A chuckle came from him, rich and full of life. And love. “One day I may.”
With that, she felt a wrench within her and her world shifted. The edges of the clearing blurred. Without a comment, she crossed to the woman and knelt. Wide eyes met hers.
“Come on, Kat, we’ve got a job to do.”
As she spoke, she grabbed Kat by her shoulders and pulled her to her feet. Even though she didn’t know how, she and Kat moved, the clearing disappearing behind them. From a distance, as if she traveled down a long tunnel, the sounds of fighting bounced around her, the snick of metal against flesh and the grunts of pain echoed around her.
A roaring sound filled her ears until it was all she heard. Instinctually, she thrust Kat toward a split in the tunnel before Mari followed. The deeper she went, the more the lightness and peace fled, replaced by the entrapment of a mortal body and darkness of loss and pain.
The roaring sound increased, pounding through her head like the beat of a drum until, suddenly, she was jerked into her body, the eyes of the skull glaring at her.
Hell’s blood.
Inside himself, Jackson howled with pain and anger as Jahi continued to draw from him. Within him, something shifted, tugged loose and winded to the surface. He stared into the demon’s eyes as she devoured his soul.
Out of the corner of his eye, he caught a blur of motion. At the same time, Jahi’s claw came slashing down toward his neck. He closed his eyes. This time he knew he was about to meet his maker.
A sizzle and pop tore his eyes open to see fire spitting between him and Jahi. The flame seared the succubus but merely caressed Jackson with fingers of warmth and tenderness. The succubus screeched and threw herself away from him. The skinsuit the creature was wearing erupted into tongues of orange and red, licking at the skin underneath.
From the ground, Jackson rolled his head and looked in the direction from where the flames had come. His heart stopped.
Glorious flaming wings of darkest red, brightest orange and most vibrant yellow stretched behind the curvy female figure he ached to hold again. Mari’s rich red hair streamed behind her and over her shoulders, snapping and writhing as if the strands were actual flames From her outstretched fingers, heated liquid—like lava—poured to the ground, puddling around her, making her look like she was standing in the middle of a lake of fire.
He could only stare at her. Rage had turned the violet of her eyes into a burning-red glow that spilled from her face, creating a halo around her head.
Above and around him, the creatures shifted their attention from the burning succubus to Mari. Under their growls, he heard fear. Their need to flee was so strong he felt it in the air, thrusting against him. A stream of liquid heat spat at one, knocking it away from Jackson and engulfing it in fire. If he could have moved, he would have clapped his hands over his ears in order to mute the cutting scream.
Chittering with what sounded like panic, the other creatures skittered backward, crab-like, over the sand. It didn’t save them and soon others burned.
Holy hell. As he staggered to his feet, Jackson tore his gaze away from the smoldering remains and glanced at Mari.
“Get back, Jackson. This is between me and Jahi.”
Christ, was there anything left of the succubus? Without a look, he stumbled away, his body weak from the loss of life force. He glanced around. What the hell was going on? As he scanned the room, his gaze caught and held on the skull. Under the sun’s light streaming into the cavern, the translucent crystal gleamed with the pure clarity of a diamond.
“Your prize. Freedom.” Words not his own reverberated in his mind.
Jackson stared at the skull. Yessss. Right there, in front of him, was the source of his mother’s salvation. He could sell it to the highest bidder and make a shitload of money. His mother’s house would be saved, and he’d have enough to make sure she was well taken care of in the retirement home until her death. She’d never have to worry about anything ever again.
His fingertips dug into his palms as he clenched his fists. On trembling legs, he took a step.
“Take it,” the voice wrapped itself around his mind. “Take it now. Before the angels take it from you. Remember your promise to your father.”
Even as he struggled against the memory, he found himself standing at his father’s bedside, leaning over the man who’d once been larger than life, with bravado and spirit bigger than Texas, who was now an emaciated, smaller version. His father had gone from being a great man to a useless drunk who made his points with his fists. It was all Jackson could do to stand near the old man.
