Soul Crossed (19 page)

“Yes, Sir.” I am afraid of the scarlet gleam in his eye. I bow my head.

“Stop calling me that. It makes me feel old.”

“Sorry, Boss.”

“I’m proud of you.”

“I’m sorry—what?” I ask, sure I’ve heard him wrong.

“You did it. For a while there, I didn’t think you would. But you put your feelings aside, and you screwed her. Twice!”

“You were
watching
?”

“I have to get my thrills somehow. But that’s not the point. The point is, you came through for me. You hesitated, but that is normal for someone as green as you. If I recall correctly, it took Keira at least forty years to really start enjoying the job. Now look at her, she’s a real spitfire.”

I can’t imagine Keira being anything but the Demon I’ve gotten to know. Did she really once have a conscience? What does that mean about me? Maybe it’ll hurt less when I finally give in completely.

“This is an important task I’ve entrusted you with, Joshua,” the Boss continues. “The rewards will be beyond your wildest imagination, should you succeed. And you are close. Very close. At the finish line, even. Cam has to commit murder. Premeditated, cold-blooded, human murder.”

“Keira can handle it,” I say. “She’s probably much more capable than me.”

“Nonsense. The deed is nearly done. The pieces are all in place. Besides, Keira can have her fun corrupting him, but you are the one I need to checkmate. Its all part of the rules of the game.”

“You have rules?”

“Even I have rules, yes. But that means The Man Upstairs does, too. So if you want your little blond playmate,” he gestures lazily, and I realize I’m still holding Grace’s bra, “then get to work. I’ll handle the ‘wooing her to our side’ part.”

“Yes, Si—um, Boss.”

“I know this is not going to be easy for you. But I want you to listen to me very carefully.” Since when has any part of this been easy? “No matter what happens, this job is your first priority. I will not tolerate any disobedience at this stage in the game. And I will be watching.”

“I understand,” I say.

“I’m not done. If you want to be together with Grace, your best chance is to follow the path I’ve set out for you.”

“I don’t see much chance of that happening now, anyway.”

“Oh?”

“Keira made her hate me.”

“Keira doesn’t have that kind of power. Now, I’ve set it all up for you. You’ll know exactly when it’s time to act. Go enjoy the show. You’ll have to watch for your cue.”

I’m in the high school auditorium. I didn’t know where else to go. I have no home, and I will not go back to Josh’s apartment. I can’t look him in the eye. I’m scared to find out that everything Ms. Alvarez said about him is true. That the things he did with Cam weren’t forced, and that the things he did with me weren’t out of love. That it was all out of malice. I definitely can’t bear to run into Keira. And frankly, I’m not sure I want to bother finding Cam. I’m doomed no matter what happens, so why try? I’m tired of being good. It hasn’t kept me from losing everything that matters.

I nearly froze to death when my bubble deposited me in Josh’s parking lot. I was surprised to see the Bug still sitting there. Then I had my doubts about it even starting, let alone getting me anywhere in this blizzard raging all around. Visibility dipped down to near zero, and I strained to see against the onslaught of snow and wind.

The ten minute ride took more than forty, but I chugged along steadily, afraid to turn on the radio, listening to the
swish
,
swish
,
swish
of the windshield wipers and shivering uncontrollably in Josh’s thin blue oxford.

The only time I chanced a glance at anything aside from the road (which I couldn’t really see anyway) was to check the heat and make sure it was indeed on and working on warming up.

I don’t know how I made it, but I did. It might have been sheer force of will. My refusal to die quite yet. The auditorium was unlocked, which I counted as a sign of luck, though it probably had more to do with the custodian not wanting to hang around during the storm. He probably figured only an insane person would want to break in tonight. Well, here I am.

I’ve changed into my pink chiffon gown that Miss Adams hadn’t yet returned to the costume shop. It has long sleeves, at least, and covers my legs. I can ignore the thin material and plunging neckline and appreciate what I’ve got. It feels silly, but that’s the least of my problems right now.

Until this moment, I’ve been so busy trying to accomplish the goal of staying alive and not freezing solid, that I haven’t had a second more to dwell on Josh. Now the thought of him descends upon my shoulders like a million bricks.

