Waiting For The Beast: Lucifer's Clock, #1

By T. Hayden

Angelica is drop dead gorgeous, lives in a sprawling mansion with her two aunts, attends a prestigious private school, is an A student and excels at everything she does effortlessly. She has a great life.

That is until her 16th birthday and her family is forced to tell her the truth.Her aunts are actually supernatural beings that have been charged with protecting Angelica from her father, Lucifer.

He has put a bounty on Angelica's head and every creature from the Abyssal Realm a.k.a Hell is looking for her.  In addition she has a hot guardian angel that has been assigned to her since birth that she can now see. 

She is suddenly thrust into a dangerous, magical world.  Between dealing with her new identity, a love interest, hiding from her father, and just trying to be a teenager she has to make a decision to run, fight or wait for the darkness to consume her.

• Language: English
• Publisher: T. Hayden
• Release date: Feb 14, 2017
• ISBN: 9781386303114

T. Hayden

T.Hayden resides in Newport, Minnesota with her three kids and significant other. She loves her family, but she frequently fantasizes about eloping with a vampire or having a forbidden love affair with a Greek God. To curb her traitorous desires she writes paranormal romances. 

Book preview

Sixteen Years Ago

1

Innocence Lost

When Robinette first noticed him she was standing on the outskirts of the dance floor swaying to the music. He was leaning against the bar observing the sea of dancers. At first glance he looked like a typical twenty-one year old guy looking for a good time. Then his eyes met hers and she felt an immediate connection, as if he was a magnet and she was a piece of metal being drawn to him. She watched as he sauntered over in her direction never taking his eyes off of hers.

As if the universe was pushing them together, the techno music suddenly changed to a slow R&B song. His intoxicating cologne engulfed Robinette as he towered over her. He was at least six feet tall and obscenely handsome with the smoothest, olive toned skin and perfect asymmetrical features. When she looked into his eyes she was speechless. They were a mesmerizing, hazel color, with flecks of gold that oddly seemed to flash throughout his iris. Was her mind playing tricks on her or was it the lighting in the club.

Can I have this dance? he asked in a voice just as beautiful as his face.

Um, I-I can’t dance.

Just follow my lead, he said flashing her a smile that made her feel slightly light-headed. He held out his hand to her. Robinette reluctantly took it and followed him to the dance floor. He pulled her close to him and led her in a slow dance. She had never been this close to a man before, especially one that looked like he walked a catwalk for a living. She prayed her sweaty palms and racing heart didn’t give away how nervous she was.

She breathed a silent sigh of relief once the song ended, but that was short lived when he took her by the hand and led her over to the bar. Her stomach instantly somersaulted due to the effect he was having on her and not being old enough to drink. There was no way she was going to embarrass herself and tell him she was underage.

It had been her older cousin, Elizabeth's idea for them to go to a night club tonight in celebration of Robinette’s eighteenth birthday. Robinette had been ecstatic, but doubtful of getting in, being that her birthday wasn't until the next day. Little did she know, the bouncer at the front door had a soft spot for Elizabeth, so he let Robinette in with no problem. The only thing Elizabeth had asked of Robinette was not to drink and Robinette had agreed without hesitation. She’d never drank before and she didn’t plan on now.

Robinette stopped him. You go ahead! I’m good!

Are you sure? he asked flashing another dazzling smile.

Uh yeah, she said almost changing her mind.

Well in that case, let’s return to the dance floor.

Ignoring Robinette’s protest, he pulled her back to the dance floor. Robinette had to admit she was having fun with him. He was a good dancer and he made her feel like she was good too; even though she knew God had skipped her when he gave out rhythm. After dancing nonstop for an hour, she excused herself to the bathroom.

On the way, Robinette bumped into Elizabeth, who was dancing like her life depended on it. When Elizabeth saw it was Robinette who had bumped her, she lit up.

Happy birthday! she screamed hugging Robinette as if she hadn't seen her in years. Robinette had been so caught up in Mr. Mysterious, that she hadn't paid attention to the time. She peeked at her watch. It was a half hour past midnight. She was officially eighteen.

Elizabeth’s slight staggering caught her attention. Thank you. Are you okay?

Yup, I'm jush drunk.

Maybe, we should go.

