Good Intentions (Book 3 in the Road to Salvation Series)

CHAPTER 15

Katie ran through the chapel door. She couldn't get out of the room fast enough. Why had she stayed so long? Why did she let Wes get to her? Josh and Braden were in the exact same position she left them in, and it took them a moment to move when she stepped into the hallway. They both blinked a few times and looked around confused. Josh's gaze fell on Katie.

"Katie? What's going on?" Realization hit him. He pointed at the door to the chapel. "Was Wes in there?"

Katie spun on him like she was going to attack. Her anger wasn't directed at him, but her emotions were flowing so high, he was the only one to unleash them on. "Are you using me to build an army of super evil demons?"

Josh's hand dropped to his side, his eyes grew wide. "Wha ... ffff ... paaa ..."

Sounds that could have formed into words stuttered out of Josh's mouth. He must have been in too much shock to form a coherent sentence. That was a good sign. It helped reinforce that Wes was probably lying. That made her feel slightly better, but she still wanted answers.

A black wave rolled around Katie, and time slowed down around them. Again? What was going on this time? Braden strode between the two of them, an amused smile on his face. Katie directed her anger at him. She was so not in the mood for any more games. She just wanted to have a straightforward conversation without deception. She definitely didn't want to put up with Braden's vagueness.

"What?" she growled.

He kept his gaze on Josh. "I believe she asked you a question. Were you going to answer it or stand there muttering like an idiot?"

Josh threw him a dirty look, directing his gaze back at Katie. His anger softened. "Where in the world did you hear something like that?"

She folded her arms across her chest and pulled her shoulders back. Cocking her head to the side, she looked at him like he was an idiot. "You know the answer to that. You know he was in there."

It became ridiculously clear that she should have never gone in. The assumption had been that she and Deb would have a chance to talk, that Katie would have a chance to explain what happened, but she never expected Wes. And she should have, and so should have Josh. He should have stopped her. But he didn't, and now things were worse than ever.

Josh held his hands out and took a step closer to her. "And you believed him?"

"What else am I supposed to think? Neither one of you will tell me what 'plans' you have for me, and he shows up again telling me these stories. If you don't want me to believe him, then you better give me something else to believe."

Braden's smile grew wider. "Yes, Josh. Give her something to believe."

Katie stared at him. "You're here too, Braden." She said his name like it was acid on her tongue. "You have every opportunity to share also."

He folded his arms at his waist and took a deep breath. "You're the Queen of Demons, Katie. You're important to Hell. But I won't lie, your destiny has not yet been decided."

Katie's throat constricted as a scream threatened to escape. It hurt, but she held it in. Stupid Braden. She knew he wasn't going to be forthcoming with information. And that was probably holding Josh back. More and more, Wes's words were ringing true. And that irritated her to no end. She looked back at Josh.

"You have anything to add to that?"

"You're also incredibly important to me."

Katie threw up her hands. This was obviously going nowhere. "Just take me home." She couldn't deal with the drama anymore. A headache was beginning, causing the bump on her head to throb. She turned and headed down the hall.