Incarnate: The Angel of Death (The Outcast Prophecies Book 1) Read online

  Incarnate

  Book 1 of The Outcasts Prophecies

  by

  A. K. Hinchey

  Copyright © 2020 A.K.Hinchey

  All rights reserved.

  ISBN:

  DEDICATION

  This first novel is dedicated to all the people that have believed in me and spurred me on: my parents Lynne and Michael, my sisters Jennifer and Elizabeth, my awe inspiring nanny Mary, my awesome aunt Helen, my best friend Cheryl, my soulmate Duane and so many more.

  Thank you!

  CONTENTS

  Acknowledgments

  i

  Chapter One

  Pg 2

  Chapter Two

  Pg 18

  Chapter Three

  Pg 40

  Chapter Four

  Pg 60

  Chapter Five

  Pg 70

  Chapter Six

  Pg 83

  Chapter Seven

  Pg 90

  Chapter Eight

  Pg 113

  Chapter Nine

  Pg 127

  Chapter Ten

  Chapter Eleven

  Chapter Twelve

  Chapter Thirteen

  Chapter Fourteen

  Chapter Fifteen

  Epilogue

  Pg 149

  Pg 189

  Pg 209

  Pg 221

  Pg 233

  Pg 242

  Pg 255

  ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

  I’d first like to thank my husband Duane for the support he has given me over the last few years, from distracting the kids to listening as I bounced ideas off of him, I could not do it without you love. Next, I would like to thank my mother Lynne who has given me creative guidance, and my father Michael for the unwavering support he has given me over the years. I would like to thank my sisters Jennifer and Elizabeth who have given me support, inspiration and the confidence to follow my dream of releasing my first novel. I’d like to thank my nanny Mary who has always been a loving source of comfort and support. One of my favourite memories is going to your house every weekend. Thank you for always believing in me. To my best friend Cheryl, thank you for the endless support you have given me. I hope our costa dates carry on far into the future.

  To my beta readers, my mother Lynne and Jacob Flowers (Alvenecus), thank you for guiding me in the endless ins and outs of storytelling and grammar – grammar not my favourite thing – and thank you for reading my work.

  Thank you to Eddy at Branding Acura for designing my epic book cover. You were kind enough to listen to my input as well as exhibiting your creative genius. You conducted yourself in a very professional manner and I could not recommend you more.

  Thank you to Amazon and their kindle direct publishing for allowing me a platform to publish my work. I appreciate it more than you could know.

  Thank you to the Sunday schooling my sisters and I had at nanny Mary’s for the inspiration. I hope I show my appreciation for the learning to a respectful end.

  And lastly, thank you for taking time to read my work. I appreciate each and every one of you. Thank you.

  “And there was war in heaven: Michael and his angels fought against the dragon; and the dragon fought and his angels, and prevailed not; neither was their place found any more in Heaven. And the great dragon was cast out, that old serpent, called the Devil, and Satan, which deceiveth the whole world: he was cast out into the earth, and his angels were cast out with him”

  Revelation 12:7-9

  1

  Darkness surrounded me. Cold slivers of wintry hot fire were caressing along my back, making me gasp. Lovingly aggressive hands held me in place, only holding my arms, but I felt shackled by a million chains in a million places. I heard a laugh, close to my ear, from miles away.

  I struggled fruitlessly against my invisible chains, wishing I knew where I was, or even why I was being held. It made no sense to me and my panic only grew. I couldn’t breathe; I was suffocating. I could feel a hand at my throat, both aggressive and tender. It began to tighten its grip, making my breath come short and sharp.

  Eventually, through the swirling eddies of sheer blackness, a soft blood red light began. It grew and brightened until I was nearly dazzled by it. I closed my eyes, hoping the assault would be over soon, but the curious, shining light remained bright, relentless and unending. When I dared open my eyes once more, amid the swirling blood red chaos stood, well, a beautiful man. His body was evidently well muscled even under the shining bronze armour which adorned him. His blond hair was slicked back to reveal a masculine beauty that should have made my knees go weak with lust, but all I could do was recoil with fear.

  I watched helplessly as he advanced on me, a knowing smile beginning on his soft lips, revealing perfect white teeth. The wicked gleam in his sharp hazel eyes became brighter the closer he got; I could almost sense his triumph as he moved to engulf me. It seemed not to matter that he had sparkling golden wings, I could see the demon in him raging for release. I could feel my fear mounting and mounting until...

  … I sat up in bed, pouring sweat and desperate for air in my struggling lungs. I sighed and rubbed my hand across my forehead willing the effects of the nightmare to disappear. These dreams were becoming more and more frequent and I wish I knew what they meant. Always I dreamed of the blonde stranger and the terror he invoked but never could I seem to place why these dreams were happening.

  I glanced at the clock and could see it was two in the morning... again... and Rowan had to be up for work at six. Carefully I got out of bed. I didn’t want to wake Rowan, he had a big presentation to do later in the morning and I didn’t want to disturb him. He had been acting strangely enough as it was, always checking to see if I was okay and reminding me that he loved me. I didn’t know if I should be worried about it or not. If he knew I was up again after another nightmare he would double his efforts to watch me.