No, I’m fine! Elizabeth turned to walk away and before Robinette knew Elizabeth went down head first. Before Elizabeth could hit the floor, Robinette’s beautiful, dark stranger caught her.

Wow, whispered Elizabeth admiring him before she passed out.

Oh, my goodness. I have to get her home.

I can carry her to the car for you. He picked up Elizabeth as if she was light as a feather.

Robinette thanked him repeatedly as they walked to the car. Again, thank you. I really appreciate your help.

You are welcome, Robinette. Have a good night. He kissed her softly on the cheek, and walked away. Robinette watched him leave with her hand pressed to her cheek and sighed. Later on that night as she lay in her bed all she could think of was how perfect he was. It never once crossed her mind how he knew her name.

The next day while attempting to study for her Biology exam the dark stranger was constantly in Robinette’s thoughts. She didn’t know why, when he obviously wasn’t that in to her. He had made no effort to exchange phone numbers.

She was stupid to think she had a chance with him. Robinette looked in the mirror that sat on the wall over her desk. A face with slanted, dark brown eyes, surrounded by flawless, honey colored skin and tightly, coiled jet black curls stared back at her. Sure, she was cute, but cute was for babies. He probably had a girlfriend who was just as beautiful as him. Besides, she didn't need him as a distraction anyway. She had come too far for any setbacks.

Everything she had planned so far had worked out accordingly. She had graduated from high school a year early. She’d been accepted to Harvard, but after much convincing from her cousin Elizabeth, she had decided to attend college in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Her parents weren't happy with her decision, but Robinette didn't care. She didn't want to go to Harvard they wanted her to. She was finally doing something she wanted to do. For the first time she would be solely on her own and far away from them and the controlling grip they had on her life.

Her pager buzzed snapping her out of her thoughts. A number she didn't recognize blinked on the screen. The only people that had her pager number were her parents and Elizabeth. She dialed the number and waited patiently for someone to answer. Right as she was about to hang up a voice that made her insides turn to jelly answered the phone.

Hello, Robinette. How did he get her pager number? It had to have been Elizabeth. Well, this stunt definitely put her at the top of her best cousin list, even though she was the only cousin she knew.

Who is this? she asked coolly.

He chuckled. Who do you want it to be? Her mouth became dry. How could a man affect her like this? Now she understood why Elizabeth was always giddy and giggling uncontrollably when she was on the phone with one of her many boyfriends.

Well, I-I don't know, why d-don't you tell me? She instantly wanted to kick herself for stuttering and sounding like a 5 year old. He paused.

For a second she thought maybe she had took her playing hard to get too far.

I am who you have been waiting for your whole life. I'm every dream, every wish and every need you have ever desired. My heart beats in sync with yours because we are one. We are meant to be together. I have been searching for you all my life and now that I’ve found you I’ll never let you go.

There was an awkward silence. Then Robinette blurted out, But I'm only eighteen!

He chuckled again, I'm just joking. I thought that's what all girls wanted to hear. Robinette felt somewhat relieved, but at the same time offended that he would tell her something he thought she wanted to hear.

I’m not most girls, so that wouldn't have worked anyway. He laughed, again making Robinette's insides quiver.

Let me start over. This is Luciano. We met last night. I was hoping you wanted to go on a date with me.

Luciano. Luciano and Robinette. She liked the sound of that. She suddenly envisioned them snuggled together in a movie theater watching a scary movie or making out in the last row during a romantic movie.

Robinette?

Um, yeah sure, she said quickly.

How about we meet at 8 at the movie theater downtown?

She almost screamed YES! That sounds good.

Perfect. I will see you tomorrow then.

When he hung up, Robinette was so excited she jumped up and down on her bed, like she used to when she was five. Her excitement was cut short though, when she called Elizabeth to thank her for giving him her number. Elizabeth had no idea what she was talking about.

After hanging up with Elizabeth, Robinette was skeptical about her date with Luciano. She didn’t know him and she had no idea of how he had got her pager number. Was he stalking her or possibly a serial killer? As she thought about it more and more, it didn’t add up. He was gorgeous and could have any female he wanted. Why her?

