Jaded

by Danielle James

  Michael tried again and again to reach his nemesis. Each time he was met with an unforeseen force that slapped him back into the wall.

  A brilliant light flashed in the room and all the flames immediately went out as if the all the air they fed on was sucked out of the room. There was a second of total silence before Michael looked to see what had caused it.

  “Evil be gone from this place!” Azerial’s strong voice commanded. She was standing there in the center of the room with Samuel at her side. The air had not in fact, been sucked from the room, because it swirled around her and lifted her exceptionally long blonde hair from her shoulders and made it float as if she were under water. She waved her hand and the man flew back on his ass.

  And that was when Michael noticed the other man in the room. He was tall but other than that, he couldn’t make out any other features. The man was wearing a helmet with lightning bolts on either side of it that covered his forehead and cheeks, a steel breast plate, and chainmail draped over his torso. His pants were heavy leather and tucked into shit kicker boots. In his hand was an enormous sword that gleamed unnaturally bright in the dimly lit room. He held it at the ready, and Michael knew without a doubt that he was prepared to use it. But even that wasn’t the most impressive thing about him. Stretched out behind him was the biggest set of ultra-white wings Michael had ever seen.

  “I suggest you do as the lady says,” the warrior said in a voice Michael thought he recognized.

  Stephan was shocked. He knew warrior angels existed, but he had never come face to face with one. That, combined with the power of the goddess, could be a force to be reckoned with. He hated to let his prey go, but at the same time, he wanted to live to see his revenge fulfilled.

  He decided it was better to live to fight another day and willed himself back to his throne room.

  As the intruder disappeared, Michael let out a sigh of relief. “Where’s Jade?” he asked to anyone who cared to answer.

  “With Angel,” Azerial answered. “I’m sorry we didn’t get here sooner.”

  “If not for Michael, he would have killed Jade,” Rebel told her.

  Leigh nodded in agreement and then asked, “Who’s your friend?” while eyeing the angel.

  “What? You don’t recognize me?” the warrior asked. He pulled his helmet off and shook out his shoulder-length black hair. He smiled a crooked smile at his brother and Rebel jumped at him, wrapping him in his arms, chainmail and all.

  “Welcome home, Antonio,” Leigh said to him with a genuine grin.

  CHAPTER TWENTY

  “I don’t care if she needs rest. Wake her up.”

  Jade could hear Michael’s voice and she felt her worry for him fade away. She had felt him when she was in danger, even if she couldn’t see him. He had come back. She had thought that she wanted nothing to do with him, but now that he was back, she couldn’t deny that she was happy as hell to have him. Giddy, almost. She could have let them know she was awake, but she didn’t, opting to listen in a little longer.

  “She will wake up when she is ready,” Brea told Michael quietly but in a matter-of-fact, motherly tone. “Thank you, by the way.”

  “For what?” he asked.

  “For saving her. For coming back. I’m sorry that my husband can be an ass, but he thought he was protecting her.” Brea sighed. Jade could tell she was sitting very close to her. “He was blind, or stupid, or whatever you want to call it. He couldn’t see what was right in front of his face. All he saw was a man who wanted to take his little girl from him. I can’t say I’m sorry enough.”

  “Yeah, about that,” Michael said, “Are you sure I am her mate?”

  Damn it, Jade thought, someone told him.

  “Yes,” Brea answered.

  “I thought it was a dream,” he said quietly.

  “Are you unhappy about being her mate?” her mother asked.

  “Oh no, not at all. After she sent me packing I realized something. I didn’t know what to call it, but I think I have loved her my whole life. I have never felt for any female the way I feel for her, the way I have always felt for her. No woman was ever good enough, no one has ever compared. I know now that they never will. She is all I have ever wanted. I just hope that she can see that what she saw wasn’t what happened at all.”

  Jade chose that moment to open her eyes. She was listening in on all the thoughts going on around her and she knew without a doubt that he was telling the truth. He wanted her. She felt like such a fool.

