I ran to grab one of Cary’s hats and opened the door. Sprinting out of the lobby, I looked everywhere for his gray hoodie—and I found it.
Why was I following him?
My mind kept telling me I was crazy. My woman’s intuition whispered, “Something’s up.”
He was keeping something else from me, and I wanted to know why.
Cary walked toward Bourbon Street, winding through the smaller, less-crowded street corridors. I followed him about half a mile into a quiet residential area, until he entered a large cemetery.
It was historical and creepy, and would be the perfect setting for a horror movie. With Cary being an angel, who knew whom or what he was meeting in there.
I contemplated whether to go any farther.
Swallowing the uneasy feeling in my gut, I walked through the gate, nonetheless.
Mausoleums and aboveground tombs were scattered everywhere. The area had a high water table, and I could tell some tombs had shifted over the centuries, as moss settled into cracks and openings.
There were stories, not sure fact or myths, about burying caskets in these parts. Uncle James told us tales about floating coffins when we were kids, usually around Halloween. He had a wicked since of humor.
New Orleans sat below sea level, and legend said, in the “olden days,” gravediggers would start to dig and the hole would fill up with water, causing a watery grave. When a hard rain or flood came, buried bodies would uproot and float away.
As I was taking in my surroundings, I lost track of which direction Cary went, so I had to duck and hover over tombs in order not to be seen. Ducking around one tomb, I ran into an elderly woman who scared the crap out of me. She just scowled and kept walking, while my heart beat out of my chest.
Stumbling across the un-mowed grass, I heard voices as I approached a large, old, scary-looking crypt with an eerie angel hovered over it.
How ironic.
As I crept closer, I realized it was two people arguing. Peeking around the crypt, I saw Cary’s gray hoodie. I stepped as lightly as possible and crouched down. My body hated me as it ached and throbbed, the pain reminding me I needed more time to recover. My legs felt as if they were going to give out.
I was too afraid to look over the tomb, thinking Cary would see me at the angle he was standing, but I could hear him. I wouldn’t have known it was Cary without seeing him myself. His voice sounded distorted, and I couldn’t recognize the other voice.
“You started this, Jackson.”
“This was started a long time ago, Cary.”
“Bloody hell! You are doing this to punish me. Is this a spot of revenge, mate? I did everything I could to help Hope.”
Cary had never mentioned anyone named Hope.
“As much as I want you to feel the pain Hope did—”
“So you tried again?” Cary sounded furious. “You thought since you didn’t succeed the first time—”
“You know that wasn’t me, asshole! And you didn’t tell me about the first attempt. You kept that from me.”
“If Joel didn’t come when he did, she would have been killed!”
“Don’t you think I know that? I told you before, I should never have left her, but I stopped this last attempt.”
“We stopped it.”
“As much as I hate you, I have to thank you for saving her.”
“She wouldn’t have needed to be saved if you hadn’t left her.”
“I explained that already!”
“Are they aware you were the one that called us?”
“No, and it was only because I couldn’t fight them off on my own. I knew the others wouldn’t go against him.”
“I would say thank you for putting her safety first, but . . .”
“A far cry from assuming I would put her in danger because of Hope, Cary.”
“You told Hope!”
“That was before . . . well, before I—we . . . all that matters is that she’s okay.”
“Right, but I still don’t trust your motives Jackson. Nonetheless, thanks for letting us know.”
“Well, that’s a start.”
“Don’t count on any more niceties, mate. Is everything cleaned up?”
“Everything’s been put back into place. Any inquisitions will turn up nothing.”
“She knows.”
“How?” The Jackson guy raised his voice.
“She opened her eyes and thought it was a dream at first. But then, she added things up, and I told her the truth when she asked me. I owed her that.”
“You could’ve given her another reason, Cary.”
“What reason? She already sensed something was different.”
“How?” Jackson asked.
“Jackson, she sensed it. I should have known.”
“You knew that?”
“Why didn’t you?”
“I thought she was really in tune with her feelings, empathically,” Jackson explained.
“Yeah, exactly like her mum. I can’t figure out how she’s dealing with everything. You’ve put her through—”
“It’s not all me! You put her life in danger too, Cary.”
“I would never put her life in danger. And I promise you, she will figure out what you truly are.”
“You would risk everything to tell her?”
“No, but I know she’ll figure it out herself, and when she does, you’ll lose her forever.”
“Now, Cary, there’s where you’re wrong. She’ll surprise you.”
A loud truck passed by the cemetery, preventing me from hearing what more they were saying. I tried to stand up, but the ground crackled around me. If I moved, it would alert them I was close. I knew they were there, but I couldn’t see what they were doing.
I carefully peeked between the headstones. With Cary’s back turned, he blocked “Jackson’s” identity. All I could see was that he was wearing a black leather jacket. His voice sounded muddled, the same as Cary’s did.
“Do you think she will stay with you after she knows the truth about you? It’s because of you she could have been killed, twice.”
“I had no idea she would go that far, and who knew about his plans.”
“You never should have approached her.”
“Cary, I told you, I couldn’t help it.”
