Body and Soul (Body and Soul Trilogy) (13 page)

She walked past the familiar houses: the one with the red door and the one with the fading green paint. The colors in
this world looked almost like Technicolor and Kate skipped in her ivory gown, humming the tune from
The Wizard of Oz
.

Kate stopped in front of the house that the older professional purchased. The dilapidated shack that once stood there was gone; in its place stood a log cabin built on top of stilts so that the owner could see the beach from the front porch. The wood was stained a dark, golden tan color and there were plenty of windows to provide light. The stairs
that led up to the house twisted and Kate had the urge to run up them. She had a love-hate relationship with winding staircases. The stairs above her head were always out of reach, but she found herself ducking down anyway, afraid of smacking her head into them.

Kate began to continue toward her friend’s house, but found herself stopping again. The staircase was the thing that pulled her to this point. She looked around, making sure that no one was watching her,
and then ran to the bottom of the stairs. She jogged up and stood on the front porch. Up here the breeze was stronger, and Kate’s ivory gown swirled around her legs. She saw two shiny telescopes that she hadn’t seen before in either corner. The gold surfaces glimmered in the sun, sending rays of light in every direction. She smiled, thinking about the man sitting out here watching the stars.

Kate walked up to the telescope on the
right and looked into it. It was pointed directly at Adriana’s house. Kate’s heart stopped. She found herself rushing to the other telescope, with an uncanny idea of what she would find when she reached it.

Kate touched the telescope, her heart beating furiously. She looked into it…

And Kate woke up. She cursed inwardly, angry at losing the dream. She felt her heart racing in her chest, knowing that it had pulled her from the nightmare.

In one lithe movement Kate swung herself off the bed and tossed on a t-shirt and comfortable shorts. She slipped on her running shoes, grabbed her cell phone, and headed outside. She ran. She made her way toward the log cabin, her heart pounding in her throat, her hand ready to speed dial Adriana. The house wasn’t far from hers but she seemed to be running through dense fog. She felt it pulling against her, its resistance pushing her backward.

The fog broke ahead and Kate stopped in the middle of the street. There was no log cabin. The dilapidated house still stood; there were even a few cans on the ground. Kate stood there for a moment, shaking her head, clearing away the fog that hung around her mind.

What did this new information tell her about her dreams? Were they all fake? Was her mind going crazy from the amount of stress that the thought of the unknown demon caused?

Kate threw her hands up in the air and turned around, headed for home.

Headlights flashed and a car horn honked. She heard the driver slam on the breaks but knew that it was too late. When the car hit Kate it felt like every bone in her body broke. It hurt too much to scream or cry. She rolled over onto the side of the road, pushed there by the car. She saw the driver get out, heard him screaming into a cell phone. After that, she drifted off into nothingness.

Chapter 17

Kate woke up in a hospital bed. The lighting in the room was dull, and Kate had to squint to see everything around her. She was hooked up to a heart monitor and listened to the steady beat of her healthy heart. There were three vases that held beautiful flowers with cards from her parents, Adriana and Rico, and the gardener. His arrangement was the most beautiful, with lilacs and exotic grasses.

“Oh, Kate!” Blaire’s voice sounded shrill.

Kate flinched, but turned to face her mother.

“Oh baby, your father
and I have been so worried,” Blaire said, pulling Kate into a tight embrace. “You were hit by a car, baby. It was Adriana’s father, Donovan. He was coming home from work and hit you. He said that you were standing out in the middle of the road, and that the fog was so dense he didn’t see you until it was too late.” Kate watched as her mother sniffled, tears running down her face.

“Where’s Dad?” she asked, suddenly realizing that he wasn’t there.

“He went to get some water for us,” Blaire said. Her expression changed from concern to worry mixed with a tinge of sadness.

“What’s wrong, Mom?”

“Oh, nothing’s wrong baby. I’m just worried about you, that’s all.”

“How long do I have to stay here?”

“A couple more days, baby. The doctor said you were lucky. Donovan’s quick reflexes saved your bones. You have a head injury, though. It wasn’t a concussion but you needed stitches. Nevertheless, the doctor says that you need to rest; you’re pretty bruised up.”

Kate stretched, feeling sore. She yawned
, suddenly tired, and let her eyes flutter until they shut. She felt her mother kiss her on the top of her head and heard her sit back to watch her sleep.

The next time Kate woke up, Donovan was sitting in front of her.

“I’m so sorry,” he blurted. “I never meant to hit you. You just came out of nowhere. If I had seen you a second later I would have killed you.” He lowered his head and held it in his hands, pressing his palms into his eyes. He looked like a wreck. His normally tousled hair was sticking up and dark circles framed his chocolate eyes.

