Soul Catcher (26 page)
Chapter Forty
Angel paced back and forth down the hall, eyes fixed on the door. Every noise emitted from the room tempted her to the rush in. She resisted the urge. This was something Jacque had to do himself. She prayed he walked out of the room unharmed. An unrealistic wish.
Isis and Marie sat on the bench and held each other’s hand.
“Don’t worry,
chère
. He will come out.” Marie pulled her down to the bench as she made another pass, wearing a groove in the floor.
“Yes, he finally has something to live for. He won’t lose.” Isis squeezed her hand.
She wanted to be optimistic. The sound of the fight didn’t give promise.
She nervously twisted her engagement ring around her finger, waiting for the door to open. She only wanted him to come out the room alive.
Laurent leaned on the wall. “What’s going on? Are they still fighting?”
“I don’t know. There hasn’t been any noise for a few minutes.” Angel studied the laces of her sneakers.
“Has anyone gone in there to check?”
“No. He told us to stay out here until he comes out.”
“And y’all actually listened this time?” Laurent pushed up against the wall. He opened the door and peeked in. Angel hovered close behind him. A shadow lingered in the darkness. She heard his soft cries of anguish.
She kneeled beside him on the floor, embracing him. Laurent waited in the doorway, silent. Isis pushed past him and rushed to her son’s aid.
“Baby, are you okay?” Angel’s shaky voice feared the answer. She forced Jacque to look at her. Marie slid into the room and turn on the lights. The blood splattered about the room confirmed the brutality of the fight. She moved in front of him, finding his eyes. “Are you okay?”
“I’ll be fine,” he managed.
“Is Xavier gone?”
“Yes.”
“Dead?”
“Yes.”
Isis reached out her hand. “Come on, Son. Get off the floor.”
Angel rose and brushed the white powder from her jeans. Jacque staggered as he stood. She grabbed his arm to help steady him as he clutched his abdominal wound. Laurent came over to assist, taking him from Angel.
“Take him up to our room.” She followed behind them.
“I’ma be fine, babe. It’s not as bad as it looks.” Jacque limped up the stairs.
“We’ll get you cleaned and bandaged. Afterward, we can go down and meet with everyone else.”
“Or we can just stay in for the night,” he proposed.
“Aren’t we feisty tonight? I think we should let your wound heal up first.”
“Hey. Remember me? I don’t need to hear this crap.” Laurent chuckled.
In the room, Laurent dumped Jacque on the bed. Angel took off his shoes and pulled his shirt over his head.
“Thanks, Laurent. We’ll be down once I get him fixed up.”
“No prob. Oh. I hear congratulations are in order.”
Her smile beamed from ear to ear. “Oh, yeah. I almost forgot about being engaged.”
“Bell came by and told me. She isn’t happy. I’d stay away from her for a while if I were you.”
“I’ll watch my back.” Angel winked at him.
“You know she’s not all bad. She waited for so long for Jacque to want to settle down. She just never expected it wasn’t going to be with her.”
“Sorry, I know she’s your sister. I feel bad for her.”
“You’re good for Jacque. Bell and Jacque would’ve killed each other eventually,” Laurent joked.
“Thanks. You’re a good friend.”
***
Jacque woke, hoping the memories were remnants of a bad dream. When he sat up and saw his bandaged midsection, he knew it wasn’t a dream. Angel smiled at him from her book.
“I see the dead has arisen.” She shut the book and placed it on the nightstand.
“How long have I been out?”
“A couple of hours.”
He sat up, pushing his back against the headboard. “Shit, sorry, babe.”
“No need to be sorry. It was a pretty bad wound.”
“I think it’s good now. Where’s everyone else?”
“Downstairs. Waiting.”
“Okay, find me a shirt and we’ll go down.” Moving to the edge of the bed, Jacque rested his elbows on his knees, hung his head, and examined the wood planks of the floor.
“Everything okay?”
“Sure,” he lied.
“You’re bullshitting me. What’s up?”
“I didn’t beat him.”
