Fallen Venus

By KD Jones

Cass is back and she has finally taken hold of her powers, for the most part.
The Demons don’t know what they are in store for.
Her love life is still complicated and new family ties are revealed.
She will need her friends even more as evil stalks her during the time of
the Fallen Venus.

• Language: English
• Publisher: KD Jones
• Release date: May 12, 2017
• ISBN: 9781943738700

KD Jones

KD Jones has been a huge fan of both romance novels and science fiction novels since she was 16 years old. Her favorite television shows growing up were Star Trek and Doctor Who. When not writing, she can usually be found curled up on the couch with a good book, working on her hobby of photography, or spending time with her family.

Book preview

Fallen Venus

7even Circles Book 3

KD Jones

Copyright 2017 KD Jones

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 it and purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.

Table of Contents

Chapter 1:

Chapter 2:

Chapter 3:

Chapter 4:

Chapter 5:

Chapter 6:

Chapter 7:

Chapter 8:

Chapter 9:

Chapter 10:

Chapter 11:

Chapter 12:

Chapter 13:

Chapter 14:

Chapter 15:

Chapter 16:

Chapter 17:

Chapter 18:

Chapter 19:

Chapter 20:

Chapter 21:

Chapter 22:

Chapter 23:

Chapter 24:

Chapter 25:

About the Author

Chapter 1

Cass was cleaning the table after her customers had left when a man’s voice on the news caught her attention. She glanced up at the report on the television about a contractor buying up abandoned buildings and renovating them.

We’re making something beautiful out of the ugly. Our first apartment complex will be ready for occupancy in another month, an older man with silver hair said.

The reporter made some comment about progress bringing back Detroit’s population.

Hey Cass! We need some more coffee! Leeza yelled out.

She turned away from the TV and went to grab a pitcher to add more water to the coffeepot. Tingles erupted on the back of her neck like someone was watching her. Turning around, she came face to face with the man she had just seen on TV, not to mention countless billboards.

Hi, is there something I can help you with?

He gave her a strange smile. I hope so. Are you Cassandra Knight?

Yes, who are you?

I am Abraham Knightingale, though I also sometimes use the last name Knight. I have been looking for you for a very long time. I’m your grandfather.

She dropped the pitcher she was holding and then startled at the loud crash of it hitting the floor. Leeza was at her side immediately.

Are you okay, Cass? Leeza asked as she bent down to help pick up the pitcher and used the towel on the counter to clean up the water. Thank God she hadn’t been holding hot coffee.

I...I’m…

The man who called himself her grandfather spoke up. It’s entirely my fault. I took her by surprise.

Cass needed to say something...anything, but her voice wouldn’t work at that moment. All she could do was stare at the man.

Maybe she needs to sit down until she’s feeling better, Ari offered, coming out of nowhere and taking her hand.

I need to clean…

I’ve got it, go sit down. Leeza shooed her away gently.

Ari led her to the far corner booth and had her sit down. When she looked up, she saw him whisper something to the man. The way they interacted made her realize that they were familiar with one another. But how did Ari know her grandfather?

Ari sat down next to her while the older man sat across from her. She looked at him and tried to find some kind of resemblance. Though his hair was completely silver now, maybe it had once been blond like hers.

Who are you? she asked.

The man smiled at her, but it didn’t reach his dark eyes. My daughter, Laura Knight, is...was your mother. You were taken from us many years ago, when you were just a child. I’ve been searching for you every since.

Where’s my mother?

He tried to appear sympathetic, but his expression came off as almost robotic. I’m sorry to say she died not long after you were taken from us. Her heart couldn’t take losing you.

She knew it to be true, but still…

Ari reached underneath the table to take her hand in his and squeeze. She wanted to soak in the comfort he offered, but she was still angry with him for lying to her about being engaged to someone else. For years, he had flirted with her, and finally a few months ago their relationship had begun to get more intimate. Then she met his fiancée. She jerked her hand free, ignoring the look of hurt on his face. Fine, he should hurt.

So you’re a full demon?

No, both your grandmother and I are demi-demons. Your mother was a demi-demon, as well.

You said my mother’s dead, but what about my grandmother?

She is still living and would very much like to meet you.

Cass wasn’t sure she could trust this guy. How do I know you’re telling me the truth?

Abraham looked at Ari before speaking. Don’t let anyone tell you that we’re all evil. We are just like anyone else. We love, hate; we can do good or bad. We can choose how we live our lives.

She knew she should ask some serious questions here, but the problem was, she couldn’t think straight. Finally, after an awkward pause, she pulled herself together, at least a little.

How did you find me?

I have Ari to thank. I had almost given up the search for you when I came across young Ari. He told me that he had found you.

She looked at Ari, who was now staring at the other side of the diner. You didn’t tell me that you knew my grandfather.

I didn’t realize at first that you were related to Abraham Knightingale. There were a lot of Knights in the Earthly plane, and I didn’t know that your mother had shortened her last name for some reason.