“It’s okay,” Kate said kindly. “I know it was an accident, and I’m not too hurt.”

He looked at her, a pained expression painted across his features.

“I don’t know you very well,” he said at last. “I’m sorry about the way you had to see me last time. I’m afraid for Adriana. If Light or Darkness discovers what she has done I will roam the planet alone for eternity.”

“What will happen to Adriana? Rico never told me about this when he told me the truth about the universe.”

“Darkness will destroy her. Light took away the presence of demons from human memories and forced
Darkness to keep it that way. Demons are not supposed to exist in this world.”

“I’m so sorry,” Kate said, and she really was sorry. “I feel like it’s my fault that Adriana told me. I’m so curious about your lives that I won’t take no for an answer.”

“That’s understandable. If I were in your shoes, I would demand answers too. However, Adriana never had to give you any. I’ve stood by her side for longer than you can imagine, watching her attempt to save humans from Kern, from other demons. I don’t help Adriana and Rico save the humans, as you may have noticed, but I have protected Adriana. It’s still my job to protect her.”

“I understand,” Kate said.

The two sat for a moment in companionable silence.

“Adriana told me that you were interested in the story of my existence thus far. I hope that you will take it as an offering of peace and apology.”

“Of course I will, Donovan.” She sat up then, and Donovan helped her position the pillows so that she was comfortable. Then, he began.

“I, just like Adriana, used to be a monster while living on Lilith. You see, demons didn’t know anything other than hatred while living there. As you already know, Adriana is caring and compassionate; she saw the power that love and kindness brought to humans. I did not. I thought that humans were lowly and disgusting, the epitome of weakness. I killed humans. I planned on taking over this planet much like we did on Lilith.

When the humans began fighting back, I was on the front of every line. I led each battle, and I was great. I won every battle or war that I fought, and quickly grew famous among demons. Demons that liked to possess human bodies would find me. I would weaken the human enough for possession, although I would never take one for myself. I saw possessions as a weakness. Demons were parasites that craved human emotions.

When the treaty was formed, I hid where no one would find me. I was afraid that I would attempt to rage wars, that I would expose my true identity. You see, demons cling to life because there is nothing for them after death. Humans strive to live fulfilling lives but know that
their souls will live on for eternity. I was, and still am, afraid of death.”

Donovan shuddered at the morbid thought, but pressed on, motivated to finish now that he had already begun.

“Somehow, Adriana found me where I hid. When I look back on it, I think that she was running after Kern. You should have seen her back then, Kate. Adriana was wild, beautiful, free, and smart. She still is all those things, but when you’re a man, and you truly see a woman for the first time, it’s unbelievable.” He smiled to himself, remembering.

“Adriana saved me. Believe me, I was resistant at first. I fought her and told her she was insane. I blamed her for my misery and hatred. I hated her for thinking that humans were something to envy. She showed me that we are equals. We are two sides to the same coin, heads and tails. Adriana showed me that I could live alongside humans. She proved to me that we could live in harmony and peace.

I know that as a demon I cannot truly feel love the way humans can. My heartbeat doesn’t quicken and my palms don’t sweat. I’m not consumed by my thoughts of Adriana. I can’t let her presence weaken me. But I do know that deep down, we are soul mates.” Donovan laughed at his use of the word soul mate, his chocolate eyes sparkling.

“We belong together for all of eternity, Adriana and I. I have spent my entire existence protecting her in her quest for good over evil. You see, most people would associate Light and his children with good, and Darkness and his children would be seen as evil. It’s portrayed like this in films and stories all the time. Adriana doesn’t see it that way. She sees the good and evil in both races.”

“You do love her,” Kate interjected. “You might not think that you do, but I can see it. When you talk about her, you smile a real smile that reaches your eyes. I can hear it in your voice. When you say her name, you almost whisper it, like she’s a secret that you want to keep. Love isn’t all about sweaty palms and racing hearts. It’s seeing someone for who they are, inside and out, and embracing it. It’s laughter and fighting and making up. Love is all of that.” Kate drifted off, consumed by her thoughts.

“It seems to me like you know quite a lot about love, Kate.”

“I don’t,” she admitted. “I just watch a lot of movies, and watch my mom and dad. I can tell that they love each other by the way they look at each other. You look at Adriana the same way.”

Donovan watched Kate, contemplating the things that she was saying to him. He was mesmerized and confused. Kate had barely lived – sixteen wasn’t long at all – but she was wise for someone her age. Heck, she was even convincing Donovan that he could actually love Adriana, even though he knew that demons were void of that particular feeling. Yes, she really was wise, and yes, she had all the makings of the girl that would end Kern.

