Demon Vengeance: Trust Casefiles, #0.2

By Lee Cushing

Forrest King and Catherine Jordan are best friends who just happen to be good at hunting and punishing those who have gotten away with hurting innocent victims.  Their latest endeavour has taken them to Greece to deal justice to a group of mercenaries who escaped from charges of rape against two teenage girls, however this time their quest for retribution has put the lives of their friends in jeopardy because this time they are no longer dealing with human villains

 

The two of them have unleashed the wrath of a demonic cult whose members lost their humanity long ago and is determined to make them suffer in retaliation by going after all those they care about with devastating results, especially for Catherine when her ex-girlfriend goes missing

 

Can Forrest and Catherine manage to survive alone against an enemy of which they have never come up against before or will they need help from the secretive organisation known as the Trust

• Language: English
• Publisher: Lee Cushing
• Release date: Jan 1, 2021
• ISBN: 9781393846239

Lee Cushing

Lee Cushing is a paranormal thriller author and a lifelong fan of the occult. Having become obsessed with supernatural folklore and the world of horror from an early age, Lee has spent years studying tales of the occult and immersing himself in stories of otherworldly phenomenon. He’s also the owner of a number of vampire and horror-related groups in Facebook, where fellow fans of the supernatural come together to celebrate and discuss all things paranormal.  His debut novel, Voodoo Mambo, blends high-stakes action and shadowy agencies with a dark underworld of demonic creatures and their insidious plots to attack humanity. Lee draws his inspiration from classic horror movies – including Hammer and Universal – as well as beloved TV shows including Doctor Who, Supernatural, The Avengers, and Buffy The Vampire Slayer. 

Book preview

Chapter One

Smashing the soldier's head into the rock, Forrest King imagined everything this sick slug had done to those poor girls, encouraging him to thrust him into the jagged edge even harder.  Slamming him down onto the ground, he stared at the blood streaming from the soldier's forehead.

Kicking the soldier in the chest, he felt embarrassed to waste his time on a slug that was only tough enough to beat up teenage girls with a group of his buddies.  Come on, Cuddles.  You can't give up that bloody easily, I can't enjoy beating the crap out of you if you don't make an effort.

Knowing what his employer would do if he failed to stop this guy getting any further, the soldier slammed into Forrest's black wetsuit, smashing him against the rock.  Hoping that the intruder was winded, he scrambled for his AK-47 assault rifle.

Slamming his foot onto the weapon, Forrest pinned it to the rocks, smashing the back of his hand across the soldier's face.  How'd you want it?  Quick or painful?

Watching the pathetic slug begin to beg as he realised what was going to happen, Forrest could not believe this sick bastard expected compassion after everything he did to those girls, wondering how many times they begged him not to hurt them.  Okay, we'll do this the fun way.

Pausing to hear the water smashing against the rocks, Forrest grinned, getting a really wicked idea.  Grabbing the soldier's combat jacket, he dragged him to the edge of the ocean, pushing him down onto his knees.  Shall we see how long you can hold your breath?

Despite the soldier struggling to shake his head, Forrest thrust his head beneath the water, forcing him deeper until he stopped trying to fight back.  Holding the soldier under the water for a couple more minutes, he kicked the lifeless body into the ocean.

Was that really necessary?

Grinning as he heard the woman's soft American accent, Forrest turned.  Most definitely.  He glanced back at the water, calmly stroking his neatly trimmed beard.  About three years ago, Cuddles and a couple of his pals were doing a small job for their boss, Stefano Balasi, in London.  After stealing a diamond necklace, they had a few days before they were picked up by Balasi's private jet, so they kidnapped two schoolgirls and raped them.  One of those poor girls took her own life a day or two after being found.  The other was left in a coma after they nearly beat her to death, she's come out of it.

Stepping from the shadows, Catherine Jordan's long curly red hair hung over her red swimsuit, the tattoo of a black rose on her left shoulder.  And these bastards got away with it?

