The Devil Forgotten: The Devil's Eyes, #7

By Jennifer Loren

This world is made up of all kinds. Most go about their days like any other, while some possess a superior strength, talent, intelligence or even a desirability that is far beyond others. A select few however, realize that they own an even greater set of qualities. Qualities that no mere human could match. One of them is, Ithan Nova, who is merely a teenager when he begins to truly understand his abilities. It all begins when his life takes a troubling turn. Questions arise within him. Can anyone understand what he is going through? Can anyone else feel another presence without actually seeing them? Does anyone else know what it is like to be drawn to a place you have never been to? More importantly, does anyone else have the ability to see their own anger, power, swirl to a deadly end?

Only a select few can, a devilish few and that few is about to find him. Ithan Nova is not simply a troubled teenager, he is The Devil Forgotten.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Jennifer Loren
• Release date: Jul 6, 2020
• ISBN: 9781393014294

Jennifer Loren

Jennifer Loren graduated from Rochester Institute of Technology with a Fine Arts Degree, specializing in Architecture and Design. She currently lives in Atlanta, Georgia with her German shepherd, Nick. In addition to the vastly popular, top mafia romance and bestselling series, The Devil’s Eyes, Ms. Loren has successfully published bestselling romantic suspense novel Finding Ava and its sequel Reckless and the bestselling short story, The Hand That Holds Mine. Her mafia series, The Laws of Kings, and its sequel Dethroning the King along with standalone novel Undercover – Secrets & Lies have also been released with great reviews. Her writing genre is considered dark, romantic suspense, and mafia romance. Her books tend to have a lot of humor, which is why she is currently branching out into comedic books and children's books. Her first children's book, the award-winning The Awkward Puppy has been highly rated and loved by children and adults.  @JenniferLorenDE https://www.jenniferloren.com https://www.facebook.com/JenniferLoren.Author http://www.youtube.com/user/LorenJennifer Books By Jennifer Loren The Finding Ava Series Finding Ava Reckless The Long Road The Devil’s Eyes Series The Devil’s Eyes The Devil’s Revenge The Devil’s Son The Devil’s Masquerade: The Poison The Devil’s Masquerade: The Remedy The New Devil in Charge The Devil Forgotten Fate Escape The Laws of Kings Series The Laws of Kings Dethroning the King Undercover Undercover: Secrets & Lies Short Story The Hand That Holds Mine

Book preview

Prologue

Lady Bird Johnson, former First Lady of the United States once said, Children are likely to live up to what you believe of them. My grandfather took that statement to heart when it came to me. The only problem was his fear outweighed his hopeful belief. No matter how hard he tried, he couldn’t change my soul, and he certainly couldn’t change the river from which my tainted blood flows. Like a saint can see their future in the heavens, a devil can feel the hell from which he comes. Nearly eighteen years ago, I was born with a fire burning through my veins and a magnetic draw to those like me. That attraction has since strengthened, multiplying each year of my life and finally reaching a point where I can no longer deny my past. It is a past I had no part in creating, yet I find myself face-to-face with, perhaps, the most important decision of my life. Which side do I choose? Good versus evil — is there such a thing? It would seem reality is way more complicated than that, the lines are blurred, definitions are complex, and true human nature is never flawless. The line between the two sides, I would say, is not an issue of choosing dark or light. It’s an issue of choosing between blood and darker blood.

The decision that will change my life didn’t happen overnight, but it did become clear tonight when my innate curiosity put me right in the middle of others like me. Well, in this case, they are just like me.

He is so close I can feel him. Hell, I can see into his head. He’s left his whole life open to me. Ryan. Ryan is his name.

What do you want? he asks, clearly sensing my presence.

I should ask you the same. What brought you here?

I was looking for a new start, and you? he questions, trying to move in closer to me.

I was born here. This is my home, and I would appreciate it if you would go back to yours. I step out to him.

My home is under attack right now.

That’s not my problem. Either leave my city or I will destroy you.

