“Should we wait, or—” Liam begins.
“Let’s lay him down,” a man’s voice says from the hallway. “He doesn’t have to be in your arms every waking moment.”
“But it’s so hard to put him down,” a woman’s voice responds.
The door to the nursery opens, and a couple walks inside. The man’s smile beams from ear to ear as he hovers over his wife’s shoulder. Her golden hair is tousled to the side as she cradles the little boy to her chest. He’s nothing more than a tiny bundle of blankets and dark hair.
The aura of his soul rolls off him—a big soul with a connection to us both. Turning to Liam, I question him with my eyes, wondering if he can feel it too. Taking a step toward the couple, Liam looks over their shoulders, trying to get a better look.
“What have they told you about this one?” I ask. Because I’m not his Guardian, I’m not privy to any information beyond what Liam shares—but I don’t need to be to feel his presence.
“Just that he’s the reason I was meant to be here. We’re bound in a tangle of events and he’s going to use his cunning and innate people skills to one day change the world,” Liam says, smiling at the boy as he’s placed in the crib.
“Are you sure he’ll be okay?” the mother says, turning to her husband.
“We have motion sensors under his mattress and state-of-the-art baby monitors. He’ll be fine,” the father says, placing his hands on her shoulders. “Now, please. You need to rest. If you’ve gotten more than a couple hours of sleep since he was born, I’d be surprised.”
As if on demand, she yawns widely.
“See? Come on—let’s go take a nap while he’s sleeping. That’s what they say to do, right? Sleep when the baby sleeps?”
Nodding in agreement, she says, “Okay. Maybe a few minutes wouldn’t hurt.” However, she hovers at the crib’s edge, watching the little boy doze. “He’s so beautiful. Isn’t he?” she says, tilting her head slightly.
“This little one is very loved,” I say softly, sliding my hand into Liam’s and turning to him.
Liam smiles, but there’s a hint of sadness hidden in it. “That he is.”
“Are you okay?” I ask.
“Of course. Why wouldn’t I be?” he says, turning to me with a quizzical expression.
“Well, I know how hard you struggled with your own family history when you were human. I just didn’t know if—”
Liam shakes his head, “None of that matters now. I understand that. Mothers, fathers—they all do the best they can with what they have. Besides, all of that is set into motion well before their actions have an effect. I get all of that now. There’s always a bigger picture at play.”
The father grabs hold of his wife’s shoulders, dragging her reluctantly from the room. When they reach the doorframe, she twists back, blowing a kiss toward the crib.
“Sleep good, Abraham Jacob Larson. Mommy and Daddy love you. We’ll just be in the next room,” she whispers. Her voice barely carries on the breeze, but we both still hear it.
“Love you, nugget,” his father says, stepping forward and grabbing hold of the door handle. “Have a nice nap, Braham.” He shoots another grin and as the door closes with a soft click, the baby sighs contently.
Liam turns to face me, his eyes wide. “Braham Jacob... I know it seems like a strange question to ask, but it’s not... I mean, he’s not—”
I nod, smiling. “I sensed him as soon as she brought him in. Can you feel it?”
Liam’s eyes go distant, but after a moment, he nods.
“This is the reincarnation of Jake. Or at least, pieces of him,” I say, my eyebrows skirting up high.
“But he was—I thought he was a demon?” Liam says, scratching at the back of his head.
“He was—until you crossed him over,” I say. The Throne Angel was right. Things have been finely orchestrated so each piece falls into place at exactly the right time.
“I crossed him over? How would I have been able to do that? I haven’t even had a charge until now. I don’t even know if I can call on the element of spirit yet.”
“When we were in the Temple of the Intermediaries, you were able to ignite my elemental sword,” I say, shaking my head. “At the time, I thought it was strange that you could even wield it. Only a Guardian can do that, let alone summon an elemental energy. Now I understand. It was all a part of this bigger picture. You were changing—you were almost a Guardian.”
“I don’t remember any of this,” Liam says, narrowing his gaze and placing a hand on the tiny body in front of him.
“Your mind was affected by the wraiths at that point—it hadn’t been repaired yet. It was the whole reason I needed to cross you over. You would have become one of them had I not—” I cast my gaze to the ground, unable to continue.
“You don’t have to be sad for what you did. Had I known this would be my fate, I would have asked you to do it so much sooner,” he says. “But from what I understand though my training, we can’t cross over demons. Has that changed?” he says, turning back to me. The green flecks in his eyes glow brilliantly as he tries to make sense of it all.
Biting the inside of my cheek, I take a step back. “He wasn’t a demon…” I finally say.
Liam snickers softly. “What are you talking about?”
“Bear with me...” I say, raising my hands. “According to Alda—the Intermediary—when we were sent to Purgatory, we no longer were what we had been. I no longer had my powers. Neither did Jake. Whatever change we endured there opened him up to a second chance.”
“So, you’re saying he was human at that point?” he says, narrowing his eyes.
“Not exactly. I was still a Guardian, but inert. I think he still had some of his own gifts, which is why the wraiths didn’t attack him. I’m not sure, but maybe it opened him up to accepting a soul,” I say, playing out the options.