At his father’s other side, his mother lay crumpled, her torso held upright only by the bed. Despite everything, Jackson had known his parents’ love was strong but until this moment, he hadn’t realized how much.
“Son, your momma will want to follow me. Don’t let her. I need you to take care of her. Make sure she’s provided for. And happy. I don’t have the right to ask, but promise me.”
And sixteen-year-old Jackson had.
Problem was, his father hadn’t left much, and after the funeral had run through the savings, there was little Jackson could do. Except leave. And he did, at age sixteen. Faked his ID and found himself in the army for a few years, sending back all he could, then afterward, hooked up with a bunch of mercenaries and learned the craft of thug for hire. He’d made good money then too. Still not enough ’cause even he had lines he wouldn’t cross, and neither he nor his mother had known just how much Taylor McKay had been in debt.
And now, everything was lost because he, Jackson, had failed to keep his promise.
He shuddered. All he’d have to do was sell the skull and he’d be set. Someone else would have to deal with the angels and demons. He’d have to leave them, leave Mari, behind—but she didn’t really need him, right? He was just a human.
He took another step.
“Yes. Yes.”
Jackson froze. That darkness under that voice. Damn it. Everything in him screamed at him to grab the skull and run. He had to do it—the loss of her house would destroy what was left of his mother’s mind and body after his father’s death.
Another step. Then another, until he stood next to the skull. How had he gotten so damn close? His fingers itched to grab the skull and bolt.
“Do it!”
“Jackson.” Warm tones poured over his skin and smothered the chill left by the dark voice. He didn’t look up. Didn’t acknowledge Mari. Even as he fought the hold, he just stared at the fucking skull.
“I have to. I need the skull.”
The cool puff in the shift of air near him brought the scent of berries and vanilla, tingling in his nose, his nostrils flaring to take in the evocative smells. “No you don’t.”
A glance over his shoulder revealed Mari about three feet from him. A beautiful lifelike statue made of shiny black rock, as if it had been seared by high heat, stood beyond her. The exaggerated curves and flowing tresses told him that Mari had definitely taken care of Jahi.
“Of course he does.” Beliel’s dark tones slithered over him, lifting the hairs on his arms and bringing him back to the skull. The voice. “It’s a son’s duty to protect his mother. Who else is going to? It’s why you’ve fought all these years to make money so you could take care of her. And since you’ve failed and her home is at risk, this is something you should do for her. After all, it’s your fault she is in this much trouble. Had you visited her more often, you would have known what was happening.”
A chill trailed along his spine, causing Jackson to shiver. Guilt gnawed at him, tearing at his mind. Beliel was right. It was Jackson’s fault. He’d not been around when his mother needed him. Had not stayed after his father’s death, even though he’d known she had lost the only person she every truly loved. Had not known the developers were after her home because he’d not been to visit her but once in the last two years.
“Jackson, don’t listen to him,” Mari’s honeyed tones drove back the guilt
worrying at him. Not enough. “The skull is not the answer. It will only destroy you and the human race.”
He hunched his shoulders against the seductive voice whirling around him, caressing his skin with promises of hot nights and cool sheets against feverish skin.
“Human, the skull will give your mother everything you could not. You owe it to your father. Remember your promise.”
His lips firmed. Stretching out a hand again, he reached for the skull. A warm palm came down on his forearm, and he thought about shaking it off until he recognized the slender lines. Glancing up, he looked into the violet gaze he’d grown to love. For the first time, he understood the depths of emotion one could feel for another, human or otherwise.
The violet was soft. Understanding but sending a firm and clear message. If he wanted the skull, he was going to have to go through Mari. For a long moment he stared into her eyes, feeling as if he could see deep within, to the soul she’d told him angels didn’t have. She held nothing back from him. He saw her strengths—loyalty, determination, faith and justice. And he saw her weakness, or what she thought made her weak—empathy. Contrary to her expressed feelings, his warrior angel cared. Deeply.
