Time Jacker by Aaron Crash (nonfiction book recommendations .TXT) 📕

Bailey moved her seat back right into Gabby’s face. “She’s a fucking leech, just like me and just like the Fugs.”

“Am not!” Gabby protested, huffing. “And your eye makeup is messy and terrible. I bet you don’t even know how to make it pretty. I’m beautiful naturally because I’m so full of light and love.”

Bailey got a hurt look on her face. “I’m still getting used to makeup. I’ll fix it. Or maybe I won’t. I thought I looked sexy. Do I look sexy?” Her brow was furrowed. Her eyes begged Jack for a very specific answer.

“You are very sexy, Bailey,” Jack said. “Don’t worry.”

“Slutty maybe, but not sexy,” Gabby said in hushed voice. She was still hurt as well.

Jack cut through the girl drama. “Tell me more about Nefesh.”

Gabby’s voice was annoyingly loud and cheerful. “Oh, soul energy is the best and most powerful of the Septua energies. When people are helping each other, when they feel connected to the world, they exude such wonderful power. It’s the breath of life. Like in a couple of months, we’ll have Christmas, and from what I’ve heard, it’s the most wonderful time of the year! I’ll find people to enjoy Nefesh with. They’ll feel good. I’ll feel good. And we’ll all be together, singing songs and being so happy.”

“Sounds boring.” Bailey had the sun visor down and was trying to rub off her makeup with her fingers.

“It’s not boring, Bailey,” Gabby insisted. “And I’ll have you know, I’m no stranger to sex or Ijjinaya. People can have Nefesh when they make love, so tenderly, so connected, gazing longingly into each other’s eyes. It’s very soulful. And I’m there, enjoying them, as they enjoy each other.”

To Jack, Gabby absorbing Nefesh sounded exactly like what Bailey did. It was just another supernatural creature snacking on humans. But he wasn’t going to say that. He needed information from the angel. “Okay, Gabby, so you were watching souls, enjoying moments of Nefesh, and then what happened?”

“And then you stopped time, Jack. No one can stop time. It’s very problematic. And even more worrisome? No one in any of the legions noticed. Except for me. Then when Annie was kidnapped? Well, I watched you, evaluating you, and then today happened. Which was a surprise. I didn’t expect any of this.”

“How much Nefesh did you get from Jack fucking me?” Bailey asked, still sulking.

“That was all Ijjinaya,” Gabby said. “And it was very exciting. I wasn’t...used to that. Or having a clitoris. Did I mention I’m very grateful for my clitoris?”

“Twice now,” Jack said. “How did you know about Annie?”

“Annie lives with her father, and they watch over each other. Annie has a friend, Lisa, that’s their roommate, and she helps out. They’re all close and happy. I’m glad. It’s a shame what happened with her fiancé. That knucklehead cheated on her. And with her best friend! It was terrible! You humans sure can mess things up.”

Jack laughed. “That’s the understatement of the year. We’re really good at messing things up. So Bailey can sense things about people’s sexuality. What about you?”

“I can see the good in people. Except for you, Jack. You’re a complete mystery. That makes this all the more exciting!” Gabby clapped her hands and stomped her feet. She was having the time of her life, which was how long, exactly? She seemed far younger than Bailey, and Bailey was like five thousand years old.

Jack could ask about Gabby’s age later. For now, he had to stay focused. “Do you know where Annie is?”

“No, but I’ve been thinking about that. We should ask the Clockwatcher.”

Bailey slammed the sun visor up. “I thought about that too. The Clockwatcher is dangerous. And what is the fucking Pinturicchio Legion? I thought you might be serving under Marianna, her ladyship of the dried-up cunt.”

“Language, please, Bailey,” Gabby said. “And my relationship with Marianna was...problematic. The Pinturicchio Legion is new, but we’re making strides. Some people think we’re going to be very important in the Tempus Bellum.”

“And what is the Tempus Bellum?” Jack asked.

Gabby didn’t pause as she chattered on. “The Clockwatcher is dangerous, but he’ll know where Annie was taken. It was that horrid Kerrata, right? You do know what Kerrata is planning, don’t you?”

“No.” Bailey laid a hand on Jack’s arm. “Can we stop at a Macy’s? I’d like to buy some new clothes. And makeup remover. Maybe we’d go to a CVS for that. I only ever go in to watch guys buy condoms there. Did you know they sell sex toys there now? I like women who buy their sex toys at a drugstore.”

“Well, whatever Kerrata is planning, it’s going to be huge.” Gabby reached forward and flung Bailey’s hand off Jack. “Keep your hands to yourself. I know the only reason you’re with Jack is to corrupt him.”

The demon whirled. “No, Featherhead, I’m doing it because I get a body, and I like having a body. You keep going on and on about clits, well, I have one, and I’m not afraid to use it. Also, the Septua coming off him is amazing. You’re getting Nefesh just sitting there, right?”

Gabby didn’t speak. She frowned. Then she inhaled and gave Bailey a sweet smile. “I don’t have to tell you a thing. I’m good, and you’re evil. But even evil has a place in the universe, and in the end, you’re part of a divine plan. And so we’ll all three go and see the Clockwatcher and then rescue Annie. I’ll learn more about Jack, and then when Pinturicchio calls me in for my annual review, I will brief him. I will say Jack is kind and soulful.”

“Not kind or soulful,” Jack said. “I’m an asshole with a heart of gold.”

“You’re soulful.” Gabby gave his shoulder a squeeze. Then she leaned back. “I’m rather hungry. I will only eat sweet sunshine, oatmeal, and vegetables. Because all living creatures have