“Thank you, Kate,” he said at last. “Your words have done more for me than you know. I’m not certain that I have succeeded in making it up to you, considering you have paid me back once more.”

“You don’t owe me anything, Donovan. I’m just glad that you let me know who you are and what made you that way.”

Kate yawned then, and Donovan helped her scoot down until she was lying against the rough pillows. He squeezed her hand and let himself out.

Kate allowed her thoughts to drift over the story that Donovan told her. She imagined Adriana, wild in all black, chasing Kern around the world. She imagined Donovan in armor, fighting humans with a strength that would scare even the strongest man. At last, she imagined Donovan and the way he looked at Adriana. She knew that, somehow, demons were capable of love. She also knew that they didn’t know it.

Kate never saw Rico in the hospital. Adriana came to visit, apologizing profusely for Donovan’s actions, smiling when Kate told her that he loved her, unshed tears shining in her dark eyes. Kate’s parents came to visit, although she was asleep most of the time. Even Mr. Evans stopped by, letting her know that the replacement plant was doing well.

The next day, Kate was released from the hospital. When she
stepped out onto the deck at her house, feeling the warmth of the sun and the breeze, she knew that she was home at last. This place, more than any other place that she had lived, was special. This was Kate’s home, and she loved it more than anything.

That evening, Kate and her family went to grab dinner at The Beach House. Kate made sure that they all ordered something different. They laughed, enjoying the time together now that Kate was home. Both of her parents decided to take off work for a couple days. The three of them
would hang out at the beach house and travel somewhere when Kate felt a little better. Kate insisted that she felt better already, but she was still sleeping twelve hours each night so her parents decided that they would wait a day or two.

As the family left the restaurant, with plenty of daylight, as requested by Kate, a familiar face waved to her. It was the man from the decaying house. Kate smiled and was
ready to walk out the door when the man came up to the three of them, prepared to introduce himself.

“Hi,” he said. “My name is Erik. I live up the street from you. I’m fixing up the worst house on the block to liven up this neighborhood.” He shook hands with Kate’s mother and father.

“Yes, I’ve seen that house,” her father said after introducing everyone. “I’m glad that someone has found the time to fix it up. We appreciate it.”

“No problem at all,” he said. “So this is your family. It’s quite lovely. I don’t happen to have one of my own. The woman I loved left me a while ago,” he added.

“Oh, I’m very sorry Erik,” Kate’s mother chimed in. “And thank you for the comment about our small family.”

“You’re welcome Mrs. Warren.”

“Oh, please call me Blaire and feel free to call my husband by his first name as well. We aren’t strangers anymore.”

“Thank you
. I will,” he said, smiling.

“Well Erik, it was nice meeting you but we should be heading home. I’m
certain Kate’s getting tired,” Aaron said as he turned toward the door.

“What happened to Kate, Aaron?” Erik asked.

“She was hit by a car a few days ago and she just got home today. She’s still recovering some, so we want to make sure she gets a good night’s rest. We’ll talk to you sometime soon. It was very nice meeting you.”

“It was nice meeting you as well. It was nice meeting all of you.”

“Erik,” Blaire added, “I know that you’re alone in that decrepit house. Why don’t you come over for breakfast sometime? I’m sure it’ll be nice eating a real home-cooked meal.” She smiled warmly.

“Thank you, Blaire. I might have to take you up on that,” Erik said before heading back to finish his dinner.

“He’s a nice man,” Blaire said when the family stepped outside.

“He does seem like a nice man,” Aa
ron added, although his tone indicated that he was agreeing with Blaire out of kindness.

Kate had to agree
with her father; she was afraid that she might regret it if he came over for breakfast. He might never leave.

Kate was shocked when her parents said that they could head for Orlando the next
morning. She had successfully slept seven hours the night before, and her parents surprised her with three-day tickets to Disney World. Kate jumped up and down, eager to go on rides, wear mouse ears, and eat her fill of dessert.

When Kate arrived at the park, an overwhelming feeling of happiness and contentedness snuck up on her. She spent most of the day pointing at characters, reminding her parents of who they were and what movie they were in, and laughing. By
the time Kate and her family drove away from Disney World, she felt better than she had in a long time. She knew the feeling wouldn’t last for very long.

As expected, Kate opened
her bedroom door to find that she had two guests.

“Wher
e have you been?” Adriana demanded.

“I’ve been in Orlando. My parents took off work for a couple days so we went on a vacation.”

“You’ve got to let us know these things, Kate. Rico and I assumed that your parents were at work, and that you were home alone. When I stopped by a couple days ago to check on you no one was here. I freaked.”

“I’m sorry, Adriana. I never meant to scare you,” Kate said, ashamed.