Soul Taker

By A. J. Alexander

After long years in the line of duty as a ‘Soul Taker’, Kate is worn out.

When she gets a new job offer from the ‘Powers Above’, she accepts her new job as a Guardian gratefully without knowing that her teacher is one of the most powerful beings in existence, the Archangel Raphael.

Along with Raphael, she takes on her new task and the connection between them grows.

Raphael helps, protects and supports Kate, but suddenly, she becomes a target for the Demons of Hell.

Raphael realizes that Kate means more to him than he expected, which causes him to fight furiously against danger. If he fails, Kate’s future will contain eternal darkness, evil, and torture.

• Language: English
• Publisher: A. J. Alexander
• Release date: Dec 15, 2018
• ISBN: 9780463959169

A. J. Alexander

I'm a romance author working on a paranormal romance/fantasy series, "The Council Of Twelve" series. The books are mainly suitable for young adult readers, but I heard there are quite a number of readers beyond their teenage years who enjoy them a lot. I'm very honored and proud to hear that.My rare free time I'm spending in extreme reading, excessive pool swimming, and playing monster-monopoly. My strongest support system is my sister, most of my family, my friends, and black MaineCoon cat.

Book preview

Soul Taker

Book One of the ‘Council of Twelve’ Series

by Aurora Jean Alexander

This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents either are the products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, events, or locales is entirely coincidental.

Copyright © May 2018 by Aurora Jean Alexander

To my wonderful friend Isabel Boniface.

Thank you so much for all the times you let me be inspired in your backyard.

I completed more books in your house than anywhere else in the world!

You're amazing.

Thank you for your love and friendship!

1

Iwalked through the night and passed the chapel which, like always, sent shudders down my spine. I forced myself to continue without hurrying as before. I loved venturing down to the lake by night, enjoying the silvery shine of the stars. I loved to listen to the sounds of the evening, the animals returning from their hunt, tiredly retreating and the hooting of the owls.

My ears were practiced after all those years. I was even able to catch the screech of a dying rat being torn by the sharp claws of a huge Eagle owl.

I didn’t mind. To me, the sound of death was part of my life. For this kind of outlook, I was often called stonehearted, but who cared? It was nature, and I shrugged it off.

That night I decided to walk down to the beach and follow the shore with dry feet. The nighttime air was already too cool to sit on my usual rock.

I turned right and passed the outside wall of the cemetery. Compared to the small dark chapel, the death field below didn’t bother me at all.

An unusual sound behind the bushes assaulted my ears; a high-pitched scream, followed by a few female giggles. For a second, I considered rushing the plants to scare the hell out of the couple, but I let it go. It wasn’t my business.

Enjoying the sight of the moon on the dark water, I stood motionless. I was nearly in tears, found myself lonely, sad and bullied. Sometimes I imagined myself as a vampire. If I weren’t so disgusted by the diet, I might have tried it. My little fantasy made me half smile. I brooded over my good looks. I had frequently been told that thousands of women would have sold their souls for my face and body. I suppose that my face could be considered beautiful. I had big brown eyes and honey blond hair that shimmered in many various shades. I was also blessed with the figure of a top model, slim, lean and well-proportioned.

I had even been threatened to be taken by demons because they found me attractive. My beauty was more of a curse than a blessing for me. I loved my looks. I had only wished that, once in a while, someone would take the time to look behind my mask of pure beauty and try to fathom my feelings, emotions, brains, guts - and whatever else was there.

I didn’t think back very often. My past was long gone; I had lived too long on this Earth to have any illusions left. I comprehended humanity. I had seen so many things, cruelty, hatred, love – and something that was called love, but was mere possession and control. My lips pulled back from my teeth, and I took in the clean, fresh air like some drowning helpless victim. It was always like this. Whenever I returned from work, emptiness and dryness spread inside of me. Still, I suspected my emotions, real ones, had most likely died decades, or even centuries ago.

I knew I'd find you here. A beautifully soft male voice said behind me.

I swung around with my hands still in my pockets and I buried them even deeper. I remembered this voice. It was buried in my memory, even though I hadn’t expected to hear it again. It startled me. My throat was tight.

What are you doing here? I asked.

Offering you another job, he said with a smile.

I smiled in return without wanting to. Ha ha, I laughed sarcastically. Does it come with a pay raise?

Hysterical, he replied with a sour look.

Suddenly, I felt ashamed. Look, I’m sorry, Joseph. I returned from work. The accident.

And one of them was a child, right? His eyes showed sympathy.

I hung my head.