“Yeah, that actually makes a lot of sense,” Liam says, nodding as he turns back to the baby. “Well, Abraham—Braham, looks like you and I have some unfinished business to attend to.”
I smile, unable to escape the uncanny ability of the universe to think of everything. Even when we can’t see our own path clearly.
“If you ask me, he couldn’t have received a better Guardian for his second chance at being human,” I say, admiring the little boy as he sleeps.
“So, what next? Do I say with him at all times? Or…?”
“No, you are bound to him now. You should be able to sense when he needs you—” I say. My smile falters as I think back to the accident with Liam. “Well, unless things are predestined, I suppose. But for the most part, you’ll know what you need to do… and when.”
Liam’s eyebrows knit together, but he doesn’t ask what I meant.
For a moment, we sit in silence, watching Braham sleep. His breathing is slow and deep, and the breeze moves the long, dark strands of his hair like the branches of trees.
“Do you think he’ll be the same as he was? Or remember anything about his past life as an incubus?” Liam asks, turning to me.
I shake my head, “Probably not. Most of the time, when reincarnation happens, all those memories are lost as different atoms, cells, and energy are merged to create a new being. He may have some of the same characteristics—charisma, perhaps. But he won’t be anything like the demon he once was.”
“Good,” Liam says, nodding. “I wouldn’t want him being tempted down the same path. I mean, not that sex is bad—”
I catch his eyes and they flash mischievously as a grin spreads across his lips.
Smirking, I grab hold of his arm and laugh. “You are on a very slippery slope here, my dear.”
“What? I’m just saying… in the right circumstances, it is… heavenly. That’s all.”
I beam back at him, wondering if he remembers our time together in Purgatory, or if he’s trying to entice me into something new. Either way, it’s working.
“Regardless, he’s a little young to be thinking of an
y of that right now. I’m sure the only thing he’s thinking about is—”
“The end of the world,” Liam says, pulling up short. His face darkens and his eyebrows tug in.
“Excuse me?”
“He’s thinking about the impending darkness, and what he’ll need to do to stop it,” Liam says, his eyes distant as he connects with his charge’s mind.
“But… he’s just a baby. How can he possibly be—?” I say, stopping as recognition clicks into place. “Oh. He’s receiving his downloads.”
“You mean his subconscious programming?” Liam asks. “It’s coming to him now as he dreams?”
I nod. “Yes. All the stuff he’ll need to carry with him so he knows he’s on the right path will be downloaded into his subconscious mind.”
I swallow hard. If Braham is here to stop some impending darkness, then what we’ve been through—all that we’ve endured—plays at a much bigger picture than I realized even before.
“Well, if what I’m seeing is true, the future doesn’t look all that bright. At least, not for those on Earth,” Liam says. “What happens to us if he fails?”
I shrug, “I have no idea. Let’s hope he succeeds… in whatever he has to do.”
Liam’s lips press into a thin line and he tips his head. “No pressure, then.”
“I believe in you. You have always been the most loving man and as a Guardian, I have no doubt you’ll guide him to his path.”
In everything I’ve done throughout my tenure as a Guardian, the tying together of desires and wants… prayers answered on even an angelic and demon level—it either means good things are coming. Or very, very bad things.
“Goodnight, little man. Sleep well, young man, and take heed. You have much to do,” Liam whispers, bending down and kissing the baby’s head. “But we’re in this together, big guy.”
As if sensing him, Braham sighs softly and stretches.
“Don’t wake him,” I say, nudging Liam’s shoulder.
He turns to me, his eyes sparkling with happiness and a hint of mischievousness. “A very good point, my sexy angel. Now—what if you and I go find a nice quiet place in the universe to be alone together? After all, the baby is sleeping,” Liam says, grinning. “And I haven’t had even close to enough time alone with you.”
Pulling me into his arms, Liam places a gentle kiss on my lips. I wrap my arms around his neck, pulling him closer and kissing him back. Some alone time sounds heavenly, but the heaviness of Liam and Braham’s role puts me on edge.
“What about the oncoming apocalypse?” I whisper. “Do you think we should—”
“It’s not happening today. And it’s going to be up to Jake—I mean, it’s going to be Braham’s job—to avert it. In the meantime, I will do all I can to guide him.”
“That’s all the universe can ask of you,” I say, leaning into Liam and allowing him to whisk us both to a quiet corner of the universe.
* * *
THE END
Did you know there are three other books tied to Love is a Merciless God? If you loved this sample, you’ll definitely want to check them out. They just might be your next favorite read!
• Oracle: A Diana Hawthorne Supernatural Thriller
• The Final Five: An Oracle & Awakening Bridge Novelette
• Awakening: Rise as the Fall Unfolds
About Carissa Andrews
Born and raised in central Minnesota, Carissa has always loved books, regardless of genre. She started her career at fifteen working at her local bookstore to afford her book obsession. When not immersed in her latest fictional realm, Carissa is busy adventuring with her husband, Colin, and her brood of kids and two huskies - Pharaoh & Aztec.
