Defiance: The Revelations Series, #2

By Pamela Daniell

In the past year, Jenna Connors has discovered she's a Nephilim, been pursued by angels and demons, and faced a devastating betrayal that left her no choice but to agree to the angel's ultimatum in order to save someone she loved.

Just when life is getting back to normal, Jenna discovers a shocking secret that threatens to destroy her world once again. Defying the angels to keep them safe, Jenna is thrust into her worst nightmare.  

• Language: English
• Publisher: Pamlela Daniell
• Release date: Aug 28, 2016
• ISBN: 9781535312158

Book preview

Prologue

"Well, well, well, look who it is."

Rebecca froze, a sudden chill coursed through her. She knew that voice. She turned around to see Jason leaning against a tree. He was the last person she wanted to run into when she was alone. He was always asking her father if he could court her and had recently started to get angry when her father refused.

Well, aren’t you going to say anything? Jason pushed himself away from the tree and took a few steps towards her.

What are you doing here? Rebecca’s pulse quickened. Maybe taking the path home through the woods wasn’t such a good idea. Her parents had warned her it was unsafe.

What am I doing here? Jason took another step towards her, a half smile appearing on his lips. I’ve been waiting for you.

Rebecca gripped her skirt and took a nervous step back. I have to go. She turned and walked away. I’m late and I don’t want my parents to worry.

Hold on there. Jason caught her arm in a vicious grip, his fingers digging into her soft flesh. Where do you think you’re going?

Home. Rebecca tried to yank her arm away, but he held it tight.

No, you’re not. Jason pulled her closer to him. Not until we have some fun. He took her wide-brimmed hat off and threw is aside. He twirled her hair with his finger, and then put it to his nose and sniffed it. You smell good, he said as he released her hair and ran his hand down her arm.

Rebecca’s stomach turned as the scent of ale assaulted her, making her want to vomit. Why hadn’t she listened to her parents about not walking in the forest?

Let me go, Jason! Her pulse quickened as she shoved him away and turned to run, but he was quicker and had her in his grip before she could get far.

Anger lit his eyes. I told you, Rebecca, you’re not going anywhere until we have some fun. He grabbed the front of her dress and ripped it open, exposing her cleavage. Now that’s more like it.

Fear gripped every inch of her as Jason’s expression turned hungry and lustful. How about you show me the rest of what’s under that pretty little dress of yours. He licked his lips as his finger traced the outline of her cleavage. I promise I’ll be gentle.

Rebecca cringed as his manhood hardened against her leg. No! she screamed as she pounded her fists on his chest, trying to free herself. Excruciating pain took her breath away as Jason backhanded her and threw her to the ground.

Her whole body trembled as he slipped his suspenders off his shoulders and took a step towards her.

I’m sorry, she whispered as she raised her hand and sent Jason flying backwards. A loud thump echoed out as his head made contact with a tree and his body slumped to the ground.

Rebecca lay paralyzed by fear as she watched his body for any signs of movement. She gasped when she saw blood pooling under his head.

What have I done? she whispered as she scrambled backwards into a tree. Her body shook as her mind flooded with horrific images of how the townspeople would torture her when they found the body and realized what she had done.

Rebecca breathed in shallow, quick gasps; tears flooded from her eyes as she clung to her torn dress. She had to get out of there before someone found her with Jason’s body. She did the only thing she could think of… she ran.

Oh God, what did I do? They won’t understand. They’ll sentence me to death for sure. Her heart pounded against her ribs as she fled through the forest to the only place she knew was safe… her home.

Out of breath and crying, Rebecca stumbled into her backyard. In the blink of an eye, four men and two women appeared before her. Each wore a long white robe with a red cross stitched over their heart.

Halt, Nephilim! One of the men exclaimed, stepping in front of her.

Rebecca stopped. Who are you? she asked, her eyes darting around looking for an escape route.

You mean to tell us you have no idea who we are and why we’re here? the man asked.

Rebecca shook her head. No, she whispered as she adjusted her torn dress to keep it from falling off.

The man took another step towards Rebecca. Well, dear Nephilim, my name is Daniel and my fellow angels and I are here for you.

Fear gripped her heart as a cold ruthless smile appeared on the man’s face. You have the wrong person. My name’s Rebecca, her voice lowered to a whisper as she took a step backward. Not Nephilim.

