by Vivi Dumas
“I don’t need your help. You’ve done enough,” she scoffed, running from the room.
“She’ll be okay.” Isis patted Jacque’s arm.
Isabella wore her pain like a badge. Angel understood the torment of rejection. As much as she wanted to hate Isabella, she felt connected to her. They shared the emptiness of loving someone who didn’t love them back. For Angel, it was her mother.
“Let’s get this show on the road.” Nat broke the silence.
“Yeah, Jacque, do you want to go get the guys?” Angel met his gaze, which still lingered after Isabella, causing a pang of jealousy to flare in her.
“I don’t think we need everyone. We should just get this going,” he suggested.
“They can help you if you get into trouble.” The acid in her stomach churned and her hand slightly shook.
“I want to do this myself. You have to stay out of it, too.” He shot her a stern look. She expected this from him. He never planned on anyone helping.
“Okay.” She didn’t argue. Instead, she meshed her lips to his, in what might have been their last kiss. Her tongue explored his mouth, tasting every part of him. She drew him down to her. He wrapped his arms around her waist, merging their bodies. He softened the kiss. She listened to the thundering of his heart against her ear. He released his hold on her and stepped back. Angel cringed, never wanting to let him go.
Jacque forced himself away from her. He hated to let her go. In order to move forward with their lives, he had to finish his fight with his brother. He wanted to be rid of Xavier and marry the women he loved.
Angel, Marie, Nat, and his mother formed a circle around the symbols drawn on the floor. He unsheathed the swords he carried on his back, balancing the weight in his hands. The bronze hilts of his swords cooled the heat permeating from his hands. The sounds of Angel’s chants filled his head. The lyrical softness of her tone calmed him. The serenity of her voice contradicted the turmoil he sensed inside her.
Flames roared in the middle of the white power triangle. The chanting became louder. They called on Xavier, beckoned him to appear. Lightning flashed outside. Jacque shut his eyes, listening to the rhythmic melody of the spell. The heat intensified in the room. The venom of anger and hatred infiltrated the large space.
“Hello, ladies. Fancy meeting you here.” Xavier reached out to snatch Angel’s arm. Lightning struck, throwing him outside the circle.
“Leave!” Jacque cornered his brother, allowing the women to escape.
“I’m surprised to see you, bro. Did you miss me?” Xavier’s laugh crackled through the long, narrow space.
“I figured it was better to meet on my terms than wait for yours.”
“You’re smarter than I give you credit for. Father did a better job than I thought.”
“Centuries of training comes in handy.” Jacque crouched around the perimeter of the room.
“Too bad it all ends here.” The ring of Xavier’s sword echoed off the walls as he unleashed it from its steel sheath.
Jacque circled his brother, anticipating his moves. Knees bent, body tense, he readied for the attack. Xavier’s growl shook the windows as he rushed at Jacque. The blade of his sword slashed through the top of Jacque’s arm, and he swung the sword to his right hand, thrusting it forward, penetrating his brother below his ribs.
He leveraged the edge of a chair, rotating into a back flip. He turned in time to run his blade across Xavier’s thigh. His brother picked up a vanity chair, brandishing it like a lion tamer and used it to ward off the blows.
Jacque tripped over the candles as Xavier lunged at him. He crushed the base of his skull with the hilt of the sword. Jacque tried to focus against the pain, but the advances made at him were too quick, and he winced as the blade passed through his stomach, burning like molten lava. Once Xavier drew it out, Jacque dropped his sword as he stumbled backward.
“Where’re all your friends now, bro?” Xavier’s eyes glowed in the darkness.
“I don’t need help finishing you.” Jacque regained his balance, striking with all his might. The steel of his blade sliced through flesh and bone of Xavier’s left arm. He attacked again, not allowing Xavier time to retaliate. He impaled his brother to the armoire sitting on wall opposite the door. Xavier’s sword dropped to the floor.
Jacque held his stomach and stumbled back. Defeat boiled inside Xavier, something he never felt before. It emerged as confusion and disgust.
“We don’t have to kill each other,” Jacque offered.
“Ah. There’s the Jacque I know. Those fickle emotions always interfere with your good judgment.”
“Why do you hate me?”
“Because you took everything from me. You had the life I should’ve lived.”
“Father left your mother long before I was born.”
“And he never looked back. He cared nothing of me.” Xavier looked away.
“He cares for you. Father rarely shows his emotions.”
“What does it matter? What’s done is done.” He used his strength to rip the sword through his torso. Jacque doubled over in anguish from the excruciating pain his brother experienced. Xavier used the downfall of being an empath to his advantage.
He fell forward on his knees.
“Put me out of my misery, brother.” He bowed his head, revealing his neck.
“I don’t want to kill you.”
“If you don’t, as long as I live, I will hunt you.”
“Why? Why does it have to be this way?” Jacque labored with the heft of his sword as his brother’s request weighed heavy in his heart.
“Because I don’t know anything else. It’s too late. I can’t turn back.”
“I won’t do it.”
His brother lifted his head and stared into Jacque’s eyes. “Please.”
The agony in his voice brought a knot into Jacque’s throat. He wanted freedom. As Xavier lowered his head, Jacque brought his sword down, beheading his brother.
The flames lapped over the body. An inferno ensued until it all disappeared. Jacque threw his sword to the ground, dropped to his knees, and pounded his fists into the wood floor until he pulverized it. His brother was gone. The threat extinguished.
Then why don’t I feel like the victor?
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, fi
nding 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. F
ocus 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.