To find out what Carissa’s up to, head over to her website and sign up for her newsletter:
www.carissaandrews.com
Fated Three: Fated Academy
Ashley Nicole Bye
I have a secret. And if anyone learns the truth a lot of people are going to get hurt.
It all started when my best friend Baden asked me to pretend to be his girlfriend. And not just his, but his fellow bear shifters Ky and Jagger’s as well. They want to be together, but the only way they can make it work is if they all have the same girlfriend. Bear males aren’t allowed to date each other, and they’re definitely not allowed to fall in love, so if anyone finds out we’re only faking they could be banished from the Bear Clan and kicked out of school—no pressure or anything.
It’s not exactly a hardship pretending to be doted on by three gorgeous, charming bears—even if I do have to put up with my parents’ lectures on the impracticality of dating outside my clan—but the more time I spend with them, the more I start to genuinely care for them. And the more I start to feel…things.
I know they have each other, but maybe…maybe they could have me too? Maybe what we have isn’t so fake after all?
Fated Three is a Young Adult Reverse Harem Academy novella with a fake relationship and forbidden love. It’s part of the Fated Academy series and is exclusive to the Playing With Fire forbidden love box set.
Chapter 1
I winced at the sound of metal scraping across concrete as I pulled my chair closer to the rickety table and leaned my elbows on the surface. I wasn’t sure I’d ever get used to the sight of the orange sleeves…why did they make us wear this hideous color, anyway? I guessed it was so we could be spotted from a mile away if we ever escaped—like that would have been possible from somewhere like here. ‘Here’ was Bedford Hills Correctional Facility; I shouldn’t have been here—I was only seventeen—but I’d just been convicted of my second offense, and this time I’d actually killed someone. It hadn’t taken much convincing to have me tried as an adult.
It wasn’t me who’d burned my foster family’s house down, but the demon living inside me; of course, I’d never said as much out loud—I knew it wouldn’t have made a difference. If anything, it probably would have made things worse.
I glanced up at the young woman sitting across from me—my new public defender. I was glad I’d have a different lawyer than the one who’d represented me at my trial—I’d never really liked him—but it was hard to get too optimistic about the change. For one thing, I wasn’t an idiot; I knew the chances of me getting out on appeal were basically slim to none. And for another, this woman looked like she was only a day or two out of law school—how much help could she really be? She looked professional enough, I supposed; her mousy brown hair was styled in a neat bob and her black pantsuit was clean and unwrinkled, telling me she took herself and her job seriously. Maybe her being young wasn’t such a bad thing. Maybe she was determined to prove herself and she’d be willing to fight for me, unlike the last guy.
“Miss Conley,” she said with a soft smile.
“Seraphina’s fine—or Sera.”
“Okay then, Sera—I’m Laura Collins. I’ll be taking over your case for the appeals process.” She shuffled the papers in front of her and set them back on the table, glancing back up at me with an intent look. “I’m not going to lie—the appeals process in this country is not built to favor the guilty party. Once you’re convicted of a crime, it’s incredibly difficult to have that conviction overturned, even if you’re innocent.”
But I’m not innocent, I wanted to say. Not completely. I may not have consciously decided to burn that house down, but my hands were responsible. I didn’t say that, however; Ms. Collins—Laura—was looking at me differently to the way the other lawyer had, like she thought I was a good person who needed help, and not a total monster. I’d only just met her, but for some reason I felt comfortable, safe, like she had my best interests at heart. I didn’t want that to change, so I said nothing.
“The good news in this case,” she continued, “is that we have strong grounds for appeal. For one thing, your juvenile record should have been sealed—your prior offense should never have been allowed into the record. Also, being that you weren’t even seventeen at the time of the supposed c
rime, there should have been no question as to trying you as a minor.”
My brows drew together in confusion at her wording. “Supposed?”
“That’s the other thing—they were never able to find any evidence of arson. The evidence against you was purely circumstantial. Considering there was never any proof that a crime was actually committed, you shouldn’t have been charged with one in the first place.” She shook her head in frustration, her lips pursed together. “All things we’ll put in our motion for ineffective assistance of council—your lawyer should have argued this for you in your trial.”
I was still utterly confused by her wording. “I still don’t understand—the house burned down…”
Laura’s lips pursed into a tight frown. “I’ve been over the fire inspector’s report and there’s no mention of any kind of accelerant. The report was labelled as ‘inconclusive’, because they were unable to determine exactly how the fire started.”
From the palms of my hands…I guessed not even the most experienced fire inspector would be able to wrap their head around the idea of a young girl shooting flames right out of her hands.
It wasn’t me. It was the demon, I tried to tell myself. Except I wasn’t entirely sure that was true. It had definitely been the case last time, when I’d been fourteen and accidentally started a fire in the bathrooms at school. But this time? I may not have intended for the flames to come, but once they did I hadn’t backed away. I’d wanted my foster brother to burn. And the whole house with him.
Laura talked some more about her strategy for my appeal and rehashed more of what she’d found lacking in my original defense. I again found myself wishing she’d been my lawyer for my original trial, but then there was that niggling part of me that couldn’t help thinking, You didn’t deserve a good lawyer, you didn’t deserve to get off the hook for this, you killed someone and don’t even regret it…
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