Call of the Angelus Statues: Call of the Angelus Statues, #1

By Katherine J. Sinclair

For Juniper life was not easy living in a world where no one wanted her, and with a future that was bleak, at best. A lonely existence on the streets seemed to be knocking at her door, until she meets a friend in the most unlikely of places, an art museum.

Being the only witness, of what Juniper could only describe as an angel emerging from a stone statue, she quickly pushes her fear aside to help the mute creature and hides him in her small apartment. However, her mission to help him is jeopardised when her presumably dead father, kidnaps her and hands her over to the stranger he had sold her to years ago.

As Juniper tries to escape a seemingly grim fate, she quickly discovers that not all is as it seems, as she is thrust into a world full of danger and intrigue.

Will Juniper survive or will the world take everything?

NOTE: This book contains content that some readers might find offensive.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Katherine J. Sinclair
• Release date: Jan 11, 2022
• ISBN: 9781393940333

Katherine J. Sinclair

About Katherine J. Sinclair Born in Brisbane Australia, Katherine was fortunate enough to spend most of her childhood exploring the rainforest and the great barrier reef in far northern Queensland. This environment has always been a great part of her inspiration, even while living and working in Canada. With a love for Fantasy and Romance novels, Katherine has always enjoyed writing and has taken inspiration from various different sources like; dreams, memories and her experiences. This book started as a dream and has developed over time. Katherine loved writing this book and hopes you have enjoyed reading it. Happy Reading! Email me at: [e-mail] Note: This is not an email list and no promotional material will be sent, sorry for any inconvenience.

Book preview

Chapter 1

The old man fell to his knees and looked up, through the window at the sky, as if someone might listen to him. I would give anything to keep what I have he whispered and waited a moment for something to happen, anything, but nothing except the clouds moved, just as they always did.

The old man’s finely decorated office was full of papers, covered in numbers he could not balance and bills he could not pay. Everything told him that he was ruined but he didn’t want to believe it and in his desperation, he looked to a higher power to help him. Although, even he doubted that anyone would listen, especially when he had never prayed before but to him, it was worth trying.

I find that very intriguing a deep masculine voice said from across the room, startling the old man.

Letting out a surprised gasp, the old man fell to his hands and groaned at the pain that shot through his aging bones. He had dismissed all his staff, on the grounds that he could no longer pay them and thus, he had thought that he was alone.

Who’s there? the old man croaked out, as he pushed himself up onto his knees with a painful cringe.

You said you would give anything to keep it all the masculine voice mused, as the old man awkwardly twisted around to see a young man standing by the open door. He was strikingly handsome and on that basis alone, the old man hated him. The old man’s youth was long gone and he envied the young, especially those blessed enough to look like the young man at his door. But yet you have to give up something and by the looks of things, you don’t have much to give.

Are you here to laugh at me or gloat? the old man growled, reaching for the polished timber desk to help pull himself to his feet.

Neither the young man answered, as he watched the old man struggle to his feet but didn’t feel the slightest inclination to help him.

Then what do you want? the old man spat, as he shuffled around his desk. He knew that if the young man was here to rob him, he didn’t stand a chance. The young man appeared to be strong and looked like he would be quick on his feet, which made the old man believe that he would be lucky to live if an altercation occurred between them. I have nothing.

From where I stand, I would say that was a lie the young man laughed, as he casually walked to a shelf and picked up a framed photo of a girl with light brown hair and big brown eyes, of not more than three years.

The bank will come for it all soon the old man said with disgust in his voice. So, if you’re here to rob me, it’s not me you’re stealing from.

I’m here to make you an offer the young man said, ignoring the old man’s beet red face. His anger was obvious but his desperation spoke louder.

And what could you possibly have to offer? the old man scoffed, certain that the young man had not lived long enough to possess enough wealth to solve his problems.

I can offer it all and more the young man told the old man, as he walked toward the large timber desk and placed the framed photo on a pile of papers. For a price of course.

Like I told you, I have nothing the old man growled, slamming his hands against the desk as hard as his old body could manage. He wanted to appear strong but he doubted that the young man saw anything but an old, frail man.

You have more than you obviously think Mr. Owens the young man pointed out, as he looked at the photos of the old man’s family that lined the desk. However, he did note that the little girl's photo had not been among them and she was nowhere to be seen in any of the pictures on the desk. A beautiful woman and two boys aged from photo to photo, the obvious pride of the old man’s life.

