Pulling back her hand, she stopped herself from caressing his strong jaw, which carried a hint of a five o’clock shadow. Other than having issues with humans, he wasn’t so bad for a demon. Or was he? Jacque was the only demon she knew. She had no frame of reference to find out if she was correct in her assessment.
He made her so hot beads of sweat developed in the valley of her breasts. Angel knew she should stay away from Jacque.
Temptation is a bitch
. Did all demons pop off the pages of
GQ
magazine? She sank deeper in the seat and wiped her sweaty hands on the sides of her dress. He looked so delicious she could take a bite out of him. As she deliberated the outcomes, she thought better of it.
The list of her problems grew by the minute. Angel didn’t need to add sleeping with a demon to that list. She thanked the heavens when they arrived at her house. Jumping from the car as if it was headed for a cliff, she ran into the white bungalow.
Jacque followed her into the place.
“Whose house is this?” Jacque called out.
“Technically, it’s mine. I bought it for my mother. What a waste of money. She likes to talk about it more than actually come here,” she shouted from the bedroom.
Angel strolled back into the living room, dropping a couple of bags on the floor. Her toes curled from the coolness of the ceramic tile. Her gaze darted from Jacque to the dazzling color below her feet. Approaching him, she watched him with each step. Without her heels, he stood close to a foot taller than her. Unlike many men, he made her feel petite.
“Um...can you help me?” She pointed to the back of her dress.
“Anything for you,
ma chère
.” The green of his eyes deepened a shade darker, highlighted by golden flecks, as they drank her in.
She turned her back to him, revealing the stuck zipper. “I need help with my dress.”
“Sure. Come here.” He grabbed the thin fabric and pulled her to him. A flash of heat overcame her as his fingers grazed her skin.
“Never mind, I’ll do it myself.” She tried to run. He caught her by the arm before she could get away.
“I don’t mind undressing you,” he whispered into her ear as he wrapped his arm around her waist and yanked her into him.
Angel froze with panic, feeling the solid wall of his body against her back. She wasn’t sure what he would do. Shit. At this moment, she wasn’t sure what
she
would do. He held her close to him for a second. It felt like an eternity. The warmth of his breath tickled the back of her neck. The smell of musk and fire infused around her. Before letting her go, his lips brushed the crook of her shoulder, warm and moist.
Jacque couldn’t keep her that close to him without taking her right there on the living room floor. She smelled like vanilla and sex. Her skin glistened in the moonlight and held the texture of a rose petal against his lips.
He released her from him and clenched the top of the zipper. With a slight tug, the dress fell open, exposing creamy brown skin and a butterfly tattoo at the base of her back just above a perfect ass. Turning slowly, she faced him, holding the dress tight against her.
“Thank you,” she whispered and backed out of the room. Her eyes reminded him of frightened prey.
It took everything in him not to follow her into the bedroom. He resisted with every ounce of strength within him. Nothing good came from involving himself with a human. His body craved her. Probably due to inactivity. He’d been in the field too long and missed a female’s touch. Why couldn’t they make demons like her? Angel—such a fitting name. He forced himself to go outside to wait.
As he checked his watch, she appeared in the doorway dressed in a pair of form-fitting jeans and a white tank top with her bags in hand. She relaxed her stance, such a difference from a few minutes ago when she crept out the living room half-dressed.
“I’m ready when you are.” Her smile shined as bright as the full moon above.
“Let’s not waste time.” Jacque relieved Angel of her bags and headed to the car. The driver opened the trunk as they approached.
“Will it take long to get there?”
“The portal to the Underworld is outside the Night Haunt. That’s why so many Supes hang there. Don’t worry, Hell’s not going anywhere.” He flinched at the thought of taking her to the Underworld. Studying her, Jacque realized the next six weeks would present a new kind of hell for him.
Chapter Three
“Women....” She heard Jacque muttered as he carried her bags, heading to the field behind the Night Haunt. The waves crashing against the rocks at the edge of the beach were in tune with the feeling in the pit of his stomach. He trudged along as his boot laden feet sank into the sand. Not a great choice for the Caribbean. Once they rounded to the back of the Night Haunt, the rock beach transformed to lush greenery and colorful blooms.