No, you aren’t capable of destroying me, he challenges, forcing me to give him a taste of what I can do. Nice try, but you don’t know much about your powers, do you? You have potential, but you are no match for me right now. My anger rises, and I give him all I’ve got only to be knocked backwards. You need me. You need my brother to help show you your full potential. You can’t beat us with the knowledge you have. I try again, focusing and concentrating on the man who is determined to die in front of me. To my surprise, my attack is quickly halted by his swirling eyes and the flight of a dragon swooping in and landing at his side. Give up and understand before you get yourself killed. While I fight to get away, he fights to hold me here. I don’t want to imagine why.

Stop! a man yells, stepping from out of nowhere. The sight of him stops me enough to feel a presence I have long waited for, only I am not sure I’m ready to deal with him.

I don’t want you here! I urge. You’re evil. I was warned about you people, and I want nothing to do with that world. Keeping my eyes on them, I take notice of possible escape routes.

No, don’t go. You don’t have to be scared of who you are anymore. We can help you, protect you from anyone that sets out to harm you, Ryan says to me.

I certainly won’t let anyone hurt you, he says as if he cares.

Why would you do that?

Because we are family, Ithan. He steps towards me, allowing me into his head.

The truth forces me towards them, my fear subsiding to curiosity. I step into the light and look towards Ryan, allowing them both to see into my head.

Oh my God! With his jaw dropped, Ryan calms his dragon.

This is the moment, the moment my life will change forever. It’s moments like these that make you wonder how you got where you are. How you managed to come so far only to end up in the middle of the blood wars, or as hell calls it, the devil wars. My name is Ithan Nova, and this is my story of how I came to be The Devil Forgotten.

Chapter 1

Sixteen. Finally. And finally able to buy some wheels of my own. I saved every penny I had, and along with some help here and there or wherever I managed to drudge up some extra cash, I bought myself a motorcycle. It isn’t new, but it is new to me. I was able to fix it up, restoring it to, what I consider, better than the original condition. It is a teenager’s dream, especially one who hates sitting in one place for very long.

Riding up to school on my bike, all eyes land on me. I’m used to the stares. Even as a child, I managed to attract attention; however, I was encouraged to blend in, to mix myself within a crowd and become invisible. Boring and blended is apparently the key to hiding from our enemies. For some reason, that has never been easy for me. Even as I pull up to school I can hear the girls talking about me as if they have been waiting for me all morning.

There he is! I had heard he got a motorcycle for his birthday, and I have to say, it looks good on him. Real good.

I’d like to give him a present for his birthday.

I take my helmet off and smile in their direction. Ladies. They giggle and fight to get the first step to me.

Hi, Ithan. I love the bike.

I love bikes! I would love to go for a ride.

I need a ride home today. My parents are out of town, and I’m all alone tonight.

Really? I look her up and down. She nods with an anxious gasp.

I can be alone too. I love you!

Oh my god, Ithan. What are you doing to these girls? Do you not get enough ass? Fuck, it’s not even eight A.M. yet. Slow it down, until at least after lunch. Give the rest of us a chance, Jace, one of my long time best friends, says, winking at the girls but sending them running off.

Leave it to Jace to chase the girls away. Malachi, ‘Chi’ as we call him, chimes in, shoving Jace with a laugh. Come on, Loverboy. We’ve got a test in fifteen minutes, and Jace needs to go find a way to get detention today.

It’s tough coming up with ways to irritate Mrs. Connelly. She is immune to my usual ways. It’s like she just tunes me out or something. If I’m not careful, I might accidently get an education or some shit. His last attempt to get out of class—a leap from the second floor window screaming "I’m superman!" (he wasn’t)—landed him with a broken leg and crutches and being moved to Mrs. Connelly’s class on the first floor. Mrs. Connelly was in the military. She’s not afraid of anyone and has never smiled a day in her life. She certainly is not amused by Jace.

Speaking of education, did you study this time, Ithan?

Why would I do that? That would require me taking a book home. I laugh.

And yet you will still pass, I’m sure. Although, I have a feeling you could do much better if you wanted to. Chi glances sideways at me, knowing my secret. I purposely make sure to perform well below my potential. I shoot for well enough to pass but not anywhere near my best. The last time I did my best, I nearly got transferred to a special school for geniuses and caused a whole lot of unwanted attention. I am not leaving my friends for any special education, and I am certainly not leaving my grandfather. He’s all I’ve got.