Something just didn’t ring true. The names were too similar and the fact that the Knightingales lost a child had to be well known within the demon circles. Ari was extremely familiar with the demon circles. She would have to question him further about this later. Right now, she had more questions for her so-called grandfather.

Why now? Why come to me now?

I truly thought you were dead. Someone took you, and then a child’s body was found that matched your description. We all thought the worst. It was the hardest on your poor mother. She took her own life when she believed you had died.

The thought of her mother killing herself because she thought Cass had died was overwhelming. Her heart ached for the woman who had loved and lost her child.

"What do you want from me now?

He seemed surprised that she wasn’t falling at his feet. Well, I suppose I want a relationship with my only grandchild.

So what? We go to grandfather-granddaughter dances? Play checkers on Sundays? Maybe she was coming across a little angry, but she couldn’t help it.

He smiled gently at her. How about I offer you a job with my property development firm?

Doing what? I’ve never worked as a secretary.

You would start out working as an assistant to one of my managers. You could work your way up easily.

I don’t know. I already have a job here at the diner, and I’m going to college part time.

Ari told me that you’re going to college. You could quit the diner, work at my firm, and I would pay your tuition.

I work for what I want. I don’t take handouts.

I can respect that work ethic. My firm would be able to help you with your tuition as a work exchange type of thing.

It sounded like a great deal, but living on the streets had taught her that if something sounded too good to be true, it usually was. I’m not quitting my job here at the diner.

Ari spoke up. Jerry has two other waitresses now, so you could actually reduce your hours here.

She glared at him. It felt like he was pushing her to have a relationship with this stranger. I’ll think about it.

If you would come to my downtown office, I could show you around. That might help make up your mind.

Cass sighed, What time?

Nine. Three fifty-six West Street.

That was one of the swankier newly rebuilt areas. I’ll be there. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I need to get back to work.

Ari slid out of the booth to let her out. She walked over to the counter to see what orders needed to be served. Leeza was there waiting for her.

What was that all about?

That guy claims he's my grandfather.

What? Where has he been all this time? Leeza asked heatedly. It made Cass feel good to know she had someone who was always on her side.

Says they thought I was dead.

What about your mother?

She ached again for the mother she would never know. It was all suddenly too much I...need to leave.

Go, I’ll cover your tables. You’ve had enough to deal with for one night.

Thanks Leeza. I’ll talk to you later, promise. She hugged her friend and glanced once more over at the booth where Ari and her grandfather were talking. They both looked up to wave goodbye to her. This was just too weird. All these years of wondering what happened to her family, and now that she knew, it left her feeling empty inside.

She had made it a few feet down the sidewalk when Michael came running up behind her. Cassandra! Wait!

Cass stopped to turn and glare at him. Yeah, she was still pissed at him. Ari had kept things from her and messed with her memories and left out the fact that he was engaged, but Michael had tried to seduce and manipulate her. She couldn’t trust either of them.

What do you want?

Why are you leaving early? Who’s that guy talking to Ari?

My long-lost grandfather that Ari knew about all this time, evidently.

That demon bastard. How dare he keep another thing from you!

Oh, shut up! You’re just as bad as he is.

I am not! I’m a warrior for God! I’m nothing like a lowly half-demon.

Newsflash, we half-demons prefer the term demi-demons, and we would never want to be considered anything like you.

I didn’t mean that the way it sounded.

Of course you did. You hate anyone with demon blood running through their veins. That means me.

I don’t hate you, Cassandra.

You don’t love me either. She turned to walk away but he reached out to grab her arm, pulling her to a stop again.

I have never loved anyone but God, so this is all new to me, but I do feel something for you. Is it love? I don’t know.

He was being honest with her for once about his feelings. She needed to give him credit for trying.

I appreciate your honesty. It doesn’t change what you and Father Raphael did in manipulating me.

He dropped his hand and she felt the loss of his contact. Angels, even those who weren’t healers, could use their powers to offer some comfort to others. For a moment while his hand was on her arm, she had felt less tense. Now that he let go, all the stress and confusion was back.

That demi-demon was using his own influence to get you to follow him. We were desperate. What else were we supposed to do?

You could have trusted me to do the right thing and to make my own decisions. Sometimes the end does not justify the means. You hurt me. I don’t trust you and I’m not sure I ever will.

Please, just let me prove myself to you.

She looked into his blue eyes and saw sincere regret for what he had done. What exactly are you wanting from me?

I want to show you that you can trust me. I am also hoping that you would consider...dating me.

She blinked in surprise. Date you? There’s no need to renew your seductions. I’m willing to train and learn from you and Father Raphael as long as there’s no manipulation on either of your parts.

He moved a step closer to her and the look in his eyes changed to something else—desire. Michael had not been completely immune to her after all. I wasn’t faking my feelings. To be honest, I had never experienced anything like this until I came here and met you. I didn’t handle it very well and fell back on my training and education, all of which told me that demons were to be destroyed.

Are you saying you were conditioned to think that way?

"Yes, and I want to overcome