Divine Soul

By Craig Wickersham

Becca Everwood, an upbeat college student, has just arrived in Italy with her brother Miles, but she is unaware that her arrival to the ancient city of Rome has come to the attention of all the wrong people. Well, not people exactly -guardian angels and powerful demons to be accurate. You see, Becca has one of the most precious gifts a human could have… something so valuable that ancient rivalries will be rekindled and hard-forged truces will be broken… something so powerful that if it fell into the wrong hands, mankind would be dragged into darkness for eternity, the problem is, Becca doesn’t know she has it.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Lulu Publishing Services
• Release date: Dec 8, 2016
• ISBN: 9781483457611

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Wickersham

Copyright © 2016 Craig Wickersham.

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced, stored, or transmitted by any means—whether auditory, graphic, mechanical, or electronic—without written permission of both publisher and author, except in the case of brief excerpts used in critical articles and reviews. Unauthorized reproduction of any part of this work is illegal and is punishable by law.

Scripture taken from the King James Version of the Bible.

ISBN: 978-1-4834-5762-8 (sc)

ISBN: 978-1-4834-5761-1 (e)

Because of the dynamic nature of the Internet, any web addresses or links contained in this book may have changed since publication and may no longer be valid. The views expressed in this work are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of the publisher, and the publisher hereby disclaims any responsibility for them.

Any people depicted in stock imagery provided by Thinkstock are models, and such images are being used for illustrative purposes only.

Certain stock imagery © Thinkstock.

Lulu Publishing Services rev. date: 4/26/2017

Dedication

I dedicate this book to my son Miles, and to the many readers who’ve enjoyed my work.

Contents

From The Pages Of: Divine Soul

Chapter One Becca Everwood

Chapter Two Lord D’aimon

Chapter Three The Underlord Gaal

Chapter Four The Guardians

Chapter Five Rome

Chapter Six Grinks

Chapter Seven Saint Jerome

Chapter Eight Spider’s Thread

Chapter Nine Divine Soul

Chapter Ten Sataniel

Chapter Eleven Miles Everwood

Chapter Twelve Gabriel

Chapter Thirteen The Struggle Of Death

Chapter Fourteen The Hunt

Chapter Fifteen Captives

Chapter Sixteen Witness

Chapter Seventeen Bastion Of Gaal

Chapter Eighteen Sewer

Chapter Nineteen Queen And Duchess

Chapter Twenty Day Four, At Night

Chapter Twenty-One Hell

Chapter Twenty-Two The Pit

Chapter Twenty-Three Fear

Chapter Twenty-Four The Fallen One

Chapter Twenty-Five Day Five

Chapter Twenty-Six Sacrifice

Chapter Twenty-Seven Baby Boy

Chapter Twenty-Eight Fresh Air

Chapter Twenty-Nine Black Dresses

Chapter Thirty Porta Ostiensis

Chapter Thirty-One The Ring

Chapter Thirty-Two The Return

Appendix Of Main Characters

Acknowledgments

Author Bio

From the pages of: Divine Soul

BECCA TOOK A SIP of wine, ignoring her dinner and grinning at Miles over the rim of her glass. He was in the middle of describing the story of Saint Jerome, whose image was honored in a painting by Caravaggio at the Borghese. She was watching with delight as his story kept getting more and more animated, his gestures and expressions becoming grand and wild. It reminded her of the crazy robot that she suspected was hidden inside him, but it could have been the wine.

What? What is it? Miles asked before taking a quick bite of his pasta.

I’ve seen the halo before, Becca replied.

Miles wrinkled his brow, giving her a hard look as he was chewing. Huh?

The halo, in the painting. I saw it before.

Caravaggio’s?

Becca frowned, searching her memory when it suddenly hit her. The man in the park!

What are you talking about?

There was a flash, that’s what caught my eye. For a split second I saw a halo over his head. It was right there, just like Caravaggio’s painting of Saint Jerome.