As if he knew Jackson was weakening, Beliel snarled, “Stupid human. You could have the world at your hands and yet you choose my bitch sister.”
At that moment, Jackson realized he had, indeed, chosen Mari. Nodding at her, he swung around and punched the slimy bastard in the nose. The force of the blow cracked his knuckles but sent Beliel windmilling backward until he crashed against the dirt floor.
Then all hell broke loose.
Chapter Twenty Four
From a distance, Kat was aware of what was happening around her but powerless to do anything. The skull’s energy had taken her, pulling on something within her she hadn’t realized she possessed. Something that allowed the skull to work through her—to draw out Mari’s soul.
When Mari had come to her in this dreamworld, she’d reminded Kat of her own strength—the strength that had allowed her to exist in spirit form for over twelve years and had given her the freedom to come and go as she pleased.
She’d also told her more. About her birth. About her father. Her real father. The Archangel Raphael. She was the daughter of an angel. With a twin sister and the same father. A sister who was now dead and whose body Kat occupied. It hurt the mind to think about the nuances of her life.
All of it had been enough to allow Kat to help free Mari from the skull’s hold, but not enough to free herself. Her mind whirled as she struggled against the skull. Energy swirled around her, golden threads tinged with black and red—the skull’s darkness.
Against her will, her thoughts went to Ash. To what he’d done in giving her the body of her sister. Had he betrayed her again by giving her physical form just to be a tool of Beliel? It was enough to shatter her new heart, if she lingered on the idea too long.
Mentally straightening her body, she willed her mind, with everything she possessed, to break the skull’s hold on her. She had a second chance at life. She would not lose it. There. Threads stretched. Snapped. She pulled harder. She had to bust free to help Mari. Had to get away to help herself be free.
As if the strike was a signal to the creatures, they attacked, lunging at her and Jackson with screams and growls that sounded as if the things had come from the depths of Hell. Mari had only a second to toss a blade to Jackson and slide into position at his side before the creatures were upon them. Claws slashed and teeth gnashed, looking for flesh to rend and devour. Grunts of exertion came from Jackson as he thrust, cut and parried the creatures’ attacks.
The more they destroyed, the more seemed to fill the space. Even Kanek with his odd green light and Ash with all his skills were pushed back by the sheer volume of the creatures. Fire stung along her arm as one came at her from the side and clawed, digging into her skin. She spun, slicing its head off with one sweep of her sword.
She had to do something. Something she rarely did. And when she remembered how she felt when she’d done it—it was her soul she’d wounded. But this time, she would do it for a good cause—love. Love for Jackson. Love for the human race. At that thought, peace washed over her.
“Ash!” Hearing her shout, Ash looked at her as he continued to slash at the creatures.
For a brief moment, she stared at him, willing him to understand what she was going to do. Then, she turned back to the others. Praying that the skull would protect Kat and that Kanek—whatever he was—would be able to handle himself, Mari sprung at Jackson and knocked him to the ground, covering him with the breadth of her wings.
“What the hell, Mari?” His chest heaved against hers as he fought to regain his breath.
“Don’t move, Jackson. I mean it, don’t move.”
With her wings cupped around them and the creatures battering at her, she lowered her head and spoke a few words in Angel. Her back heated, the warmth spreading outward into her wings. The heat built and built until she smelled scorched flesh as the creatures beating on her wings burned. Screeches of pain mixed with rage were muffled by the shield and roaring of the fire as her wings burst into flames.
In her arms, she heard Jackson mumble a few curse words but he held on tight. As her power increased, instead of the pain she used to feel when blood began to boil, calm swept over her. When she was sure she had generated enough energy, she threw back her head and released the inferno.
Cognizant of Mari’s warning and despite the heat of her skin—Christ, she was hot—Jackson held on to her. In other circumstances, the press of her body would have him thinking impure thoughts. Now, he was just wondering when he might be able to douse them both in an Arctic lake.
