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  Forgiven

  Book Two

  Worth Fighting For Series

  By Kelly Hagen

  Copyright 2019 Kelly Hagen

  All rights reserved

  This book or parts thereof may not be reproduced in any form, stored in or introduced into a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form, or by and means (electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise) without the prior written permission of the copyright owner and/or publisher of this book, except as provided by United States of America copyright law.

  This book is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are a product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual events, locales, or persons, living or dead, is coincidental.

  Published by TreasureLine Publishing

  www.TreasureLinePublishing.weebly.com

  Cover Design by Michele Barrow-Belisle

  Table of Contents

  Chapter 1

  Chapter 2

  Chapter 3

  Chapter 4

  Chapter 5

  Chapter 6

  Chapter 7

  Chapter 8

  Chapter 9

  Chapter 10

  Chapter 11

  Chapter 12

  Chapter 13

  Chapter 14

  Chapter 15

  Chapter 16

  Chapter 17

  Chapter 18

  Chapter 19

  Chapter 20

  Chapter 21

  Chapter 22

  Discussion Questions

  Acknowledgements

  About the Author

  Chapter 1

  Taking over a family line was never an easy task to accomplish, even for a high ranking demon. There was a system, a protocol to how things worked. People were tested. Tried to see if they could be used for the dark purpose intended for them. Such had been done with the Burnsten family. Careful steps had been taken to make sure each of them held a deep darkness ruled by pride and selfishness, hate, and manipulation. For it was those very qualities, bred over time, that would lead to the ultimate self-righteousness that was needed to drive the coming rebellion that was almost a century in the making.

  Melti thought back to the day Latar had visited him and told of the Head Master’s plan, a plan that would lead to the takeover of all Green Hill. One that would slowly but surely progress until all of Kentucky and its surrounding towns, cities, and states had made their pledge to the Master’s side. This would take time, but what were a few hundred years when all eternity was hanging in the balance?

  All had progressed nicely until nineteen years ago. The enemy, that glory-filled heavenly being, had stepped in and changed the course of everything, destroying Latar in the process.

  But now, now the future of the Burnsten line once again stood a chance of thriving, thanks to the black-haired, green-eyed, teenage daughter of none other than Katelyn Burnsten herself. It made no difference that she went by Holcomb these days, the same Burnsten blood ran through her veins, and through the veins of her sixteen-year-old daughter.

  Unbeknownst to Celeste Holcomb, her time of testing had finally come. She had reached the age where one could easily be tempted – ever so cautiously swayed from the path she was on to one that would drag her deep into a different calling – one of vengeance, rebellion, and greed.

  Melti shook the looming thoughts of failure from his mind, and instead let his thoughts wander back in time, almost a year to date, to be exact. The seeking spirits he’d sent out daily had brought back news of two boys, brothers, one getting ready to head into foster care. It seemed their parents weren’t all that concerned with caring for the needs of their children since a specific substance had been introduced in their lives a couple of years prior. Drugs, how they could work wonders.

  Mack had been doing the best he could to keep his younger brother Daren out of trouble, but it wasn’t going so well. At least not in their hometown.

  Melti liked what he had seen hidden deep down in the younger boy. His parents' betrayal had affected him far more than it had his older brother. Daren’s young heart, once so full of love and trust was now hard and full of bitterness. Just the way Melti liked them.

  Melti was sure Daren would be of great assistance in veering Celeste off track. What young girl could resist good looks followed up with some deceiving charm? Very few.

  Getting these two boys to the little country town of Green Hill wasn’t all that hard to do since they were just a county over. Mack and his concern for his brother was a big help in making it all come together. He took responsibility for Daren so he wouldn’t be placed in a home. Only Heaven knew what would’ve happened to him if that were the case.

  Melti had whispered an idea into Mack’s thoughts and next thing you know a semi-run down, two-story house in Green Hill, was now where the boys laid their heads and called home.

  Melti went to great lengths not only to find a job opening that would keep Mack very busy and out of his way, but also to make sure Daren, after the students return from break one week later, was in some of Celeste’s classes, leaving their odds of running into each other at pretty much one-hundred percent. Though by mere happenchance Daren had met Celeste the day he and Mack had moved in. Melti couldn’t have been more pleased if he’d thought of that “by chance meeting” himself.

  The Holcomb’s had been visiting Katelyn’s dad, who lived in her departed Aunt Cara’s old house, which just happened to be the neighboring place to Mack and Daren’s new dwelling. Daren had taken a walk through the woods and came out the other side, only to be stopped in his tracks by the young girl a few feet away. She looked to be trying to keep herself occupied while those he assumed to be her parents said their goodbyes to an older man standing on the porch of the house several feet behind her. He stood still too long and was seen by the girl, who slowly made her way in his direction.

  And so it began.

  The couple seeds of doubt and a cute, persuasive boy were a few means by which the attempt to win the young girl over would begin. Though small on their own, each played a meaningful part in the plan to put the evil claim back where it belonged. It was for that very reason Melti took a long moment and embraced the grotesque, morbid sense of satisfaction that snaked its way through his hideous frame.

