Dark Angel (An Angel Novel Book 2)

by Jane West

  I released a sharp sigh. This wasn’t the time to sort through my problems. I had to keep a clear head and be prepared for whatever I was about to confront.

  For backup, I followed through with Jeff’s suggestion in case things went south. Luckily Jeffery didn’t have a clue that I knew about his less-than-tasteful activities a ponder, I’d rather not reminisce about.

  It was the one certain venture, I could count on that Jeffery would do. Every morning like clockwork, Jeffery would steal away to his quaint little cubbyhole for a few moments of basking in his favorite magazine.

  Before the tire tracks were cold, I seized my shot when Jeffery left the house for a spot of tea with a few socialites. As soon as the coast was clear, I snuck into his private nook, placing the note inside an earmarked page of his brown-paper-covered magazine. Although, I was riddled with guilt, invading his privacy, I couldn’t think of a more inconspicuous spot. Still there were drawbacks I’d forever have that unsavory vision burned into my brain. Totally gross!

  If my plan panned out as I’d hoped, by the time Jeffery took his break in the morning, he’d already discovered my note, instructing him to alert Val. I felt if anyone had a chance finding me, it would be Val.

  I had to admit, Val had become my rock. He deserved more from me. Unfortunately, I was a mess.

  If Aidan was alive, there were unresolved issues that needed to be dealt with before I could make any decision, whether it was Val or Aidan. I wished my resolve was that simple like drawing sticks.

  Of course it never works that way. Since Aidan and I shared a child, it made things much more tangled. I had to think about what was best for my child.

  Whichever way I chose to look at this, I couldn’t forget my mistrust for Aidan. There was too much deception that had transpired between us for me to let my guard down.

  It was different with Val, despite our disparity. Perhaps, his clan might soften toward me if their leader showed mercy upon me.

  Then again, I haven’t been exactly great girlfriend material. Sharing my heart seemed difficult for me.

  Then there was Helen. What if Val had feelings for Helen? That thought stung like a switch to bare legs.

  I checked my watch again—eleven fifty-seven. What if no one showed up? What if Aidan and Dawn were captured? What if I was a sitting duck? I shook my head. I needed to stop with the what-ifs. I needed to stay alert and prepare for the unexpected.

  Abruptly jarring me from my thoughts, I heard a shuffle of feet, moving over loose gravel. Swiftly I ducked behind the large grave marker, stretching my ear over my pounding heart. I glimpsed at my watch—twelve midnight. They were approaching, fast. I held my breath, listening.

  Then the footfalls stopped. I peered around the tomb and gasped. A knot lodged in my gut. Then an urge of rage gushed through my veins. WTF? I came out from behind the stone, standing firm in my feet. I should’ve known. “Well, Helen, fancy seeing you here. I’m beginning to wonder if you’ve become my biggest fan? You seem to keep popping up.” My eyes narrowed. Sleight of hand, I reached for my blade, tucked underneath the band of my pants right below my tramp stamp a dagger, symbolizing strength. I grasped my fingers around the knife’s hilt ready to spring.

  Helen scoffed. “Don’t flatter yourself. I’m here to follow through with my promise.”

  “Promise?” I laughed. “She keeps her promise.” I mocked. My suspicions were right. I’d been set-up. Funny, though, Helen may be in for a surprise. Since last we met, I’d sharpened my skills. I kicked an empty beer bottle, feeling edgy. “And, pray tell what promise are you referring to, Aidan’s-little-sister?” I hit a nerve as she grimaced.

  “I warned you not to stick your nose where it didn’t belong.”

  “I haven’t a clue to what you’re referring to.” Could Helen have sent me the letter? Perhaps drawing me out was the only way she could get me alone.

  “Don’t play coy with me. Why must you keep trying to dig up something that doesn’t concern you?” The blonde’s lips curled with contempt.

  I sighed, exasperated. “Look, we don’t care for each other. I get it. So let’s cut to the chase. Just tell me what I already know.” Keep calm! I coached myself.

  “Why make it easier for you?” Helen stood tall like a goddess. I wondered how someone with such beauty and grace could be as equally wicked.