She stopped and asked, “What’re you talkin’ about?”
“Xavier. I didn’t
beat
him. He gave up.”
“What do you mean? It sounded like Armageddon in the room.”
Jacque’s head dropped even lower. “In the end, he stopped fighting back. He begged me to end him.”
She crawled across the bed and stroked his back, her fingers trailing down his spine. “I’m sorry, babe. I know this was hard for you.”
“I had to do it, but he was still my brother. No one should have to kill their own brother.”
“I know if there was any other way, you wouldn’t have killed him.” She slid around his body and cuddled on Jacque’s lap. She brushed her thumb across his cheek and grazed her lips across his.
“Thanks for understanding. I’m not sure if my mother understands why I feel a connection to Xavier. She has gotten good at blocking out other’s emotions, almost too good.”
Angel walked to the bureau and tossed Jacque a shirt. “She loves you. Even if she doesn’t understand, she would at least try to tolerate it. That’s more than I can say for my mother.”
“All right, time to go face the others. I’m sure they’re all dying to talk about the engagement.” Jacque wanted to focus on happier things. He gave her thigh a tap and guided her towards the door.
***
Everyone gathered out on the patio in the garden. The soft night air was a delicious retreat from the day’s scorching heat. A storm approached and brought a refreshing breeze with it.
“I see you finally found your way down. I guess your wound wasn’t as bad as we thought,” Laurent announced.
“You’re funny, Laurent.” Angel tossed a look of indignation at his mock disappointment.
Isis narrowed her eyes to observe Jacque. “How are you feeling?”
“I’m good as new.” He patted his belly.
“I’m glad. I’m sorry about your brother.”
“Thanks. I know he wasn’t your favorite person.”
“He had problems, ones none of us could repair.”
Angel tightened her grip on his hand and led the way to the empty seats at the table. “We don’t have to worry about him anymore.”
“Now the unpleasantness is over, show us your ring, dear.” Marie held out her hands to Angel.
She overflowed with joy as she gave her hand to her grandmother. The beautiful three-carat emerald-cut ring set in platinum glittered in the candlelight. Angel never had anyone give her something so extravagant. She loved it, but the ring didn’t matter. She would’ve said yes if he handed her a soda can tab.
“My God. It’s beautiful, Jacque. Good job.” Marie showed the ring to Isis.
“When’s the big day?” Etienne asked.
“We haven’t really had a chance to discuss it.” Angel glanced over at Jacque. She didn’t want another long engagement. She wasn’t letting this one get away.
“The sooner the better,” Jacque insisted.
“I would gladly do the ceremony,” Isis offered.
Angel had all she ever wanted. The only thing missing was her sister. She wished Faith lived long enough to witness the dream she always envisioned for her. Love, happiness, and family.
“Thank you. We’ll be honored,” Angel replied. “If this is going to happen, we might as well get it done. How does everyone feel about three weeks from today?”
“I think three weeks is enough time to get everything ready.” Marie looked at Isis for consensus.
“We’re guys. Just tell us when and where to show up and we’ll be there.” Jacque took Angel’s hand, kissing the tips of her fingers.
Everything fell into place.
“Angel, Marie and I have a special gift for you. Let’s call it an engagement gift.” Both ladies smiled like canaries eluding the cat.
“Oh. Okay.”
“Come with us.” They stood, waiting for her to follow. “We’ll be back, gentlemen.”
Angel accompanied the women to the room they used for storing their potions. Nat was already there, mixing some concoction.
“Hey, girl. Let me see the ring.” Nat grabbed Angel’s hand, squealing like a schoolgirl. “He did good!”
“He always does good by me.” Angel was giddy from all the attention.
Marie directed her in front of the small altar. “We know you’ve been through a lot these last few months. You’ve lost a lot. We’ve also watched you grow into a beautiful, confident woman.”
“We want to give you the gift you originally asked for.” Isis picked up the potion Nat mixed. She dabbed the oily mixture on Angel’s face and down her scar.
