Call of the Angelus Statues III: Call of the Angelus Statues, #3

By Katherine J. Sinclair

Desperate to free Nikolas, Juniper mistakenly trusts Julien, exposing herself to the harsh reality of who her grandfather truly is. As she realises her error, she faces the challenge of escaping Julien's madness, freeing Nikolas, and protecting him from those seeking his demise.

With the staff still in Taro's hands, Juniper must fight to gain possession of it before Taro traps more of her people in stone. However, Julien makes it plainly obvious that she is not ready, causing her to second guess her own abilities and the increasing difficulty of the task ahead of her.

Will Juniper successfully break free from Julien and rescue those trapped in stone, or will she succumb to the challenges and abandon everything?

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

• Language: English
• Publisher: Katherine J. Sinclair
• Release date: Jan 28, 2024
• ISBN: 9798223246824

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

A cool breeze swept through the living area as Luca stared at Juniper in disbelief. He had no idea what she was thinking and he doubted she understood what she was asking him to do as well. Julien was not the person he believed she should associate herself with and he was tempted to hide her somewhere, where no one would ever find her.

When Luca had returned to Ireland without Juniper, Julien had not been pleased with him and if it had not been for his father’s name, he doubted that he would have walked away. Julien had been furious and had threatened to turn him to stone but when they had brought in the three Angelus they had captured, Julien’s mood had lightened slightly. They all knew that Juniper would come for Nikolas and his people, and counted on the fact that she would seek them out. However, now that Luca had gotten to know her better, he didn’t want to hand her over, not when he knew the dangers she would face.

Why? Luca asked, once he had gained some of his composure.

Julien is not going to just let me walk in and walk out with Isaac and the others Juniper answered, hoping that they were still okay, especially since they had been taken so long ago. And I don’t know if I have the strength to free the statues, Taro had so easily turned three of our people to stone in front of me and that does not include you. She then stood up and walked over to the opening, and looked out at the valley below before she released a soulful sigh. How many are there?

At least fifteen he sighed, realizing that she was right. She couldn’t just walk in and free them, in fact, she probably couldn’t even go near them, it would be too much for her to withstand. He had seen how difficult it had been for her to be in the presence five statues and couldn’t imagine what fifteen would do to her. Alright, I’ll contact Julien but the moment your safety is compromised, I’m pulling you out.

Thank you she mumbled, not sure if she wanted him to pull her out but she would deal with that if the time came.

As Juniper curiously stared out at the forest, Luca sent Julien a quick message and tried to relax. He knew that he wasn’t going to get much of a chance once Julien was involved again but to him, Juniper’s safety was more important.

It didn’t take long before Julien glided into the living area, startling Juniper as he skillfully maneuvered himself within the room, to stand beside her. He then gently placed his hand on her upper arm and smiled at her.

I’m sorry if I frightened you Juniper Julien said, smiling at her warmly, just as a grandfather should.

Oh, I... Juniper breathed, looking at Julien with wide eyes. He was strong, yet graceful and she wondered if this was something he had developed to assert the power she could see in him.

Should I bother asking how you both ended up here? Julien sighed, looking to Luca for an answer, as he tried to keep the irritation he was feeling from his expression.

That’s not important Juniper said, forcing herself to retain her composure. She knew that if she didn’t take control of her own emotions, she could lose everything and to her, that wasn’t an option.

I see Julien said, looking at Juniper with raised brows as if to assess her. So I take it, I was called here for a social visit than.

What is it that you want from me? Juniper asked, as she stepped away from Julien, causing his hand to drop to his side.

So this isn’t a social visit after all Julien laughed, looking at Juniper amused, in an attempt to assert his control over the situation. And here I was thinking that I might get to know my granddaughter a little better, such a pity.

Are you going to answer my question or not? Juniper questioned with a hardened edge to her tone, hoping to retain some control over the situation but she was quickly realizing that any control that she held, was probably an illusion.

Perhaps we can discuss this over some tea Julien said, turning his attention to Luca. Maybe your mother could send over some supplies. His glare suggested that he knew what was going on, which caused Luca’s heart to skip a beat. Oh but she can’t, she left this morning with your father.

I’m sure we can talk without tea Juniper growled, looking at Julien coldly. Now you can either tell me what you want from me or we can bid each other farewell.

There is no where you can go that I won’t be able to find you Julien laughed wickedly.

That maybe so but you won’t be able to touch me Juniper said with more strength than she thought she had. You need me more than I need you, so be careful Julien.

