Striking Souls

by Erin R Flynn

  “That’s why you’re a miracle, Soraya,” Hunt murmured, reaching up and cupping my face. “All that darkness in you, all you’ve seen and memories you’ve had to suffer through, all the evil you fight, and still you won’t do something too many would think fine because I gave consent.”

  His aura flashed something it shouldn’t, and I shook my head. “This is like Stockholm or something. It’s insane you are acting this way to me.”

  “You can’t get Stockholm in a few days,” he chuckled deeply. “And I’m not a captive. I also felt this way before the collar. You letting me in to see so much more just made my feelings deeper.”

  “You should be running screaming from this room and away from me,” I snapped, wincing when understanding filled his eyes that had been my plan. I moved my hand over his mouth, not wanting to hear whatever he would say next. Eventually he would run from me, something too much or my life going too far from what he could handle.

  Right then I ignored it and let out my darkness, riding him while nodded for the vampire to bite my dog. He did, and Hunt instantly finished, his eyes going wide in shock at how good it felt. I didn’t know firsthand, but when I was connected to someone like right then, I felt it too. And it was good.

  It was really good. I loved a vampire to bite the man I was having sex with.

  Sometimes while he was having sex with the man too. That was always fun as well.

  We used and abused Hunt, Hui Yin practically sucking him dry while I rode his body for my own pleasure. Granted, Hunt enjoyed it, but it was a bit more than he should have let happen.

  Though to be honest, I didn’t really get that until after I popped us back to my apartment and saw he was seriously pale but slurring a bit as he collapsed onto my bed. I sighed and eased my guilt by using my power to hook him up to an IV with a few saline bags.

  I went to my office and booted up my computer before taking the elevator downstairs and grabbing my soba and several other containers of food they’d brought for me. I ended up asking for whatever papers and piles I knew they wanted me to sign and handle, the attendant giving it to me with a worried look because it was so late and they all wanted me to sleep more.

  The boss didn’t get to sleep as much as the others did, after all.

  In between stuffing my face, I went through the piles of everything from invoices to new contracts with paranormal groups to plans for the new factory and other expansions. I also used my power to add several chapters onto my newest book, feeling a bit guilty that I could because any and every author would beat me for something so unfair when it could take them weeks to do the same and with lots of pain, headaches, and heartache.

  But that made a familiar tingle travel up my spine as parts of a spell came to me to help my fellow authors who dedicated themselves to giving people a break from reality with the worlds and stories they weaved from nothing. I couldn’t take away writer’s block, but a blocking charm to keep out all the other noise and distractions would help for sure.

  I added that to the piles of partial spells and ideas I had up in my workroom before sending down everything I’d signed and tossing my garbage. Hunt was done with the IV when I returned to my room, and I waved it away before sending him back to his apartment. He was recovered, and honestly, it agitated me that I’d been allowing him to sleep in my bed or even bringing him to my apartment.

  I kept opening myself up more—and not just to Hunt as the lovely SPU Detective and sexy vampire Linc had been there too—and that was dangerous. The wear and tear on me was making me drop my guard, and that was just stupid with all the threats out there.

  As I crawled into bed, all those threats circled in my mind and left me with a fitful sleep. I woke as the familiar tingle traveled up my spine.

  Here we go again. I made my phone appear and got up for the day, as that was the job. That was who I was. I got up the next day and did what I should no matter how bad things got.

  That was my life, and too many days it sucked.

  The End

  Please Review

  I know it’s annoying, I hate doing it too. But it really, really helps the author with Amazon’s search algorithms and blah, blah, blah, you don’t care. I appreciate the kind and constructive reviews, I truly do.

  To say THANK YOU for taking the few minutes to review (and all the reviews to my other books I hope you leave), here is an extra chapter delving into Soraya’s past. Go review and there will be one on the next book, hee hee. So please go review any and all of my books!

  Love,

  Erin

  FYI: I realize this isn’t how they really spoke a thousand years ago, but they do now because I am not a historical writer and I don’t want to be. Assume this is her looking back and it’s in her vernacular now, as that’s how we remember things. Or in this world they spoke like now because… Yeah, it’s not happening any other way. I think the extra side stories of her becoming her through the centuries will be fun… But not the proper dialect, and no one can make me do it!! Hee hee

  Extra Chapter

  “What are you looking at, Soree?” Rue asked me as she moved closer. “Ink? Victor will get you more ink if you need it.”

  “No, I have lots, but his well was low,” I muttered, ducking my head from her knowing eyes. She seemed to know everything, and sometimes it was a bit unnerving. Not that she pried, but I wanted to keep some things private the older I got.

  We had finished all the morning shopping at the market and the others had taken the purchases back to the coven while Rue said we would shop for pleasure. We did it now and again, and I think something about the act brought her peace in the sea of chaos at the busy market.

  Especially since it was the rare sunny day.

  “So you are using the coins you made selling the excess of your rare herbs, and instead of buying anything for yourself, you are getting gifts? That is so like you,” she praised, amusement in her voice. She reached over and picked out a glass jar. “This is the ink he prefers.”