Angel flinched, not sure if she was ready for what they offered. “I’m okay with how I look. You don’t have to try and do this.”
“We know, dear. Your inner beauty will now be represented on the outside. You deserve both.” Marie’s eyes showed her compassion and love.
“How do you know it will work? I never found a spell for beauty. Believe me. If I did, I would’ve used it.”
“This is a mirroring spell. It mirrors what is inside and reflect it out,” Nat answered. “Now focus. Focus on the things you love and make you happy.”
The chanting felt as if it went on forever. Angel absorbed the energy flowing from the others. She focused on the ones she loved and her happiness. The chanting stopped and she opened her eyes. Everyone stared at her, but said nothing.
“Well?” she shouted. “Did it work?”
“And if it didn’t?” Isis asked.
“No harm no foul. We tried.”
“Good answer.” Isis passed her a mirror.
Angel studied her reflection and remembered the words her sister gave her just before she died. The beauty was always inside her; she just had to find it.
***
Jacque leaned back in his chair with his feet propped on the table. He swirled the brandy in the glass before taking a drink. He wondered what his mother and Marie planned for Angel.
“We need to get back to strategizing on how to beat Luc.” Jacque stared at the amber colored liquid in his glass.
“We’ll get back to it. Right now, get your wedding over with and enjoy life.” Laurent rocked on the back legs of his chair.
“He’ll send someone new. He won’t stop until we stop him.”
Intense heat engulfed the garden, causing the flowers to wilt.
“You know me well,” the dark voice called from the flames.
Jacque jumped up, recognizing the voice. Lucifer leaned against gazebo post.
“You surprised me. I didn’t think it would take this much work to bring you and your lady back. Don’t worry. I’ll make up for the trouble when I get you in my grasp.” Luc walked toward them, leaving a trail of fire in his wake.
“I’ll never let you hurt her. There’ll be an end to this, even if I have to kill you myself,” Jacque muttered through clinched teeth.
“We’ll see. Until then, I suggest you watch yourself and your girl.” The flames dissipated. Luc was gone.
Jacque clenched his jaw, slammed his glass on the table, shattering it in his hand.
“I guess you’re right. We’ll have to work out a plan fast.” Etienne kicked the ashes off the patio.
“What plan are we working out?” Angel’s voice drifted from the kitchen door.
“Bachelor party stuff,” Laurent lied.
“Really? Aren’t you a little old for a bachelor party?” Marie countered.
“How often do we get to have one? How many of us you know run around getting married?”
“I guess.”
Angel’s laugh rang through the garden. Jacque turned in her direction. Her beauty stole the words from his mouth. She was breathtaking.
He took her in his arms. “What happened?”
“You like? Grand-mère and your mother found a spell to return me to my old self.”
Angel’s flawless beauty was restored. The deep scar jutting down her face no longer existed. Confidence radiated around her and she exuded happiness. “I like you in any form.” Her happiness melted him.
“Exactly why I said yes when you asked me to marry you.” She hugged him tight.
“It’s been a long night. I think it’s time for bed.”
She stretched her arms around his neck. “I’m not going to argue.”
Jacque bent down and swept her off her feet.
“Goodnight everyone,” he called over his shoulder as he carried her into the house, smiling at the sounds of laughter coming from the garden. “Do you know how much I love you?” he whispered against her ear.
She kissed the crook of his neck. “Not as much as I love you.”
Jacque held Angel tight as he carried her up the stairs. Silently, he promised to protect her. Danger still lurked in the shadows, but he would give his life to keep her safe.
~ABOUT THE AUTHOR~
Vivi Dumas submerges herself in the dark underworld of the supernatural. To balance the analytical and logical confines of her day job, she unleashes the fiery passions of her imagination in her writing. Although she grew up an Army brat, she calls Louisiana home, but has endured the hot summers and cold winters of Maryland for the last 16 years.