Eventually her curiosity got the best of her as she lay in bed thinking about him. That beautiful face and those hypnotizing eyes flashed before her. It wasn’t every day a beautiful specimen such as him asked her out. She would be crazy to turn down this opportunity. She made up her mind that she was going to go on the date, besides she had her police pepper spray that her dad had given her before she left. She would be just fine.

6 6 6 

The city bus stopped a few feet away, letting Robinette off in front of the dollar movie theater. Luciano stood there in all of his beautiful glory patiently waiting for her. She wiped her sweaty palms on her jeans and smiled as she walked towards him.

Hi Luciano. She prayed he didn’t hear the anxiety in her voice.

Hello Robinette, he said flashing his dazzling smile. And again she thought she was about to faint. Did he know the effect that his face was having on her at that moment? All of her intelligence seemed to flee at the sight of him. Why was she there again? Oh right the movies.

What do you wanna see? Robinette asked shyly, avoiding looking at his enchanting eyes.

He boldly took her hand in his and Robinette thought her heart was going to beat out of her chest. He was touching her and she didn’t think she could handle it.

Let's see what’s playing. He led her to the ticket counter. After a few seconds he said, What about a horror movie?

Robinette’s eyes widened and she nodded. Had he read her mind? Watching a scary movie with a hot guy was her absolute dream date come true. It didn’t get much better than that. He paid for the movie titled Species II, bought them popcorn and a drink to share and they proceeded to the movie theater. Her heart started its incessant, rapid beating again when he led them to the last row in the back of the theater also known as the make out row. Wasn’t it too early for this for a first date or was she totally over thinking this? She calmed her nerves as she took a seat beside him.

Once the movie started she noticed he leaned towards her, puncturing her personal space bubble. She wouldn’t have minded if he wasn’t driving her crazy with his very presence. How was she going to be able to watch the movie with him so close? Partially into the movie Luciano leaned down and whispered in her ear.

Is it okay if I put my arm around you?

Robinette wanted to say you can put your arm wherever you want, but then she wasn’t going for the desperate look.

Y-Yes. She bit down on her tongue upset that it had betrayed her nervousness.

Luciano put his arm around Robinette, resting his hand on her shoulder. His intoxicating smell engulfed her like a cloak. She had to stop herself from closing her eyes and sniffing him. Instead she turned her attention to the movie which turned out to be not so good of a choice for a first date, especially when your date looked like a walking sex symbol and she was a hormonal teenager. The movie centered around an alien perpetrating as a human man and his sole goal was to make lots of babies with human women. By the end of the movie she thought she was going to internally combust from all of the baby making.

What did you think? Luciano asked as they exited the movie theater.

It was interesting, Robinette said flustered. Luciano smiled as if he knew how hot and bothered she was. I’m going to run to the restroom. She backed up, tripping over her feet.

I’ll be right here waiting for you, he said winking at her. Robinette would have ran like she was in the Olympics if he wasn’t standing there watching her. She ran into the bathroom and threw some warm water on her face.

Get it together, she whispered to her reflection in the mirror. He is just a man. That’s all. After she wiped her face and gathered her wits about her, she exited the bathroom and almost ran into someone.

Oh excuse me. Robinette tried to go around the person, but they moved the opposite way blocking her.

Robinette what are you doing here?

Robinette tried not to roll her eyes at the voice. She politely smiled at the boy that was in two of her classes who was practically stalking her. He asked her on a date every time he saw her and every time he received the same answer, no. Carson was handsome and popular but he was a bully and a brat. Robinette didn’t want to date someone like that no matter who they were. On top of that there was something about him that made her skin crawl.

Hey Carson. I’m...on a date. I’ll see you in school. Robinette quickly went around him. She was surprised when she was yanked back by her arm into his chest.

Are you serious right now? Carson sneered in her face. All this time you’ve been stringing me along?!

Robinette didn’t get a chance to respond because Carson was punched into a nearby wall. Robinette gasped and covered her mouth in shock. Her eyes almost popped out of her head when Luciano picked Carson up with one hand around his throat off of the floor and slid him up the wall. People stopped walking to their prospective theaters to watch the spectacle.

Carson Wells, if you touch Robinette again, I will make sure that the beatings you receive from your daddy pales in comparison to the torment I will inflict on you. Don't you dare speak to her or even look at her again. Do you understand? Carson nodded his head as best he could and Luciano released him throwing him to the floor.