I cry. I sob until I shake and gulp down air. I hold his shirt to my face, letting it get even wetter than it did outside. Still, I can’t discard it. Just like I can’t discard him.

“How could you do this to me?” I scream. My voice echoes back through the empty space.

“He wanted you too much.” I spin toward the sound of the unfamiliar voice. A man sits in the chair behind me, though I can’t imagine how he managed to get there without my knowing it.

“Excuse me,” I say, clutching tighter to the shirt in my hands.

“I don’t believe we’ve been properly introduced. Gracelyn Howard? You can call me Luke. I only let the prettiest ones call me that.” He winks a twinkling dark eye at me, and I jump to my feet, realizing who he is.

“I’m not ready! Ms. Alvarez said I have until Cam’s soul is claimed.”

“Ms. Alvarez sounds like a smart lady,” he says. He doesn’t look all that horrible. Then again, I know from experience that you can’t judge a book by its cover.

“So, then, why are you here?” I ask.

“We are kindred spirits, you and I, aren’t we? Both cast out of Paradise for following our hearts. I’m here to help you make sense of it all.” He waves a hand around and leans on the chair in front of him.

“Whether it makes sense or not, my fate is the same. So why bother?”

“Because I like making bargains. Even the living know that. And I have a bargain for you.”

“Not interested,” I say and start to walk away. The next second I am center stage, a spotlight beating down on me, and Lucifer is walking around me, in the outskirts of the light.

“Hear me out,” he says. I wait because I don’t see as I have much of a choice. “You love Joshua.”

“I thought I did.” I can’t keep the bitterness out of my voice.

“You still do. That’s what hurts so much.”

“You always tell the truth.”

“That’s right! I do. Even when it hurts. Now, as I said, you love Joshua. And here’s the clincher: even though he kept some things from you, Joshua loves you. You still care for each other, and you can be together. I’m not a complete monster, Gracelyn. Despite what the books say.”

“I don’t understand what you want.”

“Ah. Yes. Well, I want Camden’s soul. I want him to turn irrevocably toward darkness and begin the events that will cause Armageddon.” His eyes burn like crimson fire, and it is a hundred times more frightening than either Josh or Keira.

“What does that have to do with Josh and me?” I ask.

“I own you, Grace. Well, I will. It’s only a matter of time. You can embrace it and work with me, or you can suffer eternal torture in the bowels of Hell. Listen before you answer.” He raises a hand, and I find my lips sewn together so there is no longer an opening. I make a strangled cry, but Lucifer ignores this and moves on.

“If you agree, right now, to work for me, I can guarantee you Joshua, flawed as he is, for all of eternity—or until you get tired of him. You will have the freedom to enjoy each other and the many pleasures of this world. All you have to do is follow my orders.

“If, on the other hand, you choose not to work for me, I won’t offer this opportunity again. Even when you find yourself in Hell.” He snaps his fingers, and my mouth is open once again. I lick my lips and try to make out his face in the darkness behind the intensity of the spotlight.

“And what if I don’t care? What if I don’t ever want to see Josh again?”

“I doubt you’re being honest with yourself if you feel that way. But very well, I’ll humor you. You want another prize? How about your family?”

“What?” My throat is suddenly very dry, and my hands begin to shake.

“You’re not allowed to visit them, are you? I can promise you a visit. Don’t assume you’ll get a full reunion. We can’t have them knowing certain things, you understand. But I see no problem with allowing you to watch them. Touch them, even. Ghostly experiences are not unheard of on Earth.”

“You’re offering me my family?” I repeat it because I can’t quite believe my ears.

“Yes. Your family. Joshua. Everything you’ve ever wanted. All you have to do is agree, right now, to be mine.”

I’m positioned outside Cam’s window, looking in. The blinds are not drawn, which is unusual, but then again, nothing about this situation is usual. I’m frozen, and not just because of the weather. I cannot move. I’m going to become a snowman if Satan doesn’t release me soon. I’m already losing sensation in my fingertips.

I’d rather not bear witness to Cam and Keira having sex, but I cannot move my head. I can’t even close my eyelids. So I’m invisible and immovable until he decides otherwise. I can only hope he doesn’t forget about me.

