Body and Soul (Body and Soul Trilogy)

by Jamie Loeak

  Donovan didn’t speak. He didn’t move.

  “Donovan!” Adriana screamed. Jerking away from Rico, she ran toward the wall of light that spun around the two men, and stopped unexpectedly, slamming into it. The wall was solid, and Adriana couldn’t get through. Adriana screamed and banged on the wall with her fists. She fell to the floor in a heap of black clothes and creamy skin a moment later, breathless and hopeless.

  Kate cautiously moved closer to Adriana. She sat next to her friend and put her hand on Adriana’s. She put her other hand on the wall of light, feeling the individual glitters of light pulsing against her fingers like a hundred heartbeats.

  “Donovan,” she said. “Adriana loves you. Adriana loves you so much. You need to be brave enough to come back to her. You can’t leave her. You can’t leave us,” she pleaded.

  Kate kept repeating quiet, comforting phrases, praying that she would reach Donovan. Slowly, she began to sense Donovan returning and squeezed Adriana’s hand. She glanced at her friend and nodded, inviting her to speak too.

  “Donovan,” Adriana added uncertainly. “Kate’s right. I do love you, in my own way. I love your heart, your kind words,” her voice trembled and she stopped speaking momentarily. Kate watched as silent tears slid down her soft cheeks. “I love your soul,” she added in a whisper that only Kate could hear.

  The group sat in silence, for what felt like forever, until Donovan’s lips began moving. His lips moved slowly at first, stumbling over the new words, almost as if they refused to leave his mouth. Kate straightened up, excitement lurching through her veins. She began reciting the incantation again, to aide Donovan, to stand by his side. His words grew louder as they mingled with hers, echoing around the room. The others chimed in, and the wall of light moved, closing in on Donovan and Erik – on Kate’s father.

  The light caressed Donovan and Erik’s skin, pulling the dark magic from Erik. The magic moved into Donovan, the glittering light accompanying it. As the magic left Erik, Donovan’s body strengthened. It seemed to glow from the inside, the light shining through Donovan’s pores, reflecting his good heart.

  Erik’s body left Aaron’s then. There was a flash of pure, white light, and then he lay sprawled across the floor behind Aaron’s body, breathless and frail. He could barely lift himself up; he was so much weaker than he had been with the dark magic flowing through his veins. Kate watched him struggle to his hands and knees, and a surge of sympathy almost coursed through her soul. She watched as Rico moved so that he stood over Erik, his foot pressed on Erik’s back, keeping him on the ground.

  No one was looking at Erik, though. Everyone else was watching what was happening between Donovan and Aaron now. Kate moved so that her attention was focused on them once more. Donovan was changing somehow, his hand still on Aaron’s heart. Kate turned to face her mother, who still stood across the room. Blaire had her hands wrapped around herself and tears fell down her beautiful face.

  Kate moved so that she was next to Blaire. She wrapped her arms around her mother in a gesture of love and comfort. Kate’s emotions swirled around them like a soft breeze, a mix of sadness and guilt. She had almost forgotten that her mother was in the room, and her mother’s pain washed over her like a stormy sea.

  “What’s happening?” Blaire whispered.

  “Mom,” Kate said softly. She pushed Blaire’s chestnut curls behind her ear before continuing. “Donovan is possessing Dad’s soul now. He has to.”

  “Why? Why can’t he just leave now that Erik’s been ejected from your father?” Blaire asked angrily. Kate watched as her mother’s fists clenched at her sides, a sign that she was fighting.

  “It doesn’t work that way, Mom. Once the process starts it doesn’t end, because Dad can’t expel Donovan. He’s not strong enough. Donovan will win, and Dad will die soon. He’s too weak.”

  “Can’t your father fight this?”

  “If he was healthier he could, Mom. In a possession, one of the two will win. If Dad wins, Donovan dies. If Donovan wins, Dad will slowly fade, much like he would have with Erik inside of him; he will die eventually.”

  Kate hated to see the emotions play across her mother’s face, but she had to tell her mother the truth. The sooner her mother realized that Aaron would die either way, the sooner she could gather her strength and prepare for the worst. Kate shivered slightly, thinking about it herself.