  “Thank you.” I paid the shopkeeper and took the jar from Rue, wrapping it in paper to protect it before putting it in my bag.

  “And what are you purchasing for Andrew?” she asked, smirking at me when I looked at her.

  “Does he know?” I blurted, understanding she knew of my feelings for him.

  She lost her amusement. “No, he is a bit selfish to notice, but eventually he will. I do not wish to trample on your first crush, but you know you can never be together with him forever, yes?”

  I bristled at the implication I wasn’t good enough for Andrew. “I am only thirteen. I have years to become a better woman, more refined and educated. Victor says I have made impressive strides in my learning for only working with everyone in the nest and the two enchanters instead of actual tutors.”

  “You misunderstand me,” she said gently, moving her hand to my arm. “He is unworthy of you, Soree. You are so much more than you understand even as you work your hardest to move on from your past and abuse. You get up every morning and do the job, do what comes next. Not everyone is strong enough for that after life hurts them. But you are. You deserve better than Andrew could ever give you.”

  I nodded I heard her, even if I didn’t believe her but wanted to change the topic. “I am a child to him.”

  “Good. You are a child and too young for what a man would want from you,” she declared as she led us to another stall at the market. “Especially an ancient man. He won’t be patient and understanding of a young woman’s first time like he should be.”

  “Doesn’t that rule out anyone in the nest then?” I worried, not having thought about that when I’d agreed to give my virginity to someone of the nest because of what it could give them.

  “No, because I believe time and love for you would overrule their impatient instincts,” she answered after a few minutes. One of the things I loved most about Rue was she never just answered without considering what she would say. “Let us change the mood. I can feel how much
this upsets you, and I do not want that for our fun. I simply want you to promise to think about it and give yourself more time to value yourself.”

  “I promise,” I agreed, thinking that was fair and she was worth trusting in that way.

  “Good.”

  We shopped a bit more, and then after she reminded me there were gobs of extra food in the kitchen for the nest, as I’d been practicing a new spell I’d learned, she talked me into having a picnic. We loaded up a few of the cloth bags with everything fun and what I was excited to try. Then we made our way to a far corner of the orchard the nest had on the very back of the nest’s lands, which were vast.

  I had long ago converted them to eating fresh fruit and at all meals, and they’d added more trees to the property. It was one of my favorite spots and Rue’s too. I smiled when she slid her hand in mine as we walked along.

  “You have never been bothered that I am a lover of women. Why?”

  I frowned at her. “Why would I? I can see a woman and appreciate her beauty. I can understand people wanting to do adult things with a beautiful woman. Why would only men want to enjoy that? Why should it bother me if you love women?”

  “It bothers too many,” she admitted, sounding sad. “But not you. You never worry I look at you inappropriately.”

  My mouth fell open. “Why would people think you like children because you love women? That is idiotic. Oh, I like to watch birds hop all around, which others don’t appreciate, so that must mean I’m a lover of sheep. It’s idiotic.”

  She threw back her head and laughed, squeezing my hand as we arrived at a good spot. I made a blanket appear on the grass so we didn’t ruin our clothing.

  “Thank you,” she said as she let go of my hand. She watched how I set everything down and then sat, careful of my skirts. “You have learned quite quickly. You are a devoted student, Soree, and I applaud it.”

  “But you do not agree with the customs,” I muttered, still working to decipher people’s auras as I was learning. Some did not like me to practice with them, but Rue never wanted me to hold back with her, wanting everything for me.

  “No, no I do not,” she agreed, joining me on the blanket. “I am centuries old. This new age treatment of women irks me. I remember when it was assumed we would pick up weapons alongside the men, more than able to do that and much more. It was the failing of men that could not handle when women died in combat. This new age goes too far.

  “Women are not fragile, and this covering every inch of us for propriety makes women feel shame of their bodies. I have gorgeous ankles. Why hide them? Why hide my legs? It used to not be the way. A woman’s body was celebrated as a thing of beauty in varying forms, not hidden as if dirty. It bothers me, but we do it to blend. That doesn’t mean I don’t take runs at night without clothes as I miss the freedom of it.”

  “I think I wish to feel that way and be so free with my body one day,” I admitted as I tore off a piece of bread. Rue stood and picked us a few apples and pears, pulling out a hidden knife and slicing them for us. “Maybe once all the old wounds heal better and I do not feel as ugly as I was told I was for years.”

  “It takes time,” she comforted.

  We ate way too much as we laughed at how goofy the men of the nest could be. She also asked about my studies and wanted to see what I’d learned from the enchanters working with me as she’d been busy the past few weeks. We were finishing up and gathering our stuff when her head snapped to the left.

  Instantly I was in her arms, everything else forgotten, as she raced towards the house. I knew it meant danger and tucked myself against her as best as I could to not impede her.

  Rue lifted me and let go before crying out. I fell a few feet away from her and rolled, my eyes going wide as I saw her covered in blood. Someone had set a trap that she couldn’t stop in time for but was able to keep me safe from it… Ignoring how badly my arm hurt that I’d landed on. I wasn’t covered in blood.

