Born Out of Darkness: The Lilith Series, #1

By Amanda Stacey

      As the immortal First Woman, the world has not always been kind to Lilith. She lives in the shadows, hunting evil men and monsters alike. A routine life of darkness until she meets Mallory, a pregnant mortal and anything but routine. In a moment, Lilith turns from monster hunter to fierce protector.

     The duo must fight just to keep Mallory alive as she is hunted for the supernatural baby in her womb. Time is of the essence for the fragile mortal as unseen forces bring out the darkest parts of Lilith.

     Will she be able to keep Mallory and the baby alive or will she fall victim to her own darkness?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Amanda Stacey Books
• Release date: Jan 20, 2023
• ISBN: 9798218141639

Book preview

DEDICATION

Thanks to my family for the editing, critiques, and creative phone calls. Thanks to Harli for being my beta reader, idea bouncer, first fan, and great friend.

And a big thanks to my husband and kids for supporting me the whole way

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

Cover art by Adrian Reece

Editing by Anne-Marie Miller

Prologue

Lilitu, now known as Lilith, lifted off the mossy ground. Her legs and arms went stiff, but her long black hair still dragged the forest floor. Her body began to glow bright, and a bolt of holy light shot through her heart. When the light disappeared, she was dropped to the ground with a thud. Her heart felt like fire in her chest, and she couldn’t breathe.

Be calm, Lilitu. Be calm. Everything will be fine. The soft soothing voice of her angel whispering comforted her. Just lie with me for a moment. Samael, an archangel, kissed her head and ran his fingers through her hair.

Sam- Samael, what happened to me? Lilitu whispered. She lightly touched her bare chest where a red burn mark was blistering her skin. Nothing about what had happened was normal, and she couldn’t understand why Samael seemed so calm.

They failed. Adam and Eve. They took what wasn’t for them, and they ate it. Proving to Father that they aren’t deserving of Heaven on Earth. His angelic voice sounded cold. Not the smooth, warm tone she was used to. Their lives, and the lives of all their descendants will be diminished. They will be but a tiny mark on this world’s existence. Banished from Eden forever. He rolled from his side to his back, looking straight up at the trees that shielded them from the sun.

Scared and confused, she sat up. What does that mean for me? Am I to be diminished as well? Am I not the same as they? They were supposed to be equal, so Samael’s words made no sense.

He looked thoughtful and said, You disobeyed Adam, not Father. Free will would not have been granted to you if you were supposed to follow man. He did want you to fulfill your purpose with Adam. Instead, you denied him and lay with me. Punishment is possible, if not inevitable, but I know not what Father has planned. Every being has a purpose. Yours will be changed, since you turned away from man. His voice got soft, almost a whisper. I can only pray he does not damn you and keep you out of my reach. He touched her back delicately, her tan skin looked dark compared to his pale, porcelain skin. It would be a cruel fate to have held someone as flawless as you, only to have you taken away for eternity.

She turned to smile at him, but a bright light shone for a brief moment and then he was gone. Yahweh must have called to him. She was hopeful that his calling and purpose would not take long. As she sat there waiting, dark creatures descended upon her. They swirled in circles above her head and, instead of fear, she felt darkness. Her eyes began to glow. Black circles surrounded her eyes. She was in a trance, as black feathered wings emerged from her back. Pulling her towards the flying creatures of Hell.

Chapter 1

Lilith followed a man into the large, dirty house. What was once a beautiful house was now a run-down trap house. The men that brought her had despicable intentions. She could hear their thoughts. They were planning to drug her, tie her up, and sell her to their buyers when they next came for a score. This will be too easy. It was like men couldn’t stop thinking for even one moment. She’s sexy, but she must be dumb to come here alone with us. We are going to make so much money off of her! She will be our hottest girl. Lilith couldn’t help but grimace. Men had become so unoriginal over the years. All of their nasty thoughts were ones she had heard before. Sexy, easy, weak, dumb. They didn’t know her. They only thought she would be an easy target.

The jumpy man in front of her was dirty looking, and overly skinny. Someone forgot to teach him not to use drugs if you are going to sell them. The man behind her looked stronger, like he was the muscle of the operation. With all his strength, he was still no match for her. When she entered the doorway, the awful air hit her. Stale cigarette smoke, mold, dust, even urine. Lilith rubbed her nose, a reaction to the smell, as they ushered her to an old, stained couch.

The strong-looking one sat next to her, and the skinny guy asked, You want something to drink? We got just about anything you could want. She heard him think about drugging her drink.