Vivi can be found online at:
Darius set out tonight to meet his end. Instead of meeting true death and seeing the sun for one last time, he stumbles upon a reason to live. After a millennia of being held a sex slave by the Vampire Queen, he finally finds his mate, but she lies dying on a park bench. Will Darius be able to sacrifice her soul to save himself? And will he risk going back to the one person he desperately wanted to escape, to help his mate through the change?
~
Excerpt
~
Darius considered himself a special kind of evil.
Salvation drew him to this spot. The silver body harness burned into his torso as he perched on St. Patrick’s steeple, contemplating his end. The harness was a part of him now—only a faint lapping of heat upon his chest. Like a moist blanket, the air warmed his icy blood. As one of the only two left of his kind, isolation, pain and misery absorbed his passion for life. After a millennia of bondage and slavery to the Queen, his mind refused to support his body’s limitless power. Dawn would break in three hours. The bright salvation of the sun’s rays beckoned him. So, he sat and waited for the sun, a sun that had been hidden from him for over a thousand years.
Only a few people occupied this part of town at this hour, not like Bourbon Street where the mobs swarmed all hours of the day and night. He watched the humans below, carrying on with their menial lives. Their limited existence gave them the ability to flourish. The constraints of human life provided an appreciation for living. After several hundred years, Darius’s appreciation for the beauty in the world wore thin, especially tapered with the death and destruction in dark existence. Humans conceded to an end, therefore embracing the possibilities of each new day.
As he followed the musings of a young couple, a sweet, metallic smell beckoned. Centuries since the call of blood sang in his throat, the scent commanded him to answer. Darius searched the area below, spotting the source in Lafayette Square. Following the heavenly bouquet, he dematerialized and reappeared at her side.
She lay on the bench, waiting for Death to take her.
The yellow glow of the street lamp lit her lovely face. The sleeve of her tattered blue dress draped off her shoulder, a strip of red vinyl material peering out from underneath. Savagely beaten, her body laid in a pool of blood on the stark white bench, a compilation of contrasts with her dark complexion.
He’d waited an eternity to find her, giving up when the Queen decided to eradicate their race and keep him for herself. Darius thought back to the day his Queen changed, her mind consumed by power and fear. At the beginning of each millennium, the Oracle delivered his prophecies for the next thousand years. The Queen lovingly caressed Darius’s hand as the Oracle shared his interpretations of his visions. The small, stout deity confirmed the strength and abundance of the Queen’s power, bringing a smile to her lips. As he read the next series of visions, the Queen’s sharp claws impaled Darius’s palm. A new power was to emerge within the vampire race, one who would gain control over the Queen, forcing her to relinquish her rein. This day was the beginning of Darius’s demise.
The Queen quickly changed, fearing losing dominion over her subjects. She suspected everyone. Destroyed anyone she viewed as a threat. At first, she’d had the decency to make excuses for the killings, accusing the victims of breaking the law. As time passed and her mind continued to falter, the deaths became more frequent and random, until only Darius and the Queen’s henchmen remained. Eventually, the Queen’s paranoia caused her to eliminate her guards, leaving Darius the sole survivor of her madness. Even he ended up chained in a crypt, serving to satisfy her warped sexual desires.
She ruined him to love, turning him into her sex slave, diminishing his strength as a male. When she came to him, he’d been honored to be chosen, but after an eternity chained to the wall in the damp, dark crypt, honor was no longer a word he understood. Shame and anguish were his brands. His lust for all things, including blood, left with his will to endure long ago.
But today, the day he planned to take his departure from this world, the thirst returned, calling to him from this exquisite creature waiting at Death’s door. Darius’s harsh laugh echoed among the trees. Fate was a tease. She played with his emotions and tempted him further into condemnation, searing his torture just as the straps of silver singed their pattern into his flesh.
The iron-tainted smell of blood permeated the air. Darius stared into the woman’s angelic face. With her eyes closed and lips slightly parted, the childlike innocence of her expression pleaded with him for mercy, but not the kind of mercy he struggled to administer. The death awaiting her was not the kind he was prepared to give. He reached out and fingered a lock of her golden brown hair, then caressed the side of her round face, wiping the dried blood from her mouth.
