Original Sin: The Anthem Saga, #2

By Amanda Johnston

Johnny Viridian's demon of an ex-girlfriend had returned to ruin his life. For weeks he searched for the murderous Saraqael, only to come up empty-handed at every turn. When one of the boys showed up on the steps of Emerald Manor covered in deep claw marks, half-dead, Johnny was presented with still another mystery to solve; what was the thing that attacked Ricky?

That same night, after healing Ricky's wounds, Johnny and Jenny discovered what Saraqael had in store for them. She'd styled herself Sara Starling, Anthem City's newest sweetheart, and she was preaching against the Devil, and his wife, to thousands of her followers every night in person, and through a televised cable program.

Saraqael and her Starlings set out to expose infernals and celestials to the world, driving Johnny to desperate measures to stop them from putting Jenny, Billy, and the boys in danger. Every night he hunted the creature that Saraqael called her beast, while losing himself in the darkness he thought he had long left behind.

No one knew that there was someone more dangerous waiting, and watching...

• Language: English
• Publisher: Amanda Johnston
• Release date: Nov 2, 2019
• ISBN: 9781393228226

Book preview

The Anthem Saga

Left In the Dark

Original Sin

Copyright © 2019 by Amanda Johnston

All rights reserved.

Cover design by Amanda Johnston

Formatting by Stacie Hanson

No part of this book may be reproduced in any form or by any electronic or mechanical means including information storage and retrieval systems, without permission in writing from the author. The only exception is by a reviewer, who may quote short excerpts in a review.

This book is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents either are products of the author's imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, events, or locales is entirely coincidental.

PUBLISHED IN THE USA

First Edition: November 2019

Amanda Johnston

ISBN: 9781686260520

For any love that prevails over evil.

Peel Out

I just don’t understand it, Johnny said, slamming his fist on the surface of his desk, causing both Jenny and Billy to jump. He ran his hand over the map of the world that he had rolled out on his desk, smoothing some of the wrinkles. "I can’t get any kind of  trace on her no matter what I do. I’ve even completely forsaken reality, and tried using a stupid crystal to scry for her, just in the off chance that we've entered another dimension I wasn't aware of."

Witchcraft isn't real, baby, Jenny said, turning back to her book. Johnny had been at this for over four weeks, trying everything he could think of to find the demon Saraqael, but it seemed as though she had vanished from the Earth. It's a shame, too. Witchcraft might actually be helpful right now.

"Who’da thought, with everything else bein' real,witches wasn’t?" Billy scoffed, taking a big bite of his sandwich.

"'There are several things wrong with that sentence, but it's 'witches weren’t', son," Johnny corrected, his eyes still scanning the map, his senses thrown out constantly for any sign that Saraqael might be nearby.

Witches weren’t what? Billy asked around a mouthful of food.

Kid... Jenny raised her eyebrows, slowly looking up at the boy. "'Witches weren't' real."

"Oh, that's how you're supposed to say it. See? I'm working on it, he said, enunciating a little clearer. I'm trying not to sound like like a dunce. I know Dad says I need to go back to school in September, but I just can’t seem to find the want to. Look at what droppin’ out did for Franky! Billy sat up excitedly, pointing to his t-shirt that had a professional photo of Rise From the Ashes on it, along with their brand new logo. Franky and the boys are going on tour next spring! Good things can happen when you figure out that school isn't for you."

Johnny sighed heavily, and ran his hand over his face. "Boy, that is not in any way a good reason to drop out of high school. Frank and the Rise guys are really talented, but there’s more to their sudden success than you think," he said, arching an eyebrow.

Like what? Billy asked, taking another big bite of his sandwich.

"Like the fact that Aaron made a deal with a demon, and I own his soul now. That’s what, Johnny said sharply. Guy can play bass like Matt Freeman, but still thinks he needs a demon deal to make the big time. I blame endless propaganda."

Billy nearly choked, sputtering in his surprise. "What?"

Couldn’t we have just rejected that deal? Jenny looked over to Johnny, finally putting her book down in her lap. She crossed her arms and leaned back in the armchair she was sitting in. We should have denied it, she said, shaking her head.

