Rapture Read online

  Rapture

  ML Guida

  Copyright © 2020 by ML Guida

  All rights reserved.

  No part of this book may be reproduced in any form or by any electronic or mechanical means, including information storage and retrieval systems, without written permission from the author, except for the use of brief quotations in a book review.

  Created with Vellum

  Contents

  Foreword

  Chapter 1

  Chapter 2

  Chapter 3

  Chapter 4

  Chapter 5

  Chapter 6

  Chapter 7

  Chapter 8

  Chapter 9

  Dear Reader

  About the Author

  Also by ML Guida

  Foreword

  Rapture was formally Deception. This book has a new cover, new content, and new edits.

  ML Guida

  Chapter 1

  “This is your last chance, Poison.” The Archangel Michael’s cold voice echoed off the Hall of Souls’ cold walls. His stern glare cut through any hope that Poison had a chance of proving to him she deserved to be a dark angel.

  She stood silently in the hall, waiting for her assignment, holding her breath, not moving a single muscle. The Cathedral ceiling stretched above her. Doves holding a gold laurel leaf were craved into the smooth wooden beams. The glittering gold walls closed in on her, the sunlight reflecting off them, nearly blinding her. Sweat rolled down the back of her neck. She stared up at the stained glass window of Michael’s sword––Excalibur––the symbol of the Dark Angels, praying she’d keep her position.

  She closed her eyes.

  Don’t screw up this time. Don’t screw up this time. Don’t screw up this time.

  Michael put the Book of the Dead on the bronze altar. He dipped his feather pen in an ink well and wrote a name down.

  Scratch Scratch Scratch

  Her nerves recoiled at his pen scraping on the parchment paper. The glow from the candles highlighted long dark hair, which flared over his muscular shoulders. The gold pen scratched the paper and her pent-up nerves. He gave Poison a hard stare that froze her quivering innards. “You mess up this assignment…I even get a hint you’re kissing that demon”–he jerked his thumb–“and you’re out. Do you understand?”

  Poison nodded. “Yes, sir. I won’t fail. I haven’t seen Ringmaster since the ocean liner, Poseidon, sank. I swear.” But she couldn’t hide the doubt in her tone.

  “The only reason…the only reason your still on this team is because Scythe swore you’d repented.”

  Just like any other army, the Dark Angels had ranks. Michael was the leader of the Dark Angels, and Scythe was second in command. A position coveted by many. Scythe risked his position to save her. She could never repay him for what he’d done.

  “I won’t let any of you down. I promise.” But had she truly repented? She’d never forget that night that she, Scythe, and his brother, had gone to the sinking ocean liner to collect souls only to run into demons. And she’d met Ringmaster. It was only one damn kiss. Why couldn’t she forget it?

  “See that you don’t.” He closed the hard book.

  She stumbled backward––her breath caught in her throat. Fear clung to her trembling bones.

  Michael rose to his full height. He was almost eight foot tall and his wing span just as wide, blocking out the fiery light from the floating candles. Each candle represented a human life, but when the flame dimmed or went out, the human’s name went into the Book of the Dead. An angel of death would collect their soul and bring them to the Judgment Court where they would learn their fate––salvation or damnation.

  Michael narrowed his silver eyes. “See that you don’t fail. I want Lisa Evans, and the game board that she’s been using, brought back here before midnight. The board is made of oak and has red symbols written on it. Is that clear?”

  She shook her head. “No, what kind of board is it?”

  “All you need to know is that it’s full of black magic and each time Lisa uses it, something awful happens to someone.” He slammed his fist on the altar. “Now bring this abomination back to me.”

  She jumped, her heart scurrying around in her chest.

  He put both his hands on the altar and leaned. His shadow loomed over her, making him grow taller and her smaller. “Do you think you can accomplish this or should I transfer you to another department?”

  “No, I can do this.” She met his glowering gaze and lifted her chin, but her legs trembled uncontrollably. Any minute she’d collapse.

  She glanced at the Life of Time clock on the side wall. It not only told time, but the month, day, and century.

