Fallen: Dominic

by Tiffany Aaron

  “I won’t be long.” Dominic disappeared.

  “I don’t doubt that.” She headed for the bedroom to check on Teresa. She stared down at the sleeping woman and she felt a shock race through her. Somehow in the short time she’d been away, Teresa had lost weight. She touched her hand to the other woman’s forehead. It was cool and clammy. “Mika’il, you better look at her.”

  Mika’il appeared. He glanced at Teresa quickly and turned to Danielle. “Why did you call me?”

  “Look at her again.” Danielle gestured to her.

  “She must have a cold. I’m sure Dominic doesn’t let her get enough sleep.” He grinned at her.

  “No, Mika’il. Take a real good look at her. She’s sick and I don’t think it’s just the flu.”

  The archangel stepped closer to Teresa. He placed his hand on her forehead. Closing his eyes, he sent a little power through her. He gasped and jerked his hand away.

  “There’s something off balance in her body.”

  “Can you fix it?”

  “I can’t interfere.”

  She stared at him. “You interfere every chance you get, but you won’t do anything to help her?”

  Mika’il turned away from her. “It’s something I can’t help. Trust me, I would do whatever I could, but my hands are tied.”

  “What the hell good are you then? What kind of archangel are you?” She swore at him. Touching Teresa’s hand, Danielle concentrated and traced the line of illness throughout her body. “It’s something from outside her. What should we do?”

  “Wait until Dominic gets home and let him know. I don’t think this is anything we can cure.”

  “What do you mean?” Danielle sat next to Teresa. “Dominic could go over the edge if he lost her.”

  Mika’il nodded. “I know, but I have a feeling this is a problem a mortal has to solve. I don’t think our powers will help.” He disappeared.

  Teresa’s eyes opened and she was surprised to see Danielle sitting next to her. “Where is Dominic?”

  “He had some business to take care of. He’ll be back in a little bit. How do you feel?”

  “I’ve been really tired lately. I figured it was because of Dominic.” She blushed.

  “He’s been keeping you busy, huh?”

  She nodded. “I’m not complaining.” Putting a hand to her flushed cheek, she murmured, “I’ve been feeling weak for a couple of days.”

  “Tell you what. Stay in bed and keep sleeping. Maybe you’ll feel better by the time he returns.”

  “Good idea. Thanks.” She rolled over and closed her eyes.

  * * * *

  Dominic followed the trail of the fallen to the Fairgrounds racetrack. The other fallen stood over the body of a young woman. His black eyes stared at Dominic.

  “Finally, you decide to grace me with your presence. Only seven had to die before you chose to end my life.”

  “Don’t talk to me like I’ve inconvenienced you in some way. Why now? Why this city?” Dominic stalked towards the fallen. “You’ve caused countless sleepless nights and pain to a number of families. Doesn’t that bother you?”

  “There wouldn’t have been nearly as many if you had answered my call when I first got here, but I do believe you were too busy with some mortal to worry yourself about your job.”

  “Why should you get relief from the life you chose to live? What makes you so privileged?”

  “I’ll keep killing until you do it.”

  “I know and that’ll bring Mika’il down on me. I prefer to keep him happy, so I’m here.” Dominic reached out and grabbed the fallen. Without wasting any time, he drained the power from the creature and dropped him to the ground. As he turned to go, another Enforcer appeared. “What took you so long?”

  The short redhead stared at him for a moment. “If it’s any of your business, Mika’il told me I wasn’t to interfere until you did your job. Now, I’ll punish him. Go back to your mortal and try not to let things get so out of hand next time.”

  “Thanks.” Dominic headed home.

  * * * *

  He appeared beside Teresa’s bed. He leaned down to kiss her awake.

  Dominic. Danielle’s voice broke into his head.

  What? He brushed his hand over Teresa’s forehead. He frowned at the cool feel of her skin.

  I need to talk to you right now.

  Can’t it wait? I’m tired and all I want is Teresa in my arms.

  I’m sure you do, but no it can’t wait.