  “I hope Donovan doesn’t succeed then,” Blaire confessed. Her eyes were cloudy, her lips held in a tight frown.

  “Mom,” Kate said, trying to reason with her, “Dad is going to die either way. Plus, he’s not strong enough to fight this possession. He would just die in the struggle with Donovan. He can’t succeed.”

  Blaire turned to face her daughter. “How could you say such a thing?” she spat.

  “Because it’s the truth, Mom. Dad’s not strong enough to survive this. I know you know that. You need to be willing to let him go. He would want the pain to end. He would want to sacrifice himself to save us. He loves us that much, Mom.”

  Kate reached out to rub Blaire’s back. She could feel the creaky bridge between them repairing as Blaire let the words sink in. Kate gave her mother time to process this information, to prepare herself for the inevitable, and embraced Blaire in a hug. Now was not the time for words, and Kate held her mother as she cried softly; Blaire’s tears fell onto Kate’s black shirt and clung to the material. Within minutes the cotton was soaked but Kate didn’t care; she had to protect her mother, the one person that had never been there for Kate when things were bleak. It didn’t matter now, though; this was much bigger than the past.

  Blaire’s tears stopped after a couple of minutes, and she lifted herself up. She stood straight and nodded determinedly. Her jaw was set and her hands slowly unclenched. She was prepared to face whatever happened next.

  Kate turned again so that she was facing Donovan and her father. Donovan’s figure appeared to be melting into her father’s now. A moment later, there was that same flash of light and he was gone. It was odd that a flash of light marked the beginning of something that Darkness’ children had created, Kate thought, and she stepped back involuntarily at the bright light.

  Aaron’s body lay lifeless now. The only sign of life came from the slight moving of his chest as he breathed. Everyone watched as his eyes began to flutter, waiting for Donovan’s return. Gradually, Aaron opened his eyes and found his wife and daughter. “Blaire? Kate?” he asked.

  The pair stood still a moment, confused. Why was Donovan calling them? He should have been calling his wife.

  “Blaire, please. Kate,” Aaron repeated weakly.

  Knowingly, Blaire rushed forward and kissed her husband on the mouth. Aaron wrapped his arms around Blaire and pulled her into a tight embrace. Afterwards, he held one of his arms out, calling Kate over to him. Kate stepped into her father’s arms and held on to him, wondering how long he could stay before Donovan took over.

  “I want you two to know that I fought hard to expel Erik,” he said breathlessly.

  Kate started to speak but he stopped her.

  “I need to finish,” he said weakly. “I love both of you so much. Kate, you were brilliant, attacking Erik like that. Blaire, you were so brave. I am so proud of you, both of you. I know that you will be strong enough to live while I am gone from this world. I have seen Light, Kate. He has come to take me with him,” he said with a smile.

  Aaron continued his speech. “I will be waiting for both of you in the next world. I love you both; don’t ever forget what I did or who I am. I want my presence to stay on this earth for as long as it can; I will live through your memories.”

  Kate and Blaire couldn’t speak; their faces were covered in snot and tears, and their mouths were locked shut to keep them from losing the barely contained control that they had somehow collected until this point. Aaron wiped their faces clean, not caring about the sticky mess.

  “I must go now,” he said. “I am ready to die, knowing that I was abl
e to see you one last time. I love you, and I will love you forever and always.”

  “I love you so much, Daddy,” Kate said sadly while she hugged her father one last time. She got up then, giving her parents one last moment together.

  Blaire kissed Aaron one last time, a long and beautiful kiss. She told Aaron that she loved him, and sat in his arms until the radiance faded from his eyes. Kate watched the scene unfold, tears tumbling down her cheeks like raindrops. She ran into her mother’s arms as soon as Blaire stood up, and they held each other, knowing that one day they would be all right.

  Kate turned as Adriana stepped forward, her hands clasped together. She was eagerly waiting for Donovan’s return. A couple minutes passed and she began to weep as well. Small tears trickled from her black eyes and fell to the floor.

