Samael Page 11

  It wasn’t a demon. It was an angel. His eyes were solid black, his stance elegant and ethereal. He held his hand out to her and she raised her hand in return, wanting nothing more than to touch him. It was as though she were aware of exactly what this angel wanted. It felt right. She had to take his hand.

  “No! Drink.” Samael growled.

  It was then that she knew who stood over her. Her conversation with Samael came rushing back to her. She was looking death in the face. An Angel of Souls had come to lead her through the transition.

  * * * *

  Samael couldn’t move. He held one hand firmly against the giant wound in Jade’s neck, the other holding her head so that she could drink from him. The energy at his back held no malice. It carried a sense of peace and freedom.

  “You will not take her.” His voice did not sound normal to his ears. It was desperate and hollow. It was something else that had become familiar to him during his time as an angel. Humans never wanted to part with their loved ones, and many a time they would beg and plead for that person to remain living. The desperation humans had demonstrated had never bothered him in the beginning, though towards the end of his service in Heaven the pleading had him second-guessing his job in life.

  Domiel did not respond, and it didn’t surprise Samael. Samael had just spent the last five minutes trying to kill the bastard. He would have accomplished that goal too, if Luc hadn’t taken all his powers when Samael had left his services. Samael needed time to save Jade. With his blood he could save her. He had to. Jade’s arm rose once again and he took his hand from her head to snatch it back down. He held her arm to his side, not allowing her to touch Domiel.

  He would take her soul.

  “Samael, you are aware the decision has been made. Your will holds no power in this. Her soul is mine. Fighting me will not alter the fate of the one before you. You changed her fate once. She’d been destined to die the day I saw you. I will not be denied again.”

  They had served together many times. Would Samael’s desperation affect Domiel in the least? “Brother, I am begging you. Leave … just turn around and leave.”

  Perhaps if he could keep Domiel talking Jade would get enough of his blood to survive. She was still drinking, though truth be told, he did not know how much she was ingesting. Blood still poured through his fingers from her wound, coating his shirt, but he’d killed Rachael before she had delivered the final death blow. Certainly Jade wouldn’t die from the wound in her neck. He couldn’t assess how bad it was, and yet her head was still intact.

  “You are making this much more difficult than it needs to be. Let her go.”

  He couldn’t. He would not. “Help me, Domiel. Please. You can take my soul.” Samael could feel Jade slipping. Her body grew cold against his. She tried to breath and the only thing that met his ears was a raspy, gurgling sound.

  “I cannot do that. Your name is not in the Book of Life. Your soul belongs in the Pit.”

  “You will not.” Samael used his arm to keep hers at his side and cradled her head in his palm once again, hoping the angle her head was now at would help her drink. She was pushing at his arm, trying to gain access to Domiel. It was something she could not control. Angels of Souls made the passing easier, and what she was doing would come naturally to her. It was instinct that caused her to reach out to him.

  Samael held onto her, shielding her body from Domiel. He had so many things he wanted to say to her, but he couldn’t get the words out. One word ran through his mind over and over again. No. No. No.

  Stay with me. Don’t give up.

  How ironic to find himself shielding a loved one from an angel. His mind told him nothing he could do would alter fate, but his heart demanded he not give up.

  Domiel kneeled beside them, and Samael knew the battle would soon be lost. He was torn between his attempt to give her his blood and wanting to kill the angel beside him.

  “I will willingly go to the Pit, soul for soul.”

  “You would give your life for hers? You would willingly go to the fires to save her?”

  Samael rocked her gently. “I would. I will.”

  Domiel pushed at him. “Move aside.”

  Samael tried to give voice to the word no, but he could not. He gritted his teeth and closed his eyes. If only Jade had told him of Lexie’s vision he would have taken her off the streets immediately. It was too late now. He opened his eyes and a red haze coated everything in his line of vision.

  “Samael, I will help her live. Let her go.”