  He sighed and went to the living room. Danielle was standing staring out the windows to the street below. The worried frown on her face set off an alarm in his mind.

  “What happened?”

  “Teresa’s sick, Dominic.”

  “That’s all? I’ll take her to a doctor tomorrow.”

  She shook her head. “I don’t think a doctor’s going to be able to cure this.”

  “Why not?”

  “Mika’il says it’s an illness from outside her body. Our powers won’t be able to stop it. She’s wasting away. I can feel it.”

  Dominic stalked across the room and grabbed her arms. He shook her. “Wasting away? She can’t be dying.”

  She didn’t protest his rough treatment. “How much weight has she lost in the last couple of days? Has she been more tired than usual?”

  He thought back over the past couple of days. He had been caught up in trying to find Vincent Delacourte that he hadn’t been paying enough attention to Teresa. “She’s lost a few pounds.”

  “She’s lost at least ten pounds and she’s losing more every day. She doesn’t eat. She has no energy. Take her to a doctor tomorrow and I pray he’ll know how to cure her.”

  Dominic dropped to the couch and put his face in his hands. “I can’t lose her, Danielle.”

  She brushed her hand over his hair. “I know, my friend, I know.” She closed her eyes and swore softly.

  “Mika’il can’t do anything to help her?”

  “If he can, he won’t. He’s not allowed to interfere.”

  “Why not? He interferes every chance he gets.”

  “He interferes in the small things that push us in the right direction, but not in the big things that can change our lives. It hurts him not to be able to help. He’s not sure our powers would be able to save her anyway.”

  “What’ll we do?”

  “You’ll take her to the doctor tomorrow. Rule out any possible illness it can be. I’ll do some research and try to find Delacourte. I think he has something to do with it. We’ll stay strong and stay together. Also, we’ll pray. He might not hear prayers for ourselves, but He has to hear prayers for someone as good as Teresa.”

  He nodded. There wasn’t anything he could do at the moment. “If I lose her…” His voice cracked.

  “You won’t lose her. Go get some sleep. Hold her tight and dream of all the things you’ll do when she’s better.”

  He got up and went to join Teresa in bed. She was sleeping so deeply, she never felt his tears wash down her face and never heard his sobs as he thought about his life without her.

  * * * *

  Dominic was jolted awake by the wracking fit that was tossing Teresa from side to side. She was having a seizure and he didn’t know how to stop her. Their bed shook with the force of it. He held her tight to him and prayed. When the seizing stopped, her body relaxed and her eyes opened. He looked into their glazed depths and saw fear.

  “I think I’m really sick,” she whispered.

  “I know, love.” He saw a note on the nightstand. Leaning over, he grabbed it. “Danielle made an appointment for you. It’s in thirty minutes. I’ll help you shower and get ready.”

  They walked slowly to the bathroom. Before he started the shower, he called Terrance and asked him to meet them outside of Teresa’s apartment in twenty minutes.

  He let her lean on him while he washed her. When the first drop of blood hit his foot, he wasn’t sure where it came from. Another drop hit and he realized T
eresa was spitting it out. He panicked. There wasn’t an illness he knew of that struck so quickly and seemed to do so much damage.

  He shut off the water and toweled her dry. With a wave of his hand, he dressed them both. He couldn’t waste time doing it the mortal way.

  She smiled. “I can see an advantage to being with you. I’ll never have to worry about being late because of a quickie in the shower.” She started coughing again.

  The strength of the cough beat against her body and he was afraid she’d fall over. Sweeping her into his arms, he headed down to the car.

  Terrance held open the door for him. “Is she going to be okay?”

  As much as he wanted to reassure him, he couldn’t. “I don’t know. Just get us to the hospital. It’s progressed too far for a doctor’s visit.” He handed the address to Terrance and settled in the seat.

  “Certainly, sir.” Terrance shut the door and climbed behind the wheel.

  They got to the hospital in record time and the nurse admitted Teresa right away. The doctor came in shortly after that. He listened to their story and ordered a battery of tests. Several hours later, he returned with the results.