Sure. Lilith’s voice was smooth and confident. Make me something strong. It’s time to party! She winked at the man, and he left the room overly excited. She turned her head to the more muscular one. Do you have a stereo I can hook my phone up to? I want to play some music.

The strong, quieter one pointed to the only nice thing in the house. It was a fancy stereo rig with all the bells and whistles. She liked to play music when she worked. It really added to her dramatic flair. Awesome system! So, if this was your last day on earth, who would you listen to? She looked over, listening to the strong one’s thoughts. He was picturing what he would do to her once she was drugged. Instantly, she became enraged. You know what? I have the perfect song for you guys. She went to her playlist. Looks like you get to hear Blood//Water by grandson.

The skinny guy handed her a full glass and asked why that song as it began to play. Because I just know you are going to get blood in my drink. Lilith let out an evil laugh. This bitch is crazy. Oh honey, I’m way more than crazy. She took a gulp of her drink. The drugs added a bitter taste, but they would have no effect on her. She grabbed him by the neck and held him up off the floor against the wall. The strong one jumped up from the couch and lunged at her. Sit down! Lilith crushed the glass she was holding in her hand, then sent the shards straight into his neck. He began choking on blood and collapsed to the couch, gurgling, eyes already turning glassy.

I am going to kill you, bitch! The thin man, still dangling in Lilith’s one-handed grip, struggled to choke out the words. Lilith’s head whipped back to look him dead in the eyes.

You know, this song is actually unfitting. You are going to the slaughter, but you are no lamb. You’re a nasty freak with evil in your heart. Unfit for this earth. Lilith removed her hand from his throat and took a couple steps back. The man began to panic because he was still suspended on the wall. Her voice got dark, no longer a siren but rather more demon-like. The world is better off without you.

The man’s eyes got wide and he started to beg. Please! Let me go! He saw her eyes start to glow, and black began to creep from her eyelids to the rest of her face. Oh God! Someone help me! he screamed.

Lilith let out another evil laugh as she extended both arms towards him. She clenched her fists and did one big pull motion. Blood splattered the whole room as all his limbs were ripped from his body. She looked down as his head rolled to her foot, a set of terrified dead eyes stared at her. Lilith bent down and picked up the head. Her voice back to a siren’s voice, she reflected, You really shouldn’t fuck with people you don’t know. You might pick the wrong person one day. She tossed the head over her shoulder and tried to wipe some blood off her face. I wasn’t expecting him to be such a bleeder. Yuck. So...Where are the girls? Lilith turned her music off and called out, Are there any girls here?

She walked through the grungy house, looking for other women. Earlier in the night, the strong one had been thinking about a woman that was in the house. She quickly found a door with a padlock on it. A tiny tug was all it took to break the lock off the door. She pulled the door open to a horrific sight. Four beds, three women, each chained to a bed, and one empty bed. Everything was filthy. The beds, the floor, the women. It was clear they hadn’t showered in ages, and they were strung out on something. They didn’t even look like they were awake. She began to unchain the first one when she realized that the woman was dead.

She put her forehead against the limp body, then she whispered, For you have lived in Hell on Earth, surely Yahweh will open Heaven’s gate for you. Death is only the beginning. She kissed her cheek, which left a bloody kiss mark. Lilith swiped some blood from her own skin and began to draw on the woman’s arm. She drew a crescent moon with a cross in blood, her symbol. Then Lilith gently laid her body on the floor. Out of sadness, Lilith’s eyes turned black as she stared at the lifeless body. She felt guilt for not finding them sooner. Her eyes returned to normal when she heard a soft moan and ran to the next woman.

Can you hear me? Lilith tried to push back messy blonde hair. It was so dirty it looked almost grey. She realized that this was no woman, but a girl. What’s your name? Is there someone I can call? She started unchaining the girl.

Can you- can- my... The girl couldn’t hold her head up. Lilith tried to listen to her thoughts, but she was so high that even her thoughts were blurry. My... mom. Call... mom.

I will have to drop you off somewhere safe. The girl, no more than 15, tried to say something but it was unintelligible. She pointed to the last woman chained up. Help her. Ok, sit here. I won’t take too long. The girl attempted to nod, and just leaned her head against the side of the bed.

Lilith moved to the last woman. Hi, can you hear me? Lilith hoped she could get more information out of her. The woman’s head bobbled as she tried to nod. Ok, good. What’s your name?

Ma- Mallory. Her voice was hoarse, and her mouth was bruised and swollen, so the words came out muffled.

Talk about foreshadowing! Your name literally means ‘unlucky’. Lilith’s classic evil laugh, this time tinged with bitterness, came out for only a moment. Let’s get you out of these chains.