At the moment he thought he couldn’t take the heat, that her efforts to save them might doom him, she tossed her head back, a gentle smile on her face. From a tiny slit at the nape of her neck and the smooth curve of her wings, he saw something he was sure he’d never forget. If he survived.
Simultaneously, pulses of fire and heat were thrown outward, from her wings. Glorious, thick streams of orange, red and blue pounded into the creatures, instantly reducing their pasty forms to gray ash. Each pulse spread like ripples on a lake, every ring destroying more and more of their attackers until there was none left.
Mari’s head dropped and she hung heavily in his arms until he was supporting her more than she him. Her chest heaved as she panted. Around them, ash drifted like a dirty snowfall, coating their hair and lashes. Terrific. Monster dirt.
Her head lolled to the side. For a moment, he thought she’d passed out but, no, her eyes were open and staring up at him. Cradling her with one arm, he stroked back an ash-coated strand of dark hair from her cheek.
“Show off,” he murmured but smiled at her.
A soft smile tugged at the corners of her lips. Before he could stop himself, he wrapped a hand around the back of her neck and brought her mouth to his. His lips pressed against hers, then gently covered her mouth. Despite the grit coating her lips, he drank in the unique taste of her, sweet and spice, hot and cool. When her mouth opened under his, his tongue plundered the moist interior, tangling with hers as the kiss deepened.
Some part of him recognized they were still standing in a cavern with the bloody son of Lucifer trying through a skull to make a Hell on earth and he was in a lip-lock with a fallen angel. A sexy, stubborn, willful and beautiful fallen angel.
His fallen angel.
She moaned and her hands came up to push on his shoulders until he released her. “So not the time or place, Jackson,” she whispered but the smoldering passion in her eyes and the tender smile on her swollen lips told him she’d been just as affected.
In his arms, she shifted then stood and he released her. Snapping her wings out from her body, she shook off the ash. He did the same, much less dramatically and with no wings.
He looked around. No creatures in sight. Not far from them, a green, glowing ball of light snapped and crackled. I
t faded until the slight figure of a young boy stood in the center. Kanek. He smiled at them then did his own scan of the cavern.
Of the nasties, there was no sign they had even existed. If he hadn’t known otherwise, even the ash would not have proven their existence. Whatever she’d done had immolated them. It crossed his mind to wonder why she hadn’t done it the first time, but then she took a step and her legs gave out.
“Shit.” He lunged for her and caught her before she hit the ground. “Mari, you okay?”
“I’m fine.” She smiled weakly at him. “That takes a lot out of me.” Her voice lowered. “Strength and ability. Used to be much worse.”
He nodded and set her upright. He’d rather support her or, hell, carry her, but he knew she’d never let him. Independent and strong-willed women sure played havoc with the macho man.
Out of his arms and away from Jackson, Mari scanned their surroundings. Had the bastard Beliel taken the skull and fled?
Looking around, Mari found Beliel standing at Kat’s side, a sharp-edged stone held against her neck. Even as she watched, her friend swallowed, the movement resulting in the stone cutting into her skin. Mari sucked in a breath on a gasp.
“Kat!” This from Asher, who had shaken off ash and now stood alongside Kanek.
“Asher, stay away.” Kat’s tone of command whipped through the cave. Even Beliel stiffened at the note in her voice.
“I don’t know how you were able to save your soul from the skull but it won’t help,” he growled. “With this human, I still have control over the skull, yet I will kill her if you do not surrender.”
Mari cocked her head. Did she believe him? Would he really kill Kat, the only human able to control the skull? Was it worth the risk to Kat’s life? Was her life worth the risk to the human race? The thoughts tumbled in her mind, making her temples throb.
“Mari, no.” Maybe Asher had read her mind—she’d heard he had that ability—or simply knew she was on the verge of doing something that a year ago she wouldn’t have hesitated to do. But now. Now, all had changed.
The Death Skull: Relic Defender, Book 2 Page 28