  “Hey,” Michael said when he saw that she was awake. “Have a nice nap?” he asked with a lopsided grin. Damn he was cute.

  “Hey,” she croaked out. “Thanks.” She wanted to say much more than that, but she didn’t have the strength. All she really wanted to do was curl up in his arms and sleep for another hour, or twelve.

  “May I sit with you?” he asked. Jade watched as her mother left the room and left Michael alone with her.

  Jade nodded and Michael sat on the edge of her bed. “Look, there is a lot I need to say here,” he started. Jade shook her head. Not now, she already knew. She reached weakly for his hand and he gave it to her. He was worried about her color. She looked very wrong. She was so pale that she was nearly grey. “Jade, I hate to say this, but you look like shit.”

  Jade giggled. Yeah, tell her something she didn’t know. “What? You don’t like death warmed over?” she joked with him.

  He didn’t think it was funny. “You need to feed. The sooner the better. Tell me what to do.”

  “Just stay with me,” she said softly. “Just hold me for a bit.”

  Michael didn’t hesitate. He stretched out next to her, facing her, and lifted her so that he could slide one arm under her. He pulled her to his chest and wrapped his other arm around her. He had one hand over her back and the other in her hair. It was as soft as he imagined it would be. Even though they had been through hell and back, he couldn’t help but feel like all was right with the world with his woman in his arms. And then her breathing faltered.

  “Jade,” he begged her, “Please, take what you need from me.”

  “I don’t deserve you,” she said into his chest, slightly shaking her head no. “I can’t.”

  Michael was not about to let her wallow in her own pity any longer. She didn’t have time. She was going to die if he didn’t do something. He may not know all the facts about vampire mating, but he knew the basics. She needed his blood to live, and he was going to give it to her.

  He raised her face to look at her. Even as pale as she was and as weak as she was, she was stunning. Her eyes had glazed over with unshed tears. Her bottom lip quivered slightly and he did the only thing he knew to do. He leaned his head down and brushed his lips over hers. “Please, Jade,” he whispered. He kissed her again, this time stroking her bottom lip with his tongue. When her lips parted on a sigh, he darted into her mouth. She tasted every bit as good as she had in his dream. Or was that a dream? He didn’t know and he didn’t care at that point. All he cared about was convincing her to drink from him and he knew that if he could get her aroused, she would bite.

  But that isn’t what happened. Jade was too weak to even consider anything but breathing. Michael was at a loss for what to do. Then he thought of that kiss. The one he thought was a dream but felt so real to him. The one where he nicked his tongue on her fang.

  It wasn’t the best idea, but it was all he had. Desperation was starting to set in and if he didn’t do something, he was going to lose her forever. He brought his mouth down on hers again. This time he was more demanding. He held her close to his body and draped one of his legs over hers, effectively trapping her to him. He explored her mouth and sought out those fangs. They were sharp even though they were still receded. He pressed his tongue against the sharp point of one and flinched as it pierced his flesh.

  Jade groaned and sucked his tongue further into her mouth. Yes, this was what she needed. His blood was heaven seeping into her mouth, waking up her senses and demand
ing more. The tiny wound stopped bleeding too soon and her body cried out for more. Her fangs punched down in her mouth and she pushed forward for more. Michael didn’t cooperate though. He pulled back and released her mouth.

  Jade wanted to scream but lacked the energy. He cradled her head as he pushed his own head back. Then he brought her mouth to the side of his neck, offering her his vein. She didn’t want to bite him. She didn’t deserve it. Not after all she had put him through. But her instinct to survive was stronger and her body worked without permission from her brain. She struck hard and her fangs slid into his skin like a hot knife through butter.

  Precious blood flooded into her mouth and she swallowed greedily. “That’s it, Baby, take it,” Michael said softly to her. “Take all you need.”