A flash? You saw a flash of light? It wasn’t a camera? Or a headlight?

No, yes, I saw a flash of light, and for a second, just a moment, I saw a halo over his head. It’s like a vivid memory now. I can’t get the image out of my head, but how is that possible? A halo. Are there really such things?

She drifted again and Miles leaned forward, whispering as he spoke. Is it the wine?

NO! It’s not the wine. I can see it in my mind. It’s like a vivid image burned into my brain. Something you said just triggered it, and now I can’t get it out of my head.

A halo? Like a real halo? Like in the painting today at the museum?

It’s so strange. I know how it sounds, but how can that be?

Chapter One

Becca Everwood

Day One

AT THE BUSIEST AIRPORT in Rome a petite young woman, with short brown hair stood near a wall of Italian travel posters watching the frantic crowds with a huge grin on her face. Around the corner and a few yards away, her older brother was pleading with a baggage claim agent and suddenly stormed back to her.

What the hell is going on?! Do they just throw your bags into some random bin and say fuck it?!

Becca rolled her eyes but kept watching the colorful throng of tourists. Let it go, Miles. I’m sure they’ll show up eventually, and my bags are lost too, you know.

Miles pulled off his baseball cap and raked his fingers through his sandy brown hair, glaring at her a moment before softening a little. Yeah, you’re right. I’m sorry. It’s just been one thing after another! I’ve never had so much trouble traveling before. You’d think they’d have this down by now, I mean people have been coming here for centuries!

Becca chuckled, her small, girlish face beaming.

What? What’s so funny?

Let it go. They said they’d call us. Besides, I don’t want to ruin our vacation over some lost luggage. Come on, let’s catch a bus to the city.

She took a few steps and turned. Miles stalled, looking at her as though she were from a different planet. How can you be so upbeat? We almost missed the flight here because of that lame-ass taxi driver. Then our tickets were messed up, they almost gave away our seats, and now our luggage is missing?! What the hell is going on?!

Becca, unflustered, smiled a toothy grin. Come on, Miles. It’s Rome. Remember? Museums, history, art, and did I mention the museums? Who cares about luggage? Were you looking out the window on the way in? This is it! We’re here. We made it. Let our summer break commence!

Miles grumbled something under his breath as she started walking through the jam-packed terminal. There! she cried while pointing out the front windows of the building. Look! There’s a bus! Come on, let’s hurry! She broke into a jog and Miles swung his backpack over a shoulder, almost colliding with someone.

Sorry! Miles yelled back.

The tall, slender man stopped and watched as the two of them hurried through the crowd and dashed outside to a waiting bus. Why is she here? a soft-spoken voice said to the man. The man turned and looked at the person beside him. They could have been twins. Both of them had the same color brown hair, the same physical build, and their thin faces were almost identical: pale and clean-shaven, almost feminine with pretty, light-blue eyes. Before he could answer, a third man joined them and the identical twins became a neatly dressed set of triplets.

Of all the places in the world to visit, she had to come here to Rome, the third man lamented.

We tried to stop it, the second one said.

It puzzles me too. The Divine Soul, heading right into the heart of his territory. It doesn’t make sense.

Let’s pray that Gaal remains blind to this.

Gaal? the man in the middle scoffed. Do you really think Gaal is going to be our problem?

The two men who flanked him blanched at the same time, gaping as they turned in shock. You mean D’Aimon is here too?

The man in the middle waved his hand casually toward the bus and black smoke started pouring out of the engine compartment. In a minute, all of the passengers started coming out, including Miles and Becca. D’Aimon is not here yet, but it won’t take long for his family to sense our presence, if they haven’t already.

Look, she’s hailing a cab.

Let’s go. We can’t keep her here at the airport forever.

But Rome. Why Rome?

We tried. Get over it and concentrate on our task. She needs our protection until the moment of ascension.