  And time wasn’t on her side.

  “But that’s less than five hours. Why the late notice?”

  He walked around the altar. “That is none of your concern. I suggest you get going. You’re already on thin ice.” He snapped his fingers. “Now go.”

  The golden doors of the Hall of Souls flung open. Conversation was over. Poison immediately flew into the night.

  She was walking on a tightrope with Michael––a frazzled tightrope. Her last assignment had been a total failure. Michael didn’t tolerate mistakes.

  She descended through the Stars of Heaven then pierced the Holy Veil that separated heaven from Earth. The moon had just shown its glowing face and dark clouds shielded the twinkling stars. She easily found Lisa Evan’s house that was decorated for Halloween. A jack-o-lantern grinned at her from the porch. A life-sized Frankenstein’s monster guarded the door. Orange pumpkin lights sparkled around the porch and the roof.

  Blaring music made Poison groan. A party. A Halloween party. Why couldn’t Lisa be curled up on a chair, waiting to hand out Halloween candy? It would have made Poison’s life so much easier. But then when had an angel of death’s job ever been easy?

  Never.

  “Let’s do this,” she mumbled.

  She opened the door and walked into the marble-tiled entryway. Vaulted ceilings with dark wood beams rested overhead, and a gas log fireplace crackled. The same pumpkin lights twinkled across the living room into the kitchen. People were dressed in every costume imagined––from traditional vampires and witches to untraditional martians and made-up creatures. They held glasses of wine, beer, and mixed drinks. Empty glasses and beer cans cluttered the coffee table and end tables. Bobby ‘Boris’ Picket’s infamous song, The Monster Mash, blared from giant speakers.

  Poison shifted from one foot to the other and wiped her sweaty palms on her thighs. Time was ticking away. Where was Lisa Evans?

  “Having a good time?” Someone clasped Poison’s arm as if they were good friends.

  Poison jumped, adrenaline sending her heart flying to the ceiling.

  “Jumpy, honey? Didn’t mean to scare you.”

  Zeus, it was Lisa.

  She laughed, tossing her head back. “Don’t you love my costume? It fits perfectly.” She cast her gaze over Poison. “Yours is a little drab. Isn’t it? Oh well. Enjoy yourself.”

  Poison glanced down at her bulky army fatigues and heavy black combat boots that were her signature. She narrowed her eyes and lifted her head high as if she were a high paid model.

  Before Poison could answer or capture her, Lisa moseyed away. Damn it.

  Poison frowned. Something wasn’t right. Was Lisa kidding about her costume? She wore a pink skimpy genie outfit that was three sizes too small. Her breasts threatened to spill out of the lacy top and her huge belly hung over the harem pants. Not even the veiled head-piece fit right. It had fallen to the side. Lisa looked like she had a pink construction cone projecting out of her dark brown hair.

  “Hey beautiful.” A man dressed up like Iron Man held a beer and stepped on Poison’s boot,
his heal smashing her big toe, distracting her from Lisa. “Why are you standing in the corner all alone? Did the big bad Lisa scare you? I’ll protect you.”

  She gritted her teeth. “Get off my foot––idiot.”

  His breath smelled like cigarettes and the bottom of a keg.

  She edged away from him and headed toward the crowded bar where she could see the top of Lisa’s head. “I’m waiting for someone.”

  “Hey, what’s with the attitude?” He trailed her, his hot breath brushing over the back of her neck. “I’m here, baby. I’m the answer to your dreams. Come dance with me.” He slurred his words.

  Puh-lease. If her answer was a balding, skinny Robert Downey Jr.

  No, only one man had fit that bill, but he was forbidden. Not just sin forbidden. But Garden of Eden forbidden.

  The Iron Man wanna-be clasped her arm. “Hey, Sarge.”

  She jerked her arm. “If you’ll excuse me.” Her voice was colder than hell. She walked over to the gas log fireplace to continue watching Lisa. She had to get her alone and make her talk. Striking her down in front of everyone would piss Michael off. He didn’t like theatrics.

