The Gift of Empathy (The Gifts Book 3) Read online

  Carefully hidden in the shadows, the demon of avarice known as Lucius who held charge over Jake, followed Jake and Jewel. He carefully avoided the big angel tailing them as well. His charge knew the plan. Jake was to get Jewel to stay with him in a hotel tonight. At the hotel, an ambush was waiting for the warrior angel guarding the empath. The girl would be easy pickings at that point.

  Lucius had planned for Jewel’s demise very carefully. After he found the empathic girl, he went to a band of demons attached to a human gang called the Merchandizers. The Merchandizers ran a notorious human trafficking ring. They were made up of thugs from the Netherlands and they specialized in kidnapping and smuggling young innocents to the Netherlands where they could easily be distributed to the highest bidders. The demons running this gang were the most wretched of the wretched, who better to aid Lucius in getting the girl to the Ba al`. The only thing was when Lucius went to the Merchandizer leaders, they wanted Jewel for themselves. Being outnumbered by bigger and badder demons all Lucius could do now was wait. Surely Jake would do what he was supposed to do and get the girl to go to the hotel where a horde of demons awaited them.

  The Gift of Empathy

  Chapter Three

  Galatians 6:7-8

  Do not be deceived: God is not mocked, for whatever one sows, that will he also reap. For the one who sows to his own flesh will from the flesh reap corruption, but the one who sows to the Spirit will from the Spirit reap eternal life.

  “Ethan, where are you?” Emily Bell yelled up the stairs to the wing of the house where her fiancé was living until after the wedding. “We’re going to be late to meet the wedding planner. And don’t forget I have to meet with the private investigator as soon as we’re done.”

  Ethan appeared at the top of the stairs as he hastily shoved his arms into his jacket. He ran down the steps two at a time. “I’m coming, woman. You slave driver. I was on the phone with my parents. They want us to call them as soon as we have the date set. And no, I didn’t forget we are meeting with the P.I. today, as well.” Ethan reached the bottom of the stairs and pulled his future wife into his arms.

  “Darling, are you sure you’re ready for this? I know they say they’ve located your sister, but are you sure you really want to know all this.” Ethan tilted Emily’s chin up and looked into her deep green eyes. He would never stop thanking the Lord for having Emily in his life. She was the most beautiful woman he’d ever known. Not just in physical beauty, though she had that with her long dark red curls, alabaster skin and tall, slim physique, but it was Emily’s strong, unwavering faith in the Lord that was her most attractive trait for him.

  “Ethan, I know you’re nervous about this. I am too. I just can’t stand the thought that I have a sister out there who may be all alone in the world. What if I’m the only family she has? The P.I. says the girl he has located is attending a high school for homeless children. She’s still a child and she may be homeless.”

  “Yes, but what about your mother? Where is she? And how does she fit into all of this?”

  “I’ll deal with my mother if and when I have to. But the word I get from the Holy Spirit is that my mother is no longer living.” Emily paused “And I’m not sure yet how I feel about that. But for now it’s enough to locate my sister.” Emily gave Ethan a quick kiss. “Thank you for being so understanding about this. Oh, look at the time, we better get going.”

  As they made their way out the door, Emily sent a text message to her Aunt Gemma that they were leaving and would be back soon. Her aunt was somewhere out on the Perry House grounds painting a canvas of the last of the fall color. No doubt, Staniel, Aunt Gemma’s guardian angel, was near.

  A few hours later after the wedding plans were finalized and in the works, Ethan drove the few blocks to the P.I.’s office in Hook Pond. The date for the wedding had been set for New Year’s Day just a few short weeks away. It would be a small private affair at Perry House with only close friends and family attending. It would end with a dinner party and reception. Both Emily and Ethan were pleased with the plans.

  Ethan parked his Land Rover and went around to open the door for Emily, but she let herself out and met him on the sidewalk. “Woman, are you never going to let me be the gentleman I was raised to be?”

  Emily laughed. “I’m still getting used to the idea that I have someone in my life who wants to open doors for me.” She took Ethan’s hand in hers. “I’ll get better at this I promise.”

