Arianna Rose: The Gates of Hell (Part 5) by Jennifer Martucci, Christopher Martucci Read Free Book Online Page B

stop whatever was supposed to happen, to kill Darius and send him back to hell.
    “I can’t imagine Darius here,” Desmond said as he walked at a laid-back pace beside her.
    “I know.  He and whatever demons he’s brought would stick out like sore thumbs.”
    “ This place is just, I don’t know, it’s perfect, especially in light of the recent nationwide spike in crime.  The murder rate in the country has doubled, thanks to Darius.”
    “I know.  I saw i n the news that government agencies think it’s some new drug craze making people flip out and kill one another.”
    “Better they think that then try to explain to them that a supernatural being has been opening the seven gates of hell and is bringing bloodthirsty beings through time and space to kill.”
    “That’s true,” Arianna said and frowned thinking of all the innocent lives lost in the month s since Darius’ arrival.  They added to the loved ones she’d lost, and the countless others struck down since becoming the Sola.  “This has to end,” she said softly and heard the desperation in her voice. 
    “I know.  If we don’t stop him and he gets all seven gates opened, it’s over.  Humanity is done.”
    Arianna sighed heavily.  “You think I don’t know that?” she snapped. 
    Desmond stopped walking.  Lightly gripping Arianna’s elbow, he turned her to face him.  “No, Arianna, I didn’t mean to imply that you are in any way ignorant of the magnitude of the circumstances.” 
    “I know, and I’m sorry for biting your head off.  I’m on edge.  He’s been one step ahead of us this whole time.  This past month—hell, this past year—has been a nightmare.”
    “I know,” Desmond said and pulled her close, enveloping her with his thick, powerful arms so that her cheek pressed to his chest.  “But I think this time, we’re ahead of him.  I think we’ll finish this once and for all.”
    Arianna breathed deeply, inhaling Desmond’s spicy, masculine scent, before releasing him and continuing down the sidewalk. 
    They ate their bagels and drank their water as they walked around town.  The sights remained consistent: peaceful and happy. 
    She was sure they’d make a large circle when they passed a park that looked identical to the courtyard she and Desmond had started at.  But when a quaint, church made of stone appeared before her, she knew her circle theory was incorrect. 
    “Like everything else in this town, the church is lovely,” Desmond said and took the words from her mouth. 
    Lovely was an apt adjective.  An arched, stone entryway with a freshly painted, red door and black, metal hardware were both welcoming and striking against the pale, gray stone of the structure.  Above the door, a simple, circular pane of stained glass sat.  Atop it, the steeple rose heavenward, a simple crucifix topping it off. 
    “Let’s go inside,” Desmond suggested. 
    Smirking, Arianna lifted an eyebrow and said, “Wait a second, this isn’t a surprise-the-bride-wedding reality show moment, is it?”
    “A what?” Desmond asked with a perplexed expression. 
    “Nothing, never mind,” Arianna said quickly. 
    “Are we going in then?”
    She was about to say, “yes” when Dane and Jason rounded the corner and approached.
    “Hey guys, find anything?” she asked.
    “Nope, just a lot of really nice people,” Dane answered.  “Seriously, I think I might want to live here.”
    “Good, you and Desmond can stay and raise a family,” Arianna mumbled a joke only she and Desmond understood. 
    Desmond shook his head and laughed softly.  “We were just about to go inside,” he gestured to the church.  “You’re welcome to join us.”
    “Sure,” Jason said.  “But we might as well wait for Briathos, Leo, Ramiel and Sorath.”
    Briathos, Leo, Ramiel and Sorath, along with nearly a dozen others were headed their way in small groupings.  Everyone seemed drawn to the church, pulled as if by a magnetic force they