When Lilith broke the chains off Mallory, she looked at them in her hands. With disdain in her voice, she muttered, I have watched man show dominance over woman for countless millennia, and yet he is still so primitive as to use bondage. The oldest way to break human and beast. The remnants turned to dust in her hands. No more. The tiny specks of dust fell through her fingers and disappeared into the carpet.

Are you ok? Mallory asked. Lilith looked at her in confusion. You are covered in blood. She started to cough as she spoke.

Lilith looked at her hands and back at Mallory. She was half starved, dirty, and bruised. She was so pathetic looking that Lilith couldn’t help but pity her. I’m fine. It will wash off. Lilith was a little taken aback that someone in such poor condition would care about anyone else. It was a refreshing, albeit unnecessary, kindness displayed by a human.

Mallory rubbed her wrists where the chains had left red, raw rings. She was starting to become more conscious. We need to hurry before the guys come back. And I don’t know what they gave Ash and Christie, but they need help. They probably wanted me kind of awake and the other two asleep. That’s usually why one of us will be awake and not... She trailed off into memories.

Let’s go. Can you walk? Lilith hoisted Mallory to her feet with ease. Mallory nodded but steadied herself on the wall. Lilith walked over to the drifting girl and picked her up like she was a baby. Come on, Mallory.

You are coming back for Christie, right? I won’t leave her here. Mallory’s voice was worried, yet protective.

She’s dead. There is no point in taking a corpse. I’m sorry. Lilith tried to sound empathetic, but it came out cold and very matter-of-fact. Lilith started walking to the door. Come on, grab my arm, and shut your eyes until I say so.

Mallory looked at the lifeless body in shock. But her family... She always said she hoped her family would get her body one day. The cops will find her, right? Mallory was still leaning on the wall, staring at Christie.

Lilith started to get a little frustrated with all the questions and wasting of time. Look, we need to go. She’s gone. There’s nothing I can do, except destroy this house and the evil that resides here. Lilith sighed. I can feel the spirits that live here. Even if I leave everything here for the cops, evil will always reside here. Nothing good will happen in this house, so it has to go... forever. Now, come on.

The woman wiped tears from her face. I don’t fully understand, but ok. She made her way to the doorway and grabbed Lilith’s surprisingly muscular arm. Why do I need to close my eyes?

You see the blood all over me? It’s not mine. You don’t want to see this. Lilith waited for her to close her eyes, and then started maneuvering through the house. Lilith really could feel evil spirits. She could feel their cold hands scratching at her arms as she made her way to the front door with the girls. The spirits didn’t want to lose any victims.

OH SHIT! Mallory had let curiosity get the best of her and opened her eyes. She saw the living room covered in blood and pieces of a body covering every surface. Then her eyes drifted to the muscular man with glass shards sticking out of his neck and chest. She closed her eyes and whispered, I told you that karma is a bitch, asshole.

Do not call me Karma! Lilith hissed, I know her, and she is nothing compared to me. Practically a baby! Mallory’s mention of Karma left a sour expression on Lilith’s face. Ok, we are at the door. Open your eyes, and let go of me if you can walk without aid.

Mallory stepped out with her eyes still shut. Lilith watched with curiosity, as Mallory opened her arms, took a deep breath, and began to laugh. I wish the sun was hitting my face, but the night air will do. She took another deep breath.

I know how refreshing freedom can feel, but please get in that car. Lilith nodded to the only car in the driveway, a beat-up black SUV, only visible by the moonlight. It was the car the dead men had brought her in. Lilith tried to sit the girl in the back seat, but she toppled out of the car onto the gravel driveway. She let out a grunt and began to vomit. Lilith looked worriedly at the house and back to Ash.

We need an ambulance now! Mallory was standing behind Lilith, panicking.

What is your goddamn obsession with getting law enforcement out here? Lilith looked back to the house again and then to the vomiting girl. Under her breath, Lilith muttered, I don’t have time for this shit. Then she yelled, Make yourself useful, girl! Pin her arms down with your hands, and pin her legs down with your legs and feet. Mallory looked confused. In a rushed tone, Lilith barked, Move your ass!

Mallory ran to hold Ash by each wrist and tried to intertwine her legs. Is this good enough?

Lilith sat on her knees and placed a hand on each side of the girl’s head. I sure as shit hope so. Hold her tight! She will try to fight you! Lilith started to whisper words over and over, azzoob at hagof hazeh. Ze lo schelch lakeh! As her words got louder, Ash started to shake and scream. Azzoob at hagof hazeh. Ze lo schelch lakeh! Lilith held Ash’s head with her fingertips and screamed the phrase one more time. Azzoob at hagof hazeh. Ze lo schelch lakeh!