  Samael dared not trust him. Domiel’s mission was to take the soul, not help the individual live. “Domiel … I will do anything … spare her. Take my soul, send me to the pit, it doesn’t matter to me. Let her live.” His words were redundant, and yet they were the only words swirling around his mind.

  In the past few days she’d angered him, pleased him, touched him and brought love back into his life. He didn’t want to watch her die. Not like this.

  Domiel placed a hand on Samael’s shoulder, the touch comforting and peaceful. “I will give her my blood. She will heal.”

  The blood of an angel had healing powers much greater than that of a demon. Giving Domiel his trust could cost Jade her life, and yet Domiel was his only hope. “You swear on His name?”

  “My word, I swear on His name. She will live.”

  Samael pulled back, giving Domiel access to Jade. “Why?” Had this had been a test of sorts? Samael had put another’s life above his own. It was the one and only thing that could redeem a demon. A selfless act. It was rare that a demon would be given a second chance at redemption, and yet he had been given that chance.

  He moved completely out of the way so that Domiel could give her his life-force. Everything and everyone in the bar stopped. It looked like a movie that had been put on pause. Domiel was ensuring no humans saw what transpired before them.

  Samael leaned down to take Jade’s hand. He had to touch her in some capacity. Was she getting better? Was Domiel going back on his word?

  When she squeezed his hand Samael closed his eyes in relief. Suddenly he was able to breathe again. It was then he realized his cheeks were wet and his hands were shaking. She was alive.

  Tests didn’t come very often to demons, and nine times out of ten the demon failed. Redemption didn’t interest Samael, though he welcomed it. He wasn’t going back to Heaven right now—he had made too many bad decisions for that—but he would take the offer of a new beginning. His life wouldn’t change, nor his job. When the final judgment came he had a chance to live.

  Domiel gently laid Jade’s head to the ground, stood and faced Samael. “She will rest for a few hours. Take her. I must clear evidence.”

  Samael nodded. He crawled over to her side and slipped his arms under Jade’s legs and back, tenderly lifting her from the floor. It amazed him how much her possible death had affected him. It was true, then, that one never knew how much they loved a person until they were gone. So many things were left unsaid.

  With Jade secured in his arms he waited for Domiel to speak with him about his redemption. Jade’s face nestled into his neck. She slept peacefully. After seconds went by in silence, Samael finally prodded the angel. “Domiel?”

  The angel turned to him, and an unspoken understanding passed between them. “You are welcome, Samael. Take her and go.”

  Domiel’s gesture took Samael’s breath. The sadness in Domiel’s eyes spoke of the incredible sacrifice he’d endured to save Jade.

  “Domiel … I…” What could he say? Domiel sacrificed everything to help them. “Thank you.” Samael de-materialized with the knowledge that Domiel had just compromised his own standing in the angelic realm. This had not been a test.

  Domiel had just fallen.

  Chapter Eight

  Jade snuggled deeper into the warmth, her body humming with an energy that forced her eyes open. In the back of her mind came the thought that this was what ADHD felt like. Sitting up, she quickly took in her surro
undings. Instead of the normal dank hotel room, what she saw before her was a light, airy suite.

  Beams of sunlight filtered through beautiful glass doors, bathing the room in a bright, yellow glow. The balcony doors opened up to a patio, where potted plants swayed in a gentle breeze. She glared at the glass patio furniture, but it was beautiful nonetheless. A view of the ocean, bare of sun worshippers due to the season, stretched its blue hand invitingly.

  A couch and loveseat sat in front of a large flat-screen TV. A wet bar stood off to the side of the room, the crystal glasses sitting on the bar reflecting the sun’s rays.

  There were no stains on the carpet.

  She touched the skin on her neck, surprised to find it smooth and intact. Last she remembered she was gushing blood and seeing stars.

  “How do you feel?”

  Like I can fly. She glanced down at the source of all the warmth and her cheeks flushed. When she sat up, she had taken the blankets and sheets with her. Samael’s gorgeous body was bare, beautiful in the morning light. An overwhelming desire to run her hands over his chest, his eight-pack abs, nearly overtook her. “I feel awesome.”