I have your male and his friends, and if you want to see them again, you will do as I say Julien warned, looking at her with a powerful stare that made Juniper question what she was doing but she couldn’t give in, not yet.

Keep them Juniper said coldly, looking at him definitely. I have no use for them. Her own words caused her heart to ache but she couldn’t let him see through her bluff, otherwise she could lose them. She then narrowed her eyes at him and stood a little straighter to make herself appear stronger than she felt. Last chance Julien.

Studying Juniper’s face for a moment, Julien considered what she had said. He knew that she had been forced to bond with Nikolas and for all he knew, she was happy to be free of him but something within him told him that she wasn’t. However, in his opinion, if she was going to play games, then he was prepared to play, after all, he had been playing games a lot longer than she had.

Very well Julien said, softening his stare. I need you to take the staff from the human’s and free my people.

Then I have two conditions Juniper said, trying to hold her strong stance but her hands were trembling and her heart felt like it was in a race it could never win.

And they would be? Julien questioned, holding in his own amusement.

You will send the Angelus that you are holding home Juniper answered, wishing that Julien didn’t look at her with so much amusement in his eyes.

And? Julien questioned, raising his eyebrows at her. She had just left no doubt in his mind that she cared for the Angelus that he was holding, which gave him more power than she probably ever intended to give him.

And Luca and his family are free of any obligations related to you Juniper said and wanted to bathe in Julien’s surprised look for as long as she could.

Luca is not obliged to do anything, he is free to do as he pleases Julien said, glancing at Luca with more amusement in his eyes than Luca would have liked. And what about your male?

You already said that you would give him back once I freed your people or is your word worth nothing? Juniper questioned, looking at him as if to dare him to call himself a lair.

I didn’t think you had any use for Nikolas and his friends Julien said, challenging her to say otherwise.

I don’t have any use for them Juniper said, knowing that this was something she had to do on her own and thus, was confident in the fact that she was not lying but she did miss them. I also, I don’t believe that any of them have the ability to free your people but just like your people, they deserve their freedom.

Of course Julien said, looking amused with her play on words, she was definitely his granddaughter.

So do we have an agreement or are we parting ways? Juniper asked, hoping that he would agree.

Luca and his family are free of any obligations and are free to do as they please, as they have always been Julien said, glancing at Luca with warning in his eyes. Your Angelus friends will be released once you have the staff and your male will be handed over once my people have been freed.

Not as they always have been, Luca and his family need to be free to live their lives without fear or persecution Juniper said angrily, afraid that Julien would use her words against her. I’m not going to play a word game with you because if any harm comes to any of them, I will turn everyone you love to stone, do you understand?

I don’t know what Luca has told you but you have clearly misread the situation Julien said with a sigh. But if it makes you feel any better, I will give you my word that Luca and his family have nothing to fear from me.

Thank you Juniper said, knowing that she probably couldn’t push Julien much further. She had made the best deal that she could, given her limited knowledge and while she felt proud of herself for staying strong, she wasn’t sure she could trust Julien’s word either.

Well then, now that we have an agreement, I must insist that you return home with me. I have some business I must attend to before we head back to Earth Julien said, as he reached over and took hold of her arm. But those wings of yours will draw too much attention, so do you mind hiding them.

And what about Luca? Juniper asked, looking over at Luca, who looked like he had a lot on his mind but was biting his tongue.

Anthony has been freed and you have made it quite clear that you don’t want any harm to come to their family. I can’t guarantee anyone’s safety, so I must insist that we part ways Julien said, glancing at Luca. I highly doubt that Nikolas will appreciate Luca’s involvement, especially now that he is free of any obligation.

Realizing her mistake, Juniper weakly smiled at Luca before she hid her wings and shifted closer to Julien. She knew that it was for the best, Luca would be safer this way and she could release herself of any attachment she had to him. Nikolas was not going to let him near her anyway and she couldn’t give Nikolas up, her heart wouldn’t let her.

Stay safe Luca Juniper said, as Julien wrapped his arms around her. She then grabbed hold of Julien’s upper arms and was quickly lifted off the floor.

A moment later, Juniper found herself in the sky once more, except this time, she ached to spread her own wings. She wanted to feel the wind in her feathers and the warmth of the day on her back but she didn’t want to draw more attention to herself either. She had no idea what might happen if too many found out what she could do and settled for what she had.

As she curiously looked down at the forest below, she tried to find anything that might suggest that she was on a different planet but nothing seemed to stand out. She was certain that the wildlife would be different but the flora was much the same and she couldn’t see any animals, which to her, was disappointing.