  “Despite popular belief, your brother had feelings for me. I think he would want you to do the right thing.” My face pinched tight. “I know about my child. I gave birth during my stay at Haven Hospital. To hide my growing belly from me, the Family made sure that I had an ample amount of drugs pumped daily into my body.” My voice broke. “You must… you must know your brother would never approve of such cruelty?”

  Helen clapped her hands in a mock applause. “Hooray, hooray! It’s a girl!” she was not congratulating me. Her tinged tone oozed with menace. “You should’ve moved on with your life. Forgot the child. You may be her fleshly mother, but she doesn’t belong to you.”

  “A girl!” I mumbled to myself. Anger hit me like a bullet. I lurched forward, veins in my neck were standing out in vivid ridges. “I am her mother!” I hissed. “She is not a commodity. The child belongs with me!” I tightened my fingers around the dagger, white knuckled.

  “Since we’re being honest with each other,” she suddenly deflected the subject, “your new boyfriend, Val, spoke highly of you. He laughed at how lousy of a lay you are.” She cackled like a crow, lying.

  I shook my head in annoyance. “Are we deviating from why we are here?”

  The corner of her mouth tipped with indignation. “I think Val is very much part of this meeting.” A predatory glint appeared behind her eyes. “After all, I have something you want and you have something I want.”

  I scoffed. “You want Val?” I laughed to myself. “Val is his own man. I have no claim on him.”

  “Of course you don’t.” She tossed a smoldering grin. “You could never hold a man of such station. You couldn’t even keep your position with my brother.”

  I laughed back in her face. No point in arguing with her caviling insults. “Are we going to stand here the rest of the night swapping jabs? Really, I had more faith in you, Helen. It’s not my fault if you can’t keep a man. ”

  Boiling steam appeared to rise from her incensed face. Damn, whata Kodak moment, I giggled to myself.

  “Laugh at this, whore!” she sibilated. “I have your child!”

  My laughter wedged in my throat, my body woodened. “Your bluffing!” She was baiting me. I drew in a deep, slow breath, holding my wit.

  “Maybe!” she paused, smiling. “Maybe not.”

  “You’re wasting my time.” My fist tight in balls to my side, I turned to leave but stopped at her words.

  “Aidan and your daughter are being contained as we speak.” Her face lit with bitter triumph.

  “How do I know you’re not lying?”

  “Because the truth hurts more than a lie.” Her demeanor gave no hint of deception. I still didn’t trust this bitch.

  “I want proof.” I waited, caution set in my stance.

  Not uttering a word, Helen nodded to the left, from behind the shadows, one of her barn-side guards revealed himself with an iPad in his grasp. He halted by her side, waiting for further instructions. “Show her!” she ordered, brusque. The brawny guard stepped closer to me, almost too close, pressed play and handed me the tablet. I snatched the device abruptly from his beefy hand, my patience spent. My pulse was erratic as my eyes were glued to the screen. Everything surrounding me ceased, the only focus that mattered was that small device.

  Only moments later, I heard laughter—a child giggling. My stomach clenched as my eyes watched the screen. A little girl about three years old, blowing out candles, it was her birthday. She had dark hair like Aidan and green eyes like me. In a small voice, I heard her call out, “Daddy,” and that’s when all my doubts vanished. Aidan appeared beside her. He looked happy, smiling, while helpi
ng her blow out the last candle. The angelic child reached up to hug her father’s neck, and then the picture went blank.

  My head snapped up at Helen. “Where are they now!” I demanded through snarling teeth. It took every ounce of strength I had not to throttle this evil vixen.

  “Finally, I have you rattled.” She dangled a wicked grin.

  I didn’t reply, though, the flame in my eyes gave me away rage like no other.

  Then I needed clarity. “What did I ever do to deserve such horrendous treatment from you and your iniquitous Family?” It would take me an eternity to understand such cruelty.

  “You have no clue.” She smirked. “This doesn’t have anything to do with you. It has to do with your father.”

  “My celestial donor?” my brows furrowed, confused.

  “No, not Mustafa. I’m referring to your human father.