My mother was clinically insane by the time she gave birth to me. My grandfather took me in while she overcame her demons as he would say. I always worried her demons might become my own. I knew early on that I wasn’t normal. My abilities were evident before I could speak a word. What I wasn’t sure of, however, was whether my mother possessed the same abilities as me, and more importantly, if those abilities were what drove her to insanity. If not, what or who did? My grandfather, David or Bappa as I call him, shielded me from anything that he thought it best I not know. I communicated with my mother via phone for the first part of my life, or the at least the woman I was told was my mother. For some reason, my grandfather was afraid to let me visit her in person. I always wondered why. As time went on, the calls became less and less, and the pictures I made for her never got mailed. I did my best to obey Bappa’s wishes, but he had to know there would come a day when my curiosity would rekindle. Now that I have a license, I plan on finding my mother and reconnecting with her. I know she still loves me, and I know she didn’t give me up because she wanted to. Now, that I’m older, I can take care of her and Bappa.

Moments in time — some never seem to mean anything until you start stringing them all together. Only then do you realize things may not be how they seem or you’re not who you thought you were. I plan to find out exactly who I am and not only where but who I come from. For now, I have to walk into this class with Chi and pretend none of this matters.

Hi, Ithan, Daniella says, crossing her legs with a sigh. I nod with a smile as Chi gives me a dirty look.

You fuck her? I shrug with a sinister smile. Do you have no shame? The preacher’s daughter? Really? You’re going to hell. You know that right?

Nah, she screamed for God to save me the whole time.

She screamed for God? To save you? I doubt that.

Ah, you’re probably right. It was more like, ‘Oh, Ithan, Oh God. Ohhh God.’ Chi stares daggers at me as we sit down in our seats. Don’t hate, Chi. Just because you have a steady girlfriend doesn’t mean the rest of us can’t have any fun.

I pray for your soul. And for you to get a girlfriend that ruins your life like mine has. He mumbles horrible things about me as I laugh, and he is clearly not amused by my laughter.

The rest of the day goes as it always goes, and at the end, I say goodbye to my friends and drive the girl without parents for the week home. I wish I could remember her name, but she doesn’t seem to care once I place a helmet on her head and take her hand to help her onto my bike. She wraps her arms around my waist after waving to her pouting friend.

I’ll take you tomorrow, I say to bring a smile back to the poor girl’s face. Chi happens to hear me and shakes his head, cursing me under his breath as he walks his girlfriend to his car. I wave to him and take off down the street, enjoying the ride to the girl’s house. We ride up to a big house with gates and a security system she has to punch in a code for.

You’re sure your parents aren’t going to come home anytime soon? Or someone isn’t going to be home soon?

Yes. My parents are in Europe on business for two more weeks.

We pass through the metal gates and round the circular driveway, coming to a stop in front of the massive house. I help her off the bike and take her helmet before following her nervously inside. Looking around, I make sure there isn’t anyone that might come after me with a gun. I had that happen once, but the man had a panic attack and I was able to get away unscathed. Although, the man knew enough about me to call Bappa and get me grounded for a week. Bappa prefers me to be a virgin, but I tried to explain to him that it’s a little late for that. I got another week of punishment for being a smartass. They just let you stay here by yourself? I ask not believing how big this house is.

Yeah, they do it all the time. They leave me cash, and every once in a while, the neighbor will check in on me. Don’t worry. We have the whole house to ourselves for another couple of hours at least. My neighbor goes to private school and has to go work for her dad today after school. She’s the only one that might come by. Her Dad is rarely home, so she likes to hang out here sometimes when their maids are gone. I don’t think she likes to be alone. She’s cool though, little strange, but I’m used to her now.

What is with you rich people and leaving your kids alone?

Do you want anything to eat? Or do you want to watch a movie or something? She turns to me, very excited and nervous all of a sudden.

You look tense.

Do I? I don’t know why I ... I don’t give her a chance to explain anything.

Kissing her gently, I whisper, Mmm nice lips. A stroke of her cheek with my finger and she becomes frozen in silence. Come on. Let’s eat something and talk.

Oh-kay. There is plenty of food in this house. My only concern is this girl’s experience. Chi has drilled into me that virgins should not be with me for their first time. I thought it was because I am too good, but he says it’s because I’m an asshole and no one should have their first time be with an asshole. Either way, I promised him I would try not to be such an asshole.