  Ethan’s face softened. “Emily, I wouldn’t have you any other way than just exactly who you are.” Hand in hand they walked into the office to learn if soon they would be adding another family member to the growing family at Perry House.

  Ted Dekker, P.I., shoved a manila folder across his desk to Emily, where she sat seated next to her fiancé. “Here is the information on the girl I believe is your sister. Based on the information you gave me, one Jewel Bell, aged sixteen, is enrolled at the Bakersfield High School for homeless children on Bakersfield Street near Queens in New York. You’ll find a couple of pictures of her in the folder.

  Emily tore open the folder and pulled out the pictures. The girl in them was so tiny and painfully thin. Her face, while lovely, was haunted and gaunt. With dark hair cut short and framing her face, the girl almost resembled a pixie. But there was no mistaking those features. Jewel Bell was the spitting image of her mother. The same mother Emily only knew from photos much like the ones she now held in her hands.

  “That’s her!” Emily stated matter-of-factly.

  “Well now, Ms. Bell, let’s not be too hasty. We really need to do some more background work here before we can be sure.”

  “I don’t need any more background checks, Mr. Dekker. That girl is my sister. I’m certain of it.” Emily pulled a card from her wallet and handed it over to the P.I. “This is the contact information for my attorney, Robert Monroe, in New York. I want you to get him every bit of information you have, as soon as possible.” Emily looked over at Ethan.

  “Ethan, I have to get to New York, right now, today.”

  “Correction, love. We have to get to New York, right now, together.”

  A few hours later, Emily and Ethan were in the air and on their way to New York. Emily charted a private jet. She didn’t want to waste another minute. The Holy Spirit urged her on. Jewel was in trouble, and Emily had to get to her. Her attorney, Mr. Monroe, already made arrangements for her and Ethan. Since this trip was spur of the moment, Emily didn’t want to bother her best friend, Marta, who was now very pregnant with her second child. If time and circumstance permitted, Emily would try to stop in and see how Marta was doing.

  ****

  Liam gathered some of his legion from Perry House and headed to New York ahead of Emily. Terrence, Emily’s personal guardian angel stayed on the plane with her. The angels had been preparing for this trip for some time now and Liam was relieved they were finally on their way. The girl, Jewel, was no longer safe and the time to get her off the streets was now.

  ****

  Jewel had never been on any kind of a date before. She’d never really wanted to. But she had to admit it was nice to just sit and talk to someone her own age. Jake told her all about himself. He never knew his mother,and his father kicked him out of the house the day he turned eighteen. He’d been on the streets for six months now. Occasionally his father gave him money, but that had to be a secret because his father’s new girlfriend would have a fit if she knew. That explained how he had money.

  The time got away from Jewel. When she realized how late it was, she jumped up and started to run. “Oh, no, I completely forgot about Sam. He must be worried sick about me. I have to go.” She grabbed her things and started for the door when Jake caught her.

  “Jewel, look it’s too late. The shelters are already locked up for the night. You’ll never make it out there alone. Stay with me, please. It’ll be all right. I promise. I’ve got enough money to get us a room.” At that last statement, Jewel began to shake her head and
pull away.

  “No! I can’t stay with you. Not, like that. I won’t do it. I’d rather face the cold.”

  “Wait, Jewel. Please, please just trust me, OK. It wouldn’t be like that, I swear. I promise I won’t touch you or any of your things. If I do, you can kick me out and keep the room for yourself. Please, Jewel, I just don’t want to be alone.”

  Jewel checked the time. Jake was right. It was too late to make it into any of the shelters for the night. How had she done this? She was slipping. Never had she ever missed getting into a shelter on time. This time she had no choice. She would have to trust a complete stranger. Against her better judgment she relented and agreed to stay with Jake for just this one night and on her terms. No touching her or her things. It was nice to think that, for one night at least, she could sleep in a warm bed with none of the disturbing night pains she suffered with in the shelters.