My sons are not for sale Mr. Owens snapped, narrowing his tired eyes at the young man.

Of course the young man said, as he reached into his thick black jacket and pulled out a contract. He then placed it in front of the old man and dropped down into one of the two leather chairs that sat in front of the desk. Read it, I have time.

Curiously, Mr. Owens eyed off the thick contract for a moment before he picked it up and ran his old finger along the fold of the paper. The paper itself was of a high quality, something he wasn’t expecting from a young man but the detail was not lost on him.

Impressed by the small detail, Mr. Owens unfolded the contract and quickly looked it over before he dropped down into his plush leather chair with a sigh. He then began carefully reading through the terms of the offer and couldn’t help but laugh.

I’m glad the contract amuses you Mr. Owens the young man said with a serious edge to his voice, causing Mr. Owens’ smile to drop slightly.

You will give me, my home and my company, to do as I please and all you want is her Mr. Owens mused, pointing at the picture of the little girl in the photo that the young man had brought over to his desk.

Do you have a problem with that? the young man questioned with a straight face and a serious look in his eyes. He had his reasons for wanting the young girl but that was not the old man’s concern.

Not at all Mr. Owens laughed, looking at the young man as if he were a fool.

I expect a signature and a drop of your blood to seal the contract the young man told Mr. Owens, pulling a pen from his jacket before offering it to the old man.

Is a signature not enough for you? Mr. Owens asked with an edge of spite in his voice, as he took the pen from the young man. He then quickly glanced at the black and gold pen, noticing the delicate details that were etched into the side of the pen. It was just another small detail that spoke of the young man’s high social position and he couldn’t help but appreciate it.

In these modern times, a signature is just not enough Mr. Owens, they can be forged but blood... well I think you understand the young man said, as the old man thumbed his way through the remaining pages to the end, where his signature would be required. I need to be sure that you will uphold your end of the agreement.

And how do I know that you will uphold your end of the agreement? Mr. Owens questioned, raising a thick, snow white brow at the young man. This isn’t a small price to pay for one girl.

So, am I to offer you less? the young man asked, looking unamused.

I wouldn’t take anything less Mr. Owens answered, straightening his face before quickly scribbling his signature on the line at the bottom of the page. He was desperate to make the deal because if he didn’t, he would lose everything anyway and he wasn’t sure if he could face the consequences of his own ruin.

I’m sure it’s a fair price the young man said, amused by the sudden shift in Mr. Owens’ demeanour. His desperation was clear in the way he quickly signed the contract, although he never doubted that Mr. Owens would sign the contract, he was too desperate not to. And the blood? He then pushed a small dagger across the table and glared at the old man.

Of course it is Mr. Owens agreed to the price, looking down at the gems that decorated the hilt and the smoothness of the golden blade. He then gently ran his finger down the blade and was surprised to find that it was sharper than it looked.

There was hesitation in Mr. Owens’ eyes, as he gently pushed his finger against the sharp tip of the dagger but paused before it could break his skin. He knew that it wouldn’t hurt but he had to question why someone would want a girl he wished did not exist. He had told the mother to abort the pregnancy but she had refused and when she had finally given birth, the woman had died, giving him full custody of a girl he had never wanted.

Deciding that he couldn’t lose, even if the young man didn’t pay up, Mr. Owens pushed the tip of the dagger into his finger and carefully pulled it out. He then squeezed a drop of blood from his finger and watched as it splashed onto the porous paper.

Your turn Mr. Owens said, dropping the dagger onto the contract, next to the pen, before sliding it all across the table.

Of course the young man said and signed the contract before cleaning the end of the knife with a white handkerchief and adding his own blood to the paper.

Now what? Mr. Owens asked, watching as the young man folded the contract and put it back into his jacket. The girl lives with her grandmother, shall I have her delivered to you or would you like something else arranged?

To ensure your end is upheld, I have a copy for you the young man said, placing a clean copy of the contract on the table before pushing himself up, out of the comfortable chair. As for the girl, I have no use for a child. If you would have read the contract through, you would know that I will return for her a week before her eighteenth birthday. He then began walking toward the door, not caring to see the disbelief on Mr. Owens’ face. You will ensure her upkeep is taken care of or you will be in violation of the contract and will lose everything, even the girl.

