Jane

by Rose Montague

  “You dare to challenge me!” he roared. “I will cut you into tiny pieces and see you die for real this time.”

  “Not so fast,” said the Angel of Death, manifesting at Jade’s side, carrying the Scythe of Death.

  “You are both fools,” he screamed and immediately attacked, his swords flashing faster than the eye could follow.

  Jade had told me Lucifer had the reputation of being one of the best sword fighters among the upper tier angels. Of course, Death had a pretty deadly reputation himself and Lucifer did not have any idea that Jade had once also been the Angel of Death.

  Meeting Lucifer’s attack Jade and Death worked together to block and parry, rotating, weaving over and under each other’s whirling scythes as if in synchronized dance moves. They had been one before Jade intentionally split off and made her choice to be mortal. They knew what each would do before they did it and fought as one. It was incredible to watch. Jade had been almost as quick as a vampire before our many exchanges of blood. Watching her move, I saw she was just as fast as me now and I could even see some blurring in her motion as she used the vamp trick I so enjoyed. It seemed I was not the only one that had gained from our bonding.

  Jade scored a long slice across Lucifer’s ribcage, blood flowing quickly out. Death got in two cuts in a quick slice to his thigh and right arm. These were magical blades, and Lucifer would not immediately heal from such wounds. Less than a minute in, he knew it was just a matter of time and I saw him become more defensive, desperately just trying to avoid a fatal blow.

  He took the one option we had left him, abandoning the fight, running towards the stained glass window next to the curtain-covered confessional opposite the side where Rose and the two Queens of Faerie stood watching.

  From behind the curtain stepped Friar Tuck, armed with the dagger of darkness. In a completely coordinated and economical move, he met Lucifer’s mad rush and jammed the dagger into his heart.

  The look of complete shock on his face as he tilted his head back was worth all the damage we endured. He dropped the swords he held in each hand and they clanged to the floor. The light of Heaven took over the red of Hell beneath his skin, shooting out in rays of heavenly light, a wondrous and magical light that split his very being into his basic cellular components, leaving only a puddle that looked like burnt crude oil on the floor.

  “Piece of cake,” Tuck said backing away from the puddle, still holding the weapon which had now returned to an ordinary looking dagger.

  “No soul there,” said Death. “No soul escaped either. It was probably eaten up by millenia of evil.”

  Jade nodded in agreement and they walked over to the pile of lard, grease, and skin that had at one time been Clive.

  “I hear a tiny squeaking from this one,” Death said. “Not much left but eager to get out. I will have to transport this one,” he added after a moment. “It’s not going to be an enjoyable destination for him.”

  Jade gave him a quick hug, and as I reached them, I did as well, adding a brief kiss to his cheek. The rest had gathered around us in a circle, very quiet. It was finally over.

  Gingerly touching the tip of his scythe to that mess, he addressed us. “Be on guard,” he said. “There will be a great struggle for power among the legions of Hell now that he is gone. Depending on who comes out on top of that struggle, some may come looking for a bit of payback. If not, the rest will still view you as a threat and will not hesitate to kill you if the opportunity arises.”

  With that he was gone, on to his appointed rounds.

  CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO: TWO HEARTS, NEVER APART

  THE ANGUS BARN OF Old Winston was one of Jade’s favorites. I was waiting upstairs for her and Jill to arrive. I ordered three bottles of wine. The bartender didn’t seem surprised at all. On the counter was a tip bowl with a picture of a little girl on it. It looked like she was in a hospital bed. There was a note taped to the jar. Thank you Jade and thanks to all that donated. My Bella had her surgery and she is doing much better now.

  “You know Jade?” I asked as he brought the wine over to me and opened one up.

  “Yes,” he said. “My little Bella owes her life to Jade. You must be Jane. Please tell me that Jade is coming tonight. My name is Michael.”

  I shook his hand. “Any friend of Jade’s is a friend of mine,” I told him. I was not surprised Jade helped his little girl. She had been an angel, after all. She still was, as far as I was concerned.