  The two of them bundled up against the cold and set off for a nearby hotel. Jewel worried for Old Sam and prayed he wouldn’t be worried for her so much that he’d stay outside of the shelters looking for her. Jake’s elation was palpable. He couldn’t stop talking as they walked. His breath came out as vapor as he chattered away about how much fun it was going to be to have a friend to talk to and share things with. Jewel rolled her eyes. It was beginning to feel like she’d picked up a stray puppy.

  As the two of them continued down the street Samuel stayed close to them. He had a really bad feeling about this and was searching for a way out for Jewel. Shadows crept up in the darkened streets and Samuel knew they were being followed. He spread out his wings and unsheathed his sword. Still the dark ones held back. Samuel felt an ambush coming on, but he dare not leave Jewel alone long enough to send for reinforcements. He would trust in the Lord and stay at his post with Jewel.

  After checking into the hotel Jake led the way to the room.

  “You seem awfully familiar with this place, Jake. Do you stay here much?”

  Jake stammered “Uh, yeah. I stay here on the nights I can’t make into the shelters.” Jewel let the matter drop and it seemed that Jake was grateful for that. Jewel felt a little nudge of trepidation and shrugged it away. It was too late for any options other than staying in the freezing cold all night. Even the all-night diners wouldn’t let you stay all night, not without buying a lot of coffee anyway. Besides, Jake hadn’t tried anything and this made two nights in a row they’d been together.

  Jake unlocked the door to the room and flipped the light switch. The room was worn but at least looked fairly clean and warm. A sick feeling curled up in the pit of Jewel’s stomach and she ran for the bathroom. This was a bad idea. She knew it.

  ****

  Samuel smelled the ambush coming and come it did. The second the door to the hotel room swung open Samuel was under full attack. Demon after demon flew at him and overtook him with sheer numbers.

  Samuel found himself separated from Jewel in the onslaught and soon he was ousted from the hotel room altogether. The demon horde gained in strength and numbers in front of the angel’s eyes and before he knew it the entire hotel was overrun with demons. Samuel would never make it back in to Jewel alone. He needed reinforcements. He would have to go for help.

  ****

  Jewel knelt on the cracked tile of the small bathroom floor. Something was wrong she just didn’t know what. She felt like the bottom just fell away from her. Jake pounded on the door. “Jewel, are you OK?”

  “Fine, I’ll be out in a minute.” Her breathing was ragged. She just didn’t understand why she suddenly felt so ill. It was like a foreboding omen. She ran some cold water in the sink and splashed it over her face. This was nothing but nerves. It wasn’t like she was being held prisoner. She could walk away anytime she wanted to. Get it together, Jewel. You’re acting like a crazy person. The last thing Jewel wanted was to turn crazy like her mom.

  When she let herself out of the bathroom that feeling of dread overtook her again and against her will she started to cry. “I have to get out of here, Jake. I can’t stay here.”

  She grabbed her pack from the floor and started for the door.

  “It’s OK, Jewel, I understand. I’ll be here waiting if you want to come back, though.” Jake stood with his hands in his pockets staring at the floor.

  Jewel ran back to him to give him a hug to reassure him and the most amazing thing happened. All her fear and trepidation left her. It was just like in the shelter. With Jake she felt safe. She made up her mind to stay.

  “Sorry, Jake. I just get nervous sometimes. It’s really hard to trust people when you live on the streets like we do, you know.”

  The demons crowded in the hotel room and watched the scene play out with baited breath. It had taken three demons of deception to give Jewel a delusion of false security, as they worked together to distort her senses and bind her to Jake.

  ****

  Samuel found Liam and his warriors before they found him. He gave Liam a full report of how Jewel was alone with the enemy. Samuel’s concern for Jewel was real and great as he led Liam and his legion to the sky above the hotel.

  “She is there.” Samuel pointed to the hive of demons that swirled in and out all around the run down hotel. Liam cocked his head to one side and took stock of the situation.

  “We have to get Emily here as soon as possible. You say Jewel is with a young man and that she went with him willingly?” Liam asked.