With a sigh, she looked down at Julien’s arm and wondered what he was really like. To her, he may appear to be a strong and powerful person but that didn’t always define a person. Nikolas had presented himself in a similar manner, yet she knew that wasn’t who Nikolas was, although she was yet to see Julien’s darker side. She knew that she couldn’t let others dictate how she felt about the people around her, she needed to make that judgment for herself. Which meant that she needed to get to know her grandfather first before she judged him. He was, after all, the only family member she knew of and she couldn’t let the opportunity go to waste.

As Julien set Juniper down on the top of a mountain, over looking the valley and a city set within the cliffs opposite them, she stepped away from him and marvelled at the sight. She had not been able to see the city from Luca’s home because of its location within the city but now that she could see it, she couldn’t help but stare at its beauty.

The city itself seemed to be carefully carved into the side of the mountain, leaving much of the surrounding forest untouched. There were no streets that Juniper could see but she doubted that they would need them, especially when they could fly.

If I would have known about you and how my son treated you, I would have brought you here Julien said, placing his hand on her shoulder.

Turning around to look at Julien, Juniper’s heart dropped at the sight of his genuine sad smile and regretful look in his eyes. She had wanted to give him a chance, so that she could get to know him but she didn’t want to become friends, not yet anyway. She wasn’t sure she could trust him and told herself to keep her wits about her because in that moment, she wanted to fall at his feet and beg him to fill the hole in her heart that her father had left.

It’s all in the past now Juniper said, weakly smiling at him. She didn’t want to let him get too close but being hostile was not going to help her either. She was going to have to be careful but she wasn’t sure if she had the strength or skill. She had not given any consideration to the emotional aspects of her plan and now wished she had.

For a moment, all Julien did was study Juniper’s beautiful face. He could see that she didn’t trust him and while he had no idea what she had been told, he also liked the fact that she didn’t trust so easily. Although, he suspected that it was a result of her upbringing rather than anything anyone had told her about him.

I want you to know, that you are safe here Julien said before he looked over at the small, yet practical home he kept. Come on, I’d like to introduce you to someone.

With a slight nod, Juniper glanced at the house before she gestured for Julien to lead the way. She knew that Julien wouldn’t hurt her, not physically anyway but she didn’t trust that he wouldn’t lock her away and force her to help him, without releasing any of the Angelus.

As they walked toward the house, Juniper tried to take note of her environment. She didn’t know if she was going to have to leave quickly and while she cursed herself for not paying attention when they had left Luca’s house, she figured she should at least start. She knew that she wouldn’t stand a chance against Julien in a fight, which made finding an exit more important, although, she wasn’t sure how far she would get, especially on Julien’s home planet.

The warmth of the day faded slightly as they walked into the stone house and down a bright, airy hall. While the hall was not large enough for anyone to spread their wings in, Juniper noticed that the rooms they passed were large, just like the rooms in Luca’s home.

Our homes are not like the ones on Earth, we prefer to spend much of our time outside and have no use for larger indoor spaces Julien said, as they walked into a living area that opened out to a colourful garden. Unfortunately, I also can’t permit you to spend any time outside during your visit.

Why? Juniper asked, as she stared out at the unusual flowers.

Your presence could cause problems for us Julien answered, stopping in the middle of the room. As you may already know, your gift is valuable and would be highly sort after.

You mean people who are sick, might want my help? she questioned, glancing at him with her brows raised in question.

Among others, yes he answered, as he watched her curiously.

Why can’t... she was about to ask why she couldn’t help others but was cut off with the arrival of what appeared to be an Angelus female.

Perfect timing Violet Julien said with a bright smile.

I could hear that we had a visitor from the garden Violet said, as Julien took her hand and gently pressed his lips to the back of her hand.

Violet, I would like you to meet Juniper Julien said, gesturing toward Juniper, who looked at Violet curiously. And Juniper, this is your grandmother, Violet.

Chapter 2

If Juniper was sitting on a chair, she would have fallen off it. She had not been expecting to meet her biological grandmother and she certainly didn’t expect her grandmother to be freely roaming about. In fact, she thought that her grandmother would have been held in some type of prison, hidden from the world and all that may question her existence but she wasn’t and she appeared to be free.

Oh, I have been looking forward to this day for so long Violet said with a bright smile, as she engulfed Juniper in her arms and pulled her into a warm hug.

I... I... Juniper stuttered, not sure what to say. She had been caught off