Soul Catcher by Vivi Dumas Read Free Book Online Page A

with deadly accuracy.

    ***

    Hidden behind a tree, Jacque watched, impressed and amazed. Angel had more power than he imagined. It was clear why she was so important to Lucifer. There were very few people with the power to control the elements. She needed to learn to deal with her gifts better.
    The sound of a branch breaking caused Jacque to focus back on Angel. The limb she sat on snapped in two and she plummeted to the ground, trying desperately to grab hold of anything to break her fall. The high pitch of Angel’s screams ripped at Jacque’s reason. Her body bounced off the tree trunk and crashed through the dark branches. Again, he raced to her rescue. Before Jacque could reach the tree, Angel’s fragile body hit the ground.
    He kneeled beside her and brushed the hair out her face.
    “Hey. You took quite a spill,” Jacque murmured.
    Angel stared up at him and smiled. “Yeah. But I showed those hellhounds who’s boss.” She chuckled, grimacing as she held her ribs.
    “Yep. You showed them. Doubt they’ll mess with you again.” He examined Angel, wondering if he should move her.
    “Did I pass the test?” A tear rolled down her face when she tried to sit up.
    He held her hand. “Look. I’m gonna pick you up, and it’s gonna hurt. I’m sorry. I gotta get you back to camp and get you fixed up.”
    She bit down into her lip, waiting for his next move. “Okay.”
    “You let me know if anything hurts too bad.” He slid his arms under her back and legs, lifting her gently.
    She was light as a cloud in his arms, her head rested against his shoulder. As he made his way through the forest, she moaned whenever he shifted her in his arms. Jacque cringed, knowing he caused her pain.
    “Sorry,” he whispered in her hair.
    Her hand caressed his neck. “I’m fine.”
    The warmth of her touch spread a tingling sensation to the back of Jacque’s neck.
    The campsite lay ahead. Jacque hurried through the brush. The other cadets waited, turning their attention to them as they entered the open area. He laid Angel on the back of the wagon with the equipment. “Bring me some Vamp Juice,” he barked.
    Everyone scattered, gathering items. The tall dark-haired cadet brought the Vamp Juice, and Noel handed Jacque the medical bag. Jacque sat on the back of the wagon and propped Angel’s head in his lap.
    Cracking open the bottle, he held it to her mouth. “You got to drink. Hey, let me see those big brown eyes.”
    She groaned and her eyes fluttered opened.
    “Hi there.” He smiled down at her. “Drink.”
    She drank the juice, choking on the thick liquid. Jacque cradled Angel in his lap, helping her with the juice. Her body relaxed and her breathing steadied as her pain subsided. He fought the urge to kiss her and turned to the others.
    “What’re y’all standing around here for? Pack up the equipment and let’s get ready to head back.” Jacque’s voice boomed.
    He prepared a pallet in the wagon for Angel to lay on for the ride back to the city. Jacque hated the bumpy dirt roads. A point for living Topside, at least most of the roads were paved. Angel hadn’t fully healed. She took longer to regenerate since she was human. After ensuring Angel’s comfort, he slid into the driver’s seat and took the reins from the wide-eyed cadet.
    “I got this.” Jacque nudged the kid. The fair-haired boy hopped down, his eyes questioning. Jacque looked forward, not rewarding him with an answer.
    The wagon bumped and trudged up the road. Jacque released a sigh of relief when the city gates appeared ahead. Angel slept soundly in the back. Her soft moans brought Jacque comfort during the journey. It told him she was still breathing and alive. The fall was rough, even for a demon. She was a fighter. She survived. Her agony twisted in knots inside of him, drawing him closer to her, making him want to take care of her. He ignored the feelings, writing them off as sympathy.
    Jacque halted the horses at the front entrance, went to