  Dominic grabbed Teresa’s hand. She was so tired, she couldn’t open her eyes. The doctor shut the door and stared at them for a moment.

  “Well?” Dominic asked to break the silence.

  “Negative. All the results are negative. I can’t find a single thing wrong with Miss Ryder.”

  “Of course, something’s wrong with her. We aren’t making it up.”

  “I’m not saying you are. Obviously there’s something wrong, but whatever it is, our tests can’t find it.” The doctor looked down at his feet, then back up at Dominic. He stared at the Enforcer for a minute. Something in Dominic’s eyes must have convinced the doctor. “If I believed in this sort of thing and I’m not saying I do, but I would be led to believe this might have something to do with Vodou. Is there any way she could have gotten into trouble with a Vodou priest?”

  “I didn’t think they did anything like curse people.”

  “Not the priests, but the bòkò or sorcerer will do it for a price. If you have connections in the community, see if you can find someone who will look at her.” The doctor smiled at Dominic. “Of course, that’s off the record.”

  Dominic nodded. “I understand. Thanks, Doctor.” He gathered her in his arms and headed for the waiting room.

  “Please let me know if Miss Ryder makes it.”

  “I’ll have you over to my club for a night on the town when she’s feeling better.”

  “I look forward to it. God’s luck, Miss Ryder,” the doctor said.

  Terrance jumped to his feet when Dominic entered the room. He led the way as Dominic carried her to the car. Holding open the back car door, he watched his boss cradle the woman gently as they slid into the car. He sent a prayer up to God as he waited for Dominic to tell him where to go.

  “Go to Paisible. Then call Randy and have him meet us there.” There was no break in Dominic’s voice, but tears were rolling down his cheeks.

  “All right.” Terrance didn’t ask any questions. He started the car and headed out. While he was driving, he called Randy and told him to meet them out at the plantation house.

  Dominic held Teresa tight to him and rocked her slowly. He whispered his love to her. He wasn’t sure she even understood him, but he couldn’t stop talking to her. It was a foolish thought that if he kept talking, she wouldn’t slip away from him.

  Dominic, what did the doctor say? Danielle contacted him.

  Off the record, the doctor said she probably got cursed by a sorcerer or Vodou priest. On the record, there’s nothing wrong with her. She started throwing up blood this morning.

  I’m sorry. Are you going to talk to Randy?

  Yes.

  Then I’ll meet you at your house. Keep strong.

  I don’t have a choice.

  He brushed a kiss over Teresa’s cheek. She smiled up at him. Raising a shaking hand, she cupped his cheek and wiped a tear away with her thumb.

  “Why are you crying?”

  “I’m afraid. I don’t want you to leave me.”

  “You’ll find a way to save me. I have faith in you.”

  “I’m not sure you should.” He frowned. “I still don’t know what’s wrong with you.”

  “Oh, you’ll find out and figure out a way to cure me. You’re an angel after all.”

  “A fallen one, so I don’t know if miracles work for me.”

  “An angel’s an angel. Even a fallen one deserves a miracle now and then. I’m sure He won’t ignore you.” Her eyes closed and she rested her cheek against his shoulder. “I’m so tired.”

  “Sleep then, Teresa. We’re going to Paisible to talk to Randy. If we need to know anything from you, I’ll wake you up.”

  She nodded and slipped into a dreamless sleep. Dominic met Terrance’s eyes in the rearview mirror. Both men recognized the determination in the other to keep Teresa alive and well. Dominic nodded to the ex-mercenary and turned his gaze to stare out the window. His thoughts moved to the rage burning in him. He knew Vincent Delacourte had done something to Teresa. He hoped Randy would know someone who could help them.

  Chapter Ten

  Terrance pulled up in front of the plantation house. Dominic handed Teresa to Terrance so he could get out of the car, then he took her back to carry her into the house. Danielle and Randy were on the front steps waiting for them. Neither one remarked about the tear tracks on his face. What could they say? They knew the situation was grave and if they didn’t find a way to cure her, Teresa would die. Terrance unlocked the door and they followed Dominic to his bedroom where he put her to bed. He waved them to the small office next to the bedroom. He didn’t bother to shut the connecting door. He figured she wasn’t going to be disturbed by their conversation.