Snatching up the contact, Mr. Owens began quickly flipping through the contract and cursed himself for not being more careful. He wanted the girl to be gone from his life, a mistake he needed to forget but as the young man disappeared, he vowed to find a loophole. It was what he was good at, he was a lawyer after all.

Chapter 2

A cool ocean breeze blew through the café, which was a welcome reprieve from the warm summer morning that would soon turn into a sweltering hot day. The temperatures were not abnormal for summer and while most complained about the heat, the sale of coffee and other hot caffeinated beverages did not suffer. In fact, the morning had been busy, with people on their way to work, picking up their favourite drink and holidaymakers making themselves comfortable at tables that overlooked the beach. Even university students stopped in on their way to the campus, that was situated not too far from the café as well. It was an ideal location for the café and everyone knew it.

The owner of the café had purchased the building, long before the university and hotels had been built, and was now benefiting from the boom in the area's popularity. The owner had done so well, that she had kept the café in line with the latest trends and was able to cater for the coffee lovers that frequented the area. Although, it was the bookshelf at the back of the café, filled with books, new and old, that encouraged many customers to return. The owner had been a literature major at university and loved to read but once her shelves had begun overflowing at home, she began storing many of the books at the café and found it to be a hit amongst customers young and old.

Can I buy this book? a lanky man in his mid-twenties asked one of the girls behind the counter. He was holding up a copy of a popular book with a hopeful smile, as he pulled his wallet out of his pant pocket.

I’m sorry sir but the books are not for sale the young girl answered, smiling sweetly at him but all she really wanted to do was throw the sign that said ‘books not for sale’ at him. She had been asked the same question more times than she could count and it irritated her.

That’s a pity the man sighed before pushed his wallet back into his pocket and headed back to the bookshelf. He then carefully placed the book on the shelf with another soulful sigh before he turned around and walked away.

I swear that sign needs to be a flashing neon light, or something the girl growled under her breath, once the man had left the café. She didn’t want to get into trouble if the customer heard her whining about him but still felt the need to voice her opinion.

You don’t seem to mind when it’s one of those fit university guys asking Olivia the other girl said with a light laugh, glancing at her co-worker as she cleaned the coffee machine.

Damn right Olivia laughed with a wicked smile. You should try getting to know them some time Juniper.

They’re all yours Juniper said, knowing that she could never compete with her co-worker's beauty and carefree attitude but secretly, she wished she could.

You know what, you should come out to the bar with us this weekend, it’ll be fun Olivia said with a playful wink.

Thanks but I promised that I would take my grandma to the natural history museum this weekend Juniper sighed, hating the fact that she had to turn down such an invitation. She desperately wanted to go and make some friends but the truth was, she couldn’t afford it. It also didn’t help that she was still underage and she probably wouldn’t get through the bar door but that wouldn’t be for much longer. It’s free for locals all month, if you want to go.

We’re going to the bar on Edward Street tonight if you change your mind Olivia said, as a customer approached the counter.

Thanks Juniper muttered before the customer could reach the counter. She wanted to do the things most people her age did but her grandmother's pension barely covered the bills and what she made at the café was used to buy food and other essential items. There wasn’t enough room in the budget to cover a night out with friends and things were going to get worse once she turned eighteen, when her youth payments ended.

As the customer walked away with her coffee, Juniper looked up at the clock and smiled. It was nearly ten o’clock, which meant her favourite customer would arrive soon and she could listen to another one of his stories. She was certain that most people thought that she was weird for listening to an old man prattle on but the stories seemed to take her away from the reality she hated so much.

Well he’s early today Olivia said, as an old man approached the door.

Damn it Juniper growled to herself, as she picked up a cloth and raced over to his favourite table to clean it. She had only meet him about a year ago, not long after she had graduated from high school. At that time, she had begun working the day shift and had quickly fallen in love with his stories and the places they would take her.

The table itself wasn’t dirty, the customer who had used it earlier had only had one cup of coffee and had neatly left the empty cup in the middle of the table but she cleaned it anyway. She didn’t want to risk him becoming upset with a mess and to find another café, especially when there were so many to choose from. He had become the highlight of her day and she wanted to keep him coming back.

Shall I bring over your usual Mr. Cerna? Juniper called out, as she raced back to the coffee machine.

Thank you dear Mr. Cerna replied with a wrinkled smile and a wave of his hand, as he slowly made his way over to his usual table.

