Soul Catcher

by Vivi Dumas

  “The Big Guy.”

  “Who the hell are you? There’s others here with me. I’m not alone,” she warned.

  “Sorry. We didn’t mean to frighten you. I’m Michael and this is Raphael. We’re here for the battle.” The dark-haired one, Michael, eyes sparkled at the mention of battle.

  “Are you Punk’n me?” Her voice climbed an octave. “Hey, Laurent! Get out here. Ashton Kutcher sent a couple of angels to punk us.”

  Laurent appeared behind her faster than she expected. “Oh. Wus up, Michael. Raphael. What’re y’all doing here?” The casualness of his tone made Angel do a double take.

  “We heard you were going to battle. Wondered if you needed a hand. The Big Guy gave us permission to participate if we wanted. Raphael and I thought we’d see what’s cracking. Gabe backed out. Last time we fought Luc, I think he got spooked.” Angel stared at the hunky archangel standing at her door. A bead of sweat glistened down his radiant face, a three-quarter length suit in New Orleans, especially during the dead of summer, never a good idea. An angel and a demon stood at her front door talking like two boys from the hood. After the scene registered in her mind, she giggled hysterically.

  “The Bible was right. Interesting. It’s really them?” She gave Laurent a sideways glance.

  “Yeah, they’re who they say they are.” He shook his head at Angel in amazement. “You accept vampires, demons, and werewolves. When it comes to angels you have a problem believing. I swear you need to use Bell’s peroxide sometimes.”

  “Shut up, Laurent. I just wouldn’t expect them to help us.”

  “They’ll help anyone who’s fighting Luc. It’s some kind of sick game to them.”

  “Can we come in?” Raphael finally asked.

  She opened the door wide and moved out the way. “Sure.” The angels had to angle their bodies to squeeze through the door.

  ***

  Isabella flew around the corner, her blonde hair fanning about her and lips set in a sultry smile. “I should’ve known when I smelled cookies someone let the angels loose. Nice to see you again, Raphael. It’s been a while.” Her smoldering eyes explained the prior was more than a casual meeting.

  “Bell, good to see you again. Maybe, this time will be as good as the last.” The angel reached out, running his thumb along her chin.

  “We don’t have time for this right now.” Michael gave Raphael a menacing glare.

  The pair shrugged off their coats, revealing feathered masterpieces tucked against their backs. The wings protruded from their shoulder blades and the tips reached the bend of their knees. The feathers gleamed a brilliant white. Angel resisted the urge to touch them.

  “What’re you guys doing here?” Isabella questioned.

  “Battle of course. And we’re instructed to offer Angel a gift. The Big Guy extends you a boon for relinquishing your deal with Luc.” Raphael smiled at Angel, intensifying the aroma of molten chocolate.

  “A gift? What kind of gift?” Laurent asked before she could interject.

  “He knows you sacrificed a lot when you turned down Lucifer. He’s willing to restore your appearance as Luc did.” Michael studied the seating around the room and settled on a leather ottoman beside the sofa.

  Her heart rejoiced at the offer, and then broke again. She no longer had a reason for her beauty. The one man she wanted to seduce with her beauty no longer existed in her world. She couldn’t care less about how she looked, but it could come in handy during negotiations.

  “Do I have any other options?”

  “Isn’t beauty what you were seeking from Lucifer? Your need for beauty is the reason we battle.” Michael’s dark brows contracted in confusion.

  “I’ve realized my obsession with physical attraction has been a problem. I have something I want more. Can I ask for something else?” She waited, holding her breath in anticipation.

  “I can submit the request. I don’t know what the answer will be. What is it you seek?”

  “I want Jacque back.” Everyone stared in disbelief.

  Michael almost whispered as if he didn’t want God to hear. “You want him to resurrect a dead demon?”

  “Yes.” She smiled at the angel, picturing Jacque’s face. “I want the dead demon.”

  “What if he no longer wants you in your current condition?”

  The thought hadn’t crossed her mind. At this point, she didn’t care. Jacque deserved to live. This was her chance to do the right thing for a change. “It doesn’t matter.”