Angel tripped over her own feet as she hurried after him. “Hey, can you slow down a bit?”
“Sorry. The portal’s gonna close soon. I don’t want to get stuck Topside.” He continued his long strides across the field.
She studied Jacque as she scurried behind him. His jeans hung low on his hips and refused to hide the strength of his legs. His thighs made her think of tree trunks wrapped in denim. Angel imagined Jacque’s long legs intertwined with hers in blissful union. Tripping, this time on a root, she snapped out of her fantasy.
A hazy fog lingered in the middle of the sand and tall grasses. Jacque murmured a few words in a language she had never heard before, causing an opening to clear in the cloud.
“That’s us. Let’s get going, babe.” Jacque picked up his pace, sliding through the portal before Angel could say anything.
Angel hopped through the circle of energy, expecting to feel different, however nothing changed except the scenery. They stepped through the other side and stood on the banks of a dark, murky river. A warm mist hugged the air around her. Despite the tepid temperature, a shiver ran down her spine. In the distance, a dark form floated toward her and Jacque. Fearful, Angel ducked behind Jacque for protection, burrowing deeper against his back as the hooded figure moored the boat toward the shore.
“Charon, old friend, what’s doing?” Jacque held up a hand to his silent companion standing on the boat. He loaded her bags in the front by the shadowy figure. Afterward, he hopped in and turned to help Angel.
Eyes wide, she reached for Jacque’s outstretched hand. He sat in the back of the small gondola, patting the bench in front of him. She accepted her cue and situated herself between his legs. His body surrounded hers, making the boat feel small. The bulk of his mass brought her a sense of safety. Charon pushed the boat along the water toward the shore on the opposite side of the river. The black water rippled with each movement of his stick.
As they approached, bright flames danced on the branches of the trees in the black forest. They stood like charred guardians, dead—permanently consumed by the fire. She leaned back into Jacque and gasped at the sight. His arms circled her, containing the tremor tearing through her body. Ingesting the visions of Hell, she covered her face with her shaking hands as tears streamed down her cheeks.
I made a huge mistake
.
As the boat drifted onto land, Charon remained at the bow. Jacque leaped over the side, grabbing the bags out the boat. He then picked Angel up from her seat, placing her on dry land. She clutched his arm, refusing to let go. As he guided her away from the boat, her legs threatened to fail her. She glanced over her shoulder and contemplated turning back. Angel swallowed hard, leaned in closer to Jacque, and pressed on, sealing her fate.
A chariot waited for them at the top of the embankment. He climbed into the massive black carriage embellished in gold and pulled by two pitch-black steeds. He lifted her to him.
“Hold on tight. It can be a bumpy ride. I should’ve brought something more comfortable,” Jacque mumbled to the ground.
“It’s okay. I’ll manage.” She breathed in deeply as she locked her arms around his waist. Cracking the reins, they took off into the night.
***
Looming stonewalls appeared in front of them. Two metal gates arched unwelcoming against the orange-grey of the sky. Rooftops peeked out along the top of the stone barrier. Jacque came to a halt in front of the overbearing gates, motioning to the guards in the tower. The metal creaked as the doors opened and provided them access the Kingdom of Hades.
Angel sucked in a small breath and released it. The smell of sulfur burned in the air. Her arms circled closer around his waist as they rode the dirt path to the dark castle in the horizon. The dead, tattered and torn, stalked the streets. Some labored the chains of their misused lives. Others sat in the street gutters, praying too late for undeserved redemption. Tears wet his shirt as she buried her face into his back.
“Are you okay?” He glanced at her over his shoulder.
Her fingers dug into his side. “I don’t know.”
“It’s not as bad as it looks.”
With her face still buried in his shirt, she muttered, “You’re probably right, but I don’t belong here.” She tightened her grip on him.
His large hands covered hers, minimizing the trembling. “I agree with you. Unfortunately, I can’t take you home.”
“Will you protect me?”
Jacque pulled her closer into him. “Protection isn’t my area of expertise.” He held her hand to still the shaking. “My job is to teach you to protect yourself.”