A nasty sneer played on the man’s face. We know what your name is child. Don’t you know what a Nephilim is?

Rebecca shook her head as she searched for a way around them. A chill ran through her grew as the man glared at her.

Well then, I believe you’re in need of a history lesson. The man took another step towards her. You see, my dear child, not all angels can resist the lure of a human woman. Sometimes they fall prey to the woman’s seductive charms. Some of these women bear children of the angels, which God has deemed abominations. When these children reach the age of seventeen, they develop abilities similar to those of their angelic fathers.

Rebecca’s thoughts raced back to a few years ago when she had turned seventeen. It had been only a few days after her birthday that she had ever moved something with her mind.

Rebecca glanced over her shoulder as she considered fleeing back into the forest. I don’t understand what this has to do with me? I’m not one of these Nephilim you’re talking about.

An icy contempt flashed in the angel’s eyes. Oh, but you are my dear, and what you did to that man proves it. The man circled Rebecca. We have been curious about you for some time now, but since your mother died in childbirth we couldn’t question her about your real father. So we’ve been observing you. Until now, we weren’t sure whether you were a witch or a Nephilim.

Panic welled in Rebecca’s throat. How did these people know what she had just done? But I had no other choice, she declared. If I hadn’t defended myself, he would have had his way with me.

You’re in danger, a warning voice whispered inside her head.

It doesn’t matter, the angel’s voice hardened. One less abomination is fine with us.

RUN! the voice screamed.

Rebecca turned and fled into the woods. A rush of adrenaline shot through her. She wasn’t going to stand by and let these people kill her. Her eyes darted around the forest looking for a place to hide. She rounded an old oak tree and came to a sudden halt as the angels appeared out of thin air around her, cutting off any way of escape. Her fear turned into full blown panic as an angel grabbed her, bracing her arms on either side of her body and held her tight.

She struggled to escape as a burning sensation spread through her body. Suddenly, the forest erupted in flames around them as an explosion ripped through the trees.

Rebecca’s scream echoed through the trees as the eruption threw the angels across the forest. They slammed to the ground with the angel cushioning her. She opened her eyes to see Jason’s dead cold eyes staring at her. She pried the angel’s fingers open and wriggled free.

Oh my God, Rebecca! she heard her mother cry out.

Rebecca turned her head to see her parents rushing towards her. Mom, Dad.

Her body trembled as the tears she had been holding back flowed freely as they wrapped their arms around her. Rebecca gasped and stumbled backward as a man appeared before them.

Rebecca, the man said. You must go now. The angels will be here any minute. If they find you, they’ll kill you all. The man looked around the forest in urgency. You have nothing to fear from me, sweet child, but you must go, now. I’ll see to it they think you’re dead. He turned towards her father. Keep her hidden for a week and then you must move far away from here.

The man took a step towards Rebecca and handed her a necklace with a gold charm on it. Here, wear this. It’ll prevent them from finding you before I can convince them you’re dead.

Rebecca took the charm as she heard the angels converging on them. Thank you, she mumbled, coughing as the smoke and flames inched closer to them.

The man raised his hand and a path free of fire and smoke appeared before them. Go now! Stay on the path and you’ll make it safely to your house.

Rebecca’s father grabbed her hand and pulled her towards the path. She looked back over her shoulder to see a silver blade appear in his hand. He looked up at her, raised his hand, and the flames closed behind them as they made their way home.

The man plunged the blade through the angel's heart ensuring her death. He then touched Jason and his body transformed to look like Rebecca. He stepped back and watched as the flames engulfed both bodies. Satisfied that Daniel and his followers wouldn’t be able to tell the body was Jason and not Rebecca, he disappeared.

They’re here, Daniel yelled as he came through the brush and stopped in front of the bodies.

The other angels appeared beside Daniel, each taking in the horrific sight of the death of Daniel’s chosen mate and Rebecca’s body burning beside her.

Daniel knelt down beside his mate’s body. He could sense the ability to harness fire had been used. This is the result of the female Nephilim. They are vial abominations that must be destroyed. He placed his hand on his mate. I promise I will avenge your death.

An angel placed his hand on Daniel’s shoulder. We must go my friend before the fire consumes us.

Daniel stood up, took a step back, and joined the others angels. They each bowed their heads in honor of their fellow warrior and then disappeared into the heavens above.