  “Understand you are declining the opportunity to regain your looks. Once I submit your alternative, the original gift is void.” He gave her a second glance, searching her eyes. She met his stare and nodded her head. “I will send your request.”

  Michael pulled out his BlackBerry and sent the email.

  ***

  Fear gripped Angel. In her current state, she resembled a monster in a horror film. How would she ever compete with the flawless perfection of the supernatural females flaunting themselves in front of Jacque? Even in top form, she barely met their standards. Insecurity gripped her. She prepared herself for rejection.

  They worked on aligning the divisions. Assessing the strengths and weaknesses of the little army amassed, they developed a strategy. Michael was an expert strategist. Isabella and Raphael huddled in the corner debating weapons. Laurent worked on the budget at the desk in the corner. Angel stared out the window, praying silently for Jacque’s return.

  She rested her head on the arm, curling into a ball in the club chair. She studied the cracks in the worn leather, tracing the path with her finger. It seemed an eternity since Michael sent the request. She checked the clock and only an hour had passed. Laurent hauled the ottoman in front of her chair, showing her compassion. The tears burned her eyes. She tilted her head back to keep them from falling.

  “Hey, there’s no crying in war.” He wiped a tear slipping down her cheek. “What’s going on?”

  Angel hugged her knees. “Sorry, I know I’m a downer.”

  “Yeah, a big one. You know I’m available if you need to talk. I’m your friend, Ang, and will do anything to help.”

  “You’ve been a great friend. I needed one. Most of the people in my life have been there, because they wanted something from me. It’s strange to have people who care about you and want nothing in return.” She turned her gaze back outside. The moist heat created a hazy mist in the air. Louisiana summers were notorious for the humidity.

  “Tell Dr. Laurent what’s going on.” He chuckled.

  “I’m afraid of losing Jacque again.”

  He swatted her shoe. “What’re you talking about?”

  “Look at me. If Jacque comes back, he’ll never want to be with someone like me.” Her head hung low and she closed her eyes, appreciating the darkness.

  “He loves you ,Angel.” Laurent took her hand in his. His words gave her hope.

  “Yeah, we can remake the Beauty and the Beast, only I’ll play the beast.” She graced them with her fake smile reserved for bad jokes and unwanted advances from a boss.

  “You’re being ridiculous. We’ve had this conversation before. Give Jacque more credit.”

  “The last guy I loved ditched me while I was in the hospital, because of this face. My own mother can’t stand to lay her eyes on me like this. I’ve known Jacque for a minute. I’m supposed to trust he can see beyond this?” She peered up at him with questioning eyes, begging for the truth.

  “Your mother and the other guy are idiots. You’re a good person. You have love to share. Look at all these people here to help you. It doesn’t matter to us what you look like.”

  “Okay, half of these people you’re paying ungodly amounts of money to help. The rest just like to fight or have some kind of vendetta against Luc.”

  “They wouldn’t back you if they didn’t believe in you. We’re risking our lives for you. You have to be special for people to be willing to die for you, regardless of the money.”

  “It doe
sn’t matter. The request will probably get denied anyway. I knew it was a shot in the dark, but I had to try.”

  “See that’s why people love you. You risked your shot at something you deemed important for the possibility to get Jacque back even though you believe he won’t want you. You’re something else, Angelique Dias.”

  Her smile was genuine this time.

  The doorbell interrupted the conversation. It was like Grand Central Station around here these days. She wiped her face and left to answer the door. Hopefully, it was the pizza. Keeping food in a house full of supernatural males was like finding a $9.99 sale on Pradas. Impossible.

  When Angel opened the door, her heart stopped.

  Chapter Nineteen

  Angel opened the door just as Jacque decided to kick it in. Her amber tresses hid her face. The sight of her eased his pain. He thought he had lost her forever. Somehow a miracle plucked him from the gates of purgatory and dropped him on her doorstep. Yeah. Purgatory. He never expected to end up there; demons usually went straight to Hell.