Leading her up onto a high rock, Forrest pointed to the large mansion visible on the other side of the small island.  Stefano Balasi.  He controls the majority of the organised crime around Greece, not to mention a number of international hotels.  He used his considerable influence to make his people simply disappear from the prison where they were being detained, the fact that fifteen more innocent people were butchered in the process probably didn't rate as one of his priorities.  He grinned, glancing back at her.  Don't you agree that he needs a little lesson in respect, Cat?

Hating that he hadn't told her this before getting her to come here, Catherine sat down on the cold rock, facing the building.  She had seen the armed sentries guarding the docks when she had come in on the hired dinghy, but figured it was just another rich nut with more money than sense.  She really should have known he had ulterior motives, just like always.  It looks like it's heavily defended.  Guards, dogs, Uzis.  You know, the usual.

Smiling again, Forrest stroked his beard, enjoying that he knew exactly how to get inside undetected and she didn't.  There are ways, Cat.  Many, many wonderful ways.

Crouching down every time an occasional armed patrol walked past, Forrest and Catherine hurriedly reached a small cove.  Leading her down toward the water, he pointed to a brightly lit opening in the rock face.  Unfortunately, it isn't marked entrance, but even I can't be expected to be perfect all the time.

Glancing at the water and then at him, Catherine shook her head.  I hope you don't expect me to swim in there, I'm not a bloody dolphin.

Wading into the water, Forrest grinned.  It's for a good cause.

Reluctantly diving into the ocean, Catherine swam through the opening behind him, entering a large cavern dominated by a man-made concrete walkway.  Hearing footsteps, she vanished beneath the surface.

Climbing from the water, Forrest saw the water dripping down onto the concrete and then the three shadows.  Grinning as he turned, he stared at them mischievously, ignoring the automatic rifles being aimed directly at his chest.  I don't suppose you know the way to Athens?

Rising slowly from the water, Catherine climbed onto the concrete behind the soldiers, nodding to Forrest.  They had been in worse situations than this, in fact it seemed to be a regular occurrence.  At least she knew exactly what he was going to do.

Raising his hands, Forrest contemplated his chances of overpowering the three soldiers, grinning as he saw Catherine wink in readiness.  Since there's little point in trying to convince you that my best friend is standing right behind you, I'm sure you won't mind if I give her a few instructions.  I mean, I don't want to make a fuss or any noise.  It might annoy Mr Balasi.

One of the soldiers glanced back, just to check.

Catherine's foot flashed into his face, catapulting him into the water.

Forrest reacted quickly as she startled the other soldiers, smashing their head together before thrusting them at the concrete wall.  Letting them fall, he collected one of the Uzis and executed one of the soldiers without hesitation, turning to face the other.

Smiling, Forrest felt satisfied that the soldier knew what it was like to feel so scared with no one to help him.  Sally Murdock, Kelli Smith.  Those names rings any bells.  Seeing the horrified realisation on the man's face, Forrest tightened his finger on the trigger, drawing out the soldier's final few moments.

Refusing to look as she heard the solitary gunshot, Catherine focused her attention on the other soldier, watching him floundering in the water.  What about this one?

Forrest stroked his beard, staring at his face before shaking his head.  He wasn't one of the bastards involved in the rapes, I suggest you fish him out and make sure he stays silent.

Nodding, Catherine offered him her hand and pulled him from the water, before gripping the side of his neck lightly.  Holding him as he collapsed, she lowered him onto the concrete floor.

Heading along the walkway, Forrest jumped down onto the deck of a small speedboat, checking it with amusement.  This is so cool.  He thought for an instant, glancing at the unconscious soldier.  You better bring our new friend down here and make sure he's comfortable.  If we left him, Balasi will kill him for failing to stop us.  So I was thinking we could adopt him.  Climbing back onto the walkway, he headed for the stairs leading up, pausing to glance back at Catherine.  I shouldn't be gone too long.

––––––––

Advancing up the spiral staircase toward the top floor of the fortress, Forrest paused when he heard footsteps on the hard stone floor.

Glancing back, he caught sight of the shadow of another guard at the base of the stairs.  He grinned, really enjoying the challenge of being caught between a rock and a hard place.