Chapter One

Jenna’s face brightened as Dylan walked through the front door; she still couldn’t believe she was lucky enough to be able to call him her boyfriend. Her heart melted as he looked up the stairs and flashed her his country boy grin. Her smile widened as she saw his cast was finally off… a cast that was on because of her.

It had been six weeks since she discovered Alex had been manipulating her to get her to join Lucifer, and she still felt responsible for the injuries Dylan had sustained because of it. She was just grateful that she had gotten there in time before Alex could kill him and he had only suffered a concussion and a broken arm. And although Dylan insisted that what Alex had done to him wasn’t Jenna’s fault, Alex’s words on that horrible day still told her otherwise.

You know, Jenna, it didn’t have to be this way. If only you had stayed away from him like I told you to, my plan would have worked. I was close, but he came along and turned you against me. It was then I knew if I had any chance of gaining your trust, Dylan had to be dealt with.

Jenna pushed Alex’s words out of her head. He was gone now, taken some place by Samuel the angel to be punished for his sins, and for that she was grateful because she didn’t want him interfering in her life any longer.

All gone, Dylan announced holding up his arm to show Jenna the cast was off as she came down the stairs.

That’s great! Jenna exclaimed as she stepped off the bottom step. She hated seeing that cast on him. Maybe now without the reminder of his injury on his arm, she could officially try to put the past behind her.

A teasing grin appeared on Dylan’s lips. Now I can do this without worrying about scratching you. He wrapped his arms around her, pulled her close and gently kissed her.

Hmm, hmm, Arlene said from behind them.

Jenna pulled away from Dylan, a gentle blush forming on her cheeks. Sorry, she told Arlene.

Arlene smiled. Nothing to be sorry about. She turned her attention to Dylan. So, how does it feel to have the cast off?

Great, Dylan dug into his jeans pocket and pulled out a piece of paper. Here’s a note from the doctor saying I’m cleared to work again.

Great, Arlene took the note and read it. How about you start in the morning? That gives me time to make a list of what needs to be done.

Sounds good. Dylan glanced at Jenna and then back at Arlene. Do you need Jenna for anything? I was hoping to steal her away for a little while.

Arlene shook her head. I still have to take her school shopping, but I can do that tomorrow while you’re working. She gestured towards the door. Go have fun while you still can. School starts next week, and you won’t have as much time to hang out then. Please have her home by eleven-thirty.

I promise. Dylan smiled at Jenna as he took her hand into his and headed out the door.

Jenna’s thought’s drifted to Alex. He was supposed to be starting school with her, but that was before she found out he had killed her mother and was working with Lucifer to get her to side with the underworld if a war ever erupted between Heaven and Hell.

As happy as she was that she had discovered his true identity before it was too late, she sometimes wondered where Samuel had taken him and if he was okay. He was, after all, the one who had taught her how to control her Nephilim abilities and if it had not been for him, she would have been lost.

So, she asked as they walked down the front steps, where are we going?

Dylan turned and smiled at her. Well, Angel girl, that was the nickname he had been calling her ever since he found out about her true heritage. Since it’s getting dark I thought we could go to the meadow.

A huge smile spread across Jenna’s face as she climbed into the truck. I’d love too! She had to admit, the meadow was one of her favorite places to go. She always imagined her mom being one of the thousands of stars staring down at her from the heavens above. She lowered her head, her smile disappearing as she thought of her mom and remembered she was the reason Alex had killed her mother. She missed her mom more than she could ever express and she would never forgive herself for not being there when Alex had taken her life.

Good, because I’m looking forward to having you all to myself for a little while. Dylan started the truck and drove away from the house. You okay? he asked as he glanced over at her as they pulled onto the main road.

Jenna nodded. She didn’t want Dylan to know she was thinking of her mom. Tonight was for them to enjoy. Just nervous about starting school next week. I’m not looking forward to everyone asking where Alex is.

Dylan took her hand into his to try to reassure her things would be okay. Tell them he went to stay with your parents like we discussed with Arlene.

Thanks, Jenna kissed Dylan’s hand. I don’t know what I would have done without you after realizing Alex was deceiving me. I wouldn’t have blamed you for leaving me after he almost killed you.

Dylan pulled her closer and kissed the top of her head. "Jenna, I hope you know you can always count on me to be there for you. I love you,