"We couldn’t have, Jenny. We can't reject a deal if the human is willing to sell their soul. It’s theirs to do with what they will, and if they accept that there will be consequences, then we just have to let them. It’s part of free will. Johnny rested his elbow against his desk, pinching the bridge of his nose as he let out a breath. Baby... Johnny half-whined in frustration, looking up to meet her eyes. I don’t know what else to do to find Saraqael. She’s totally off the map."

"She's infernal, John. Surely, as the rulers of Hell, one of us should be able to sense where she is, especially you, Jenny said, setting her book down on the table beside her. She stood up to move behind Johnny, looking over his shoulder at the map. Jenny placed a hand against his chest, bending down to kiss him on the temple. Is there nothing that we can do to get the jump on her?"

Johnny reached up, taking one of Jenny’s hands into his, placing a kiss to her palm. I’ve tried everything. I’ve searched the city. I’ve been through the woods. I’ve checked in the tunnels, and I’ve had the demons looking for her with a bounty on her head that would make J.P. Morgan blush. We may have to wait for her to make the first move.

I don’t like the sound of that at all, Jenny said flatly.

Me either, Billy said, swallowing a mouthful of food. I’ve died the once. I don’t want to do that again anytime soon. Though, it does put things in perspective when you die, and then come back.

"Let’s not talk about you dying, okay? It’s bad enough that it happened once, kid. I don’t want to consider it happening again," Jenny insisted, nervousness in her tone.

Neither do I, for that matter. I'm glad you have a new lease on life, Bill, but let's avoid the death talk? Johnny asked with a sigh. "I just don't understand how Saraqael is hiding from me. She’s just a demon. She’s still a subject of Hell. I should be able to find her, damn it. He leaned his head against Jenny's side, looking up at her. I hate a waiting game."

Jenny looked down at him, stroking his cheek with the backs of her fingers. I know that, but it seems like that’s what we’re reduced to. At least the demons are in check?

Johnny nodded once before slowly standing to his feet. "They are, but I feel like there’s something...off." He twisted his right wrist around, stretching it out as if that might help somehow. He moved over to the record player, lightly tossing Led Zeppelin IV onto the turntable. He loved the ritual of records on vinyl. From pulling the record from the sleeve, to  putting the needle down on the grooves there was something soothing about it. He set the needle at the edge of the record, nodding his head slightly as Black Dog began. They’re hiding something from me, Johnny said over his shoulder. He stepped back to his desk and rolled up the map, putting it in its case before walking it back to the cabinet he kept all of his maps and scrolls in. He slammed the door of the cabinet shut a little too hard, and the glass in the door rattled. "I could always just torture it out of them, as I used to do, but I'm trying to be magnanimous."

You think they’re conspiring against you? Jenny asked, her eyes wondering over to Billy who sat frozen in alarm, mid-chew. Surely they can’t be that stupid. Not after what you did to the defectors during the battle with Azrael.

No, they know better, but there’s something that they’re too afraid to tell me and it’s got to be something big, Johnny groused. He turned to Billy who gulped down his mouthful of food, looking wary. When is Ricky supposed to be back in town?

He said he’d be back by the middle of next week, Billy said. When he calls to check in tonight I could tell him to come back sooner. Do I need to, Dad?

"He needs to get this trip out of his system. He deserves it after everything that he’s gone through, Johnny said. He'll probably be fine to come back next week when he plans to. At least I hope so."

Oh, I just thought you might want the car back or somethin', Billy chuckled as he shrugged.

I have fifteen more cars out in that garage, son. I think I’d be alright, even if he never returned the damn thing to me. Hell, the Bel Air never was much of a favorite anyway, Johnny shrugged.

That’s a 1951 Bel Air, Pops! Billy squawked.

"Yes, and I have two of them, anyhow." Johnny laughed before stepping around to sit on the edge of his desk to pick up the phone.

Not much of a favorite, Billy said, side-eyeing his father. "Sure."

Who are you calling? Jenny asked, coming to stand next to him.