“And I told you to stay away.” Cary scoffed. “But, how did that turn out, mate? You thought she was just another soul—”
“No! I was drawn to her the first time I saw her.”
“Not possible.”
“She drew me to her.”
“So much so you’ve walked away from her, two times. The last time almost killed her.”
“Where was Ruben? Wasn’t he supposed to be covering her?”
“He didn’t know she left or that David drugged her water. By the time he got there, David had already taken control of the car and drove her off the road.”
Everything in me wanted not to believe what I was hearing; that it wasn’t my Jackson, and there was no way David could control my car. My mind wanted to rationalize what they were saying, but it knew better.
When I asked if Ruben was an angel, I knew the answer. When I saw the text with Jackson’s name, I could admit I knew that one, too. However, I would never have guessed Joel or that snake, David Black, were angels.
My world wasn’t merely turned upside down; it was thrown and beaten until it was unrecognizable.
Yet, surprisingly, I was calm.
A little too calm. How long had I known? I knew Jackson was different, and not because of his fame. No, it was much deeper than that. Knowing he was an angel could explain that.
Cary and Jackson both shattered all reality. Was I supposed to go on with my life as if nothing had changed? Ignoring the fact, my friend and boyfriend were both celestial beings?
The two men I wanted the most were untouchable.
Why wasn’t I freaking out?
Could it be the anger and rage radiating from the very core of my being?
Was I just a pawn in some game?
I looked on as they continued.
“Tell me something, Jackson,” Cary said. “Why did you disobey David’s orders to stay away from her, knowing it would put her life in danger?”
Jackson didn’t answer, making Cary more furious.
“I’ll rip your head off, demon!” Cary roared, as he marched closer to Jackson.
“Resorting to threats, Cary?” Jackson taunted.
“Facts, mate. Lauren will see you for the heartless soul sucker you are, unable to care for anyone except yourself. You go around collecting all those souls, not caring about any one of them you seduce. But, Lauren will never give you hers.”
Oh, my God!
Jackson’s a fallen angel.
A demon!
I fell back onto the grass, trying to wrap my head around what I’d overheard, as if that were possible. I said a silent prayer and begged God to wake me up from this hell of a nightmare.
My instincts had tried to warn me, but I wouldn’t listen. I was drawn to him—and yes, sexually, at first. Jackson was like a siren that called me, and everything in me tried to fight against what I felt.
Everything about Jackson told me he was trouble. If I were being honest with myself, I entered the relationship wearing a blindfold.
I should despise Jackson. I should also hate Cary for allowing him anywhere near me, but I chose to ignore all the warnings.
I wanted to feel loved, not caring about the price.
Jackson was supposed to be my dark prince, my “happily ever after.” For all the heartache and pain Cary caused, Jackson was my healer. I couldn’t feel the pain of Cary’s rejections as much when I was with Jackson. He was my medicine to the incurable illness called Cary Baine. Jackson gave me hope, hope now destroyed.
Then I thought about Cary. Why would he ever allow a demon to seduce his friend, the person he claimed to love? I wanted to believe he came to protect and look after me. However, as I thought about it further, my anger didn’t diminish. I went against my better judgment—again—and tried to trust Cary. Even though I knew he was keeping more secrets from me, I told him I’d try. I reassured him I would be okay, but I wasn’t—not at all.
They both kept secrets from me. Two angels—one angelic and the other one fallen—fighting over one soul: mine. Neither realized they already owned equal parts.
Looking back at those men, I could clearly see both of them for what they really were.
“I will have her.” Jackson growled as the atmosphere became charged and the sky darkened around us.
“Never!” Cary screamed.
“That’s where you’re wrong. See, Lauren wants me. It’s all-consuming at times.” A faint rumble came from Cary, as Jackson continued. “You only see the sweet, innocent Lauren. But, what dark thoughts does she keep hidden? You’re jealous knowing she wants me. Kisses me. Touches—”
Cary suddenly leaped at him.
After all that I knew, and everything I had already seen, nothing real or imaginary prepared me for what I witnessed next.
Cary and Jackson started pounding each other, and every landed punch made a crushing sound. Jackson started to tear into Cary’s chest, as if it were a piece of molding clay.
I started to scream, but nothing came out, my throat paralyzed from fear.
There was flesh torn and thrown from Cary’s body, and I wanted to throw up the bile that filled my gut. Yet, he continued fighting. He didn’t let the skin hanging from his body stop him.
They were moving fast, too fast. Blood and flesh splattered on the surrounding tombs.
I looked on in horror as Jackson’s bones poked out from where Cary had beaten him. I forced my eyes shut. I couldn’t see anymore. I kneeled, frozen in place, praying it would end, pleading they would stop.
A loud explosive thunder shook the ground, startling me, and my eyes flew open. Flashes of white and blue light hovered above them, as Cary held back his fist.
I watched, as they stood still, chests heaving, glaring at each other. Within seconds, pieces of their flesh started to mend. I stood in awe, watching their bodies go back together, clothes and all.
It all seemed like a nightmare, versus my new reality. I felt the blood burrowing through my veins as my lungs pounded through my chest.