  Silently I padded into the bathroom. I could feel the terror of the nightmare still choking me. Standing at the mirror, I silently cried, feeling my tears drop onto my clenched hands. I couldn’t figure out why a nightmare, granted, a recurring one, would affect me this way. The sobs continued to rack my body and I had to sit on the side of the tub. My knees felt too weak to hold my weight and I knew if I wasn’t careful, I would end up a weeping mess on the floor.

  Eventually my tears and my terror subsided, and sanity took control once more. Taking a deep, soothing breath I continued to sit, willing myself to take control of my mind. Okay, so the nightmares were becoming more intense, I could now see the stranger in detail and the things he did were not even worth thinking of, but it was no reason to allow myself such erratic emotions. I washed my face and moved to go back to bed. I longed for Rowan’s soothing presence. He always had that effect on me; he could calm me in my worst terrors and bathe me in his unending love. I couldn’t help miss him when he wasn’t there.

  I snuck back to bed, willing my body weight not to affect him too greatly. I wasn’t a fat woman, but neither was I a skinny supermodel; I was curvy and often revelled in my hourglass figure. It could cause problems, however. Thankfully not today though and Rowan remained blissfully unaware, so I snuggled up to his wonderfully warm form.

  At times like this I would ring one of my two best friends Vale and Lyria. They were social outcasts like me, raised in the foster system not knowing who they were, orphans that automatically found solace in each other’s friendship. But Vale was covering my shift at Pandemonium and Lyria never answered at night, who knows why. So, I took comfort in Rowan and his silent strength, and slowly drifted back to
sleep.

  ***

  I looked up at the large grey building, resplendent in its very dullness, and sighed. It felt like I spent half my life here which was probably right. It hadn't taken long for my enthusiasm for my work to die out. Being a barmaid at the ripe old age of twenty-six was nothing to brag about.

  Approaching the darkened doorway, I knocked three times. The clichéd slot in the door slid back and a pair of lizard eyes stared at me.

  "What'ssssss the passssssword?" hissed a deep voice.

  "Open the damn door before I cut your tiny lizard bits off?" I smiled sweetly and waited. The slot slammed shut and the door creaked open (something to delight the customers) allowing my entrance. I pushed through the invisible barrier, magic set up by a shaman to allow only the supernatural in, and stepped into a world far different from the outside. The walls were painted a deep velvet black and burgundy silk drapes hung from the ceiling. The booths around the vast dance floor were flanked in burgundy velvet seats and dark wooden tables. The dance floor was always packed when I got here but I knew it was black marble. If I didn't already know this bar was owned by one of the higher ups I'd swear it was a vampire that owned it.

  "You're too cruel to me Anahliaaaaaaa, you know I'm a mighty python..." he stepped closer to me and I could feel his forked tongue flick out and taste the air around me.

  As quick as I could manage, I spun and caught his disgusting tongue before he drew it back.

  "I told you Terry, no tasting my aura, you know I'm too rich for you." I lifted my left foot, decked out in slim black stilettos with cheeky red toenails peeking out, and kicked out with all my might. Terry flew backwards and into the crowd of sweaty bodies. Damn snake shifters, they creeped me out enough.

  Shaking off the bad vibes, I walked over to the bar, looking to check the two bar seats I always did. I was never disappointed. Sat there were my two lifelines Vale and Lyria. They were closer than family. I waved at them and moved to the back of the bar to remove my black leather jacket. Decked out in tight black jeans and a backless black top, I was properly attired for what I knew would happen tonight. Finally ready I ignored the few customers nursing their drinks and went straight to my friends.

  "Yo bitch," Vale greeted, "I see Terry still has a thing for you."

  "Yeah well he can take his thing and shove it... he creeps me out." I shuddered.

  "Please, you know you would if you could, it's said he's endowed like a python..." Vale started to twiddle her eyebrows. I could feel the bile rise in the back of my throat.

  "Leave her alone Val," Lyria butted in. "She's got a tough enough night coming up." I looked at our quietest friend. Vale and I had pretty much adopted Lyria when we were young as she had been so quiet, so delicate, with her pale skin and white hair. Only later would we discover what that meant.

  "Thanks, Lyr," I said as I moved to serve the insistent satre, all but flogging himself to get my attention. Them I could handle better, though they oozed perverted slime all over the place... literally. Yeah, the mythology books never mentioned that, did they?

  I didn't get back to my friends for a couple of hours it turned out. A stag-do full of wolf shifters came in demanding my attention and I had to concentrate to avoid unruly paws. Then I had the 'pleasure' of serving the banshee envoy to some such or other dignitary. I lost appreciation for the conversation sometime after he winked at me. Yes, banshee's can be male too. Shocking.

  Stifling a yawn and lamenting the fact it wasn’t even late damn it, I trudged back to my friends. I was about to ask how they were when I was intercepted by Lucian, the higher up’s demon lap dog.

  "Boss wants you to show off again."

