He walked to Sam’s car. He was still much too weak to faze for any great distance. As he moved into the alley, he removed his cell phone and dialed Sam’s number again. As the phone rang, something on the ground glinted in the rising sun. He moved over to it and stared down. He stood that way for a long moment, dumbfounded.
Sam never picked up.
Chills of foreboding raced through Ben. He hadn’t been there for Sam. And now… he couldn’t find her. He had put Cora first. He had forsaken his sister for a Changed.
He bent down to the object as he snapped his phone shut and put it in his pocket.
He recognized the black tape wrapped around the handle, the sharp polished blade. Sam’s sword.
He reached down to run his finger over the shining metal. Sam never went anywhere without her sword. Never.
An explosion of energy slammed into him, shoving him hard against the wall of the alley. It happened so fast Ben didn’t have time to react.
Damien shoved his face close to Ben’s. “You son of a bitch,” he snarled; small blue lightning danced and snapped around his form, sparkling in his black eyes. “Where is she?” Damien lifted Ben off the ground, his hand tight around his neck. His black eyes shimmered with hostility. “Where. Is. Sam?”
Ben should have been angry, but the guilt was too much. He shook his head.
“Too busy nurturing your Changed sister?” Damien mocked through clenched teeth. “Too busy letting Cora manipulate you?” He lifted his fisted hand until it hovered over Ben’s chest. “I should drain you right now.”
Ben knew if Damien drained him, he would be done. There wasn’t enough energy in him now. He could barely lift his fists to defend himself.
“And still you sit there wallowing in your failure instead of fighting for your life.” Damien’s lips quivered in disgust. He shook his head and slowly lowered his fist. “I would kill you for lying to Sam. And I still might. But right now, I need you too much.” Damien released him and stepped back, dropping Ben to his feet.
Ben’s gaze swept him reluctantly.
Damien turned his back to Ben. “Your energy is low. You need to recharge before we can look for her.”
Ben gaped in confusion. Damien knew Sam was missing. “How do you --?”
Damien whirled, shoving his fist into Ben’s chest. “I don’t have time to wait for a regen chamber. Sam doesn’t have time.”
Ben stiffened, expecting pain. No pain came. Instead, a bloom started in his chest and spread through his entire body, touching every corner. Energy filled him and for the first time in days he felt like his old self. It took seconds.
Damien pulled his hand free of Ben’s chest. He was no longer snapping blue electricity. He nodded in satisfaction and bent to pick up Sam’s sword from the street.
Ben looked at his hands. He fazed to the corner of the alley and back. Normal. He was back to normal! “How did you—?”
“Let’s get something straight. I am tolerating you for Sam. That’s it. What you did with Cora is unforgivable. You will help me find Sam, but after that I will kill you if I find you, understand?”
Ben gaped at him for a moment. Then he nodded his head. He understood. Sam was in trouble and they had to work together to save her.
###
Coming Soon:
Lost Souls: “Altercation” – Episode 4
About the Author
Laurel O’Donnell has always been interested in the supernatural. It has intrigued her enough to write a vampire paranormal romance, Immortal Death, which won Indiana’s Golden Opportunity contest. Her love of the medieval period has generated many medieval romance novels, which are currently available at eBookStores everywhere. Her medieval romance novels have also won several awards, such as the Holt Medallion for A Knight of Honor, and the Happily Ever After contest for Angel’s Assassin. The Angel and the Prince was nominated by the Romance Writers of America for their prestigious Golden Heart award. She came back to the paranormal for her urban fantasy series: Lost Souls. Deception is the third episode in the Lost Souls series, with more episodes to come…
Please visit the author’s website at: www.laurel-odonnell.com to keep up to date on all of Laurel’s books and her upcoming releases.
Thanks for reading!
Laurel O’Donnell Book List
Urban Fantasy
Lost Souls: Resurrection - Episode 1
- The first episode in the new urban fantasy series: Lost Souls.
Christian Thompson is killed but refuses to pass into the afterlife because of his need to shelter his daughter from her cruel mother. He soon discovers there are others like him, other spirits trapped between the world of the living and the dead. He joins the Lost Souls in their struggle against a dark evil that threatens them all.