  “No,” she said, her lips trembling. “No, Donovan. Don’t leave me. I can’t stay here without you. Donovan, come back to me. I love you,” she said before falling to her knees. She sat there on the ground, her head in her hands. Kate’s tears fell harder, a brewing thunderstorm. She couldn’t help but feel guilty for Adriana’s loss; her father had taken Donovan from them all.

  Erik, whom everyone had forgotten about until this moment, began laughing. “You lost both of them,” he smirked pathetically from underneath Rico’s foot. A surge of hatred flashed through Kate and she looked toward Adriana.

  Adriana lifted her head up, her dark eyes focused on Erik’s body, a look of disgust shining in their depths. In one lithe movement, she stood and sprung toward him, lashing out at him with her bare hands. She scratched Erik’s face, punched him, and bit him. Rico let her, all the while making sure that Erik could do nothing about it. Kate and Blaire watched wide-eyed, mesmerized by Adriana’s anger and her cruelty towards Erik.

  For the first time in her life, Kate was truly afraid of Adriana. She had never seen Adriana’s power used negatively before, and she could sense that Adriana would never be the same without Donovan’s calm and reassuring presence. She grew worried for her friend, and began to move toward her in small steps.

  “Adriana?” a strong voice asked from behind them.

  They all turned, even Erik, and saw Donovan. He was wearing white slacks but had on no shirt or shoes. His sandy hair glowed in a false light, his tanned muscles were defined. Beautiful white wings were attached to his back. They looked just like the wings in the picture that hung over Rico’s bed. They were large, about six feet long each, and looked soft and plush. They quivered slightly, almost as if Donovan was restless.

  Kate’s jaw dropped. “Donovan?” she said. “What happened?”

  His musical voice spoke again; it seemed to echo around the room. “When I allowed your father to say goodbye to you and your mother, I gave up my right to his soul. When I died, Light was there, waiting for me. He took me in his arms and said that I was his true son.” His voice was mixed with wonder and love.

  “You’re dead?” Adriana asked shakily.

  “No, my love. I am an angel. Light turned me into an immortal being with a soul. He saved my life and embraced me.” Donovan stepped forward and held his arm out toward Adriana. He lowered it a moment later when she didn’t move. He continued seamlessly, however, showing no sadness at Adriana’s behavior. Kate knew it was because he understood her.

  “Light asked if I wanted my body to be turned into a soul so that I may one day be born on this earth, to live as a human. I told him that my dream wasn’t to have a soul, not really. I told him that Kate made me realize that all I wanted in life was to fall in love with you. Light gave me this immortal body and soul out of kindness.”

  Everyone in the room continued to stare at Donovan, wide-eyed.

  “Adriana, when you told me that you loved me, I realized that I already had it, that Kate was right all along. We do love each other, Adriana. I can see that now. I don’t need a soul to prove that to me,” Donovan confessed. “I don’t feel that differently toward you. We were capable of feeling love, Adriana. We always were. We just didn’t believe it.”

  Adriana shook her head slightly and came to life. She stepped closer to Donovan but did not reach out for him yet. “Will you be able to stay here, on Earth, with me?” she asked weakly.

  Donovan smiled. “I am now a creature of the light, and can only stand on Earth when the sun shines. When the moon rises, I must return to stand by Light’s side.”

  Adriana nodded, understanding. She looked at the ground, her lip quivering. Kate knew that this new situation was better than nothing, but it would never be the same as having Donovan with Adriana all the time.

  Donovan walked over to Adriana then. He picked her up and held her in his arms. Donovan kissed her mouth, her cheeks, her nose, her neck. Adriana shivered with delight, her cold exterior melting under his touch. Yes, it would be better than nothing.

  Everyone was enchanted. They watched the couple together, all the while staring at Donovan’s new wings. There was only one person in the room that wasn’t mesmerized by the beautiful scene.

  Chapter 31

  Erik moved quickly, pushing Rico aside as he stood up. His strength had returned to him, and he was even angrier that his previous laughter had been pointless. He watched the couple together and pure hatred pierced his heart. He would make sure that word of this did not get out. He could not have demons giving up human possessions in order to obtain a soul.