  “You’re tormenting my child and me because my father defected the Family?”

  “They never told you?”

  “Told me what?” my fist white knuckled to my side.

  “Why am I not surprised?” she smiled, not a friendly smile, one that sent chills down my spine. “I am Aidan’s adopted sibling.” She hesitated. “I am your blood sister.”

  My chin hit the floor. “You’re lying!”

  “I’m different from you. My blood courses strong with Druid blood. I am like my father, Jon.”

  “Jon Collins is your father?” I stood like I’d been shot, waiting to fall.

  “I’m disappointed.” Amusement crossed Helen’s face. “I assumed my brother would’ve told you.”

  “I don’t understand?” I couldn’t believe my ears. How could I have not known?

  “I suppose I have to enlighten you on our family’s history.”

  “I don’t need a history lesson.” I hissed through clenched teeth.

  “Oh, but you do.” Her brow arched. “You see… before your mother came into the picture, there was someone else my mother.”

  Whether I wanted to admit it or not, there was a ring of truth. “Go on.” I coaxed.

  “Once Jon finished law school, he was promised to wed, my mother, Lilith. The Family had arranged their union long before Jon’s and my mother’s birth.

  “Prearranged marriages are from the dark ages. Why would anyone agree to such a burden?”

  “In our family, we honor tradition. It has kept us in existence for centuries. Our magick flows strong in our blood. It is imperative we keep our bloodline pure. Which brings me back to our father.”

  “So what happened? Did my father marry your mother?”

  “Jon and Lilith were inseparable. She loved our father. Jon, not so much.”

  “He hated the Family’s lack of propriety. He was a good man. I’m sure it had nothing to do with your mother.”

  “You couldn’t be more wrong.” She sneered. “Our father eloped with your worthless mother. Not only did he abandoned his family, he deserted his fiancé and unborn child—a child that was fully his!” Helen shrieked, tears welled up in her eyes.

  “He’d gotten your mother pregnant?” I’d stammered over the words. “This…this couldn’t be possible?” I raked over my mind if my parents had ever mentioned an older sister. I drew a blank.

  “It’s true!” she wiped a stray tear. “My father, our father, forsaken me.”

  “If this were true, my father must’ve had a reason for leaving your mother. He was an honorable man.” Despite my distaste for Helen, my heart went out to her.

  “Our father was a coward!” Helen spat. “Rather than living up to his obligations, he left the Family, refusing to marry my mother. Jon didn’t care about her or his unborn child. He was selfish!”

  I shook my head, denying this tragic tale. “You couldn’t possibly be his child. My father couldn’t have children.”

  “Are you that naïve? My mother cast a spell against him after he ditched her at the altar.”

  I gawked, disbelieving.

  “Oh, don’t look so surprised, little sister!” Helen’s eyes narrowed with hatred.

  “I don’t believe you!” I railed. “My father wouldn’t have left his own flesh and blood behind.”

  “Forgive me for tainting the image of perfect Daddy, but you should know who your father truly was.”

  I get her grief, whether it was true or not, but what did I have to do with her Daddy issues? “Let’s say I give you that. I don’t understand why you’re dragging my family and me into this?”

  “For the sins of the father, the offspring must pay the transgressions.”

  “Because of an act of another, you intend to punish me by taking my child?” My heart went out to her but holding my child hostage was playing with death.

  “It’s like a double-edged sword. If you will, an eye for an eye.” Her lip twitched. “The child is quite amazing. She possesses great powers, much like her momma, and” she pronounced each word precisely, driving the knife further into my heart—“we intend to utilize your little girl’s abilities until we drain her last breath.”

  “Oh hell, no!” I lurched forward in reach of the blonde. “Over my dead body, sistah!” I hissed, ready for a bloodbath.

  “Careful for what you wish for. This time there will be no mercy. The Family spared you once due to my brother’s pathetic pleas. This time, his begging will fall against muted ears as he sits and rots in his cell.”

  “Aidan is alive?” my heart stopped!

  “After my brother escaped our clenches, that’s when he sent you the letter. Personally, I feel he’s wasting his time on trash.”