That’s why I’m here tonight, he said with a soft and understanding voice.

It is? I asked as I looked up.

You were one of my students, centuries ago, Joseph said with a smile. I remember how disappointed you were when your job goal couldn’t be fulfilled, and you ended up with this group. I sense you’re killing yourself every single time you’re needed. And finally, there is another job vacancy – but to be honest – I’m not convinced it will be the right kind of work for you.

Suddenly, I was hopeful. Let’s find out what it is, please, Joseph. I…

He lifted his hand to stop me from saying ‘don’t care what it is’ because he realized… to me, in the end, it did matter. I didn’t come here to tell you we decided you would become a member of the divine choir, he said with a sigh.

I laughed. I actually enjoyed the laugh – something I hadn’t done in a long time.

You don’t laugh nearly often enough, Kate, Joseph said as if reading my thoughts.

You’re right, Joseph, but I would say, considering my job, isn’t that understandable?

Yes, he said with a half-smile.

A peaceful silence spread. We stood there and enjoyed the night when his voice suddenly interrupted the moment. How would you like to be a Guardian?

I stared into his eyes for quite some time, before trying to swallow with a dry throat. You mean that, right?

Of course, he said with a chuckle.

I considered his proposal for a moment. I’d love to – but how come this job is suddenly available?

I can’t talk about this, he said shaking his head.

I sighed. Yes, I expected as much.

Joseph got up and hugged me. Katie… I understand what you love more than anything is to be a warrior – but you realize there’s nothing I can do! Warriors are born, not made! I regret I cannot do anything for you. To offer you this Guardian position is the utmost I was able to get them to agree to.

I felt a wave of grateful emotion. Thank you, Joseph. You’ve done so much for me! – When can I start?

Joseph laughed. How about – now?

I understood what this meant and beamed. Really?

He looked over my shoulder, and I turned around, watching two beautiful looking men walking toward us. One of them was dressed in a suit and tie and looked elegant and chic like a business man. The other one wore old jeans, cowboy boots and a long-worn leather coat.

Joseph smiled. He introduced me to the business-like guy. This is Nathaniel. He’s your replacement and will take your job over from here.

The Guy shook my hand. Please, call me Nate, he said with a laugh.

I smiled. Good luck, Nate.

Same to you, he said circling us before he disappeared.

And this is Raphael, Joseph said.

My eyes widened. THE Raphael?

The cowboy let out a friendly chuckle. If there’s another one I hope he’ll get caught before writing too many checks in my name.

I laughed and was a little surprised when he hugged me instead of shaking my hand. My body stiffened in his arms, and he again produced this incredible, beautifully modulated laughter.

Relax, Katie, he said with a grin. I am a big hugger. You will have to get used to it,

It’s not the hug itself, it’s who hugs me, I responded as I smiled weakly.

These words made him smirk. Calm down, girl, I’m not George Clooney, after all.

This time, it was me laughing as I hugged him back.

Okay – here we go – that’s the deal – you’ll say good-bye to Joseph now. And, for the next three or four years, we will be working together. It depends on how long the project takes. One of the most important things is: you will never foresee how long a project will take. And there isn’t a time limit, okay?

I nodded.

Which means? he asked.

It takes as long as it takes, I replied softly.

Good girl, he said with a satisfied smile.

I turned and shook Joseph’s hand. Bye Joseph and thank you.

Joseph laughed. Have fun, Kate. And I won’t tolerate any complaints. Do you hear me?

I nodded slightly in acknowledgment. Of course, you won’t, I answered.

He winked and within the blink of an eye was gone.

I turned back to Raphael. I’m ready, I said, my eyes sparkling with excitement.

Raphael grabbed my hand. A few seconds later we landed on the roof of an industrial building. We sat there, our legs hanging down and I choked. Raphael eyed me. Are you dizzy?

I nodded and quickly started to take deep breaths. Jeez, I coughed. I usually travel a little more slowly.

Raphael laughed. I’m sorry, Katie. I forgot your former job. It’s normal. You are used to moving at a slower pace. In this job, you might need to change location within the blink of an eye. I assume we should practice this.

I nodded weakly.

Raphael focused my attention on an old guy walking between the buildings. His hair was gray. He wore the uniform of a security company and he swung a keyring which held at least twenty keys.

The man whistled happily, and his good mood was contagious affecting us up on the roof. It made me smile.

Check the surroundings, Raphael commanded touching my arm.

I did as I was told, and what I saw made my eyes widen. Two Guys with knives…

Raphael nodded. "What would be the