  “Run. Send your flairs and run,” she whispered before tearing herself out of the metal and ropes.

  “No, run with me,” I argued, pushing to my feet as I looked around to see where the danger was from.

  “Listen to me now,” she demanded, and I focused on her. “You must live. The gods have given you a purpose, Soree, and it is not to die here today. It is mine to save you.”

  “Why? Why must you do that? I am no one.”

  “Child, you were never no one,” she reminded me. “And I do it because it is my duty as the stronger one. You will someday when you are strong. Remember this. The gods give us this power and strength to protect others who need it. That is the responsibility that comes with it. Now run. I will give you time.” She nodded it was okay. “You were the daughter I always dreamed of, Soraya. Knowing you and loving you has healed much darkness in my heart.”

  And then she was gone, heading towards the danger.

  I swallowed a sob as I did as she wanted, not willing to disobey her orders when she was giving everything to protect me. I threw up my magic to warn the others we were in trouble as I ran as fast as I could, glad again Walter had been pushing me to work on my endurance and physical development. The house was over the next hill, but I didn’t slow down, pushing to run up it.

  Someone grabbed me from behind, and I screamed, the energy unfamiliar and not from the nest. I flailed about, and we fell to the ground, me under the man. A knife sliced at my collarbone, and I saw his fangs before he moved to enjoy my blood. I screeched in fear as my magic built. I didn’t know what it was, but I sent it into the man, into his chest. The life in his eyes died, and he fell to the side of me as it became hard to breathe.

  I moved my hands to my neck and shoulder, knowing I was losing blood too fast, and my eyelids became heavy. I was dying.

  Again.

  And I had failed Rue. She had told me to survive, and I’d failed her, my heart hurting that she’d given everything for me and I’d failed. I gave a prayer to the gods that she was still alive before darkness swallowed me.

  I woke sometime later in my bed, Victor speaking quietly with the enchanter who was a great healer and had taken care of me before. He turned to me with sadness in his eyes, and I knew what he was going to say.

  “Rue is with the gods now.”

  I let out a wail that shocked them both, as I was still trained to keep everything I felt inside after years of Father’s abuse and conditioning. I wailed and screamed in pain, at the unfairness.

  Until I saw her. I gasped, glancing between her and Victor. “She is not dead. She is right here. Why would you be so cruel and tell me that?”

  “She is gone, Soree,” Victor assured me, looking to where I pointed but not focused on Rue. “You are the only one who can see her.”

  “She’s cursed now,” the enchanter muttered, shaking her head.

  “She is not,” Victor snapped. “It is a power like any other. Do not be one of those superstitious idiot humans.”

  “I apologize, but it is a curse to carry,” the enchanter argued before coming over and sitting on my bed. “Soree, you gave death as death was upon you. You were surrounded by death, and as such, you unlocked something in your power.”

  “I do not understand,” I worried, my eyes going wide as Rue seemed to fade and come back. “She is not here.”

  “No, her spirit might be, but it could also be the trauma you suffered and you are still healing.”

  I tilted my head as I listened to Rue, as she did not speak, but it was like seeing pictures with feelings to them. “She killed her whole tribe after they brutalized her lover and she came home to find her body. She was dying from it, and you gave her a second life as a vampire. She was always grateful to you for that, Victor, but she wishes to be with her beloved again.”

  “Rue never told her that,” Victor told the enchanter. “She did not wish Soree to hear of such horrors, as she had enough in her life. How can we help her? You said those who can see the spirits become plagued by them and it can drive
them mad. How do we combat that?”

  “I do not know, but I will make inquires,” the enchanter said. “Quietly. I would recommend you do the same. Some believe any who have contact with the other side be killed immediately, as their power is unnatural. I do know of wards that will keep spirits from coming into this room.”

  “Put them on the whole house,” he snapped. “On the estate.”

  The enchanter shook his head. “They take power, Victor. They will take her power. She needs rest for at least a week, so this room for now and we will go from there.”

  I nodded at what Rue told me next, that she was ready to go but I had to let her. “I will be good. I promise. I will do as you said. I will protect those who need it when I am strong as you did. I love you, Rue. Be at peace, and we know we will miss you.”

  She winked at me and then seemed to walk out of the room through the window and disappear. I broke down crying again, swearing to the gods I would keep my promise to her. It was the least I could do after she’d died to save me, believing the world needed me. I didn’t agree with her, as I was useless, but I would change that. I would be someone the world needed.

  And I would make her sacrifice worth it.

  Find A New Series To Love…

  The Turning: Dr. Kelly Murphy 1

  One Bite Can Change Everything

  Graduate medical school, start competitive internship, don’t get cut from the program, become a surgeon. It was a great plan. One Kelly Murphy loved and had dreamed of most of her life… And it was blown to hell in a night with an uninvited bite.

  Now she’s missing three days of her life, trying to handle her freaked out best friend and parents who called the police when she went missing, all as she realizes she’s not the same person she was before. She’s different. Like has fangs different.