Timothy. I wanted to let him know to keep his eyes and ears open, Johnny answered.

Won’t do no good callin' him. He’s at the grocers workin' with his dad today, Billy said with a roll of his eyes before finishing off his sandwich.

"Won’t do me 'any good'," Johnny said, correcting Billy again, putting the phone back in the cradle.

I know, that’s what I said, Billy mumbled as he chewed. Johnny frowned at him, shaking his head.

We’ll get a hold of Tim by tonight, Jenny said. "Should I go out and see if I can’t trace Saraqael? Maybe look in places that—"

"Places that I didn’t think to look?" Johnny interrupted with a smirk.

"Well, no, that’s not what I meant, she said, putting her hands on her hips. But is there somewhere you didn’t think to look?"

Johnny shot her a playful glare. I’ve checked everywhere. Unless you’re hiding Sara about your person? he asked, raising his eyebrows. "Oh, wait! I’ve thoroughly checked there, too."

Jenny chewed on her lip as she stepped into his arms. Have you thoroughly checked? I can be very sly.

"You know what I bet? Billy said a little too loudly, redirecting the conversation. I bet that she’s hiding in plain sight."

Johnny turned his attention to his son, narrowing his eyes skeptically. "Hiding in plain sight? Where would she be? Just wandering the city? No, I don't think that's possible."

Hey, I've learned that you never know what’s possible. Billy stood up and made his way toward the door. I’m gonna go watch TV in the billiards room and wait for everybody else. He paused in the doorway with his hand on the frame, looking back at his parents. Listen, I’m just sayin' that stranger things have happened. He shrugged, then disappeared down the hall.

Johnny stared at the spot where Billy had last been standing. 'Stranger things have happened', huh? he echoed, knitting his eyebrows.

Johnny, do you think that’s a possibility? That we’re just dancing all around her? Jenny asked, moving to stand between his knees.

Johnny moved his hands to her waist, drawing a deep breath. I don’t know, honey. She’s somewhere out there, and I feel like I’m spinning my tires, he said, his voice soft.

Jenny slipped her arms around his neck, resting her head against his shoulder. Why do I feel like she’s right behind us?

I feel the same way. She's closer than she appears, Johnny grumbled, wondering where Saraqael could be.

IT WAS A HALF PAST nine that night when Timothy jogged up the front steps of Emerald Manor, turning the handle, then pushing one of the newly repaired doors open with his back. In his arms were two sacks full of snacks and beers that he’d brought from his father’s store. It was the boys’ new Friday night ritual to get together at the manor to play pool or watch movies in the billiards room. Frank had been a little late for the last two weeks because his band had been in the studio downtown, recording, but Timothy had no doubt that his little brother would be arriving soon as he always did.

The only person they’d been missing lately was Ricky. He had been off driving the East Coast, looking for something he hadn't been able to accurately describe to any of them. He'd just said that he knew he’d had to go, so he had borrowed one of Johnny's cars. Johnny had set him up with a credit card that they all knew that Ricky would never use willingly, and he had set off. Timothy was glad that he’d be back soon, and then things would be back to normal; whatever that meant for them now.

Timothy headed straight down the corridor to the left, and then around into the hallway that led to the billiards room. Hello? he called out. I’m here with many delights! He heard Billy call out their location as Timothy approached, and he walked into the billiards room to see Jenny focusing intently on aiming the dart she was about to throw, as Johnny and Billy watched from where they were leaned up against the pool table.

What’s the haps? Timothy asked, setting the groceries down on the bar’s counter top.

"This is round three of three, and so far Mom's won every time. She's winning this match, too," Billy said with a snort.

Johnny stood with one arm crossed over his chest, and his other arm propped against it. "Barely. She's barely winning," Johnny muttered, his hand half-covering his mouth as he glowered.

Billy shrugged and chuckled. Mom's actually really good. She's kickin' your ass.

Johnny narrowed his eyes as Jenny threw the dart, pegging the board just shy of center. "Surprisingly good, he said with a frown. Have you been sneaking down here to practice? You aren't part Seraph somehow, are you?"

