankind until the darkening of the sun.

Gabe nodded. Michael, get the woman.

Yes, sir.

Who is this child? Gabe asked, but the creature within the man's body only cackled. What do you need it for? Why is it so special? He motioned the other host to join Michael in protecting the woman. They appeared around her, forming a hedge of protection.

We want its blood.

The creature lunged at Gabe, sending him flying backward into the wall with its force and speed. Gabe pushed it away and called his swords forth.

You cannot save the child, it taunted. You will not save the child. We will reign victorious.

Who sent you? Gabe growled.

The high one. The creature lunged at him again.

Gabriel, don't! Michael shouted just before Gabe skewered it.

At the last moment he let his swords go and they dissipated into thin air. Gabe was tackled again. Sharp nails dug into the flesh of his back as it latched onto him. Razor sharp teeth sank into his neck. Gabe roared with anger and pain. He tried to push the creature away, but it had a tight hold on him. Its claws dug deeper into his back.

Gabe called forth the Light and sent it into the creature with one short burst. It screeched. Its claws ripped the flesh and fabric from Gabe's back as it sailed across the room and against the far wall. Gabe pushed himself up from where he'd fallen on his face.

Michael stood over the creature where it writhed and moaned on the floor.

Are you going to finish it? Gabe teetered on his feet and fell to the edge of the bed, woozy.

It is still human, Gabriel. Michael looked at him with concern. Are you alright?

I don't know. Gabe touched his neck. His fingers came a away smeared with blood and a thick black, oily substance. Damn.

You've been poisoned, Michael said unnecessarily.

Gabe groaned. Or was it a growl? He couldn't tell. His vision darkened and his hearing blinked in and out.

Can..urn it off?

Urn it off? Gabe tried to think, but he couldn't seem to get the right thoughts. The poison burned through his system and his body went rigid.

What is this? What's going on here?

Was that the manager? Something thumped. Oh, it was his body hitting the floor. His head slumped against the worn carpet. He tried to blink the blackness out of his eyes.

Burn it off! Michael was in his face screaming.

Gabe reached for The Light again, but he couldn't manage to touch it like he had earlier. Can't, he gasped.

Gabriel Slade, Michael growled, you have to.

Growling at me? Gabe frowned. He tried to sit up, tried to look up at his friend, but the blackness began to swallow him. He couldn't fight it anymore. Maybe he was still more human than he'd thought.

Or maybe he was just weak. It had been a long time since he'd had to fight the poison. When was the last time? Oh yeah, two thousand years ago before he fell.

Gabriel slammed into the tree, taking it with him as he flew backward through the woods. His momentum dragged him half a mile through the air before he finally came to a halt flat on his back with a blue spruce between him and the ground. He groaned and rolled to his feet, stretching and popping his spine to work out the kinks.

Don't fall asleep on me now, Gabriel. I was just starting to have some fun. Cethin was one of the most beautiful dark angels. His rich, chocolate brown hair hung past his shoulders making his grey-blue eyes all the more intense.

Gabriel manifested his swords as Michael appeared beside him.

Heard you could use some help. Michael grinned and his own swords were in his hands.

I had it, actually, but you're welcome to join in the fun and games.

Michael chuckled.

No fair calling in help. Cethin raised his hand parallel to the ground and several more angels rose up from the dirt and leaves. That ought to even the odds, he said with a sly smile.

I count twenty, Michael said confidently.

By my count, eighteen. Gabe crisscrossed his swords, anxious.

Michael shrugged. I was rounding up. Divide and conquer? Or do you want to team up and take them out one-by-one?

Let's get this over with. I've been in this wretched place for days.

Divide and conquer it is then.

Just like every human had a guardian angel, or a protector, every angel had their nemesis. Gabriel and Cethin were friends until Cethin chose to follow the dark one into hell. Now they fought each other every chance they got.

Gabriel crossed blades with one of Cethin's dark followers. He was a weak one and easily dispatched. Across from him, Michael took on two others.

Gabriel swung at a dark one that he thought he could easily get rid of, but at the last minute, it turned and blocked his blade. It snarled and Gabriel growled back. Something flickered in the creature's eyes, some leftover shred of humanity. Though its body was mutilated and badly burned, bent at strange angles, there was still life there.

Michael! he shouted. They're human! Possessed humans! He backed off and right into the arms of another. The possessed creature hissed. Black ooze coated Gabriel's skin where it touched him and three rows of razor sharp teeth ripped into his shoulder.

Gabriel cried out in pain, pushing The Light from his body. We have to go! he shouted, but his heavenly body was now tainted. He was stuck on earth until The General saw fit to let him back in.

Michael rushed to his side. I've got you brother, he said, taking the head of the creature that sought to devour him. Light wrapped around them both, taking them away.

Gabe came to, clawing at some unseen force.

Gabriel. Michael's familiar voice pulled him back into the room where they were. The others were gone. The woman sat in the corner crying while the possessed man's body lay in an unmoving heap against the far wall where Gabe had sent it. Michael stared down at him with concerned eyes. Are you well?

He shook his head, but attempted to push himself to his feet. His neck burned like fire. The wound still oozed. He could feel it running into what was left of his shirt.

The manager heard the scream and came to make sure everything was alright, Michael explained. Imagine his surprise to find you bleeding and oozing all over his hotel room.

Michael's voice hinted at humor, but Gabe wasn't in the mood. He looked up at the angry, yet frightened man. What should we do with him?

Michael chuckled. I suppose we could grind his bones to make our bread.

The manager squeaked.

What's your name? Gabe asked.

Albin, the man answered. I won't tell anyone what happened. I… I…

Calm down. Gabe tried to sound reassuring, but he just came across more growly than before. We're angels, not killers. That man was possessed by a demon. Do you know who he was?