Ash stopped screaming, and a man’s voice came from her lips. No. I do not serve you, Lilith! One of Ash’s arms jerked free of Mallory’s weakening hands and punched her straight in the face. The single punch sent Mallory flying into the SUV.

Lilith’s eyes began to glow red, and once again the area around her eyes went black. Her voice went demonic. Then I will rip you from her body! Lilith’s fingers turned black and began to morph. Her fingers were popping and extending. Her nails became talons. She shoved her hand straight in the girl’s chest. Mallory, regaining consciousness, opened her eyes to see Lilith trying to pull her hand from Ash’s chest. She almost looked stuck.

Lilith turned to her, the black and glowing eyes terrified Mallory even more. She screamed, What are you?! Her body was too weak to run away, so she sat in terror.

Lilith brought her free hand up and put one black claw to her lips. Shh. When the claw touched Lilith’s face, her lips started to turn black. This one motion revealed a black skull outline starting to form on Lilith’s face. All Mallory saw was a monster. Lilith put her attention back towards Ash, and the skull outline disappeared.

Lilith gave one last pull from Ash’s chest, freeing her hand. She pulled against what looked like black smoke that was trying to hold onto the girl. She stepped over Ash’s still body, dragging the trail of smoke behind her with her black, clawed fingers. She stopped walking when she got to the wooden steps of the house. Then, she lifted the arm that was dragging the smoke like a whip, and she threw it into the house with all her might. Lelkat lazazel!

Lilith raised her hands towards the house. Bright light shot from her hands. There was no wind in the air, but Lilith’s long black hair began to blow and swirl. Her long black dress started blowing back, like she was facing a strong wind. She pushed her hands a little more, and a sheer glowing dome started to form around the house. She let out a scream, like she was struggling or in pain, no longer a monster’s voice. Once the dome was complete, the house exploded into flames. The dome Lilith was maintaining held the fire and flying debris inside of it. She slowly closed her hands into fists, and as she did, the dome got smaller. Everything inside it condensed down. When her fists fully closed, the house was nothing but glowing embers.

She dropped her hands and fell to her knees. Everything went still, not even a sound of nature. Through panting, she called to Mallory with her beautiful siren voice. Check Ash, see if she’s still alive. She put her hands on her head and, through pained rasps, whispered, Please say it worked.

Mallory shook back to reality and crawled to her friend. She’s breathing. She started to smile and laugh. Louder she said, She’s breathing! I don’t know what you are, or what you did, but she’s alive.

With one last whisper, Lilith muttered, Thank you, Yahweh. Lilith fell over, then saw only darkness.

Chapter 2

Lilitu awoke in a haze . The ground was burning her face and body. She got to her feet, looking around to see if she recognized where she was. She looked for the forest that she rested in and the lake that she liked to swim in. It was nowhere in sight. All she saw were mountains, and she was on a large rock embedded on the side of a volcano. This was a gloomy place, lonely and dark.

Samael! Lilitu cried out. Looking for her angel. Samael! She heard nothing but the echo of her own voice. Loneliness overcame her, and she began to cry. Where was she? Why was she there? Her own black feathered wings folded around her as she sat in misery. She sat there for days, confused, lonely, and broken.

On the sixth night she felt a tug on her back, like the wings were trying to tell her something. It finally occurred to her; she had wings. She could fly. She could search the entire earth until she found Samael. She walked to the edge of the rock that she had been on for days. Waiting to be found or rescued was pointless. No one was coming for her. She was either going to fly or die.

I’m coming Samael. Whether in life or death, I will be with you again. She whispered those words. Hopefully, he could hear them from afar. She held her arms out and let herself fall forward. Seconds after she felt the wind hit her face, she felt the feeling of flight. Her instincts kicked in. She was flying! The beautiful black feathers were carrying her higher, and away. She felt in her heart that she didn’t need anyone, not anymore. While no longer feeling the need for a companion, she still wanted one. Samael.

After days of flying, Lilitu found a place that looked like home. She saw the tops of a forest, a beautiful lake. It was the place she had been yearning for. She flew just feet above the water, dragging her fingertip in the water. Her joy was taken away when she focused on her reflection. Her wings gave out as she crashed into the rocky shallows. She got to her knees and looked at her reflection. There was a dark red and black burn scar where holy light had struck her heart. Her fingers looked more like claws or talons. When she touched her face, Lilitu’s skin