I don’t know a lot about this girl. Our school is huge, and it’s hard to keep up with everyone. So, I didn’t see you in any of my classes today? What grade are you in?

Oh, I don’t go to your school. Remember... we met last weekend at the Hole? You were hanging out with your friends, and you asked me if my ice cream was good? And I said what ice cream, and your friends laughed. But you offered to get me some if I was good. Only, your friend got a call from his brother or something and you had to go. I would have given you my number, but you left so fast that I had to ask around to find out where you went to school. I go to the college down the street, so I thought I would drop by to see if we might run into each other again.

You’re in college? I sit up, more interested.

She nods. Yeah, this is my second year.

Oh, well then I guess you have had other boyfriends before?

Oh yeah, but none like you. You’re so ... She gushes, looking over me and nearly falling off the edge of her stool. She is definitely no virgin, and I am clear to go.

Taking hold of her seat, I pull her closer to me, lifting her chin up to look at her while my hand drifts south, feeling up her dress and along her bare leg to grab her ass. With a hand full of ass, I move her to my lap, sitting her comfortably on me. Her hands wander all over. You want to fuck me? I ask bluntly as she slides herself against my erection with a gasp. You do, don’t you? Picking her up, I sit her on the edge of the counter with her legs open, giving me plenty of access. Her panties are dangling from her ankle in seconds, and my condom is unwrapped, on, and working like it should as she grabs hold of anything she can to hold on. She has an odd squeal she does when she’s excited. It’s a little annoying, but I try to block it out so I can finish. Her excitement only becomes more annoying as she orgasms.

Don’t stop! she screams as I begin to regret dealing with her.

I am about to come when someone rounds the corner with a bat. Alright, motherfucker, the police are on their way! the redhead says who stands nearly a foot shorter than me and nowhere near any kind of mass to hurt anyone.

I try to back off the girl, but she grabs hold of me and won’t let me pull out. Aria, it’s okay. This is my new boyfriend, Ithan.

Boyfriend? Aria and I both question in unison.

Can you give us a minute please, Aria? My so called new girlfriend asks.

Sure. Sorry, I interrupted. She starts to walk off, but I see my way out.

No, wait! Don’t you think we should stop and not be rude to your friend here? Maybe she needs something? Um, Aria is it? I say unfisting the girl’s hand from my shirt so I can pull away from her and put my pants back on.

Seriously, are you trying to talk to me with your dick out? You want to introduce yourself to me like that?

Hey, I am trying to be respectful. I put it back in my pants. Besides ... ergh, your friend here ...

Norma.

What?

Her name is Norma. The girl you were fucking, her name is Norma.

Really? I ask, not helping the situation any. I’m kidding. I knew that. Right. Nor... ma. Norma. I glance Norma’s way. She doesn’t seem to give a shit if I know her name or not. She still has legs spread and outstretched, trying to pull me back to her with her feet. Okay, well, this is probably a good time for me to go.

Don’t go! I love you, Norma sings.

With him? Aria scrunches her nose at the thought.

I would usually be offended by that, but I really have to go now. I have a test to study for tomorrow and ... I manage to get loose from Norma and quickly maneuver away.

Ithan, please don’t go. I have so much more I want to show you.

Let’s save it for another day. We don’t want to rush things. I head for the door, stopping only to look Aria over. I give her a quick smile but get a snarling expression in return. Fine, nice meeting you, Aria.

You too, Asshole.

It’s Ithan.

I heard. She rolls her eyes. Norma comes running from the kitchen, I barely make it out before she thinks to lock the gates. Psycho girl. I should have saw that coming. No one just shows up at someone else’s school.

The moment I get home, Bappa is coming in. Shit. He wasn’t supposed to be home for another couple of hours. I cower and walk sheepishly past him, trying to get to my room before he says something.

Ithan, where have you been?

I was ... Think quick because he isn’t going to believe your lie. I took a girl home from school.

Ithan ... you know what? Never mind. I don’t want to know.

Good. I straighten my back and march towards my room, but I don’t get far.