Albin shook his head. He rented a room from me last week. That's all I know.

Gabe stumbled a little on his feet. And the woman?

My wife.

Oh. Do you have a baby? Is your wife pregnant?

Again, Albin shook his head. No. We have no children.

Gabe frowned. Alright. Go to your wife.

Albin rushed across the room and took his wife in his arms.

What are you thinking? Michael put his back to the sobbing couple.

We need to find out who this child is and why it's so important.

Michael chuckled. It always comes down to a child, doesn't it? I'll see what I can find out. What are you going to do?

Assemble the host and let them know of our mission.

They nodded to each other and left the cramped little room. Gabe took the possessed man's body with him.

CHAPTER TWO

Gabriel had been gone for a week. Luna sat across from the director and producers of the latest WillSpy movie. The franchise belonged to Gabe, but in a will he'd left - she wasn't sure when he'd had it drawn up - he left it, the castle, and his mansion in LA to her, along with his vast fortune and all of his Hollywood businesses and other properties she wasn't aware he had.

I think it would be a mistake, she was saying. How could she convince them that she needed this? They all needed this.

Gabriel is missing, the director reminded her for the millionth time. Finishing the film will not bring him back. I am sorry for your loss, he sounded anything but, but how will this make anything better?

There are forces at work here. As a wayward Catholic, many things had happened in the last six weeks that she didn't understand, but she was beginning to accept them at least. You won't understand, I don't fully understand, but it's important to press forward with this. We've had a week to mourn. Let's wrap this movie and get it to the public. Gabe would want that. I know he would.

They'll think we're callous, the director said. How can you be so uncaring?

Uncaring? Her voice rose considerably and she wished she possessed Gabriel's growly tactics of intimidation. Elmo squeezed her hand, but it did little to bring her temperature down. "I lost my best friend and my love. You think I'm being uncaring? I want this for them! I want this to happen. This is going to happen because we can rally and because we are strong. Do you understand? Nothing is going to keep us down. Filming will resume tomorrow morning. Make sure everyone is here."

Who died and made you owner? the producer asked.

Gabriel did, but he's not dead. If you're not careful he may come back and ninja kick your ass.

Gabe had practically run Hollywood and now it was in her hands. Luna stood.

What part are you planning to take? the producer asked.

The same one I had.

She turned and left. Depression was hitting her hard and she was so tired. All she seemed able to do was cry and sleep. She'd lost three pounds in the last week because she couldn't eat. Luna went back to the room she'd shared with Gabe, and lay down on the bed.

There was a knock at the door. She tried to ignore it, but it was persistent. When she still refused to answer, the door swung open. She'd have to lock it next time.

Hey. It was Lisa Monroe, the star of Gabe's little movie. Look, I know we're not close or anything, but I wanted to let you know how sorry I am about your friend. I left you alone 'cause I thought maybe you wanted your space, but… Actually, I need a friend.

For what? Luna's voice was flat.

We both lost Gabe.

Luna pulled herself slowly from the bed and stood to face the wretch in her doorway.

No, she said. I lost Gabe. You were just a pastime. Someone he used to relieve his stress. When had she become such a bitch?

Lisa scuffed a toe on the carpet. I know. Trust me. I know, but I let myself believe that what he and I had was the same as what you two had. Please I… I'll go.

Luna let her leave. She waited until the door was closed and collapsed in a heap on the floor. She couldn't cry and she didn't hurt. She was finally numb. Maybe she needed a friend too.

Later that evening at dinner, Luna found Lisa and sat next to her. Gabriel had a full kitchen staff that provided gourmet meals every night and morning. Lunches were a free for all.

Sorry, she said. It hurt to apologize. She didn't want to like the woman who'd slept with her boyfriend and then tried to have an affair. Not that they were married, but they were engaged.

The ring glinted on her finger. She'd have to put it away soon. Every time she looked at it the empty place in her chest ached.

It's okay.

They ate in silence. Luna wasn't sure she would categorize it as companionable, but she wasn't trying to claw the woman's eyes out. For the time being anyway.

The announcement to resume filming was made during dinner. Everyone cheered. They all wanted this as much as she did. It would be homage to Gabe and Cadence.

You did this? Lisa asked.

Luna nodded. He'd want it finished. I think Cadence would too.

Thank you.

Luna nodded. She had no other words. The company began to weigh on her. She stayed as long as she felt she needed to be polite, then excused herself and went to her room to grab a jacket.

There was a small cemetery on the property. Gabriel had chosen the parcel of land before he left and they'd buried Cadence along with the staff and townspeople who'd lost their lives to the wolf attacks as they were explaining it.

I ate dinner, she told her friend's headstone. It seems like a mundane activity but I haven't eaten in a week. I guess my body just got tired of starving. We're going to finish the movie. I told them it was for everyone, but really I pushed it for you and for Gabe.

Hey.

Lisa crossed the grass toward her.

Hey.

Do you think he'll be back? Lisa asked.

Luna shrugged. I don't know. She didn't want to think about it. She didn't want to ponder because to ponder was to dream and she did not want to dream about something she was sure would never happen. How could it? He was an angel and she was a human. They couldn't be together - not the way they had been - and she couldn't handle anything less.

He loved you, Lisa continued. Luna really just wanted her to shut up, but she kept quiet. I know he did. He never loved anyone the way he loved you.

There was one other, Luna said without thinking. Her name was Belle.

Belle? Strange name. I don't think I ever met her.

Luna realized just how little Lisa knew about Gabe. She was still operating under the assumption that he was a normal man with a normal lifespan.

I didn't either. He didn't talk about her much.

What happened to her?

She died.

Belle had died because she loved Gabe. She was the first woman The General, as Gabe referred to God, had sent to