  Bits and pieces of her ordeal came to her, and she recalled Samael holding her down, keeping her from reaching out to the angel. Death had come for her, and Samael had saved her. She recalled hearing the desperation in his voice, and as much as she’d wanted to reassure him at the time, the pull of the angel had overridden all such intentions.

  At the time the angel shared his blood, she’d been too far gone to appreciate the full impact of the heady substance. Another quick glance at the suite—the streaming sunlight filtering into the room, the blue sparking water of the ocean—alerted her to the heightened senses she now contained. It was magical.

  She lay back down, propping her head up in her palm. “I thought you said everyone has a time to die, and nothing could be done?”

  He cocked a brow. “Is that a thank you I hear?”

  “Samael, I’m being serious.”

  He sat up and sighed. “Guess there’s a first time for everything. And to answer your question, yes, everyone has a time to pass on to their new life.”

  She waited, and he said no more. “And?” she prodded. What will happen now? Was that my time to go?”

  Slowly, he pulled the beige satin sheet from her body. The satin gliding over her skin was as sensual as a caress, and she could thank her heightened senses for that. It made her wonder what other touches could do to her.

  Samael brought his gaze to hers. “Apparently it was. I didn’t agree. Lucky for you, I knew the angel.”

  “So just like that he spared my life?”

  Samael shook his head and looked away from her. Sadness lined the planes of his face. “He didn’t spare your life. Life would have gone on, just in a different capacity. Death is a transition.”

  “Then why did you stop him?” Not that she was complaining. She hadn’t signed up for Heaven quite yet. She wasn’t ready to leave.

  Lexie’s vision had come to pass, and she was still here, thanks to Samael. Samael seemed to be struggling for words. She touched his arm. “Never mind why you stopped him. I think I’ll be thanking you now.”

  Before she could do anything, he leaned over her, his energy snapping to life. “I stopped him by begging for your life. He had every intention of taking your soul, so I fought him at first, but his powers are greater than mine. When I saw you fall, I ran to you. From there I begged him to let you live. You’ve shown me what life can be like, and I couldn’t let you go. I just couldn’t.”

  In all the time she’d known him, she would have never imagined him begging for anything. That he did for her was humbling. “I thought angels didn’t have free will. If the angel let me live … what happened to him? Will he face consequences for his decision to spare my life?”

  The energy in the room dissipated, as if Samael had vacuumed the force back inside him, leaving behind a desolate environment. “He fell from grace.”

  She sucked in her breath, the implication of what had truly transpired slamming her with dread. “Oh, Samael. What do we do? We must do something.”

  Samael nodded. “I’m going to get in contact with him. I have an idea. Don’t worry about Domiel, I’m not going to forget what he has done for us.”

  Done for us. The three words lifted the feeling of morose that had permeated the room. “Will you know how to locate him?”

  “Yes. I’ve known him for a long time. I know what his energy feels like, and though it will have changed a little now that he’s a demon, his essence will remain the same. Don’t worry, I’ll try and make this right. I will make this right.”

  She trusted him. It amazed her how much she trusted and believed in him. In the short time since she’d met him, he’d been the bane of her existence and her savior. He’d made her laugh and cry, scream in frustration and scream with desire.

  Is this what love felt like? One minute she could bash him over the head with a bat, and the next she couldn’t imagine her life without him.

  She reached out, placing her hand behind his neck to bring him to her. No words were needed as he covered her body with his. Heaven might be a great place, but she sure couldn’t get this beyond the pearly gates.

  His hands were made for touching her, and his body was made for her touch. Every hard line, every taut muscle screamed for her attention. She ran her palms over the muscles playing in his back as he held himself above her, marveling at the strength he held in check.

  He kissed her neck and her toes curled. She tilted her head to give him better access. “Samael, if I did die, would I ever see you in Heaven?” When a demon died, his soul went directly to the pit. Lucifer owned their souls.

