Read Dark Halo (An Angel Eyes Novel) for Free Online

side while an entire army readies their attack from above.
    Even after hours of worship, the sight of these stragglers hovering so near reminds me just how much stands between Jake and me. Not just distance, but demons—actual demons—thousands of them. I’ve faced a demon before, several actually, but this? This is . . .
    Impossible.
    It’s impossible.
    I’ll never see him again.
    The thought carves out a place in my chest with a spade so sharp I barely feel the cut. And before I know it, the impossibility of it all is the only thing filling my mind.
    Fear is shoveled in with the very spade that hacked me open, and I feel it now. I feel the fear chill my insides. My heart fights back, beating fast. I can see the fear now. It drips from my fingers like motor oil. I have to blink twelve, thirteen times before the sight is swallowed by the Terrestrial. I clench the pictures more tightly in my fist, forcing the tremors in my hands to slow.
    It doesn’t matter how far Jake is from me. Doesn’t matter what fills the chasm that separates us. It only matters that he can’t be separated from the love of the One who has the power to save him. And as painful as it is to admit it, that’s not me.
    I can’t save him.
” Jake says. “inow
    But I can fight.
    The Sabres worship on this front, fighting in their own way. Canaan and Helene too are doing what they can. And even Jake. Somewhere Jake is fighting, I know that.
    It’s time for me to do my part.
    Wiping the sweat from my brow, I make my way up the front steps of the house Canaan and Jake share. Affectionately: the old Miller place. My feet are bare and dirty. Ignoring the smears of red dirt they leave on the stairs, I push through the always unlocked door and into the living room.
    It’s not as hot in here as it usually is. It’s no wonder, with all that once warmed it taken from Stratus . . . just another thought I have to fight to replace. I push toward the bedroom and through the memories of the last evening I spent here with Jake.
    It started off so well, so peaceful. A bucket of ice cream and two spoons. And then the two of us sorting through old bulletins, reading news reports, researching the spiritual history of Stratus. It was late when Marco returned for his stuff, when he left with Jake’s bag and the halo. I can’t believe he did it on purpose, won’t believe he took it at Olivia’s bidding.
    And then a photo appeared in the chest. Just the back of some guy’s neck and the two words inked there. Jessica Rose , it said. Jake’s mom. Stamped on the back of the photo were the words Evil Deeds Tattoo Parlor and an address. Jake took that picture and headed into Portland, hoping to find out more information about the parents who had abandoned him.
    But not before we fought.
    Because he lied.
    That’s not entirely accurate, I know. But it felt like a lie. He let me believe my engagement ring was still in the chest, let me think everything was okay, when months before the ring had disappeared only to be replaced by Damien’s dagger.
    Jake should have told me.
    But I should have understood why he didn’t.
    I was awful.
    I move quickly down the hall and into Canaan’s room, where the fear that ate at me that night is too much to push through. I back out of the room and lean into the wall. The angry words I threw at Jake scream at me from the silence, and I’m not ready to face them. I turn away from Canaan’s room and take six steps before turning into the room at the end of the hall.
    Jake’s room.
    As always, it’s a mess. The floor is covered with all the little details that make up Jake’s day-to-day life. T-shirts and jeans cover most of the floor, but there are books, too, and CDs. I’ve been trying to convince him to upgrade to an mp3 player, but he doesn’t see the need.
    “What
    What indeed.
    With my toe I carve my way toward his dresser. By far it’s the cleanest two square feet in the room. There’s a picture there, on the corner. It