  Waiting had never been a strong suit for any demon, but especially not for Melti. Now, though, he was able to rest a little easier, as the pawns on his imaginary chessboard were moving into place.

  Relationships had been started. Deceit would soon be wedged, ever so slightly, into the frail beating of the human hearts that were his targets. Unforeseen betrayal would rear its ugly head. Feelings would be hurt, and faith would be questioned. Melti was sure of it. With what he’d planned for Celeste's future, how could they not be? Everything just had to stay the course.

  The boy would soon find the book. The girl had found the boy. And Hell had its mark. What more could a wretched being ask for?

  Melti grinned, the points of his jagged teeth slightly exposed under the rim of the charcoal leather that was his skin. He called for Deception. It was time for the next piece of the puzzle to be put into place. Deception bowed as he came to a stop in front of Melti’s desk. “You called for me, master.”

  “Yes. It’s time, Deception. It is your turn to take the torch.” Thin, gray lids came almost to a close over Melti’s yellow eyes...his voice low, full of authority. “Do. Not. Fail. Me. Now go!”

  “Yes, master,” Deception answered.

  Melti scratched a deep groove across the desk in front of him with the pointed tip of his nail and watched in vague amusement as the spirit quickly fled from his presence, only to have the same amusement, seconds later, replaced with sudden thoughts of failure again. T
hat very thought sent vibrations up and down the woven chords in his thick neck, causing the release of a deep snarl. Muscles tensed, stretching out the dark skin that covered them. It was his neck on the chopping block this time around. Failure of his subordinates would not be accepted. It couldn’t be. His very existence was on the line.

  Nothing worth having ever came easy, Melti was well aware of that nagging little fact, and if Katelyn was no longer in the crosshairs, then her precious daughter, Celeste was the next best thing.

  That one piece, one tiny little piece, was all that remained.

  It was strange, that so much rode on such a frail mortal. But this family. This line. This Celeste needed to be in place before future events could unfold.

  Deception crept near the ground like a slow, methodical snake inching its way through a protective covering of tall, swaying grass. He weaved this way and that through the objects that surrounded him. Hidden well by the cover of darkness, for it consumed the wispy edges of his smoke-colored body. Beady eyes darted frantically to and fro seeking out their destination.

  A wide grin split open his dry, cracked lips, causing a moist red line to appear. He didn’t care. His mission was close by. He could feel it. Deception came to a stop near a two-story brick home. He knew he’d reached the right location from the doubt that saturated the air.

  He slowly edged his way around the corner, and there, a mere ten-feet away, stood his target clothed in a black sweater and faded blue jeans, so oblivious of what was to come. Though Deception was honored to be a part of such a critical mission, he was careful not to think of himself more highly than he ought. He knew just how quickly things could go wrong. He’d seen it happen before and he wanted nothing to do with it again. He’d been a part of the original plan that had involved Katelyn, and that plan hadn’t ended well. At least not for his side. They’d lost yet another soul to Heaven that night, along with their leader, Latar. Losing this target, he knew, was out of the question.

  That hard lesson with its high price to pay was forever etched into Deception’s memory. From that moment on he never assumed everything would work out just because it all appeared to be going as planned. Appearance, it could be a tricky thing.

  Chapter 2

  Celeste tried to focus on the words written in red that lined the thin page before her. It was not easy. The digitized numbers across the room, the very thing that kept interrupting her focus, had changed yet again. The time had come, leaving only mere minutes to make a final decision. What am I thinking? I can’t honestly be getting ready to sneak out? Can I?

  A few flips of the crinkly pages led to a small photo that had captured the handsome face, which was the cause of her fluttering heart and indecisiveness. The printed colors on the glossy paper had in no way done justice to the bright green color of his eyes. Way more appealing than the deep green hues of my own that’s for sure.

  Tiny hairs covered a strong jawline and led up the side of his face to thick, brown hair that came just past his ears, and short bangs that were slightly swooshed to the side. How could she ever say no to that?

  The very essence of “bad boy” rang loud and clear through his stare. Wild, yet controlled. Dark, yet bright. Tough, yet gentle. Those perfectly parted lips knew what to say and when to say it. So persistent and persuasive. She closed the Bible that was on her lap and laid it on her nightstand. Then she tucked a body pillow under the soft orange comforter that covered the full-size bed. With one last deep breath the choice had been made, and with it, the window opened.

  “I guess I am.”

  Daren had won again.

  Daren grabbed Celeste’s hand and lead her through the front doorway of his house. He tightened his grip around her fingers – a small gesture to drive out any last minute fears that could be swarming their way through her head. He hoped it worked. Unfortunately, her forced smile said otherwise. This may be harder than I planned.

  “Come on Cee, it will be alright. I have something I want to show you. I found it behind the old farmhouse next door.” He twirled his finger around his ear, “you know, the one your mom’s crazy aunt use to live in.” By the scowl on Celeste's face, he knew he had made his point, but she did not care for it. Great, strike two.