  “Yes, the young man’s name is Jake. He has a demon of avarice attached to him. I believe he wants to use Jewel for his own gain.”

  “Well, we will just see about that. You stay here with my legion and watch closely for any signs of impending danger to Jewel. I am going for Emily to lead her here as quickly as possible.” Liam shot off as a great ball of hot white light against the cold dark sky.

  ****

  The jet carrying Emily and Ethan touched down in New York at just past nine o’clock. Robert Monroe met them personally on the tarmac.

  “Good to see you, Emily.” Robert embraced the granddaughter of one of his oldest and most esteemed clients. Since Miles Perry had passed on, the old lawyer gave all his respect for Mr. Perry to his heir, Emily.

  Emily hugged him back. “You remember, Ethan, Robert?” Emily pulled Ethan closer to her so he could shake Robert’s hand. Ethan was a little reluctant given that the last time he saw Robert Monroe, the two of them hadn’t exactly hit it off so well and, in parting, he and Emily had left the lawyer with a burning mess to clean up.

  “Aw, yes, Dr. McGowan. We meet again.” Robert extended his hand and Ethan shook it firmly.

  “Yes, we meet again.” Ethan didn’t miss the shrewd look the lawyer gave him before he turned back to Emily.

  “So, we’re looking for a young girl named Jewel Bell. I assume she’s a relative of yours?”

  “She’s my sister, Robert, and it’s imperative that I find her as quickly as possible.”

  “OK, the school the P.I. says she’s attending will be open in the morning and we can be there first thing. Let’s get you two settled into your hotel rooms and I’ll send a car to pick you up around eight, then I’ll meet you at the school.”

  Emily felt a nudge in her spirit. Something was wrong. She looked up into the sky and saw Liam streaking towards her. Something had to be wrong.

  “That sounds good, Robert. Would you help Ethan with our bags? I need to make a quick phone call and check in on Aunt Gemma.” As Robert went to help Ethan, Liam lit the ground in front of Emily. Only Emily could see and hear him.

  “Emily, Jewel is in grave danger. You have to get to her tonight.”

  “Tell me where I need to go.” Liam gave Emily directions and left her to go back to the hotel where the other angels waited.

  “Ethan, Robert, I have a slight change of plans. I know where Jewel is and I want to go there, right now.”

  Ethan knew better than to question Emily. He was privy to the knowledge that Emily could see and talk to angels, but Robert was a little tak
en aback.

  “How can you know where she is right now, Emily? I’m not sure it’s safe to go out wandering the streets of New York late at night. We should stick with the plan and go to the school first thing in the morning.”

  “No! I’m sorry Robert, but it has to be right now. I promise I’ll call you later. Thanks for everything.” Emily shoved Ethan into the back seat of the waiting car, gave the driver directions, and left a bewildered Robert behind, still standing on the tarmac.

  The Gift of Empathy

  Chapter Four

  Revelation 12:7

  And there was war in heaven. Michael and his angels fought against the dragon, and the dragon and his angels fought back.

  Emily pounded on the window of the cheap hotel’s front desk. “Wake up in there.” After a few minutes a withered old crone came to the desk.

  “Yeah? You want a room. I only take cash.” The crone spoke through the glass front.

  “I most certainly do not want a room. I’m looking for this girl. Have you seen her?” Emily pressed the picture of Jewel she had gotten from the P.I. up to the glass. There was a brief look of recognition that crossed the crone’s wrinkled face.

  “Well, I dunno. Could be maybe I seen her, but information don’t come cheap, you know.”

  Ethan stepped up behind Emily. “Listen, if this girl is here you are harboring a minor child from her family. Tell us where she is and we won’t call the police.”

  The crone immediately handed over a key with a room number on it. “Here, I don’t want no trouble. Get the girl and leave.” With that the crone pulled down a shade in front of the glass divider and turned the lights out in the lobby.

  ****

  Jewel decided to take advantage of the bathroom and the luxury of a long hot bath. Still not one to fully trust anyone, she had the door locked and her pack on the floor beside her. A soft knock sounded on the door just as she was drying off and putting her clothes back on.