“We can do this all day, Cary!” Jackson yelled.
“You can’t handle anymore, half-breed. I owe you at least two more poundings for putting Lauren’s life in jeopardy.”
“I didn’t know that would happen!”
“You didn’t think they would come after her?” Cary shouted back, disbelieving.
“It won’t happen again.”
“No, it won’t! Lauren will be heavily covered.”
“You think I can’t protect her?” Jackson asked.
“Look at the job you’ve done so far.”
“If anything happens to her—”
“What? You go on to the next soul?”
“I love her!” Jackson admitted.
My heart sank, hearing Jackson’s declaration.
Finally, the one thing every girl wanted to hear, and I couldn’t bear it.
“And you think I don’t?” Cary’s voice shook the ground. “You selfish mélange. Your type isn’t capable of love, Jackson. Even if half your heart is human. You can’t protect her.”
“Lauren has brought that side out of me again. I’ll never let anything happen to her.”
How was it possible for Jackson to be half-human? I thought his mom perhaps, then I realized he had never really mentioned his father.
“Jackson, walk away. If you stay in her life—”
“I won’t leave her.”
“I’ll make you.”
“You’ve known me for a long time, Cary. We both know you won’t succeed.”
“You’d be surprised what I’ll do to protect her. I was even going to go after David, but he’s being taken care of.”
“I already took care of him, Cary.”
“How?”
“I told him I was using her. She was only a toy, an experiment.”
What? My brain was racing as I continued listening.
“But Jackson—”
“Cary, he believed me. There’s no reason why David would try again. She’s no longer a threat. I’ll continue to harvest souls, and she’ll be protected.”
“You truly believe he thinks Lauren means nothing to you? If that were the case, he wouldn’t have tried to eliminate her.”
“He hasn’t given her a second thought.”
“She was a major distraction for you. You defied his orders for her. David’s not going to believe you gave up that easily. He’s holding too much over you, Jackson. What you feared would happen to your mom, could very well happen to Lauren.”
“It won’t! David decided to promote me, my soul counts are at an all-time high, and with that, came his trust. As the studio’s top soul catcher, I’m offered better perks.”
“Lauren is not a perk, demon!”
“Lauren is far more than that. Too bad you didn’t see it when you had the chance. Look at you, jealous knowing she’s all mine.”
“Never, mate.”
“Oh, but she will be.”
“Jackson, that proves you don’t love her. You have no idea what love is. You would gamble with her life and have her soul be lost forever?”
“That won’t happen. I’ll keep her as mine.”
“You truly can’t think of anyone other than yourself, you selfish arse. You would keep her soul captive in order to satisfy your appetite?” He moved in close. “I’ll fight you for eternity before I let that happen, Jackson.”
“I do love her, and that’s not going to change.”
“You may love her, but does she love you?” Cary asked.
“No one has ever resisted me.”
“There’s always an exception.”
“And you think Lauren is that exception, Cary?”
“I�
�d bet my life on it, Jackson.” Cary started walking away.
“You think you know her so well.”
Cary stopped and looked back. He slightly reacted to the strange look on Jackson’s face. “I do know her.”
“What do you think she’ll do if you told her the whole truth?” Jackson asked.
There was a longer than normal pause before Cary answered. “She’ll run.”
“Are you going to tell her the truth about me, Cary?”
“I think we already destroyed enough of her world, so no. She needs time. I also think it’ll be in her best interest to not know.”
“One immortal in her life is enough?” Jackson mocked.
“She’s trying to comprehend the little that she knows, Jackson.”
As I watched and listened, I couldn’t understand the complexity of their relationship. I knew, at one time, they were close friends, but they’d tried to kill each other just moments ago.
Strange.
No, what was strange was that I wasn’t running and screaming that the end of the world was near.
I was quietly watching two people, angels, whatever, arguing and fighting over me, and I was okay with it?
Cary was right about one thing. I didn’t want to know any more. I’d had enough.
“She’s still debating going to Spain to see you, you know,” Cary continued.
“I’ll do everything in my power to convince her to come.”
“You need to think about what’s best for her, Jackson. She’s been trying to cope with everything, and she needs time away from outside influences.”
“Oh, I see, and you believe the best thing for her is to stay with you?” Jackson scoffed.
“I was planning to give her space. Take a trip for a while, so she can think freely with no influences. If you truly love Lauren, Jackson, give her time. Do you want her to end up like her mother? If we continue to press her, both of us will lose her.”
Jackson thought about that, and slightly nodded in agreement. “I will keep in touch.”
“So will I, mate.”
All I could think was they could keep in touch all they wanted with each other, because I was out.
I repeated their conversation in my head as I hurriedly left the cemetery. Notwithstanding all the horrific images in my memory from their fighting, there were more questions than before. Who was Hope? What did she have to do with the feud between Cary and Jackson? I thought I would ask, but I knew that would blow my cover. Knowing Cary as I did, I wouldn’t get a straight answer.
The Devil has a British Accent: Book One: Jackson (White Carpet #1) Page 27