  “Depends on how I live my life. Redemption is possible for demons. My test hasn’t come yet.”

  She nibbled his shoulder. “What kind of test?”

  “No one knows, but the ultimate test is to give one’s life for another. It’s the one unselfish act that can reinstate a demon.”

  She sighed as he moved down her body to lick and tease her breasts. It was becoming more and more difficult to keep a coherent thought. “Would you give your life for mine?”

  “Absolutely.”

  He nudged her thighs apart with his elbows. Her back arched off the bed. “Then that means … ahhh … that means you would go back to Heaven?”

  “Yes.” His warm breath tickled her inner thighs. “We can talk later. Sit back and enjoy.”

  Like she was going to say no to that. She’d get the specifics later. With his tongue delving inside of her, she couldn’t quite remember her original question anyway. God, the things he could do with his lips and tongue. And to think, at one point she wasn’t going to give him a chance to prove what he could do with that sinful mouth.

  When he gently sucked on her clit, she fisted her hands in the sheets. The warmth of the room, the light of the sun … everything seemed to add to this sexual experience. His tongue was rough against her folds, warm and moist. The power in her veins boiled, as though she were feeding off his powers as well.

  Her orgasm was powerful, eliciting a scream from her.

  As he made his way up her body, kissing and nibbling a sinful path, she believed she had found a piece of Heaven. Nothing and no one had ever brought her to such unbelievable heights before.

  He entered her, whispering in her ear, “You’re mine, Jade. In the next few days I’m going to learn every part of your body and elicit every type of moan from you. The only thing that will come out of your mouth is my name when you come.”

  “I’m going to hold you to that.”

  * * * *

  The Highlands of Scotland had always been home to Jade. The lush, rolling hills and the scent of pine and earth that invaded her senses in this beautiful land overwhelmed her. Whenever she came to the place she considered home, it was with joy in her heart.

  Not today.

  Jade closed her eyes as the congregation stood bef
ore Wesley’s casket. Various Alliance members were saying their final farewells with the sun bright in the sky. Some visibly cried while others displayed a quiet sense of mourning. Wesley had been a respected, long-standing member of the Alliance, and many had turned out for his funeral.

  Ambrose allowed those who wanted to speak to take the podium set up behind the casket. He would say the eulogy at the end of the service, when everyone was finished.

  Kelsey stepped down from the podium after making a beautiful speech that focused on the love for others and the quiet strength Wesley had always displayed. Kelsey lifted a white tissue to her eyes as she walked past Jade. Jade reached out and touched her shoulder. Kelsey nodded and walked back to where she had been standing next to Lexie and Azazel.

  Jade let go of Samael’s hand and made her way to the podium. Many people raised their eyebrows at what she chose to wear—a bright yellow dress with a white sweater. Of course everyone else wore black, even Samael.

  Before her ordeal at the club, she hadn’t known what she was going to say. Death wasn’t something she had been comfortable with, even though she had brought death to so many throughout the years. Vanquishing those who hurt others and disobeyed the laws didn’t affect her. It was the death of those who changed the world for the better, those who deserved a better end than what they got.

  But things had changed. She had changed.

  No, she hadn’t thought about the exact words she would say, but she knew the point she wanted to get across to the assassins standing before her. Though none spoke the words aloud, she had a pretty good idea everyone was thinking the same thing.

  When will my time come?

  She cleared her throat. “I’m not here to mourn the death of Wesley. I’m here to celebrate his transition to a better place and a higher understanding.”

  Murmurs erupted in the crowd. She glanced at Samael and smiled when he winked at her. He’d become a source of strength for her in the past few days.

  “Wesley was a close friend of mine, and though I initially trained him, he was also one of my mentors. I’ve had many conversations with him about his outlook on life. Twenty years ago Wesley lost his wife, Caroline. Many of you will recall she died in a fire here on this land. Wesley mourned her death because he had to go on with life without her. I celebrate his transition because now they have been reunited. He no longer has to pass his days with only memories of Caroline. He’s with her now.”