  "Seriously?" I knew I was whining but did these arseholes not realise how uncomfortable it was for me to 'show off?'

  "Seriously. I mean why keep asking me. You’re the only winged angelic being not tainted by,” he shuddered, “light … or blissful darkness. At least Boss said you'd get a bonus this time." Lucian sauntered off like he was one of the deities.

  "Bastard demon," I muttered and sighed. I knew I'd do what the boss wanted. I really needed the money. I slapped my head on the counter as soon as I reached my friends.

  "Told ya," Lyria chimed as I sipped my cocktail.

  "Aw he wants you to flash the feathers huh?"

  "Uh huh." Okay, the bar muffled my groan well.

  "Well get to it hot stuff, Rowan will be here soon, sucks to be you." Did Vale actually just swat my butt? I lifted my head and flung my long ebony spiral curls over my shoulder. I signalled the DJ and the opening piano chords of an alternative rock song began. It was a beautiful song, totally apt for what I was about to do.

  I glided to the pole in the middle of the dance floor and thrust myself up the metal. Clasping my legs in an iron grip, I let go and hung upside down giving the drinkers a nice shot of my cleavage. Using just a touch of my magic I began to float, unclasping my legs as I went. I moved so my head faced the roof, beginning to pirouette in place, faster and faster until I was a blur in the air. Just as there was a crescendo in the song and the beautiful female voice sang of being alone though he's still there, I stilled and unfurled my great ebony wings. They kept me afloat as my magic waned. I heard a chorus of 'aaahhhs' as I landed, bored of the whole affair already. I'd landed on one knee with my right hand on the floor and head bowed, aware that the superhero landing pose was first class cheese, but I was paid more for it. I gradually stood and stretched to my entire twelve-foot wingspan, looking at each drinker with the hatred I felt. Okay I didn't know what I was and refused to believe the rumours, but it didn't mean I had to be paraded like that.

  My vision continued around the room as it did every time, only this time it faltered when I met the gaze of some piercing golden eyes. A lone figure watched me with great interest. He had delicate male features with a longer viking face and short soft blonde hair. He should have been gorgeous, but a shot of fear streaked up my spine. He watched me too intently, too smugly and much too determined. He also looked scarily like my nightmare. I shivered and settled my wings on my back so I could go back to serving.

  My friends must have realised something was up. They actually came over to me.

  "Are you alright?" Vale asked, shockingly sounding concerned for once.

  "Yeah," I sighed. "Yeah I am. I just saw someone that freaked me out slightly."

  "The golden hottie that only had eyes for you?"

  "Yeah." My wings twitched in annoyance.

  "Why did he freak you out?"

  "He just seemed too determined, too intent on me, and something told me to be scared." My friends knew very little about my night terrors. "You should be," Lyria said quietly. She did that a lot, said something cryptic. Often it came to nothing, but I knew this time I should pay attention.

  "I'm going to find Lucian." I moved off the dance floor intent on the slimy bastard when the golden stranger stood from his table and moved. I ignored him and moved quicker. Where was the damn demon? I needed to get out of here like yesterday.

  The golden stranger kept pace with me, eyes intent and purpose determined. I'd just reached Lucian’s back when a deep voice rang out,

  "My father has missed you Lady; he is eager to see you again." There was a small collision in the centre of my chest. Glancing down I saw a ruby firmly planted, coated in sparkling golden light.

  "Oh shit," I muttered, turning wide eyes on Lucian. He seemed stunned and was yelling, but I didn't hear him. As the golden light built, I turned to see my friends. Suddenly a bright silver light seemed to almost battle with the gold and I heard Vale shout "An..." in a muffled scream before the world went sparkling black.

  ***

  I didn’t know where I was. I seemed to be surrounded in clouds and piercing azure sky. It seemed almost serene in its natural state. Wasn’t I just in the bar? I struggled to remember what sent me here. In any case I needed to set off back.

  Suddenly the ground I stood on shook. A bright golden light shone
from the heavens and a sound as if a loud bell rang, echoed. Pain shot through my heart as I spun in place to see a figure fall from a great height. It was blurred though seemingly the embodiment of darkness.

  It gathered speed, hurtling ever downwards, feathers coming from its … wings? and seemed in danger from impact. It drew level with me, I hadn’t realised I didn’t stand on ground, and time seemed to freeze. A set of startling silver eyes, the mirror image of mine, looked deep into my soul and an unseen mouth uttered,

  “Wake... up... “

  ****

  I shot upright from the grim, sticky floor. A crowd had gathered to stare at the freakish bartender who passed out. Lucian stood glaring at me while Vale was gearing up for a fight. A soothing warmth filled my veins and I looked down to see Lyria clasping my hand. Rowan was knelt beside me looking worried. He must have arrived while I was out. Luckily my wings had retreated while I was unconscious. He knew I was supernatural but not quite sure what. I hadn’t wanted to freak him out and soon it was too late to tell the truth. He however was a pyromancer, a very rare fire mage, and had the body heat to go with it. Even in my befuddled state I was happy to see Terry singed.