  “Tell me where they are?” I snarled like a lioness crazed for her lost cubs.

  “Well, sister dear, my adopted brother, your ex-lover” she rebuffed—“is a bit under the weather. You see he received quite a beating for his disloyalty—a lesson he truly deserved. He needed his priorities set straight. Placing his loyalty to you first makes the Family very angry. After all, the Family is a very jealous god.”

  “God? That’s a bit grandiose even for you, Helen.” I was done. “Tell me where they are if want to live!”

  She ignored my question. “One is never too pompous when it is true!” Her eyes shot acid at me.

  “Tell me where Aidan and my child are?” I demanded with a hardline glower.

  “Don’t worry, little sis. You’ll reunite with your lover and child soon enough.” Helen’s lips curled with insolence.

  “If you have harmed them, I’m coming for you!” I threatened with grave intent.

  “Your child is safe for now. She’s having her milk and cookies.” The wicked witch smirked. “We’re preparing her for the celebration tonight. Since we were unable to drain you of your gifts, we’ll just take the next best thing—your daughter.” Her lips pursed like the kiss of death.

  Alarm torpedoed my chest, nearly knocking the breath from me. “If you value your life, you’ll let my child and Aidan go free, unharmed.” I spoke with a steel calm. At this point, I wanted to end her pathetic life. Yet I knew that would be a grave mistake. I’d never find Aidan and my child if I took her life now. I had to be patient. She didn’t meet me in this cemetery just to gloat.

  “Tsk, tsk, such sisterly love.”

  “Let’s save the love for later, dear old sister. Set them both free, and you can have me. Take what you need from me—my life, my freedom, my powers. Leave Aidan and Dawn out of it!” The way I saw it, I was a stranger to my daughter. She knew her father, and by what I saw on the video, she loved Aidan dearly as I loved my father. I refused to take the only thing she knew.

  “Oh, I’d love to take you up on your offer. However, there’s a slight problem.” Helen sneered. “When you screwed my handsome brother, the two of you fused your powers, locking your strength together as one. You’re bound to Aidan forever. One can’t live without the other.”

  Holy mother of god! It was true. We were sealed. It wasn’t a lie. The real deception wasn’t between Aidan and me. Rather, the Family conc
ealed the truth from both of us. “So I can assume since I’m standing erect, you’re telling the truth about Aidan?”

  “You catch on fast.” Delight tipped the corner of her mouth.

  “What do you want?” I met her murderous glare equally while I waited for her to make a move. She better get ready, it wouldn’t be without one hell of a fight. I suspected she had brought more than one goon. Like my daddy would say, hope for the best and prepare for the worse, and tonight, I came pack-n.

  “There are many things I desire, one of which is for my dead daddy’s fav to suffer. I wish for my brother to look upon your once-beautiful face after it’s mangled. After I’m done with you, he won’t think of you as his precious princess.” Then she saved the worst for last as she pierced my heart with her foreboding words. “To top it off, while you lie helpless, you’ll have the pleasure of witnessing your daughter’s life force stripped from her body.” The frothing-out-the-mouth blonde just crossed the line.

  A calm came over me as I began to speak with precision. I knew with certainty what was about to go down. “Three years ago, you and your family had the upper hand over me. Back then, I had a lot to learn about your world. Since that time, I have learned a thing or two. As a result, I’ve been forced to learn particular skills. So, if you don’t mind me speaking candidly, let me explain exactly how this ambush is going to transpire. First, I plan to take out all your guards, one by one.” Her other two escorts had stepped forward into the dim light. I expected that much. I had sensed her squires’ presence lurking among the shadows.

  I nodded to the man on my left. “John Doe over here has a slight vision problem that he failed to tell you. He’ll be my first target. I’ll take out his good eye, leaving him blind and no use to you.” Helen’s mouth flopped open like she was catching flies. “And when your second man, Don Juan lunges for me, I have my second knife to stop him in midair. The knife will penetrate his skull, killing him on impact before he hits the ground. Then afterward, I think you and I should have a sisterly visit. You’re going to take me to my family.” I stared at her with full intent of my threat.