Elemental by Kim Richardson Read Free Book Online Page A

“It turns out—so did the demons.”
    Kara started to feel frightened again. “What? What do you mean?”
    “It seems the demons were waiting for you. It was a trap, Kara.”
    Kara remembered a tall handsome man with short manicured black hair and a cunning demeanor. She could see hunger in his eyes. She could hear the roar of black lightening and recall, for a moment, the excruciating pain as her body burned.
    “Asmodeus! He’s still alive! It has to be him. He wants to suck the elemental power out of me, and then kill me!” Kara realized she was shouting.
    “I don’t know if the demon lord is still out there. But something is breeding new demons. Those damned things back at your apartment, we’ve never seen anything like them before. They’re like part insect and part humanoid—nasty freaking creatures—and really hard to kill. And someone or something is definitely after you.”
    David must have read the fear in her eyes, for he put a gentle hand on her shoulder. “Don’t worry, Kara. I’m here to protect you.”
    Somehow that didn’t really comfort her.
    “Asmodeus wanted the elemental power from the little boy I saved from him, and now he wants it from me.” Kara shook her head. “But—that still doesn’t explain how my mother—” Kara looked at David.
    He looked away. His face narrowed. She studied his expression. She knew that whatever he was about to say would be bad.
    “We weren’t a hundred percent sure at first…but now—with the attack at your apartment—it proves that the demons are after you. They used your mother as bait. We don’t know where your mother is, Kara. I’m sorry.”
    “What! No…you’re lying. I don’t believe you. You said she was protected. That there was a team watching over her.”
    David jammed his hands in his pockets. He stared at the ground. “I’m sorry you have to find out like this. But it’s the truth. She’s gone. I’m sorry.”
    Kara hit David in the chest. “It’s not true! It can’t be. Why are you doing this to me?”
    David grabbed her wrists and held her. “It is true. Kara she’s gone—”
    “No!” Kara fought against David’s hold and cursed. Her throat tightened, and she sobbed. She fell to her knees.
    David knelt down beside her. He took her head in his hands.
    “Listen. Ramiel told me that your mother’s soul is still alive. It’s still shinning—her life source lives. That means her mortal body is gone, but her soul is not dead.”
    “Are you sure?” Kara raised her head in relief and looked up beyond the rolling red hills, half expecting to see her mother.
    “We think they took her.” David’s eyes glistened. “We don’t know why, but it has to have something to do with you. That demon in your mom’s apartment wanted to take you somewhere. It wrapped you up nice and tight. It wasn’t planning on killing you, Kara.”
    “So, my mother’s soul is still alive. It’s out there, in the demon realm? Are you sure?”
    “It has to be. Otherwise it would have made its way back here. Her soul is trapped somewhere, I’m sure of it.”
    “So we have to go get it!” Kara jumped to her feet. “We have to save my mother.”
    David lifted his hands in protest. “Whoa…hang on, cowgirl! It’s not that simple. You don’t just walk into the demon realm and ask for it back. You’ll need a plan of attack and an army with you. Besides, we don’t know how to get in.”
    “Aren’t there doorways or something? There must be, otherwise how can the demons travel to Earth?”
    David smiled kindly. “Well, we know of portals that they use. But they’re never open long enough. I’ve never heard of an angel crossing over. I’m not sure it can be done.”
    “It can be done!” Kara said crossly. “And it will be done. I’m going to save my mother, with our without your help!”
    “Okay, okay, keep your panties on,” he laughed. “I never said I wouldn’t help you.”
    “You said it couldn’t be done.” Kara