I don’t need sound to know what’s going on. Keira burst in and presented him with some sort of black velvet box. It’s resting on his nightstand now, lid open, but I can’t see inside. I’m not surprised he’s forgotten about it, because she followed up almost immediately with a strip tease.

Now, Keira’s acting like he’s the best she’s ever had, and Cam’s falling for it hook, line, and sinker. The whole thing takes about five seconds and then they lie there, intertwined on his tiny bed, smoking cigarettes. I think Keira knows I’m here because she keeps looking out the window and winking.

A large chunk of gathering snow falls from the roof, landing on my head. Too bad it doesn’t block my view. At least I have plenty of time to contemplate Grace.

I still can’t accept that I was the driver of the car that struck her down. The scene continues to replay itself in my mind’s eye. Great. Another choice. Watch Keira and Cam go at it, or see Grace get run over again and again. I thought I hadn’t chose the path of eternal torture. That’s the way Lucifer works, though, and in a strange way I have to admire him. He’s the master of the art of manipulation.

My nose is running. I’m surprised I can still feel it. I imagine I’m turning blue. He could have given me a parka or something, instead of the stupid tux. I mean, what is that?

Wherever he is, I hope Lucifer is amused.

“I always tell the truth,” he reminds me when I hesitate at his offer.

“Ms. Alvarez says you twist the truth until it’s unrecognizable.”

“Tell me about this Ms. Alvarez you keep mentioning. She sounds like my kind of gal.”

“She was my mentor in Heaven. She’s the one who cast me out. She might have mentioned the whole ‘watch out for the handsome Demon who killed you or you could end up in Hell’ thing, though.”

“Tell me,” he says, adjusting a cufflink on his blue silk suit, “Ms. Alvarez wouldn’t happen to be a lovely woman about yay tall, curly brown hair, well endowed?”

“Yes, she is,” I say, surprised.

“Oh ho! She is someone I’d like to meet. I have a feeling she could give me a run for my money.” He’s laughing softly now.

“What are you talking about?” I ask. I know I shouldn’t. I know I’m only giving him a bigger opening to work his mischief, but I want to know.

“I’m talking about the tragedy that is Joshua and Gracelyn, my two favorite minions. Well, I can’t call you that yet, but it’s only a matter of time.” He watches for my reaction, but I close my lips tight. I’m not going to beg. “Ms. Alvarez apparently has a master plan, and it involves playing by her own set of rules. She reminds me of myself in the old days.”

I shake my head, still not comprehending. He moves into the light and takes hold of my arm. I gasp, expecting some sort of shock or pain, but nothing comes. I suppose it’s because I’m no longer an Angel.

“I’ll show you if you say please.”

“Show me. Please.” I see no reason not to be polite. He grins and tugs on my arm.

We are flying. Through the warm summer air and over the streets of my hometown in Washington. I see the house where I went to the party with Emily, and we dive closer to it, veering off on the path toward my home.

I draw in a sharp breath when I see the two figures approaching the crosswalk. I recognize Emily’s shiny black hair and glasses and my own blond curls. We’re laughing, joking about a cute guy who’d wanted to dance with us.

“I don’t want to see this,” I say. But Lucifer tightens his grip.

“You’re going to see it from my perspective this time. I think you’ll find it quite…enlightening.”

I watch as the light changes to green, and we look up, preparing to cross. I hear the car. Josh’s tires slip against the asphalt, and I see him turn the corner. He isn’t even looking at the road, he’s playing with his phone.

I turn back toward myself, knowing what is about to happen. But as I wait for Emily to push me out of the way, I see instead the familiar form of Ms. Alvarez appear between us like an apparition. She shoves me hard from behind my back, and I fly into the street. Emily reaches for me, surprised, trying to stop me from falling, but it’s too late.

“No—”

“Wait for it. It gets better.” I look over to Lucifer, who is smiling and tossing popcorn in his mouth. He offers me the tub, and I recoil in disgust.

“What else could possibly—” But I am cut off as we descend through the roof into the backseat of Josh’s car.

The first thing I notice is the overwhelming smell of alcohol. The next thing I see is the look of horror on Josh’s face. Being in this close proximity, all of the feelings I have for him come rushing back. His hands are struggling against the steering wheel, his foot pumping the brake pedal.