Taking a good look round to come up with a solution, he glimpsed a small window just out of reach, but there was a wooden support right next to it.  Unhooking his belt, he slid it out of his trousers and slung it over the beam, pulling himself until he was able to take hold of the window frame.

Wrapping his legs around the beam, Forrest hung upside down as he opened the window, grinning as he felt the warm breeze hit him.  Holding onto the ledge, he released his legs and climbed out, pausing to retrieve his belt from the beam.

Checking the crumbling wall, he grinned and climbed to the roof, glancing down at the dozen sentries below.

Remembering the face of the girl lying in that hospital bed, he focused on his goal, the smile vanishing from his face.  Walking across the narrow wall, he reached a skylight and peered down into Balasi's empty office.

Prying open the skylight, he dropped down into the extravagantly furnished room.  Stroking his beard, he stood in the centre of the office, taking in his surroundings.  Everything he had been able to dig up on Balasi indicated that he was quite paranoid about security.

Trying to put himself in Balasi's shoes, Forrest settled into the leather chair behind the antique desk, staring at the room in the hope of finding some enlightenment.  After sitting there for several minutes, he started to get bored and got up.

Heading toward the door, he stopped and glanced down at the expensive Persian rug, a wide grin appearing on his face.  Kneeling down, he ran his fingers across a bulge under the rug, trailing it under the desk.  Hurrying to the other side, he saw a thin wire disappearing into the bottom of a drawer.  Sliding it open, he smiled with delight, seeing the wonderful control panel.

Flicking the switches, Forrest grinned wider, seeing a bookcase sliding open to reveal a concealed chamber.  Rushing inside, he found himself surrounded by elegant marble statues, each adorned with expensive jewellery.  Setting his eyes on an extravagant diamond necklace, he removed it and concealed it within his wetsuit.

Glancing at a display case, Forrest stared at the collection of antique weapons, pausing as he noticed the familiar face in the polished glass.  Thrusting his elbow into the soldier's face without turning, he grabbed the man's tunic and smashed his head into the glass.

––––––––

Leaping down into the speedboat, Catherine cursed, noticing that the ignition key was missing.

Climbing back onto the walkway, she began rummaging through the lockers, failing to see a woman with short blond hair emerging from the tunnel leading up to the fortress.

Removing the Heckler and Koch from beneath her denim jacket, Frieda Jolanka aimed it at the back of Catherine's head, her finger tightening on the trigger.

Opening the last of the locker, Catherine saw the mirror and Frieda's reflection, acting rapidly to kick Frieda in the chest.  Seeing the gun fall onto the concrete floor, she kicked it into the water.

Reacting exactly as she had been trained, Frieda blocked a high kick and thrust her clenched fist into Catherine's face, following it with a rapid blow to her opponent's stomach.  Grabbing Catherine's hair, she tried propelling the intruder towards the water.

Catching onto the handrail, Catherine smashed her foot into Frieda's chest, forcing her back.  Spinning round, she catapulted Frieda onto the deck of the speedboat, watching the woman's head smash against the bottom of the seat.  Jumping onto the deck, she checked that her opponent was still alive.

Lifting up Frieda's unconscious body, Catherine carried her to one of the lockers and shoved her inside, checking her pockets.  Smiling, she found the keys to the speedboat.

Hearing a commotion in the passage leading to the fortress, Catherine approached the opening, expecting to be forced to use more of the skills that Forrest had persuaded her to learn.

Seeing one of Balasi's soldiers rush at her, Catherine prepared herself to knock the crap out of him.

Forrest's fist smashed into the soldier's face, making him fall.  Stepping over the soldier, he headed directly for the speedboat.  Realising that Catherine was not behind him, he halted and glanced back.  Am I keeping you for something important?

Hearing more footsteps on the concrete from the passage, Catherine leapt onto the deck, tossing the keys to Forrest.

Catching them, Forrest started the boat and directed it toward the opening leading to the ocean.

The soldiers emerging from the passage opened fire with assorted weapons.

Glancing back as the water erupted with lethal force, Catherine peered over the side, checking that they were not managing to follow.

Steering the speedboat onto the ocean, Forrest grinned with delight, enjoying every second of their flight.  "That wasn't too hard, was