by Lisa Swallow
His words resonated, pushing into the part of Ava’s self she kept hidden. “The only reason I fought for you is because I had to get you back to illuminate my world again. I never realized how lost I was until I met you. Maybe that’s just the soul-tie, but I feel like there’s more to us.” She tiptoed to kiss his nose. “I love you, but I hate you’re so much taller than me.”
He laughed. “Trust me, there’s an advantage.”
“What? That you can pin me to walls all the time?”
“No, when I hold you to me, you can listen to my heart and how it only beats for you now.”
A breath escaped Ava. He’d come back to her and brought his whole self. The soul-tie had drawn them together, but something else held them there. Lost on the edge of their own worlds, refusing the roles they were given, Keir and Ava had stepped into each other’s lives and tied themselves to their shared future.
*
Outside the stone house, Jack and Asher loaded the car with bags, and Ava noticed hers inside the open trunk. Keir’s hand dropped from Ava’s, and he strode toward Asher. Ava caught up to a frowning Keir. The front door closed as Dahlia left the house.
“What’s happening?” Ava asked, gaze darting from one to the other.
“We need to leave,” said Asher, “nowhere is safe for long.”
Arms folded across her chest, Dahlia remained standing in the doorway and the spring sunshine illuminated her pale features. Her puffed winter jacket suffocated her small figure.
“Are you okay, Dahlia?” asked Ava
Dahlia regarded her briefly but didn’t speak, refusing to look at Keir. Ava saw Keir’s brow furrow and open his mouth to say something but he didn’t, casting his eyes down. Ava wished snarky Dahlia was with them, she was easier to deal with than this unforgiving, silent girl. Dahlia climbed into the front seat and slammed the door closed.
“Where’s Jack? And Eli?’ asked Ava, looking to the house.
“They went on ahead.” Asher didn’t elaborate any further.
Ava got into the car, bewildered by their sudden decision to leave. “Where are we going?”
“We need to move on, stay one step ahead until we figure out our next move. Already, we have word people know where we are. There are others we can ask for help,” said Asher.
Dahlia made a small noise in her throat and shifted in her seat.
“Is this how it’s going to be now?” asked Keir, “moving on all the time?”
“We’ve always moved on, Keir, now you need to do the same. Hanging out at college, killing a few demons is in the past. Things have stepped up a bit now.”
Asher’s gaze met Keir’s in the rearview mirror.
“Where are we going?” asked Ava.
“London. And then Europe probably,” said Asher.
Keir bumped Ava. “Europe? I heard you went there last summer?”
Ava smiled, mind jumping back to their first meeting in the library, using lies about her summer in Europe to pull him in. She should have been back with the Caelestia by now, his Nephilim soul traded for her Will.
As they pulled away from the house, along the muddy track, Ava rested her head on Keir’s shoulder. The Nephilim still had his soul, and her heart was his too.
Acknowledgements
Thank you to the wonderful Rebecca Raisin for all her critiquing, beta reading and encouragement over the last few months.
And thanks also go to the rest of the EWG cult for their love, support and killer hooks.
About the Author
Lisa was born in the UK and she moved around Europe with her military family before completing a BA(Hons) in English at the University of Leeds. Her home is now in Perth, Australia with her husband and three children. Lisa has written since she was a child - moving from writing poems and short stories aged nine to writing novels in the last few years. With the encouragement of her family and local writers group, Lisa found the confidence to share her latest paranormal romance series with the world.
In between running her home based craft supplies business, looking after her family, and writing, Lisa sometimes finds spare time to do other things. This often involves swapping her book worlds for gaming worlds. She even leaves the house occasionally, enjoying walks with her dog and time with her family. She loves all things from the Whedonverse and preferred vampires before they sparkled.
Lisa enjoys reading both classics and modern fiction. Her favorite genres are gothic, paranormal and urban fantasy, but she also enjoys contemporary new adult. She is currently working on more books in the Soul Ties series, and has other projects lined up waiting.
Facebook:
www.facebook.com/lisaswallowbooks
Twitter:
@lisa_swallow_au
Blog:
www.lisaswallow.net
Goodreads:
https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/7091632.Lisa_Swallow