You know, you should find a hobby. Something that keeps you entertained and your mind expanding. You should always be learning. A mind is a terrible thing to waste, and you know what idol hands are ...?

Bappa, come on. I’m sixteen.

Ithan, what are idol hands?

Sighing, I drop my posture a couple of inches. A devil’s workshop.

I think I should enroll you into some afterschool program. This job you have clearly isn’t taking up enough of your time.

I told you already. Mr. Todd doesn’t need me but three days a week. All I do is deliver prescriptions to people. It takes him a day just to gather them all together for me.

Well, I’m sure if you ask, he could find some floors for you to sweep or some boxes to break down. I nod, waiting for my lecture to be over. Bappa’s idea of punishment is to force me to listen to endless speeches about how I am wasting my life and destroying my soul with my foolishness. Once he finishes, we eat dinner together and actually have a conversation that doesn’t make me wish he would just beat me instead.

When Bappa thinks I’m asleep, he comes into my room to check on me. He tidies up a little and covers me up with a kiss to my head and a sigh of relief. I’m home. I’m safe. And that’s all that matters to him. I give him a hard time, and he annoys the hell out of me sometimes, but his love is what I hold onto each day. I don’t know my parents—Bappa is all I have.

I pull into the school parking lot from a different direction, scoping out the area to make sure I don’t run into any crazy people. I spot Norma and her friend waiting impatiently for me. I pull my bike behind a parked truck and watch as school security confronts them about not having a campus pass. The two are escorted off campus while I pull around the truck and park safely. Chi shakes his head as I walk up to my friends.

What?

You called security on them? What was wrong with this one?

Nothing. Did you know her name is Norma?

You dumped her because of her name?

No. I ditched her because she’s psycho. Chi sighs, shaking his head.

You know what? That’s good because Mercedes wants you to meet her cousin and double date with us Friday night.

Oh no. No. Get Jace to do it.

No way, I’ve seen her cousin, Jace blurts out.

Oh, I see. Jace won’t do it so get me to do it?

No, because Mercedes doesn’t like Jace. Besides, Jace is stupid. He hasn’t seen her since she got the braces off.

She had messed up teeth? I ask.

Not just her teeth, Jace laughs, punching me before running off to class.

Shut up, Jace! Chi yells after him while I slip away to class to get away from my so called friend, Chi.

Chi tries to get my attention throughout class, but I do my best to ignore him. Ithan. Ithan. Seriously, the girl looks great now and ... and you owe me. I look over at him, shocked that he would use that now. Yep, you owe me. You owe me big time, remember?

I have no idea what you are talking about, I whisper back to him.

Yes you do. You know... I distracted that crazy ass girl from finding you while you were fucking Charisse. She tried to kill me. Don’t roll your eyes. She had a knife. She would have killed you both.

She wasn’t going to use it.

Excuse me? He lifts his shirt to show me a tiny mark. You see this? It still hasn’t healed completely.

Listen! Mr. Vanden yells. As soon as he turn his back, Chi motions, stabbing himself over and over until I get the point.

Fine. What do you want me to do?

I will pick you up at seven and be nice. I would like to get laid myself for once, so do me a favor and keep her cousin busy so I can get busy.

Chi, you and this girl, I swear. She bosses you around and makes your life miserable. You don’t even like her. Why do you stay with her?

Quiet! Mr. Vanden yells at us. If you two want to talk, you can do it after class. We shut up but are both annoyed by the unnecessary antics of our teacher. He walks up and stands by our desks, staring us both down. So Mr. ... Nova, since you are barely passing this class yet find it unnecessary to pay attention in my class ... ever, please explain to the class the standard process of radioactive decay. If you can’t, you and your friend can spend the afternoon in detention learning about it. I look over at Chi who slips down in his seat and assumes the worst. Mr. Vanden has been trying to kick us out of his class since we started. He doesn’t find us worthy enough to be in any of his classes. I only took the class because Chi begged me to. He had hoped my presence would lessen the burden on him to do well and prove that we do belong. Mr. Nova, do you not know the answer?

Yeah, I know the answer. Do you?

Oh, well great. Please share your wisdom with everyone.

There is no standard for radioactive decay. It’s random, or to use the word you’re clearly looking for, it’s stochastic.

Not exactly, Mr. Nova,