“Now you’re outside of my expertise.” His muscles were hard and tense against her cheek.
“Maybe we can work on that while you’re here.” He cracked the reins, guiding the horses toward the castle.
Angel gave him a squeeze. “Thanks....”
“Don’t thank me, yet. Let’s see how you feel once training starts.”
The chariot entered the gated courtyard and stopped in front of the formal entry. He tried to turn around, but Angel refused to let go. As she unwrapped her arms from his waist, he stepped away from her. He spun to face her and leaned against the chariot, keeping distance between them. Jacque peered into the depths of her eyes and swept a wayward strand of hair out of her face. She graced him with a half-smile, letting him pass by her. Once on the ground, he took her hand to help her from the chariot. Angel followed close behind him as Jacque strutted into the castle with a bag under each arm.
Gargoyles guarded the grand entrance. The interior contradicted the exterior view of Hades. The castle boasted an opulent grandeur. Marble columns littered the entry foyer and brocade draperies hung from floor to ceiling. The clicking of his heels echoed as he stomped through the hall. Angel clung to him, taking in every inch of scenery.
A petite female rounded the corner down the hall. When he recognized her, he dropped his head, hoping not to be seen. He wished he could turn and run the other way. Sadly, it was too late. She saw him.
A bright and dangerous smile crawled across Isabella’s face. “Long time no see, Jacque.”
“It’s been a while. I see you’re still as lovely as ever.” He forgot how good Bell was at making men bend to her will. Her games, which had ripped his heart apart, never strayed too far from his memory.
“You should stop by after you put away your little toy.” She sneered in Angel’s direction.
The women glared at each other, ready to pounce. Angel’s chocolate eyes challenged Bell. The scene was comical. He wasn’t even sure if either of the women wanted him. However, each refused to back down. Competition brought out the worst in females.
“Angel. This is Isabella LaCoste, Lilith’s daughter. Bell teaches Demonology at the academy.”
“You make it sound so impersonal. He forgot to mention we’ve been dating for the last half-century.” She shifted her eyes from him to scrutinize Angel. “I guess you’re Lucifer’s new plaything, right?”
Angel’s eyes fired daggers. “I’m no one’s plaything.”
“Whatever. I guess I’ll be seeing you around.” Bell flipped her long blonde hair behind her shoulder and snorted.
“I’m sure you will,” Angel retorted with a smirk, hesitating before saying more. She stepped a little closer to Jacque and hid behind him.
Alarmed, he took a step forward when Angel’s breast rubbed against his arm.
Her reaction surprised him. She had more spunk than he gave her credit for, but messing with Bell was a mistake. Luckily, Angel came to her senses before it went any further. Bell played to win at all costs. Competition made her irrational. The last thing he needed was to be caught in the middle of a catfight.
“Let’s go.” Jacque caught Angel by the elbow. “I’ll show you to your room. Bell...you can retract the claws.” Pushing past Bell, he started down the hall.
***
Angel was pissed she allowed Isabella get to her. She didn’t even know why she let the woman ensnare her into this frenzy. Jacque wasn’t her man. She had no right to be jealous. Although it was crazy, she couldn’t bring herself to stop fuming over Isabella.
Jacque picked up his pace. She had to half-run to keep up with him. At the top of a long winding staircase, they turned right down a narrow hall. After walking past three rooms on the left, he came to a halt and pushed open the wooden door.
Peeking into the room, she saw a massive cherry canopy bed with plum velvet draperies hanging from the rod at the top. The same plum fabric covered the window gathered back by gold cording. The old wood floor was covered with an antique oriental rug. In the corner of the room, a shadowy figure lounged in the armchair. Her heart sank when she realized who waited for her.
“I’m glad to see you made it safely,
my
Angel. I hope Jacque treated you well on your journey here.” Lucifer’s ebony skin sparkled in the darkness.
Her chest tightened and her eyes watered. “He took good care of me, unlike you who left out a bunch of information the last time we talked.”
His black eyes danced with the flames from the fireplace. “I apologize. Some things just aren’t relevant to me. If not asked, I tend to overlook the simple things humans find important.”
“Excuse me. Is there anything else you need from me?” Jacque interrupted.