  But Iron Man was obviously too dumb or too drunk to get the hint and trailed her. “Ah, did you get stood up?”

  She lifted her eyebrow. “Excuse me?”

  “Maybe if you didn’t look like a pissed-off soldier, he would have showed up.”

  Poison rolled her eyes and clenched her fists. She was a kick-ass soldier and never wanted anyone to forget it. She would have loved to strike down Iron Man, but Michael hadn’t given her his name. She’d no intention doing anything that Michael would conceive as a screw up.

  “I’m not pissed-off.” She gritted her teeth.

  He raised his eyebrow. “Could have fooled me?” He clapped her on the back. “What you need is a nice, cold drink.”

  “Fine.”

  “Stay right here, Sarge. I’ll be right back with your beer.”

  She rolled her eyes. Idiot. He hadn’t even ask her what she wanted to drink. Typical male arrogance.

  An icy breeze fluttered through the room. The fireplace flickered. A chandelier swayed back and forth. Empty plastic cups fell off the end tables and rolled across the floor.

  Poison glanced over her shoulder. No one had entered the room. The front door and windows were shut.

  A woman dressed in a purple princess outfit rubbed her arms. “Did you feel that? It’s freezing. Did Lisa’s air conditioning just click on?”

  “Someone keep the damn front door shut,” a man growled.

  The cool breeze brushed over Poison. Tickles ran over her arms and she broke out in a rash of goose bumps. A shiver ran down her spine.

  It wasn’t the wind or air conditioner. It was something else. Something supernatural. Something evil.

  The princess’s eyes widened. She clasped Poison’s arm. “How did you do that? Your skin is glowing. Is that glitter?”

  Poison wiggled her arm free. “Just a trick of the lights.”

  She maneuvered away. Not exactly a lie. But what could she say? No, I’m an angel and when I’m around evil, my skin lights up like the sun.

  But it wasn’t just her skin that was glowing. Her heart was swelling with joy.

  Oh, crap. She’d felt this only once before. Once was enough––enough to bring down the wrath of the Archangel Michael on her head.

  Don’t let him be here. He was the reason she was on Michael’s shit list.

  Maybe she was wrong.

  Pleasepleasepleaseplease let her be dead wrong. This was her last chance to remain a dark angel.

  She studied each decked out vampire, princess, monster, ghoul, and every other costume. A silver beam streamed out of her eyes that humans couldn’t see, and she drew on her angel x-ray vision to find out who was human and who wasn’t.

  She exhaled a long shaky breath. So far, she’d only detected white sparkly souls, but every fiber within her told her that a demon was here––hiding, watching, waiting.

  Another brush of cold air rushed over her again, but it didn’t feel like a breeze––more like someone running their frozen fingers down her spine. She shuddered and her teeth chattered. Where was this coming from?

  The gas log fireplace flickered behind her, but it failed to chase the chill gripping her bones. Flames cast an eerie light. Long shadows of creatures of the night lengthened across the hardwood floors. She stood straighter, her skin prickling. The temperature dropped. What do humans call it? A cold spot? She was a dark angel. What did she have to fear?

  Purple princess put her hands near the hearth. “Is this fireplace even working? It’s getting colder by the minute.”

  Someone bumped into Poison and wetness spilled down her back. She whirled around.

  “Oops.” A woman dressed like Snow White put her hand over her mouth and giggled. She held a half empty goblet of sloshing red wine. Dark crimson stained the oak hardwood floor.

  “Oh, I didn’t see you there.” She flashed her glossy eyes over Poison as if she’d flunked the sexiest Halloween costume. “God, you look like you stepped out of a Predator movie with your army gal get up.” She laughed in a high pitch chirpy voice.

  Poison gave her a quick toothy smile. “True.” She mumbled underneath her breath. “But at least I don’t look like an over-the-hill Snow White.” How’d the little princess like a red apple dipped in Sleep––a special Heaven poison? Michael’s invention. One bite and no kiss would ever revive her, but Snow White wasn’t on the list…Yet.