  I had met with Luca, the vamp master that had taken over my vamps after Jade and I fled the country. He had done a great job with them, integrating three vamp groups into one, almost seamlessly.

  I had decided to officially cede him the leadership of the group. Jade and I were planning a honeymoon. We were going to decide tonight where we would go. Our last effort at a honeymoon ended in a fall off the Eiffel Tower of Las Vegas. We would fix that and do things right this time.

  Jade was meeting Jill and she must be running late as she should have been here already. We decided each of us would make a list of what we wanted in a honeymoon location and make our decision over a nice steak dinner. She wanted me to wait for her upstairs in the little bar and cigar room if I got here before her. She must have wanted to speak to Michael while we were here.

  My list was a short one. A beautiful beach, I had written. Underneath that I had added, clothing optional. I smiled. I was so looking forward to this. Then I had added, steak, coffee, and of course, Jade. That was it. I wasn’t hard to please. I wondered what hers would say.

  I finished my first bottle of wine, looking nervously at the clock on the wall. Jade should have been here by now, I thought.

  I checked my cell phone, but had no missed calls. I had an uneasy feeling and had to suppress a surge of panic. I tried searching for her along our bond. I would always be able to find her as we were connected both by blood and a vamp marriage bond. It was hard to sense her, as if she was behind a veil. Things were vague and blurry. She was moving fast and was frightened but determined. She was a long way away. I tried to get a sense of the direction and could not, and felt sick with worry.

  I watched the door as Diocletus, the Summer Queen’s negotiator and Jade’s friend, came in. He walked quickly toward me. He was still dressed in Fae attire and must have just crossed over from Faerie and had run here, probably from the entrance at Kaosium’s business. I knew his news would be bad and I started to cry, blood-filled tears running down my cheeks.

  Michael came over with a cloth napkin for me and I nodded to him in thanks.

  Diocletus sat down next to me at the bar. It was still early in the evening and there were not many patrons upstairs at this time. He put his arm around my shoulder.

  “The Winter Queen has been taken,” he told me. “It was a coup, and many Fae in the Royal court have been killed. Jade and the Queen’s Sword are in pursuit. She was able to get a message to the Summer Queen. She does not want you to make the attempt to cross through the veils. She is certain it would kill you if you try. She said she has detected no hint of Fae in you through your bond, and it would mean both of your deaths.”

  I was really crying, the tears dripping from my eyes and falling to my hands clutched together on the bar. Michael came around the bar and held me from the other side. Now I knew why things had not been clear. She was behind the veils in Faerie and she was in deep trouble. The blood from my tears made contact with my wedding band. Two hearts was inscribed on it. Never apart was inscribed on Jade’s band.

  “Two hearts, never apart,” I moaned and a drop of my blood tears landed on the band, spreading in a circle around itself. I felt it come to life.

  “Two hearts, never apart,” it whispered to me. “Say it again,” it whispered, demanding this time.

  “Two hearts, never apart,” I said.

  “Two hearts, never apart,” it echoed. “Once more to complete the spell.”

  I grabbed Diocletus and raced towards the door. “Follow,” I commanded. I had rented a room in
the hotel across the street, anticipating a romantic conclusion to our evening.

  I ran, dodging traffic, Diocletus staying with me. I took the stairs, as I was only a few stories up and didn’t want to wait on the elevator. Opening the door to my room I staggered briefly. Jade was hurt. I changed clothes quickly, into jeans, boots, T-shirt and leather jacket. I grabbed my steel baseball bat off the foot of the bed.

  Diocletus had been shouting at me the whole time. “I refuse to take you through the veils,” he said. “It’s suicide.”

  “Two hearts, never apart,” I screamed, and the ring echoed in triumph.