  Erik rushed forward quickly, seizing Adriana in a fit of strength and anger. He began to run with her, a plan forming in his mind, a plan to take Adriana far from here so that Donovan had no reason to return to Earth.

  Donovan seemingly transported in front of Erik. His wings were itching to fly, but his passion and anger overshadowed that intense feeling. His hands moved quickly, pushing Adriana aside, while simultaneously grabbing Erik around the throat. He began to squeeze hard, and Erik’s face began to turn blue.

  “I know that I cannot kill you,” he said in that musical voice. “I will tell you this, however. If you dare to harm Adriana or Kate again, I will do exactly what you don’t want. I will call all demons to my side. I will tell them that there is another way to get what they want, what they crave most. I will beg them to aim for the sky.”

  Erik interrupted, “How dare you threaten me, angel.”

  “I do not threaten you, Erik. I promise you. You will not harm either girl again. I will keep my identity a secret until the day that you go back on your word.”

  “What if I do not give my word?” Erik asked. His voice was strained because of the lack of oxygen.

  “Then you and I will fight for control of the demons. I assure you, Erik, that I will win. The demons did not follow you before, and they will not follow you now. I would win; I would prevail. I am not weak like you.”

  Erik’s eyes bulged angrily, but he did not speak. Instead, he quit his struggle, allowing himself to relax in Donovan’s grip. Donovan loosened his hold on Erik minutes later, a look of shock and confusion in his eyes.

  Suddenly, Erik bolted. He ran as quickly, and as far away as he could, stopping only to gather his strength. Rico and Donovan let him go, knowing that without the dark magic they could never truly destroy Erik.

  “So where is the dark magic?” Rico asked after Erik’s presence could be felt no longer.

  “It has gone back into Darkness’ possession,” Donovan said simply.

  “Don’t you think he’ll just hand it back over to Erik?” Rico asked seriously.

  “Probably, but it’s nothing I can change. My purpose is to protect Light. I protected the light in Adriana, and now I must protect Light himself.”

  Adriana reached up and kissed Donovan lightly. He held her in his arms, and she nuzzled into his chest. Kate watched the couple, still fascinated by Donovan’s presence. His words were true; his purpose had always been to protect the light within Adriana. It was almost as if he had been promoted, although he was still able to protect Adriana during the hours of light.

  Kate turned away f
rom Adriana and Donovan. Her eyes landed on Rico and she rushed to him. The feeling of his strong, cool arms around her was heavenly, and Kate sank into his body. Rico lightly kissed the top of Kate’s head and whispered into her ear.

  “Go to your mom, Kate. She’s hurting right now,” he prompted.

  Kate turned to her mother, who was sitting next to Aaron’s lifeless body. Her fingers traced his face; her silent tears fell into his shirt.

  “Mom?” Kate asked.

  Blaire looked at Kate and held her hand out. Kate took it immediately, but did not allow her mother to pull her down. Instead, Kate pulled Blaire up until she was standing in front of her.

  “You have to remain strong, Mom. Dad asked us to. We can’t forget his last wish, his last request. I miss him, too. He protected me and helped me through almost all of my problems, but I’m going to be strong for him, Mom. I have to be strong for him because that’s all I have left.”

  Blaire pulled Kate into her. “I’m so sorry that I wasn’t there for you, baby. I was wrong all those years. Now that it’s just you and I, I promise that things will be different. I know how much your father meant to you, Kate. I know that he was there for you when I wasn’t. I will try to be strong for you. I promise that I will try.”

  “That’s all I want, Mom.” Kate said as she pulled her mother into an embrace. They spent a few moments together, saying one final goodbye.

  The five of them sat down around the dining room table after cleaning up; it was the one part of the house that wasn’t partially destroyed. Blaire grabbed mugs and made coffee for everyone, including Kate. Rico mixed the perfect amount of cream and sugar for her, knowing how Kate liked her coffee. Kate smiled as she sipped on the rejuvenating liquid.

  “What will we do now?” Adriana asked.

  “Well, we know that Kern will still come for Kate,” Rico said. “We also know that Erik will want revenge, although I doubt that he will come alone; they will probably come together.”