  Jade felt the hot tears forming in her eyes as she drank from her mate. She was so cruel to him, said so many awful things to him, and yet here he was, giving her what she needed. He was everything she ever wanted and needed, and she didn’t deserve him. She felt all of her anger slip away and all that mattered was her teeth in his neck and his hands on her body.

  Michael controlled the urge to jump when Jade finally bit into his skin. She was not gentle about it, but he didn’t need her to be. The sting was fleeting and soon it was replaced by a soothing suck and draw. He had heard that feeding was very intimate and often led to sex. This was true, if his family was any kind of example. But he didn’t feel the need to have sex. Yes, his dick was rock hard and painful against his pants, but what he felt in his heart was more like coming home. He was content. It was a heady feeling to be the source of life-saving blood to his mate. All he wanted was for her to live. If she still wanted to be pissed at him, then so be it. But he would spend every day for the rest of his life feeding her if that was what she needed. He just wanted his Jade back. He wanted to argue with her every day; he wanted her to need him as much as he needed her. He wanted to be her mate. As he held her head securely to his vein, he gave her everything he had to give. He gave her his blood, but he also gave her his heart, his soul, his life. He belonged to her.

  When Jade had drunk her fill and was pushing into the dangerous territory, she forced her fangs to retract from Michael’s neck. She licked the wounds closed and sighed into his neck. She didn’t say anything and neither did he. He just stroked her hair, over and over. It was soothing and she felt full. Not just her belly, but in her soul. She had her mate at her side, even if it was only for a little while. She was so content with him just being there for her that she allowed sleep to claim her as his blood went to work on healing her body, mind, and soul.

  CHAPTER TWENTY ONE

  After about an hour and Brea heard nothing but silence coming from Jade’s room, she went to check on her. Since the door was open, she thought it was safe to come in. Michael was lying on the bed next to Jade, his body wrapped around hers. Brea walked softly to the side of the bed and peered down at her daughter. Michael gave a slight nod of his head and pushed Jade’s hair off her face.

  Brea’s heart flooded with relief when she saw her daughter’s color had returned to normal. She looked at Michael and her heart swelled again. “Thank you,” she mouthed silently. He returned her thought with a smile that told her it really was no problem.

  Brea left her daughter to sleep. She had been so weak, coupled with what that man had done to her, and they nearly lost her. Even though Michael’s blood was healing her, it was going to take some time and rest. Brea had already relayed the good news to Angel, who in turn, she was sure, had told everyone else. She padded down the stairs on bare feet until she reached the family room.

  “What?” Angel was saying, louder than was necessary.

  “What’s up with your ears man?” Antonio asked, cocking his head to the side for a better view. “You got what looks like dried blood on them.”

  Angel shook his head. “I can’t hear you,” he said. “Just think it toward me, if you don’t mind.”

  “What happened?” Antonio asked.

  “Michael happened. That kid can fly something fierce. We were flying back here and he felt Jade was in trouble. Then he took off so fast there was a sonic boom.”

  “Wait, you said sonic. That kid broke the sound barrier?”

  Angel nodded. “And burst my eardrums. It will heal, I think,” he said, much louder than necessary again.

  “Wow,” Rebel said.

  “That’s fucking Mach one,” Jacque said in awe.

  “Actually, there were a couple of booms. I think that makes it three?” Angel asked.

  “Fucking kid can fly at Mach three? Holy fucking shit,” Antonio offered. “I can’t do that shit.”

  “No? But that is one helluva sword you got there Bro,” Rebel said to Antonio.

  “It takes care of business,” Antonio replied.

  “I would like to know how you go it,” Brea said as she came into the room and took a seat on Angel’s lap. “The wings too, if you don’t mind.” Antonio was dead. Well, he was supposed to be dead. Hell, he had died twice, both times giving his life for his family.

  “I was just getting to that part,” he replied with his signature smile. “It seems that dying repeatedly is grounds for recognition. It’s because I am so completely wonderful that the big man thought I should get to keep on kicking ass for the rest of however long I get to be a warrior.”