Lost Souls: Resurrection – Episode 1 – Available now on Amazon
Lost Souls: Imperfection - Episode 2
- The second episode in the new urban fantasy series: Lost Souls.
Sam and Ben have just defied the leader of the Lost Souls. Outcast from their former group, they battle the dark forces of the Changed on their own. As they investigate the mysterious disappearance of one of their Lost Soul brethren, they come to the chilling realization that their nemesis Scala has escaped his centuries-old prison with revenge on his twisted mind.
Lost Souls: Imperfection – Episode 2 – Available now on Amazon
Paranormal Romance Novels
Immortal Death
Jade Smith’s supernaturally fast ability to heal has made her a freak. After years of fearful reactions from others, she stays hidden in the shadows of life. The one thing that keeps her sane is her writing -- and her wonderful Demetrius, an imaginary vampire fighter character she created in her online stories. But when Demetrius suddenly appears in her apartment demanding answers, her life changes forever…
- Winner of the Indiana Golden Opportunity Contest
Immortal Death – Available now on Amazon
Medieval Romance Novels
The Angel and the Prince
In this exciting medieval romance, the French lady knight known as the Angel of Death wages a battle of wills and desires against her dreaded enemy --- the English warrior known as the Prince of Darkness. An epic medieval romance.
- Nominated for the Romance Writers of America Golden Heart Award
The Angel and the Prince – Available now on Amazon
Angel’s Assassin
Lady Aurora of Acquitaine is the epitome of purity and goodness. Nothing makes her stray from the path of right, not even the terrible fear and sinister secret of her mother's death that she keeps hidden from the world. But then a dark and dangerously handsome man saves her life, tempting her with promises of dark passion and forbidden desire, threatening to tear her peaceful world apart.
- Winner of the Happily Ever After Contest
Angel’s Assassin – Available now on Amazon
Champion of the Heart
Fox Mercer watches in horror as his father’s knighthood, lands and nobility are all torn from him. Banished into disgrace, Fox waits for the moment to strike to avenge his family’s honor. And that moment arises when a tournament is announced --- a battle of champions wherein the winner gets to claim a very lovely prize…
Champion of the Heart – Available now on Amazon
A Knight of Honor
Taylor Sullivan is a raven-haired hellion fleeing the flames that destroyed her family. She arms herself with a quick sword and a sharp tongue, hiring herself out as a mercenary, willing to do whatever it takes to survive. Slane Donovan is a knight of honor, sworn to uphold his oath and his word. He seeks the woman who wears the Sullivan ring, determined to bring her back to Castle Donovan. A fast paced medieval romance filled with action.
- Winner of the Holt Medallion Award for Best Medieval Novel
A Knight of Honor – Available now on Amazon
Midnight Shadow
Disguised as the legendary hero known as the Midnight
Shadow, Lady Bria Delaney swears to rid the land of Lord Terran Knowles’ cruel tyranny. She is stunned to encounter him in her father’s castle --- one of the many suitors vying for her hand. Captivated by his darkly intent gaze, Bria struggles to suppress her fierce attraction to the very enemy she has secretly promised to destroy. A Robin-Hood style medieval romance with a twist.
Midnight Shadow – Available now on Amazon
The Lady and the Falconer
A mysterious falconer infiltrates Castle Fulton during a siege, intent on reclaiming what is rightfully his. When the handsome stranger lays eyes and hands on Lady Solace Farindale, all of his plans of revenge start to crumble around him...
The Lady and the Falconer – Available now on Amazon
Medieval Romance Novellas
The Bride and the Brute
Jayce Cullen has been fighting her fear of thunder and lightning ever since she was a child, but nothing could have prepared her for the fury of her new husband. Feeling deceived and betrayed into a loveless marriage, Lord Reese Harrington wants nothing to do with his new wife. Trapped in a marriage with no escape, the beautiful young bride must battle the demons of her husband's past and hope that she can weather the storm his brutish behavior unleashes.
- Available for FREE at many ebookstores! See the author’s website at www.laurel-odonnell.com for a full list of stores where this free ebook can be found. This free ebook also contains free previews of many of Laurel’s other medieval romance novels listed above.
The Bride and the Brute – Available now on Amazon
Thanks for reading!
Deception - Episode 3 (Lost Souls) Page 9