~~

I’m ready to explode, Miles seethed with his cheeks growing redder and redder.

Relax. There’s a taxi. TAXI! Becca threw up her hand and hurried out into the traffic, dodging one car, two motorcycles, and a mini-van. TAXI!

Miles shook his head and ran after her, catching up as she was diving into the back of the car. Hotel Spagna. Piazza Di Spagna, she told the driver. With a nod, he clicked the counter, checking the mirror as Miles leapt in and slammed the door shut.

You’re crazy! Miles puffed. You almost got hit by that car!

But I didn’t.

God, if you get hurt over here, I’ll totally freak out! I’m supposed to be looking out for you, you know. Remember? I made a promise to Mom and Dad.

Becca became thoughtful and smiled over at him, her eyes scanning his flushed red face with a hidden admiration. You’re a good brother, Miles. And I know this wasn’t your first choice for a vacation. But try to relax and remember where we are. This is the ancient and powerful city of Rome. Think about the centuries of history, the magnificent architecture, all of the culture and art and—GOD! I just love it here! I still can’t believe I’m actually in Italy! Now pay attention, we’re missing the arrival experience.

Arrival experience? Miles scrunched his eyebrows together, glaring at her and shaking his head. It’s just a crowded freeway, Becca. She ignored him; her eyes were gazing out the windows, gobbling up everything as they darted through a moving maze of honking horns and screeching tires.

~~

The wild cab ride came to a sudden crawl when they arrived on the popular Piazza Di Spagna. The entire plaza was alive with a teeming Friday-night crowd of international tourists. Hordes of them were milling about the Spanish Steps and Barcaccia Fountain with cameras flashing and vendors shouting. Their driver cursed a few times, honking and yelling his way through the clot as he wheedled his way to the hotel’s ancient front door.

We made it! Becca cried when the cab finally stopped. This is so awesome!

Miles got out of the car and looked around at the bustling throng in a state of wonder. There’s so many people here, he breathed. It’s unbelievable. So many, just look, and I thought Manhattan was crowded.

Becca paid the driver and hopped out, scanning the scene with her eyes dancing. It’s not Iowa, Miles. Look over there! God! It’s so awesome here! Come on. Let’s check in and head out right now. The Spanish Steps are right over there! Up at the top is a real Egyptian obelisk! Look at that church! Oh my God!

Becca and Miles hurried inside the hotel and up to the counter, not noticing the neatly dressed, brown-haired man who was seated in the lobby watching their every move. And when they finished checking in, he got up and walked along behind them, stepping into the elevator with a gentle grin. Becca smiled back while Miles was fussing with his backpack, and in that brief moment of eye contact, Becca felt something odd, something like a memory or déjà vu. She was about to speak up about it when the elevator bell rang and Miles came to attention.

This is our floor, he noted.

As they got out, Becca stole another look at the man in the elevator. He was still watching her, his pale blue eyes almost glowing.

Did you see that guy? she asked.

What guy? Oh. The man in the elevator?

It’s like I’ve seen him before, in New York, at the airport, I think. But, how can that be?

Here we are, and I’m across the hall. I didn’t get a good look at him. Sorry. Here’s your key. I’m pretty sure the room looks out over the plaza.

Becca took the old bronze skeleton key and studied it fondly. It’s so cool. I didn’t think they still used keys like this. With a shrug she unlocked the door and pushed it open. Wow! Check it out! Nice room. She crossed the small bedroom, tossing her backpack on the bed, and pushed open the curtains, staring down at the bustling plaza. This is amazing! We made it. Look at that plaza! Beyond that church is the park, and the Galleria Borghese. Becca took a long, deep breath. I can’t wait, Miles. Let’s go down now. Just toss your pack on the bed. Come on!

~~

One of the pale trio stood just down from the hotel’s front door watching as Becca and Miles came rushing out into the crowd. They are leaving the hotel now, he said to the air in front of him.

