Soul Catcher by Vivi Dumas Read Free Book Online Page B

the back of the wagon, and lifted Angel out the bed. He pushed through the cadets on the steps, carrying Angel into the castle and up the stairs. He kicked open the door to her room, went to her bed, and laid her against the plush pillows. She smiled briefly. He opened another bottle of Vamp Juice and held it to her mouth. She drank, the color returning to her cheeks the more she consumed.
    “You’re looking better.” Jacque took a seat on the edge of the bed.
    She smiled as she pushed the hair out of her face. “I’m feeling much better. Stupid tree kicked my ass. To top it off, the ground jumped in to help.”
    Jacque was amazed she could joke about her trauma.
    “I guess I failed the test.” She took the bottle from Jacque’s hand and downed the remaining liquid.
    “What’d you mean? You killed three hellhounds and survived a sixty-foot fall, hitting every branch on the tree as you fell to the ground. You more than passed the test.” He gazed into her dark brown eyes. To counter the urge to touch her face, he took the empty bottle from her and stood. “You need to get some rest. I’ll have someone send you up some food later.”
    As he turned to leave, she grabbed his hand. “Thanks. You always seem to be around when I need you.”
    Jacque tightened his grip on her hand, enjoying her touch. “It’s nothing. You can take pretty good care of yourself, especially with the ability to harness lightning.”
    “What’s up with that? Did I cause it to happen?” She pushed off the pillows, lay back down, and grimaced, holding her side.
    He realized he still had her hand and let go. “You didn’t know you had active powers?”
    “No.” A mixture of fear and confusion filled her features.
    “I’m sure Luc knew when he made the deal with you. There’s not many Elementals around. It’s a valuable power to possess.”
    Angel’s fingers brushed the back of his hand, sending a tingle up his arm. “Interesting. Can someone help me figure out how to use it?”
    “There’s only one Elemental I know of. I’ll see if Marie is around and can help.” Jacque crossed the room, needing to put distance between them.
    Angel sunk into the pillows and closed her eyes. “Thanks again,” she replied in a hushed tone.
    Jacque slipped out the door, closing it softly behind him.

    ***

    Angel awoke refreshed and healed. The only reminder of her terrible fall was fading bruises all over her body. The marks of the hound’s teeth also vanished. As she studied her face in the mirror, she smiled, proud of her accomplishments. She survived three weeks of training. Halfway done and she hadn’t quit or gotten kicked out.
    More of the odd occurrences during her childhood and as she became a woman began to make more sense to Angel. She always thought it strange the weather always seemed to match her mood. Never in her life would she have thought it was because she controlled it. Angel found several books in the library about the elemental powers. These gifts were passed through generations of witches, warlocks, and voodoo priests and priestesses. Angel inherited the powers from the Laveau lineage.
    Jacque tried to contact her great-great-great-grandmother, Marie Laveau. She was the only other Elemental he knew. Marie wasn’t expected for another week or two. Angel was anxious to meet Marie and learn more about her powers.
    Once dressed, Angel went down for breakfast. An odd silence hung in the air. The other cadets stared at her as she walked to her table. Noel dropped his tray in front of her and took the seat across from Angel.
    “Glad you’re okay.” He shoveled a spoonful of oatmeal into his mouth. Angel glanced up from her tray and narrowed her eyes. “Thanks.”
    “I see Commander Toussant came to your rescue again,” he snorted.
    “Yeah. He’s handy that way.” Angel dug her spoon into her grapefruit.
    “He’s never around to carry me or catch me when I fall.”
    She stabbed the spoon into the fruit again.