  I was just there, quicker than the blink of an eye, standing shoulder to shoulder with Jade. She had a sword and there were fifteen to twenty armed Fae in front of her. Bodies littered the floor. We were almost backed up against the wall, the Queen’s Sword lying behind us, leaning against it, bleeding from a deep wound to the midsection. Jade had a deep gash on her upper left thigh.

  Jade glanced my way. “About time,” she said.

  “Piece of cake,” I replied, smiling.

  ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

  A big thank you to Mirella Santana for the fantastic cover art.

  A special thanks to my A-Team (Hans Markus, Tim Cox, and Caryn Mock) for their help with proof reading, editing, and formatting.

  ABOUT THE AUTHOR

  ROSE HAS ALWAYS BEEN a big reader and her dream of becoming a published author became a reality when Jade was published in November, 2013. Book Two (Jane) was published February 2015 and the first book in a new Young Adult fantasy series (Norma Jean’s School of Witchery) was published March, 2015 followed by Book Two in that series, Ghost School which published October 2015. The final book in the Three J’amigos series, Jill, was published December 2016.

  Rose has worked both in a library as well as several bookstores. Rose lives in Elon, NC and is currently working on a sci-fi urban fantasy book called Wiznewski James.

  You can follow Rose on her Blog, Twitter and Facebook.

  Books by Rose Montague

  Jade

  Three J’amigos Book One

  Meet Jade Smith, a magical mutt with a mission. A detective partnered with a shifter named Rolfe, she’s on the case to solve a slew of murders: Vamps are killing humans, and nobody knows why. When London Jane, the most powerful vamp in town, is implicated in the murders, Jade knows something isn’t right. Together with Jill, the Winter Queen of Faerie, Jade and Jane take their investigation underground. On the run, with nowhere to hide, they uncover a secret that could destroy Faerie, as well as the human realm. Will Jade stop the killer in time? Or will she be the next victim? Magic, mayhem, and mystery abound, and the odds are stacked against them; it’s three against three hundred.

  Jane

  Three J’amigos Book Two

  Jane & Jade are chasing the Devil around the world. That’s probably not the smartest thing to do and when the hunters become the hunted, the action really gets rocking, leading to a non-stop thrill ride of a road trip. Vampires and Shifters, Angels and Demons, throw in a giant troll and some witches and you’ve got a paranormal war. That doesn’t leave much time for romance but there is a wedding, and a funeral, and both are ones you don’t want to miss. Take a ride with Jane & Jade!

  Jill

  Three J’amigos Book Three

  In the conclusion of the Three J’amigos series Jade and Jane are on a rescue mission. Jill has been kidnapped and the world of Faerie is in turmoil. When Jill is transported to a place from which there is no escape, Jade and Jane must split up in an effort to save her. The magic and mayhem continue and the addition of a newly created vampire presents unexpected complications. Will Jill be able to escape to reclaim her throne as Winter Queen of Faerie?

  Don’t miss out on the non-stop action and fun in the final book in the trilogy!

  Jewel

  Norma Jean’s School of Witchery Book One

  Jewel has a problem. She’s in a witch school and can’t get the most basic spells to work. Her true magical talents must remain hidden. That might be hard to do with a killer on the loose. Murder, mayhem, and magic with a little romance along the way.

  Ghost School

  Norma Jean’s School of Witchery Book Two

  A dangerous and powerful magical device is stolen and Jewel is recruited by a shadowy government agency made up of witches with special abilities to recover the device. Jewel soon finds herself matched against a power even greater than hers and must rely on her friends from Norma Jean’s School of Witchery for help.

  When Jewel finds herself pitted against an army of Zombies, things really heat up.

  It doesn’t help that someone has put a bounty on her head. Secrets are revealed, romance takes an unexpected turn, and a new world of adventure is opened up. Ghost School is full of action and surprises and the magic and mayhem continue to grow in this exciting sequel.

  The Ninth Life

  A cat familiar on her last life searches for that purrfect witch. The only problem is the one she finds doesn’t know she’s a witch. A cute, witchy short story!