Stay there and guard the room, a matching voice replied. Ariel and I will follow them, and keep a look out for trouble. This city is literally crawling with evil demons. If one of them sees her, if even one of them discovers what she is… well, we all remember the last time Sataniel ascended.

Don’t even think about that! Ariel warned. We can’t let that happen. It’s been over 1,000 years. NO! Don’t even think about it! We have a job to do. Focus on that and keep her safe.

Chapter Two

Lord D’Aimon

Day One

THAT SAME SUNNY AFTERNOON just north of Rome, in a fallow pasture beside an endless Italian vineyard, there was a blue-black raven with deep, iridescent blue feathers and Ferrari-yellow eyes. The large bird stood beside the rotting carcass of a brown and white calico goat snapping at a buzz of errant flies. Every now and then, the persistent bird would catch one in its beak and flutter about, shaking its head and flapping its wings in triumph. Then, when the excitement waned, the raven would hop back to the dead goat and become very still, starting the game all over again. Snap-snap, snap-snap.

It was at this very moment, when the raven was poised to strike at another fly, that it caught a distant flash of sunlight on the horizon. Craning its neck with curiosity, the bird saw a sleek, black sedan speeding past rows and rows of ripening grapes. With a start, the raven cocked its head to one side and leapt to the air with a rush of flies.

In less than a minute, the raven passed right over the moving car and swooped into the arrival court of a sprawling hilltop fortress-turned-villa. Landing on an ornate, iron lamp near the mansion’s stately portico, the raven perched amid the vine-covered, ancient stone walls and sienna tile roofs, watching with anticipation as an extra-long Mercedes drove in and stopped at the mansion’s front steps. Like clockwork, several handsome men in fine Italian-made suits came out of the portico and approached the car, stopping at the sedan’s rear door like eighteenth century footmen.

Without a word, the rear door was opened and a beautiful, young blond woman emerged from the backseat in a bright red couture dress with matching red opera gloves. She only took one step from the car before she stopped with a half-turn and smiled at the raven. Then, with a slight nod, she put out her gloved arm and the bird flew to her, landing on her tiny wrist with a loud caw.

And where have you been? the woman asked on her way up the front steps.

The raven bobbed its head, making a soft croaking sound as they passed by two doormen, two large Rottweilers and several armed guards.

Really? And were you successful? Upon entering the villa’s grand foyer, the bird cawed and leapt from her hand in a rush of black whooshing feathers, flying to another perch where a silver tray of raw, cubed meat was waiting. She laughed and shook her head as the bird began snapping them up, swallowing them like a mechanical toy.

My Lady, a tall, Nordic-looking man said as he entered the lavish Italianate foyer. The handsome man was wearing a deep blue-green silk suit and his long blond hair was pulled back in a thick, braided ponytail bound with a green silk ribbon.

Yes? Her eyes were sparkling like a pair of sapphire-blue diamonds and the man shook his head.

Please don’t flash your eyes at me. I’m not in the mood.

And why not? I feel good—we’re having a party tonight, and—

Not now, the man cut in. His Lordship has sent out the Guard, and he has requested your presence.

The woman gulped, her excitement abruptly gone. "The Guard?! Today?!" she cried. Is that why Yana’s bird is here? He sent them out today? You’re sure? Of course you’re sure. What am I saying? But so soon? He only just—

Lilith! Calm yourself. You knew this was coming. He’s been unhappy. He’s been bored and he’s upset.

"Upset?! But today, Saag?! Today?! We have a party tonight and it’s too soon! Before Saag could reply, the raven squawked and the four Rottweilers that were sitting guard in the foyer bolted past them and took off up the main staircase, jostling against each other to the second floor where they vanished in a clatter of toenails to marble. Lilith waited until she couldn’t hear them, then sighed with a shake of her head. It’s too soon. I just got all the paperwork finished from the last one! At least tell me it’s a man this time?"

Saag ignored the question, gesturing up