“No. You may leave.”
Jacque dropped the bags by the four-poster bed. “I’ll see you in the morning. Breakfast is in three hours.”
The weight of the day wrapped around her shoulders, strangling the fight out of her. She needed sleep. Closing her eyes, she wondered what training entailed, expecting it to be grueling. Isabella definitely wasn’t going to roll out the welcome mat for her.
“Isabella is less frightening than her bark,” the Devil guffawed.
With her hands on her hips, Angel glared at Lucifer. “Now you’re playing in my head?” The Devil rooting around in her mind was the last thing she needed right now. Her thoughts and emotions bubbled in a cauldron of confusion, especially her thoughts about Jacque. She didn’t want to give Lucifer anything else to use against her.
Lucifer waved a hand as if to dismiss her comment. “It’s not anything I do consciously. Thoughts just come to me.”
“I’m tired. Is there anything else you need from me?”
“Of course...I’ll take my leave. You need rest.” Lucifer brushed the backs of his fingers across her cheek, sending a shudder down Angel’s spine.
Before another word escaped, she was alone in the large room. Feeling trapped in a crazed nightmare, she longed for her grandmother’s embrace and advice. Gran would’ve known how to get out of this mess. Stripping her clothes off and throwing on a T-shirt, she pulled the gold and black duvet down and plunged into the welcoming comfort of the bed. Weariness drew her into the dark abyss of sleep.
***
Loud banging drew Angel from a deep sleep. The force of the pounding vibrated the glass in the windows. She jumped from the bed, running to stop the ruckus before they woke the whole castle.
Still groggy, she swung open the door. “
What!
”
Jacque’s expression jogged her out of her fog. “You’re late. Get dressed. You need to be out in the courtyard in ten minutes.”
She pushed her hair out of her face and leaned on the door jam. “Okay...fine. I’ll be down in ten. Should I wear anything in particular?”
“Just a little more than what you have on now ‘cause it’ll be distracting to the others if you don’t.” Jacque turned and stomped away before she could answer.
As she steadied herself against the doorframe, she looked down at her outfit. She answered the door in a T-shirt and purple lace panties, her usual sleepwear.
Shit!
She slammed the door and snatched her travel bag off the floor. Grabbing a pair of jeans, her Saints jersey, and cosmetic bag, she headed for the bathroom.
***
Jacque’s gaze followed her as she stepped out the front door. She blushed when she met his stare. Pushing through the crowd, she made her way to him. A tinge of pain pricked Jacque’s heart as he watched the reaction of the guys she passed. Females weren’t the only ones with a problem with competition. Another reason to stay away from her. The girl had trouble written all over her.
***
Angel’s day slid further downhill when Isabella entered the room. Isabella strutted in with an air of confidence reserved for royalty. Angel met her glare as she sidled toward her.
“Glad to see you made it this morning. I was concerned when I didn’t see you at breakfast.” Isabella leaned against the desk across from her.
Angel’s lips turned up in a smile. “I’m sure you were worried sick. It’s okay, Jacque came and found me.”
“Look, human... you don’t want to play this game with me. He belongs to me. Always has, always will.”
“No one wants your man. I’m here to train and afterward, I’m gonna go back home. But understand this...if I wanted him, I could have him.”
“Jacque would never stoop so low as to sleep with a human. Even if he thought about it, he’d come to his senses when he realizes the consequences. You could never have him, no matter what you look like.”
“We’ll see,” Angel mumbled as Isabella sauntered to the front of the room.
Isabella addressed the class. “Morning. I’m Captain LaCoste. We’ll be together for the next few weeks learning Demonology. By the time you leave here, you should understand the weaknesses and strengths for most of the creatures in the Underworld and Topside.”
Angel’s head spun with all the information of demons and other creatures she thought only lived on the pages of books or on movie screens until now. Two and a half hours later Jacque’s six-foot-five, muscle-bound body filled the doorframe. His black wife-beater and camouflaged cargo pants matched everyone else’s. She was the only one without a uniform. He gathered and marched them outside to an obstacle course. Angel hated heights and several of the contraptions hung high above the ground.