He laughed. "No. I'm only half demon. My mother was human."
"Oh." Sophie grasped her shaking hands in front of her.
"It's what my race is. A demon male will mate with a human female while in his human form. Once the female bears the half-breed," he said bitterly, "he either can exist in the physical world, or he has to become a parasite and live in another's body."
"Your father doesn't like the fact that you have to live in someone, does he?" Sophie couldn't help asking the question even when she knew the answer. His father thought he was weak. She buried the sympathy as deep as she could. Her skin flushed as Samuel watched her in silence.
After a moment he stood and came toward her. "You agreed to let me do this." He moved slowly, like he was afraid she would run. She lifted her chin and clenched her teeth together.
"Relax. This isn't going to hurt." He stared into her eyes and his hands reached up to cup her face. The first touch was a startling spark that tingled through her body.
"That's not what I'm worried about," she muttered.
He began to glow a startling blue, like his eyes. His body dissolved into cloud of the same color, swirling sinuously in front of her. Her eyes widened as it danced in front of her, curling around her arm. The blue warmed where it touched, sliding up her arm to settle over her right collarbone. Her chest heaved, and the light sank into her body.
It felt strange. She was herself and was in control, but there was another essence inside her body. He was right. It wasn't painful, just a little disconcerting to realize that all her thoughts and actions were about to be shared constantly.
She waited a second, adjusting to the new sensations before she left the arena. Everyone but Tristan waited on the other side of the arches.
"Is he there?" Demetri asked.
"Yeah." She winced when Samuel slithered through her mind, glimpsing her memories. Stop it.
His laughter was faint.
Jackson hugged Lilli close, and Sophie tried not to feel the shot of jealousy. She really was happy for them. She turned her head and saw Morgan and Aidan. She hadn't felt like an outsider since she met the other Guardians, but the feeling was intense again. Until Aidan walked over and crushed her in a hug. "I didn't give up on Morgan, and I won't give up on you."
Some of the awkwardness faded. "Thanks."
Morgan joined in the hug. "I know what it's like to be alone. I won't let you feel that way."
Sophie stood in her friend's embrace and felt herself become imbued with a new purpose, felt it settle around her.
She was going to stop Akeldama this time.
NOTE FROM AUTHOR
Hi! I hope that you enjoyed my book. If you could please leave an honest review, that would help me out a bunch. Reviews are an author's bread and butter, so if you have the time, please and a big, gigantic hug and thank you!
If you would like to keep up with news on upcoming giveaways and releases, join my mailing list. You'll receive a short story not released to the public. You can also follow me on Facebook for an easy way to interact with me and get a look at teasers, excerpts and news, or have a look at my website. I'm also on Instagram, Twitter, Pinterest, and Goodreads.
I would love to hear from you anytime, so if you have questions or anything like that, don't hesitate to get in touch. Hearing from readers is my motivation! I'd love to read what you thought of the characters, the story, and the setting.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
A multitasking mom of four from Alabama, Samantha Long has been writing since the first grade. Samantha's first story consisted of a one-paged fantasy biopic entitled, "If I Was An Indian." Samantha's racy writing tastes were evident at a young age, with the plot consisting of a warrior husband, elite living quarters, and an affair with the Chief.
When she's not writing, doing laundry, or changing diapers, you can find Samantha in front of her DVR catching up on episodes of Supernatural and Castle or enjoying sweet tea with a movie or good book.
Samantha's writings are inspired by the works of Nora Roberts, Lauren Kate, Kresley Cole, and Gena Showalter, to name a few.
OTHER WORKS
YA Paranormal:
Awakening (The Guardians, Book 1)
Adult Contemporary Romance:
Crossing the Line (Book 1 in the Kismet Series)
Taking the Heat (Book 2 in the Kismet Series)
MORE GREAT READS
FROM SAMANTHA LONG
Awakening (Paranormal Fantasy) When Sophie moves to Boston to get away from the people who ridiculed her for her psychic talents, she wants to start fresh. But when a demon attacks her study group at the library, she has no choice but to reveal her abilities to warn the others.
Crossing the Line (Contemporary Romance) A controlling marriage leaves Victoria feeling broken. Will she find what she needs in Nick, a bad boy her father set her up with or will her heart break all over again.
MORE GREAT READS FROM BOOKTROPE
Crossover by Mireille Chester (Fantasy) Hayden Carlson’s boring life suddenly becomes exciting when she discovers a world she never knew existed, true love, and being at the center of a battle between good and evil.
The Elemental by Lisa Veldkamp (Paranormal Fantasy) Time is running out and only the elemental can save the world
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