  As soon as she stepped within reach, he scooped her into his arms, holding her tight to his chest. Her body stiffened and she pushed back. Then realization hit, a brilliant smile broke across her face, and she circled her arms around his waist. Shaking with tears, she mumbled incoherently into his chest. He inhaled her sweetness and kissed her hair, unable to let her go.

  He brushed back her dark waves to take in her beautiful face. The image of her large coffee colored eyes and pouty lips stayed with him as he waited for his judgment. She let go of him and looked the other away. Her head dropped, shoulders shook, and she sucked in air between the sobs. She pushed against his stomach, trying to escape his hold. Confused, Jacque held her tighter. Her hair cascaded around her face, blocking his view.

  “Angel, baby. What’s wrong?” he pleaded. This wasn’t the welcome he expected.

  “I don’t want you to see me,” she murmured through her tears.

  He turned her to face him. “Why? What’s going on?” She jerked away and dipped her head lower. He wanted to see her, to get lost in her eyes. She was an easy read. Her emotions laid on the surface waiting to explode.

  She held strong when he tried to tilt her face to him. “You’re not going to want me anymore when you see me.”

  He hugged her, feeling some of the tension ease from her body. “I will always want you. I love you.”

  “You love someone who doesn’t exist anymore.”

  “Okay, Angel. What hell are you talking about?” Frustration resonated in his voice.

  She slowly pulled back her hair and chocolate orbs stared at him, watching him expectantly. The horror tore him apart. A gaping scar mangled the right side of her face. The deep gash cut a path from her temple to below her jaw line. The scar pulled at her skin, slightly deforming the shape of her right eye. Who could do such a thing? Then the answer was evident. Words escaped him. The pain in her eyes as she watched him hurt worse than the dagger that pierced his heart. She tore herself from his arms and disappeared into the house.

  Jacque felt the sorrow and turmoil boiling like a cauldron inside of Angel. Was this what she gave up to bring him back? Ignorantly, he stared at her in horror instead of comforting her fears. Every time he opened his mouth or, this time, not open, he hurt her. His track record sucked. He had to fix this. Making things right with Angel was becoming a full-time job for him.

  He hurried down the hall to the living room. The room went silent when he entered. Bell called his name under her breath. Before he could take another step, she threw herself into his arms. Bell’s tears wet his shirt as he stroked her back to soothe her crying.

  “I thought you were lost to the Pits forever.” She clung tighter. He wanted to pull away from her and find Angel. He sensed her need to be close to him and stayed a bit longer.

  He let go of Bell and stepped back, unlocking her arms from him. “No, I ended in Purgatory then someone plucked me out of there and here I am.”

  “You can thank Angel. She made a huge sacrifice to get your no-good ass back,” Laurent called from the kitchen.

  “I noticed. I think I messed up.” He took another step back, trying to put some distance between him and Bell. She hovered close as if he might disappear.

  “What the hell you do? She’s really messed up right now.”

  Jacque eyes fell to the floor in shame. “I was just surprised when I saw her face.”

  Laurent rubbed his temple as he sat in the club chair in the corner. “Shit. You are a dumbass! She got messed up in a car accident. She came to Luc ‘cause she was trying to get her beauty back. Then, he wanted her to take me out and she refused. He forfeited the contract.”

  “I knew something heavy brought her to Luc. She refused to tell me what. How the hell did she get me back?”

  “The archs are here, well Michael and Raphael. They offered to return Angel’s beauty. Instead of helping herself, she traded it to get you back. I guess the Big Guy approved her request.” Laurent shook his head as he recounted the story.

  “Fuck. Did all hell break loose when I left? I thought you were supposed to be taking care of her.” Jacque’s eyes flash red with anger.

  “Man, we’re at war now. The shit has hit the fan!”

  “I guess I have a lot of catching up to do.”

  “First you need to go and make things right with Angel.” Laurent pointed up the stairs.

  ***

  Angel stopped at the top of the stairs and watched the scene below as the reality of her situation blossomed in front of her. Isabella ran into Jacque’s arms. He gathered her lovingly, soothing her shock just as he did with Angel. Only he gazed upon Isabella’s face with admiration, not horror. The sharp talons of jealousy ripped a hole in her thundering heart.