  Michael had made Sleep especially for Poison. Said it was her secret weapon. He had given it to her after he recruited her away from the cherubs a century ago.

  A fortyish gray-haired man, dressed like Prince Charming, grabbed Snow White’s arm. “Come on, I think you need some fresh air, hon.”

  “Sure, Princey.” Snow White stumbled as he led her toward the double French doors that led out onto the patio.

  Poison rolled her eyes. Stupid humans.

  Lisa moved past her, swaying her hips.

  Poison forgot all about Snow White and concentrated on her prey.

  Two women dressed up like witches blocked Poison’s path, but their conversation drew her like a moth to a flame.

  A red-headed witch looked around. “Aren’t you Lisa’s neighbor? How do you think Lisa can afford this place? It must cost a fortune.”

  “This was her grandmother’s home. The woman was spry and one of the healthiest women I knew, then poof.” One of the witches flicked open her palms. “One day she just dropped dead.”

  “Really?”

  The witch tilted her head. “I live across the street. Lisa moved in the next day like she owned the place.”

  Suspension seeped into Poison’s gut. She frowned. Was this because of the board Michael was talking about?

  Suddenly, the most handsome pirate caught her eye and broke her concentration. Her throat turned dry, and heat swelled inside her. Humans had never prickled Poison’s desire, but she couldn’t take her gaze off him. He tipped his hat, showing the black dreadlocks underneath. His unbuttoned ruffled white shirt revealed a chiseled chest. She couldn’t see his eyes because he wore a black leather mask, but she could still see his high cheekbones. A tight black vest hugged his waist.

  He nodded at her and gave her a devilish smile that sent heat blooming through her. She wished Iron Man had returned with that beer to put out the fire burning inside her. What was wrong with her? She was forbidden to be attracted to humans.

  Another one of Michael’s rules.

  She returned to watching Lisa who made her way toward a bar. Pretending not to notice the pirate, Poison followed her.

  But he was hard to miss, especially when he cut in front of her. She nearly bumped into him and inhaled a husky scent of the outdoors. His broad shoulders blocked her view of Lisa. His white shirt strained from beneath his well-defined muscles, and his tight black leather pants hugged his thighs and fine ass. Her mouth and throat
ran dry with desire. It had been a long time since a mere man had her twisted into knots and losing all sense of right from wrong.

  The black dreadlocks beneath his hat were nylon, and she thought she saw strands of thick red hair. She couldn’t breathe and her legs shook. Uneasiness slid down her throat into her belly. It was an unusual red, almost burnt looking. She’d only seen that color once before.

  No, it couldn’t be him.

  She drew on her angel power again. Beneath all that supple muscle, his soul burned brightly.

  The tension gripping her unwound, and the shakiness faded away. She took a deep breath.

  It was just a coincidence. That’s all. Or had it been wishful thinking?

  Stop. You have a job to do. Get it done.

  He sheathed his sword in a brown leather belt around his narrow waist. Most people had plastic props such as guns or daggers or ray guns included in their costumes, but the sword’s gold and silver handle sparkled. That wasn’t a plastic. The pirate had a real sword? Why?

  He took a seat at the crowded mahogany bar that was right next to Lisa who had stopped and talked with Iron Man. Iron Man slipped off the stool and grabbed the counter with both hands. He gave her a stupid grin as if she should be proud that he kept his ass on the chair. Unfortunately, he’d forgotten all about her beer.

  Iron Man caught her staring at him and flashed her with a gaze she swore stripped her into a naked sizzling mess. Her palms were sweaty and her clothes stuck to her sticky body. This was totally insane.

  The pirate tipped his large black hat again. The two large ostrich feathers hit Lisa in the face. She backed away and laughed nervously.

  He turned away from Lisa toward a mahogany bar. Lisa had stocked every type of liquor from gin and vodka to wine. On one shelf, there were wine, beer, tumble and tall glasses. He said something to the male vampire bartender. The bartender handed him a glass full of dark beer.