DEATH (The Justice Cycle Book 1) by J Kiefer (best classic books to read TXT) 📗

Jared would have been horrified and even saddened at the revelation of just how far his brother’s darkness went if he had not been overtaken by Tzedakah’s endless need to bring evil to justice. Still, despite Tzedakah’s overwhelming compulsion, Jared maintained a glimmer of will that belonged to him and him alone. This was the reason why, when he attacked again, he chose to defy Tzedakah by attempting to incapacitate his brother rather than kill him.

Steve saw Jared move, but this time he was too fast. He tried in vain to react, but it was futile. Jared’s movements were so quick that he was upon him and past his guard before he even had time to raise his shadow weapons.He struck Steve with Tzedakah’s pommel ten times before his body even registered the damage.

When his body finally felt the pain, he doubled over, and Jared followed up with an uppercut so strong, it launched him backward like a missile. He reeled end over end before crashing into a parked car.

Steve lay partly embedded in the side of the car. The door had wrapped around his body, covering his left side completely while leaving his right partially exposed. The black shroud that had encased his body dissipated. Jared feared he had killed his brother, but he approached him cautiously just in case.

The streets were unusually empty considering all that had just transpired. Sirens could be heard blaring in the distance as local authorities were finally responding to the chaos that had erupted around the city. Likewise, the inhabitants of Binghamton were all waking up from their night’s rest, ready to start their busy days. He was mentally and emotionally exhausted, and the commotion of the world around him faded away as he focused on the moment at hand.

When he reached Steve’s prone body, Jared bent down to see if he was dead. He touched his neck, feeling for a pulse. Steve’s heartbeat was slow but still there. He stepped back and looked at his brother. He looked peaceful. Jared tried to remember what his brother had been like when they were kids, but all his new eyes saw were the terrible things the killer had done.

One moment had changed his little brother forever. Just one fateful day. Jared remembered that day like it was yesterday. He had forgiven his parents and God for baby Hope’s death, but Steve never had. Bitterness and anger had consumed him. It twisted him inside and broke him.

Jared’s new eyes allowed him to see how the evil entity that now inhabited his brother had used Steve’s pain as a conduit to latch onto him. Once the demon had won his trust, he transformed him into a monster. Slowly it had encouraged his murderous impulses until his every thought was consumed by them. Upon seeing his brother’s life unfold before his eyes, Jared realized just how true Sanctuary’s words had been about the workings of devils.

With a suddenness that incapacitated Jared, Tzedakah invaded his mind. He felt every painful and raw sensation that each of Steve’s victims had experienced. Their pleas for mercy broke his heart and their despair forced tears to his eyes. Biting pain erupted over his body from a thousand wounds that were meant to torture, and he dropped to his knees overwhelmed. He wept bitterly and prayed for death as Steve’s victims had before he finally ended their lives.

“Execute him,” Tzedakah demanded. “Justice requires that he die for his transgressions.”

“No!” shouted Jared. “I will not.”

“Yes. You will.”

Forty-Two

All Jeremy could do was watch helplessly as Sanctuary squared off against the Musketeer. He was thankful to God that he was alive, but he wished there was something he could do to help his friend. Using every bit of his remaining strength, he once again tried to get to his feet. But just like before, the pain was too much, and he collapsed.

“Darn it,” he hissed through gritted teeth. “You’re lucky I am all beat up, you French jackass, or I would come over there and beat that stupid grin right off your face.”

The words slid right off the Musketeer who stretched as casually if he were getting ready for an exercise class. When he finished, he pulled at his gloves, swished his blade through the air a few times, and settled into a defensive fighting stance.

He gestured broadly at the angel. “Well then, mon ami, I guess it is finally time for us to see who is the strongest.”

Sanctuary crossed his flaming swords. “Renault, I can assure you this will not take long.”

“Of that, I agree.”

Both combatants warily watched each other from across the roof in an old-fashioned standoff. Sanctuary was the first to move. He darted to the side, trying to flank his opponent. The Musketeer instantly read the move and twisted away from the angel’s double swing while simultaneously blocking his blades and shoving them away from his body. The parry left Sanctuary’s back exposed and the Musketeer in the perfect position to take advantage of the opening.

But when he swung, all he struck was air as Sanctuary backflipped away from his attack. The angel somersaulted twice then hovered high above the rooftop, out of his adversary’s reach. His beautiful golden wings extended like that of a gigantic bird of prey.

The Musketeer huffed. “Don’t you think that is cheating, just a little bit?”

Sanctuary smiled down at the slender Frenchman but said nothing.

The Musketeer disappeared in a violet lightning bolt of motion, zigzagging through the air toward the hovering Sanctuary.

He slammed into the angel, who crossed his blades and took the full force of the blow. Sanctuary was shoved back but managed to maintain his balance.

The Musketeer grinned gleefully as he began to drop. “I shall enjoy clipping those beautiful wings of yours, Sanctuary.”

This time it was Sanctuary’s turn to attack. He streaked like a rocket toward the descending Musketeer. Terrified, the Musketeer twisted his body just enough to avoid