When Luciano turned around everyone was looking at him in shock.

There is nothing to see here folks. Move it along. He had to be taught a lesson in how to treat a lady. He walked over to Robinette who had unknowingly backed up with her eyes as big as flying saucers.

Are you all right? Luciano asked rubbing her shoulders. Robinette looked at him with her mouth wide open. What just happened? Her handsome, knight in shining armor had turned into the terminator.

How did you know those things about him? Do you know him? she asked staring at Carson who was walking away with a look of horror on his face.

Oh I know his type all too well. They all have the same stories. The abused becomes the abuser.

I get that but.... do you think that was necessary? That was a bit much.

Absolutely. He crossed a line. No means no, Luciano said softly as he tucked a strand of her curly hair behind her ear.

And that was the moment that Robinette fell in love with Luciano.

6 6 6

What's wrong, Robinette? Luciano asked.

Nothing, she lied. Robinette turned her attention to the television. Her favorite TV show Friends was on even though she wasn’t paying attention to it. Her mind was elsewhere. It had been six months since she and Luciano had officially been a couple. He made her so happy and she couldn't imagine him not being in her life.

He was so different from other guys she had come across. He treated her like a queen and was always the perfect gentlemen, too perfect almost. She could count on one hand how many times they had had a make out session. Even though she wasn’t in a rush to lose her virginity, she still wouldn’t mind testing the waters.

Is there something you want to ask me? Luciano questioned turning on his side on the bed to face her.

How could he do that? He had a freaky way of always knowing what she was thinking or feeling.

She paused before answering. How come we don’t....do things?

Do things? he asked raising an eyebrow.

Yeah, like kiss and you know.

You mean make love? Luciano smiled as he scooted closer to her.

No and yes. Robinette could feel her face growing hotter by the minute.

He gently pulled her closer to him, until they were eye to eye. You are right. We should do more. I’m just hesitant because I don’t know how you truly feel about me. I want my first time to be with someone that I love and that loves me in return.

Robinette was shocked to hear him say this. It hadn’t occurred to her that he was also a virgin. Someone as beautiful as him should’ve been a pro since women threw themselves at him all the time. Besides, she thought she had been pretty implicit about her feelings for him.

Luciano, I love you, she said caressing his face. "I think I fell in love with you from the moment I laid eyes on you.

Does that mean you are mine? he asked smiling excitedly.

Yes! Robinette said bursting with happiness. He wanted her just as much as she wanted him. I’m yours. I love you with all of my heart and soul.

That's all I needed to hear baby. Then he kissed her and everything went black.

6 6 6 

The sunlight streaming through Robinette's dormitory window woke her up. For a second, she was confused as to where she was. She looked down at herself and she had on her pajamas. What had happened last night? The last thing she recalled was being at Luciano's place and him kissing her.

She grabbed the cordless phone off of her nightstand and dialed Luciano's number. Instead of ringing, her ears heard the operator's message that the number she had dialed was disconnected. She must have dialed in error.

Robinette redialed his number and again received the same message. Maybe there were problems on the phone line. She was baffled by her sudden amnesia, but she was sure Luciano would contact her and explain to her what happened. He always paged her at least one time out of the day. After going through most of her day without hearing from him, she decided to skip her last class and go by his place. He was usually there, since he was a freelance artist that worked from home.

As she approached Luciano's place, she didn't see his car outside. Maybe he was gone on an errand. He had given her a key to his place, so she would just wait for him to come back. As she approached his front door, she saw it was slightly cracked open. She cautiously pushed the door open. It took a minute for her to process what she was seeing.

The apartment was vacant. Everything was gone. The apartment looked as if nobody had ever lived there. She walked through the barren apartment in disbelief. When she entered his empty bedroom, she collapsed to the floor in tears. All she could think was that they were in love. He wouldn’t do this to her. Robinette sat there the rest of the night waiting for Luciano, but he never showed.

As she rode the bus back to her dormitory the next morning, she came up with several reasons for Luciano's disappearance. He had a family emergency out of town that he had to leave for abruptly. He had been kidnapped and the kidnapper had tried to make it look like he had moved. Her parents had found out about him and told him to leave her alone. Even though none of these theories made any sense, they helped her cope with the truth; Luciano had left her.