  “Yeah, I know the house,” Celeste answered. “What were you doing there?”

  Daren shrugged his shoulders and let his sideways grin work its magic. He knew just how to distract the naive girl in front of him. Her type was always so easy to read. The longing for acceptance in her facial features actually saddened him for a mere second. Though she tried her best to hide it, she needed some practice. Her weakness, her vulnerability would be his greatest weapon, and he had every intention of using it against her.

  “They say that place is haunted. You know that, right?”

  "Oh, please." Daren chuckled. "A little weird stuff isn't going to scare me away. "

  "Well, maybe it should," she said, voice quaking. "Never mind. What was it you wanted to show me?"

  "It’s in my room, come on." Daren turned and headed for the steps, taking them two at a time. He stopped when he hadn’t heard the protests of the squeaking stairs a second time from her following behind him. He turned back. Celeste had remained motionless, watching him. His brows rose in question.

  "I think I’ll stay down here if that’s alright with you,” Celeste said.

  "Suit yourself. Not sure when Mack will be coming in though.” Swaying her feelings had never been a hard thing to do. Her resolve would diminish. Sometimes he had to push a little harder, but his scare tactic would work in the end. It always did.

  "Fine," she huffed. Her pace on the stairs was much slower than Daren's. He knew her well. Knew she was, at that very moment, questioning herself. They had been down this road several times already. Yet, her desire to please him had won every time.

  Daren waited as Celeste hesitantly stepped through the open doorway and over to the side so he could follow. The door clicked behind them. Her body stiffened. He ignored it.

  “Have a seat." He patted the unmade bed before kneeling down to grab something from underneath it. Particles filled the air between them as he wiped off the thin layer of dust. “Ready?" He asked.

  “Yes.” The apprehension in her eyes betrayed her response.

  He handed the book out for Celeste to take. Her fingers traced the raised leather design on the cover. "What is this?" she asked.

  “I'm not sure. I was hoping we could look it up together.” Daren didn’t bother to hide his excitement. “I think it might have something to do with some sort of code or something?”

  Daren took the book from Celeste’s trembling hands. He flipped it open to the first page and ran his finger under the single word boldly written in the center of the crinkled yellow paper.

  Celeste gasped, “Satan,” she whispered.

  Daren cocked his head to the side. “How did you know what it said?”

  Celeste shrugged as if it were nothing. “I've been learning several old languages. This was one of my most recent words.” She focused her gaze on the book once again. “My mom and I wanted to be able to read the Bible in its original language, and so we just decided to learn some other ones while we were at it.”

  Not again.

  Why she had to keep ruining perfectly sane moments with such nonsense he’d never understand. If it wasn’t for the hope of finding out more about the book, this Bible reference probably would have been her last.

  “I see. So, do you think you would be able to read the rest of it, then? At least some of it anyway?” His interest surprised her.

  “I do not know. Not sure I want to.”

  “Why not?”

  “Daren, really? You know I don't like this kind of stuff. I mean, I won't even watch most of the movies you want to about this kind of thing, why would I want to read about it?”

  Her holier-than-thou attitude was not her intention. Deep down he knew that, yet it still frustrated him. Daren knew he had been pressuring
her pretty hard as of late, so he let it go. He had gotten her in his room alone with him. A major breakthrough.

  “It would be a way we could hang out more,” he said.

  “How so?”

  “Just tell your parents we have to research information on an old book or something. You are a creative girl. I’m sure you can come up with a good excuse.”

  “You know they would want it done at my house.”

  “Well, just think about it.”

  “Alright, I’ll think about it.”

  Who’s she trying to kid. She’ll do it. We both know it. “Awesome.” Daren leaned in and kissed the top of her head, then replaced his newly found interest back in its former spot.

  “Are we done now? I would like to go back downstairs, if that’s okay?” she whispered.

  “Really? We have time alone, and you want to go downstairs?” He took her hand and gently pulled her up from the edge of the bed. A lone curl had fallen in front of her face, and he tucked it behind her ear. Her erratic breathing matched his own. Pushing her over the edge would be easy. Yet, he didn't. He needed her trust. He’d bide his time, for now.

  Instead, he laced his fingers with hers, “Yeah, it’s okay. Come on.”

  A low rumble filled the air outside as they descended the stairs. Mack was home. Great. So much for sneaking Celeste back to her house without anyone the wiser.

  “Whoa, there little bro, where do you think you’re going?”

  “I was going to walk Celeste home.”

  Daren stood a moment under his brother’s gaze before attempting to move around him. A tight grip on his shoulder caused him to flinch and stop mid-step. He did not turn around, just stood to wait. Waiting for what, he wasn’t sure. With Mack, it could be good or bad, depending on how his night had gone.

  “What kind of big brother would I be if I let you walk her home in the dark?” Mack chuckled. Daren tried to hide his sigh of relief but didn’t think he pulled it off. At that moment he really did not care. Getting Celeste home was his only priority.