Jenny smiled, walking over to put her hands against Johnny’s chest. "Maybe you're just rusty? She raised herself up on her toes, and he leaned down so she could kiss him on the jaw, though he still scowled. Your turn, baby," she said, beaming.

Johnny let out a short growl, moving to stand at the line to take his shot, not really even looking at the board. "What did you bring tonight, Tim? Horror movie, with tons of gore to laugh about? Please, say it’s a horror movie, Johnny drawled, throwing the dart and hitting the bullseye. Ha! I won!"

"You won one round. I won two. I am the overall champion," Jenny said, raising her chin proudly.

Timothy shook his head. You best let the wife win, John. If I learned anything from watching my folks' dysfunction, that's the take-away.

Johnny let out a deep sigh as a grin slowly formed on his face. I suppose that you’re right. He walked over to wrap his arms around Jenny, kissing her on the temple. What snacks did you bring?

"Popcorn, those weird jelly drops Franky likes, M&Ms, and Junior Mints," Timothy said, holding up the box to shake it a little.

"Yes! Junior Mints! Johnny walked over to the bar to grab th box of the candy from Timothy's hand. He opened the box, popping a few of the candies into his mouth before closing his eyes, humming happily. These are the best," he mumbled around the mouthful of chocolate and mint.

"They're alright, but they are not the best. M&M's are the best, Billy said, slowly making his way to the bar. Did you bring the libations, Timothy?"

"Did—Did I bring the libations? Who do you think you’re talking to, Bill?" Timothy asked, pulling out three six packs of beer.

Billy grabbed for one.A hero and a gentleman, that's who.

"We wait for Frank," Timothy said, sliding the beer away from Billy who frowned at him.

When is he supposed to get here, anyway? Jenny asked, looking at the clock on the wall. He's usually here by now.

I don’t know. It’s almost ten—he should've been right behind me. Timothy watched as Jenny turned to Johnny, both of them looking concerned. "Well, no, that look isn't ominous at all," he said sarcastically, frowning at the two of them.

It’s something that we meant to talk to you about later tonight. We can’t get a lead on Saraqael, Jenny said nervously.

Nothing? Nothing at all? Timothy asked, suddenly much more worried than before.

Johnny shook his head, rolling his eyes up to the ceiling. For some reason she’s completely shielded from our sight.

Do you think it’s like when you put your Sigil on our shoulders? Could Azrael have done that for her? Timothy asked, edging toward the door to go look for his brother.

"No, it’s not the same for demons. Once they belong to Hell they always belong. That's binding. I can call them to me, and I'm supposed to be able to track them. There’s something that she’s doing to hide herself, and I can’t break through it, Johnny said, standing up and moving for the door himself. I don’t know the first place to start looking for Frank. Any ideas, Tim?"

Just along the route from here to the studio, I guess. Timothy shrugged, following Johnny out through the hallways, then into the foyer, Jenny and Billy following after. I don’t know where else he would have gone. When I talked to him this morning he said he was coming straight here.

Johnny started for the front door, grabbing his jacket off the coat rack before turning back to look over his shoulder at Timothy. We’ll find him. Safe or otherwise. Though, I’d prefer— He stopped mid-sentence as he pulled open the door, and Frank almost fell into the foyer, hauling Ricky inside with him. "Safe," Johnny finished, his eyes wide.

"He’s hurt!" Frank barked, stating the obvious. Timothy and Johnny immediately moved to help Frank lower Ricky to the floor as Johnny wadded up his jacket to place it under Ricky’s head.

What the Hell happened? Why is he back so early? Johnny demanded, pulling back Ricky’s ripped shirt to see the gashes all over his chest and stomach. These look like the kind of wounds a cambion would make. Johnny briefly checked the Sigil tattoo on Ricky’s shoulder. The Sigil's still intact. Nothing infernal should touch him!

A cambion attacking him—You’d have to order it, and even then they’d be repelled by the Sigil. Jenny knelt down next to Ricky's knees. "What else could have made these wounds?"

