Body and Soul (Body and Soul Trilogy) (23 page)

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 able 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 ki
ss. 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 he
r 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 from 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.”

“I agree,” Donovan said.

“Me too,” agreed Adriana.

“I’m not completely sure,” Kate chimed in.

Adriana, Donovan, and Rico looked at Kate, perplexed.

Kate filled her friends in on what Erik revealed during their earlier conversation; Erik had been interested in Kate all along, following Kate around her whole life because of Kern’s wishes, but developing his own interest after finding out who she was and what she was to Kern. His words made it sound as if his agenda was different than whatever Kern was plotting, and Kate made sure to tell her friends the whole truth this time. It was better than lying to protect herself, especially when the lies tumbled out in the end, especially when not lying at all could lead to an advantage on their side. And if Erik brought Darkness’ magic with him when he came back, they would definitely need an advantage.

“Well, we’ll have to be ready for anything then,” Donovan muttered.

“Donovan?” Kate asked suddenly. She was eager to steer the conversation away from her imminent future.

“Yes?” he replied in that musical voice.

“Can I ask you a personal question? You don’t have to answer it if you don’t want to. I don’t want to force you to, or make you feel like to have to.”

“I still owe you, Kate. I will answer anything,” he said with a smile.

“Okay,” Kate said uncertainly. “I know that you get a glimpse of eternal life after taking a human soul. I was wondering if you could tell me about it, about my father’s location, about what he’s doing.”

“Your father is living in paradise, Kate. Your soul chooses its location, but I did not obtain your father’s soul so I do not know where he is or what he is experiencing at the moment. I apologize for my inability to answer your question. I will, however, ask Light for you, if you still seek answers, Kate. Would you like me to find out?”

“No,” Kate admitted.

“Are you certain you don’t want to know?”

“Yes,” she said honestly. “I’m sure. I think I’m strong enough to wait until I see him again. I’m strong enough to say goodbye for now.” Kate turned to her mother. “I still have my mom with me. That’s all I need,” she said honestly. She took Blaire’s hand into her own and squeezed it gently, sensing Blaire’s confusion and curiosity.

Blaire had been in a daze as they discussed the future, so Rico and Adriana explained everything to her. Blaire believed everything they said, knowing that they were telling the truth. She cried, remembering her loving husband, but reminded herself that his soul was waiting for her. They would meet again one day. They would share their eternal lives together after she lived a long and beautiful life on Earth, with her daughter, Kate.

“Rico?” Kate asked after everyone had gone home.

The couple was now in Kate’s bedroom, lying together on her bed. Kate was underneath the blanket, kept warm even though Rico’s colder body lay inches from hers. Rico’s eyes were tired but full of life; Kate’s eyes shown bright with a mixture of happiness and grief. Both were eager to escape the turmoil of the fight that had just happened, but neither seemed willing to discuss the matter.

“Yes?” Rico asked softly.

“Donovan told Adriana that he loved her. He said that he realized that it was true because of me. Do you think that you could love me the way that Adriana
and Donovan love each other?” Kate asked. She ran her fingers along the delicate swirling pattern that painted her blanket, afraid to look into Rico’s eyes.

Rico smiled and pulled Kate
into a long and passionate kiss. Her lips were warm against his, but tense because of the loss that she had just endured. He felt her escape from the pain while in his arms, melting into him so that he shared her pain.

“Kate,” he started when they pulled apart
. “I do love you. I know that I do.” Rico pulled Kate’s eyes to his, making sure that he had her full attention, making sure that she believed his next words. “When I’m with you, I feel as though I’m more than an empty, frozen shell of a man. I feel warmer, almost as if there is a soul burning deep inside of me, somewhere.”

Kate leaned forward
and rested her head against Rico’s chest. “I love you too,” she whispered. “I love you, body and soul. Forever,” she added.

Rico kissed her again. This time he me
lted into her. He felt Kate’s warmth pulsing against him. Her soul reached out to embrace him, to love him, and when they pulled apart, breathless, her warmth lingered.

Kate sat silently after the kiss. She twisted Rico’s necklace as it hung loosely around her neck and watched the shimmers of light climb her walls. She bit her lower lip softly as she contemplated the future. “Rico?” Kate asked a moment later
.

“Yes, Kate
? What are you thinking about?” Rico asked in return.

“Do you think you’ll be given the opportunity to gain a soul?”

“I don’t know,” he said. “What do you think?”

“I think that
it’s possible for you,” she replied. “It happened to Donovan. I think it could happen for you as well.”

“Are you asking me to obtain a soul, Kate?”
Rico’s eyebrow lifted slightly in amusement, but he looked into Kate’s grey eyes seriously, and waited for her response.

“
I’m begging you,” she whispered as she snuggled into his chest. Kate looked back up at Rico a moment later, taking in his endless blue eyes, raven hair, and full lips; her cheeks were flushed because of her bold response, but she managed a smile.

Rico tilted Kate’s chin up and pushed her curls behind her shoulder. He watched the blush fade before speaking.

“I will do whatever I must in order to obtain a soul for you, Kate Warren.”

Kate’s heart fluttered at Rico’s words. She leaned in to him
and kissed him lightly, wondering if the story that he had revealed earlier was true. Could Rico obtain a soul
and
live a mortal life? Did they have a future together?

Find out more when you read the highly anticipated sequel to Body and Soul, The Key’s Keeper.