How could any of those fit young guys compete with him Olivia teased with an amused smile, as she warmed a blueberry muffin and placed it on a plate.

Those fit young men could learn a lot from him Juniper said, as she carefully prepared Mr. Cerna’s coffee.

That I can’t argue with Olivia sighed, wishing she could find a gentleman. I bet he was popular with the ladies in his prime.

Yeah, he probably wouldn’t have even looked at me back then Juniper said with a sigh, as she put the finishing touches on Mr. Cerna’s coffee.

You shouldn’t be so hard on yourself Olivia said, as Juniper took the muffin from her and began walking over to where Mr. Cerna had made himself comfortable.

Not sure how to respond to Olivia, Juniper pretended that she didn’t hear her and walked across the room to Mr. Cerna’s table. She had never considered herself pretty or noticeable in anyway and this was only cemented in her mind by the fact that she had never been asked out. The boys had not even approached her in primary school when they thought that it was a fun game and she had been fine with it until her final year of school.

All the senior students seemed to be dating, even her nerdy friend that others teased, dated and she had wondered when her turn would come but it never did. Although, in hindsight, she was glad because dates would have costed money she didn’t have, which meant that she couldn’t have afforded a boyfriend anyway but this still didn’t make her feel any better about it.

Your coffee and muffin Juniper said, as she placed the items in front of Mr. Cerna. Is there anything else you need?

No, thank you very much Mr. Cerna said with a warm smile, as he gestured for Juniper to take a seat as he always did but she never took the offered seat. She thought it would look unprofessional and she couldn’t afford to lose her job, especially when the government was about to remove the youth payments from her grandmother’s pension. You are so good to me.

You deserve it she said, returning his smile as she stood in front of the chair he had gestured for her to sit on.

How do you know what I deserve? he asked with curious look in his eyes.

Anyone who has experienced as much as you have, deserves a bit of kindness in their day she answered, glancing over at a group of boys she recognized from her high school enter the café. I’m going to help Olivia but I’ll be right back.

Of course he said, smiling at her as he pulled a book out of his messenger bag and opened it.

As she prepared the groups drinks, Juniper kept her head down, hoping that none of them recognized her. They had teased her and her friend at school and she didn’t want them to start now, especially with Mr. Cerna in the café. She was afraid of what he might think of her if they started to tease her, would he take their side and leave? Although, she knew that her fears were not logical but that didn’t stop her heart from beating wildly in her chest as she prepared their drinks as quickly as she could.

Once Juniper had finished preparing the groups drinks, she began cleaning the coffee machine, even though she knew that it didn’t need it. She hoped that the large machine would hide her from the group and waited until she knew that they had moved on.

With as much discretion as she could manage, she peered over the machine to see that the group had made themselves comfortable at a table by a window and breathed a sigh of relief. She would have felt better if they had left altogether but their table by the window would most likely draw their attention to the beach and away from her and the interior of the café.

Dropping her cloth in the sink, Juniper glanced over at Olivia and smiled. She knew that Olivia didn’t mind if she spent time with Mr. Cerna, she had done the same for Olivia. Although, Olivia usually took the time to flirt with some of the young men that frequented the café, while Juniper covered for her.

I’m sorry about that Juniper said, as she stopped by Mr. Cerna’s table.

Don’t be sorry Juniper, duty called Mr. Cerna said, as he placed his book down on the table and smiled at Juniper. Now why don’t you take a seat.

No thank you, I prefer to stand Juniper said with kindness in her voice, as she grabbed hold of the back of the chair.

You look a little pale, are you feeling okay? he asked with concern in his voice, noticing that she looked a little more pale than usual.

I’m fine, thank you she lied, wondering how he knew she wasn’t feeling well. She had woken up with a headache and while she knew that she should have called in sick, she also couldn’t afford to take any time off, especially since she was a casual worker and would not get paid.

I can take you to see a doctor after your shift he offered, knowing that she had lied.

Oh, that won’t be necessary she said, forcing a smile to her dry lips, while she fidgeted with the edge of the chair.

I need to renew a prescription, so it would not be out of my way he pushed, watching as she shifted uncomfortably. Besides, I could use the company.

I... I... I guess it couldn’t hurt she agreed reluctantly, not sure what a doctor could do for her headache, except prescribe medication that she