"With these injuries? It had to have been something infernal. That should be impossible! Johnny frowned as he took in the extent of Ricky’s injuries. I can’t doubt the evidence in front of me, I just don’t understand how or why, he said. Saraqael can control the cambion, but even still they wouldn't have been able to attack."

Blood was starting to run down onto the white marble floor as Ricky groaned in pain. He was starting to lose color, and he seemed to be shivering. Frank shook his head before running his hands into his hair in a panic. We have to get him to a hospital!

No, we don’t have time. He'd bleed out. Give him some room boys, Johnny said, shooing the boys back. He placed his hand on Ricky’s forehead for a moment before speaking softly to him. This might hurt, Rick, but considering that death is the alternative, you’ll have to deal. Johnny forcefully slammed his palm down on Ricky’s chest, right over his heart. Ricky drew in a deep gasp as his eyes went wide, glowing softly with a golden hue. White flames rose in Johnny's irises overtaking their normal blue, and he furrowed his brow.

What are you doin' to him? Billy asked nervously, watching Ricky’s spine arch.

"He’s healing him, kid, Jenny explained, her tone full of awe. The deep gouges and claw marks were starting to close and scar over, as if Ricky was going through weeks of healing all at once. See?"

Ricky’s breathing evened out, and he relaxed into the floor, blinking slowly as the gold faded from his eyes. "Ow, he breathed. Thank you?"

Johnny sighed in relief, his eyes returning to their normal sky-blue, and he smacked Ricky lightly on the cheek. You’re welcome. Don’t do that again! He pointed at him as he rocked back to sit on his heels, putting out an arm for balance.

Whoa, Johnny. Are you okay? Jenny moved to stand next to him, putting her hand on his shoulder.

He leaned into her, wrapping an arm around Jenny's leg, his hand on her thigh as he braced himself. Hell drains. Using Seraph powers to heal requires a source. I’ll be fine...in a minute, he said, trying to catch his breath.

"That was crazy, Frank said. He's all healed up. I almost can’t believe my eyes!"

Me either, Billy said, crouching next to where Ricky was slowly starting to push himself to sit up. He reached out, poking one of the newly formed scars.

Ricky glared at Billy. "Do you mind, squirt?"

"Oh, yeah. He’s better, alright," Billy said, backing up quickly, laughing in relief.

Rick, what the Hell happened? Johnny asked, still holding onto Jenny’s leg as he moved his own legs in front of him, sitting more steadily on the floor.

Yeah, how did you even get here? Timothy shook his head, holding his hands out in a shrug.

"This damn thing dragged me here, then left me on the steps," Ricky said, propping himself up to look out the door.

Like a cat leaving a mouse for its owner, Frank said, crossing his arms with a scowl on his face.

Ricky pushed himself up to sit, looking down at all of the blood that covered him from wounds he should still be suffering. This is incredible. They’re all scars.

Sorry. I can heal, but it’s not a restoration, Johnny said, waving a hand in apology.

"No, no! You saved my ass. I’m grateful," Ricky said, reaching out to shake Johnny’s hand.

"I'm glad you're okay. Now that you are okay, I do wonder where the car is." Johnny raised his eyebrows as he tilted his head.

Billy snapped his fingers. "I knew you really liked that car, he whispered, earning him a glare from Frank. I’m hushin'!"

Some chick hijacked it from me! She was on the side of the road, and I picked her up. She was gorgeous, man. I’m telling you... Ricky shook his head, the ghost of a smile on his face. "Really, really gorgeous."

"And then she committed grand theft auto," Timothy pressed, trying to bring Ricky back to reality.

"Yeah, she did! She freakin' spent three days with me. Made me think she was real nice, right? Really nice," Ricky sighed, hanging his head.

"Really gorgeous, really nice. Get on with it, boy. What happened?" Johnny asked, holding his hand out as though he was begging for the full story.

"Today she said that she wanted to drive the car. Said she wanted to see what it was like. So I pulled over and she got in the driver’s seat. Before I could get back in the car she peeled out, dirt and gravel flyin’ all up in my face. Then not a minute later that thing attacked me. Knocked me around for a while, then dragged me all the way back here. You need to get a hold of your pets, man," he said to Johnny.