  Azerial rolled her eyes. “He was awarded the honor and title of warrior because during his life and after his death he showed exemplary skill in combat, loyalty, and honor.”

  “Yeah, isn’t that what I just said?” Antonio asked.

  “Wait, so Heaven has an army?” Brea asked.

  “Yep,” Antonio told her. “I am the Sergeant.”

  “He is the leader of his own brigade,” Azerial answered for him. “I discovered this when we went to the heavens to find the source of the power shift. And we found it. That man who was in this house, he is the son of Lucifer.”

  Brea felt the blood drain from her face. “I am assuming since he was here and Antonio is here packing that hefty sword, that we are in danger?”

  Azerial nodded. “He is also someone from our past. He was the evil behind the battles Phoenix and Kelly fought years ago. They won. He did not. It seems he seeks revenge on their child.”

  “Jade isn’t their child,” Brea chimed in, but then stopped. “But she is his mate.”

  “Exactly,” Antonio said, snatching a bag of potato chips off the table. He opened the bag and popped one into his mouth.

  “Hey,” Rebel groaned, “those are mine. You can’t eat anyway.”

  “Uh huh,” Antonio smirked around a mouthful. “Angel. Me” He pointed at his chest. “Angels can eat. Drink, have sex, do all the wonderful stuff humans can do, only with bad ass power and wings.”

  “So you aren’t a vampire anymore?” he asked.

  Antonio flashed his fangs at his brother.

  “So not fair,” Rebel grumbled.

  “As I was saying,” Azerial said loudly, interrupting the brothers’ banter, “The man’s name is Stephan. Word upstairs is that he killed his father. Lucifer has dropped off the radar and Stephan has way more power than he should. The only way he could get that kind of power is to kill Lucifer.”

  “I didn’t think one could kill the devil,” Angel said.

  “You goo ah hab da spear o desny,” Antonio offered with his mouth full.

  “What?” Azerial asked, turning to glare at the angel.

  Antonio swallowed and cleared his throat. “I said you would have to have the Spear of Destiny.”

  “And just what the fuck is that?” Sebastian demanded.

  “It’s the weapon used to stab Jesus when he was on the cross. It has the blood of our Savior on its blade. It’s the only weapon powerful enough to take down Lucifer.” Antonio reclined back on the sofa and crossed one leg over the other as if this were everyday conversation.

  “I don’t understand,” Brea said.

  “Sometimes,”
Azerial explained, “When an event happens and it is so full of emotion, or it is so atrocious that it makes an impact on humanity, an item can hold that power in itself. You have heard of a haunted house or a magical coin? It’s the same concept. Only this particular item was used to stab Jesus when he was crucified. That single event changed humanity forever. The blade keeps some of that power still within itself. There is no weapon more powerful.”

  “Where did he get it?” Leigh asked. “I’m pretty sure they don’t just sell the Spear of Destiny at the corner market.”

  “It has been hidden on Earth for centuries,” Azerial told them. “No one, not even the Archangel knew where it was hidden.”

  “Then how the fuck did he get his hands on it?” Rebel demanded.

  “I don’t know,” Azerial said, “What I do know is that he has gone completely insane from the power and he is hell bent on our family.”

  “What do we do?” Brea asked.

  “We fight,” Angel answered, setting Brea to his side and standing tall like the warrior he was. He didn’t have wings or a heavenly sword, but he was every bit the warrior, and so was his family. He may not have heard the words they spoke with his damaged ears, but he heard their thoughts. “We fight for our daughter and we fight for her mate. Besides, we have a warrior angel on our side.”

  CHAPTER TWENTY TWO

  Jade couldn’t remember ever being so comfortable. She didn’t know how long she had slept, but it had been long enough that she woke feeling like a million bucks. She stretched her legs and took a deep breath. Her legs encountered another pair of legs and her lungs filled with the spicy scent of her mate.