2

Unexpected News

Robinette sat on the examination table patiently waiting for her lab results. She had been feeling nauseous lately and she hadn't seen her period for the past few months. She had figured this was because she was stressed out over her breakup with Luciano. After a lot of arguing with Elizabeth, about not having unprotected sex or sex for that matter with Luciano, Robinette had agreed to go see a doctor.

Elizabeth had made her an appointment with her gynecologist. Robinette didn't think this sort of doctor could help her. She was thinking more along the lines of a psychiatrist. Lately, she had been an emotional wreck. The littlest things made her cry. One minute she was angry, and the next she was happy. She blamed Luciano for her madness. Since he had left her she hadn’t been the same.

Finally, a tall, thin, brunette, wearing the standard white lab jacket entered the room.

Hello, I’m Dr. Gabriel.

If Robinette had seen this woman outside of this setting she would have thought she was a model. She looked a bit young to be a doctor and was astoundingly beautiful, even with the big, brown, ugly, tortoise shell glasses she wore and her disheveled hair. Her flawless, pale skin contrasted beautifully against her big, brown eyes and perfectly, arched eyebrows. The glasses sat comfortably on her long, thin nose. They accentuated her high cheekbones which led to a thin jaw line, surrounding cute, pouty lips. Robinette had to make herself stop staring at her.

Looking at Robinette's paperwork she said, You are pregnant, Ms. Cunningham. That is why you’ve been having nausea and the missed periods. I am going to start you on your prenatal vitamins right away. I don't like the look of your iron levels and-

Excuse me? said Robinette astounded by what she heard.

The doctor looked up and peered at Robinette over her glasses. She took off her glasses and took a seat on the little stool that was in front of the examination table.

She smiled at Robinette and said slowly, Your lab results indicate that you are pregnant.

How is that possible? asked Robinette frowning.

I'm sure you know how this works, Ms. Cunningham, the doctor said still smiling politely.

Yes, I do, which is why this isn’t possible.

Your urine test and blood work says otherwise. You have six months left before you will have a little one. There are services I can recommend...

This is a mistake! Robinette almost fell off the table, trying to get down. I can’t have a baby. I’m in college! My parents will kill me!

Calm down, Ms. Cunningham. You are not the first young woman to have an unplanned pregnancy.

No, you don't understand. I didn't plan or unplan anything. Something else is going on. Don't you have more tests you can do? pleaded Robinette on the verge of tears.

Honey, I can, but they will give you the same results.

Even if I’m still a virgin?

6 6 6 

Most doctors would have referred Robinette to a psychiatrist, but lucky for Robinette, Dr. Gabriel wasn't just any doctor; she was the archangel Gabriel. When Gabriel heard Robinette say she was a virgin, she didn't take it lightly. Could Robinette be the one she had been looking for all these years?

Gabriel had been ordered by the Creator centuries ago, to keep an eye out for the mother of the child that would be fathered by Lucifer. She had doubted the Creator because angels and fallen angels, were incapable of mating with innocents, the true name of the humans. Following orders, she had taken up the perfect profession, a midwife evolving into an Ob-Gyn over the years.

Unfortunately, Robinette wasn't the first young girl to tell Gabriel she was a virgin and pregnant. Over the years she had heard some of these females say desperate things when they found themselves in certain situations that could disappoint or shame their family.

Trying to hide her excitement Gabriel asked You have not been with a man or boy sexually?

No, muttered Robinette looking at her lap.

Have you ever had a boyfriend or someone special in your life?

Robinette paused still looking down. Yes, she said softly, her lip quivering.

And where is he?

I don't know. Robinette began to cry silently.

I know this news is overwhelming. Take a few breaths and tell me what happened, said Gabriel mustering up all of the patience she had learned from dealing with the innocents. Robinette took a deep breath and nodded. She recounted everything, from meeting Luciano in the club to his sudden disappearance.

By the time Robinette finished her story Gabriel knew she was telling the truth and Luciano was in fact Lucifer.

And you are sure you didn't have any kind of spotting in your bed or any kind of soreness below?

Robinette nodded. Well that ruled out rape. Gabriel didn’t put it past the sick bastard. Lucifer had been trying to conceive a child of his own since the birth of the Creator's son. She was sure Lucifer had a different purpose