I would absolutely do that if I had any idea how this could have happened. How far were you from Emerald Manor? I thought you weren’t coming back until next week? Johnny asked with a shake of his head.

"I wasn’t, but I met that girl and she said there was some fancy thing she wanted to go to in Anthem, so I figured I’d head back early. To see you guys, you know?" Ricky asked, looking around at all of his friends.

Billy nodded and narrowed his eyes, smirking. "Yeah, you were in such a rush to get back here to see us. I'm so sure."

"Well, partly!" Ricky squeaked with a shrug.

"What did the thing that attacked you look like?" Jenny asked, helping Johnny to his feet, keeping an arm around him as he slowly steadied himself.

It looked like one of those things! The, uh— He snapped his fingers. The dusty-lookin', hissin' things.

"So it was a cambion? Jenny looked up at Johnny confused. That doesn’t make any sense."

It was! Her hair was all tangled up and wild. Like a jet-black cloud of curliness. Her eyes were the creepiest thing, though. Her pupils were so dilated that I could barely see the blue. It was like somethin' out of a horror movie.

Her eyes were blue? Johnny asked, frowning.

Sky-blue. Just like you and Billy's eyes, actually! It was the only thing that I could really see of her face besides her teeth chomping at me. Why? Ricky looked bewildered. Is it not one of those cambion things?

Johnny shook his head, frowning in confusion. Cambion don't have any pigment in their eyes. All of them have gray eyes, and the sclera of their eyes are yellow because they eat garbage and vermin and carrion. If liver failure could kill them then they wouldn't live past ten years old. In my whole, long life I've never seen one with eyes that are blue, or any other color. Truthfully, I've never seen one with hair darker than a light, ash brown. Even cambion of African decent have light skin and hair. There's just something about their biology that causes a lack of melanin.

"Well, hers were definitely blue, and her hair was as black and curly as Billy's, though it was a rat's nest. Whatever she was, that's what she looked like," Ricky said with a shrug.

Jenny looked around at all of the boys. "Well, what I do know is that you had better all just stay here for the rest of the night, and maybe part of tomorrow. Me and Johnny will try to figure out what this thing is, and I’ll call about the car being stolen. Ricky, you should clean yourself up. We’ll have a demon come in and clean up the blood tomorrow, but for now we’re holing up," she said, moving away from Johnny slowly to make sure that he still held his balance.

She walked over, leaning to look out the door, turning her head both ways as if she was looking for someone. I don't see or feel anything. Whatever she was, she's gone for now, she said, before slamming the door shut, turning the deadbolts, then setting the pins in the ceiling and floor. Johnny, will you set a shield around the doors? I don’t want any more surprises.

Absolutely. Johnny smiled proudly at her as he wrapped an arm around her waist. "Hail to the queen."

What John said, Timothy shrugged. Hey, we still have a movie and brews. Is Rick okay to drink, Pallbearer?

He’s absolutely fine. Might be sore, but he's all healed up. Took care of that sniffle you had, too, he said, helping Ricky to stand to his feet as he grinned a little.

Ricky took a deep breath in through his nose, then turned the corners of his mouth down. Oh, now that is nifty. We'll never have a cold again!

Johnny held his hands up in protest. Well, now, let's not go that far. I can't just throw healing around higglety-pigglety.

They started walking back in the direction of the billiards room, except for Jenny who went to the study to call about the stolen car. Ricky stopped by the bathroom in the hallway that led to the billiards room to wash the blood off, and Timothy stood in the hallway drinking a beer as Johnny rifled around in a storage closet to find a shirt for Ricky to borrow. How many closets full of old stuff do you have, John?

More than I have any business owning. Some things I just can't get rid of, Johnny explained. Some things I wore for certain events, certain moments...

You sentimental old devil, Timothy joked, which earned him a half-hearted glare from Johnny as he pulled a shirt out of a storage bag. Timothy followed after him as he hung the shirt on the doorknob of the bathroom, knocking twice for Ricky to