  Randy waited until they were all in the other room before he asked, “What the hell is wrong with her?”

  “That’s what we have to find out. A doctor suggested we get someone from the Vodou community to look at her. He thinks she might have been cursed by a bòkò.”

  Going into the bedroom, Randy stared down at Teresa and he was deep in thought. When he came back to the rest, he poured them all drinks and stood looking outside. Dominic didn’t know what to do. He had never been so helpless in his life. There had never been a time when his powers couldn’t solve a problem.

  What good are these powers when they can’t even save the one person I love?

  They are good for saving the rest of the world. Is one person more important than thousands of others? Mika’il’s voice danced through his head.

  Don’t talk to me about importance. I love her, Mika’il. Whether you understand that or not doesn’t make this any less heart wrenching for me.

  Who said I didn’t understand the pain you’re going through? No one ever said I hadn’t experienced loss for myself. I’m only doing what I’m told to do, Dominic. Don’t you think I want to be there? Don’t you think I would help you if I could? Watching anyone—mortal or angel—suffer isn’t my idea of a good time.

  Then why make her go through this? Is this some sort of test for me? Are you testing to see if I’ll turn to or away from God because of this? There was outrage in Dominic’s heart and mind. To use someone as sweet as Teresa for a simple test is cruel. Why wouldn’t I turn from a God who cruelly uses His believers in silly little tests for His own ego?

  A wave of gentle love and infinite tenderness washed over him. I don’t use people for my own selfish purposes, Dominic. I use them to prove My mercy and love. The purpose for Teresa’s sickness isn’t for you to know. Don’t take your anger out on Mika’il. He is My archangel and is only following the orders I give him.

  Dominic fell to his knees, holding his head in his hands. Danielle had a feeling she knew what was going on with him. The Father didn’t speak to the fallen very often, but when He chose to, the experience wasn’t something they wan
ted to repeat. She didn’t reach out to Dominic, but she knelt down and started praying. Terrance followed her lead and knelt as well. Randy put his hand on the window glass and bowed his head. Together, their prayers filled the air and a sense of peace filled the room.

  Your friends love both you and Teresa. That is a good sign. Find it in your heart to trust Me and I promise love will fill your life for the rest of your days. The sense of tenderness lingered as the voice disappeared.

  Dominic sighed as he stood. The others stood as well. He turned to them and smiled. “Thank you all for being here. I’ve been blessed with loyal friends.”

  Randy shrugged. “You’d be right beside us if we needed you, so we’re repaying you. I’ve been thinking. If it is a Vodou spell, we’ll need a very powerful oungan to break it. I don’t know any, but my priest might be able to get in touch with the right people. I’m going to go and talk to him right now. I’ll let you know when I get in touch with the right person to help us.”

  Dominic hugged the man. “Thank you so much. I bet you didn’t think fighting evil spirits was in your job description.”

  “Good and evil balance each other. Where one is present, you must always guard against the other. Also, if there is a bòkò out there selling these spells to others, he needs to be dealt with and the community needs to be informed about it.” Randy nodded to the other two and left.

  “I’m sure Randy will come up with the right person to help us.” Danielle sat down at the desk and watched Dominic pace.

  Terrance stood in the corner as if he didn’t know where his place was in this whole thing, but he planned on hanging around until he could help in some way.

  “We have to find Delacourte. He has to tell us what he did to Teresa.” Dominic clenched his hands. “I’m not sure if I could be in the same room as him and not try to kill him.”

  Terrance moved forward. “I can find him. I’ll use all my connections to hunt him down. When I do, do you want me to bring him to you or get the information from him myself?”

  Dominic looked at the man and shook his head. “Bring him to me. You’re trying to separate yourself from that world. Let me deal with him.”