  She waited for him to come to her. He didn’t move. He lingered with Isabella hovering close, talking to Laurent. She tried to prepare herself for this situation. She understood the possibilities. The pain still tore at her sanity. She thought he loved her, therefore could see past the monster she had become. His betrayal far outweighed Jackson’s. She didn’t love Jackson. He did her a favor when he left. Foolishly, she fell for Jacque, giving her heart to him.

  Angel sighed, studying Isabella’s delicate features, the fairness of her blonde hair and blue eyes. Her petite figure highlighted Jacque’s massive frame. They were a dance of contrasts, painting a picture of contradicting beauty. She admired them with envy.

  He turned, heading toward the stairs, prompting her to dart into the bedroom. She didn’t need or want his pity. Locking herself in the bathroom, she faced her worst enemy, the mirror. As she stared at her reflection, she came to terms with her fate. This monster was her burden to bear forever. It was time she embraced her destiny.

  Angel picked up the black band and gathered her hair high on top her head in a ponytail, her face fully visible for the first time since Lucifer stripped her of his gift. She traced the ridges with her fingertips, saying goodbye to the Cover Girl face of her past. Digging deep, she mustered up her courage and went back into the master bedroom.

  Jacque stretched out across the bed with his hands tucked behind his head waiting for her. The massive bulk of his body made the king-sized bed shrink in size. Her eyes roamed over the broadness of his strong chest, catching the ripple of muscles as he watched her cross the room. The ridges of his ironclad abs showed through the tight T-shirt. His torso tapered at his waist, flowing into the powerful build of his legs. She licked her lips unintentionally. She was a lioness ready to pounce on its prey. The desire boiling inside of her reminded her how much she missed him.

  Instead of reacting to her instincts, she ignored Jacque, forcing herself away from the bed. Must stay strong. She went to the dresser and opened the top drawer, pretending to search for something. The bed moved and she sensed Jacque’s heat. She froze, holding her breath. If he touched her, she wasn’t sure she could maintain her pretense.

  He swept her hair acr
oss her shoulder and his lips hovered at the base of her neck. The warm moisture of his breath made the hairs on her nape sway like reeds in the wind. Her knees trembled as soft full lips whispered a kiss just behind her ear. She released the breath she held. He wrapped an arm around the front of her, melding her to him. Angel closed her eyes, basking in his seduction.

  “I’m sorry,” he implored, the words caressing her cheek.

  She tried to escape his grasp. “I don’t want your pity.”

  “I feel a lot of things for you. Pity is not one of them. I’m sorry I did this to you.” He leaned his weight in on her, cocooning her in his arms.

  She shook her head and answered, “You didn’t do this. This was done long before I met you.”

  “But you could’ve changed it. Actually, you had changed it until I messed things up.”

  “Jacque, I shouldn’t have made the deal with Lucifer in the first place. I got a second chance to make things right, to do the right thing.”

  “You saved my life.” A kiss brushed against her temple.

  “I took your life when you tried to help me. I gave you back what was rightfully yours.” She touched his arm and grazed his jaw with her lips.

  He spun her around to meet his gaze. Immediately, she diverted her eyes to the floor. With a finger under her chin, he lifted her face to his. “I meant what I said at Antione’s.”

  She looked up at him with hood eyes. “Help me remember.”

  “My, how easily we forget.” He smiled and ran a finger along the scar, gently stroking her face. “I love you.”

  “Look at me. How can you love this?” No longer able to bare the intensity of his stare, she buried her face in Jacque’s chest.

  “I see everything about you, even the things you fail to see about yourself. There’s nothing monstrous about you. You’re my Angel.” He played with a strand of her hair.

  Once again, he lifted her face, slanting his lips on hers. The urgency of his passion lit like wildfire through Angel. His tongue darted in and out of her parted lips, begging her to respond. She moaned against him, her mouth opened, welcoming the sweet taste of his eager lips. Her tongue met his, twining in desperate desire.