So we have some chapter swapping action going on here tonight. :) I am happy to have Urban Fantasy Author, Susan Reid back, and to host her cover reveal for the newest edition in her series The Divinity Saga. The third book is titled Immolation and Susan was cool enough to share a chapter from the book with us!
So read on and when you get to the bottom, there is information on where you can find a never before previewed chapter from Descent (The Birthrite Series, #1) along with an interview with me on Susan's blog.
Enjoy! :)
I. Starling
I had no idea how to turn off the flames that were still
burning along my arms and down my legs. I guess I had no choice but to wait for
them to die out on their own.
Lovely.
The previous stern, reprimanding, and hard to decipher
expressions on each of the elders’ faces, instantly morphed into curious
elation and joyous surprise. They were all actually—smiling now…with the
exception of Spencer and the other two Seraphim girls. Though they were
definitely impressed with my essence, my demonstration didn’t wipe the glare of
suspicion from their eyes.
“Well, there is no question on how you managed to stay safe
then. Congratulations on the discovery of your essence, Starling.”
The woman elder smiled broadly and nodded approval. Then she
quickly exchanged glances with the other three elders. They instantly appeared
intrigued, all huddling in towards each other and uttering soft spoken words as
if I weren’t standing here in front of them.
Spencer was busy observing me through narrowed eyes.
The brown-skinned seraphim girl suddenly rose up on her
tip-toes to pull him down by his shoulder, and then she whispered something
close to his ear, too. Though gradually dissipating, my flames continued to
caress my entire body with a wispy, tickling sensation, slowly beginning to
wink out completely—one body part at a time. I noted soon thereafter, that I
had mostly calmed down inside, too. However, my anxiety remained.
“This is quite remarkable, to finally be able to witness
hallowed fire with my own eyes and in person. You are very unique indeed, Starling.”
The male elder beamed at me. In fact, all four of them were beaming now.
“Tell us, how are you able to bring forth your hallowed
fire?” The elder woman sitting next to him asked with genuine curiosity and
interest.
“Um, I’m not really sure. It’s definitely linked to my
emotions though, I think. I can’t quite control it.” I answered truthfully.
“Hmm, that’s a new one. Well, if that is the case, control
will come in time with practice.”
Spencer suddenly leaned down to whisper something in the ear
of the male elder on her right, though his ice-colored, twinkling eyes remained
glued on me.
That was such a pet peeve of mine.What was he whispering
about? Hadn’t my display been satisfying enough?
No, of course not.
Aon and Aliks told me to avoid the Seraphim. They didn’t
tell me how that would be possible though. Maybe this was one of the situations
that they said would be up to me to figure out.
I wasn’t sure what to do or say now. I was still the
mysterious new girl here and I haven’t even started my educational and physical
training. I did, however, manage to escape a fallen on my own and that was what
they all found suspect.
It was evident that Spencer and the other two female
seraphim were homing in on something about me that the elders weren’t detecting—yet.
I feared that he was already sensing exactly what that something was already
and it didn’t take long.
Cam’s scent.
I felt a nervous knot begin to cramp and twist deep in my
gut once again. My face flushed, tingling as beads of perspiration began to
dampen my forehead. That instantly quirked Spencers brow, having immediately
reacted to the abrupt change in my body heat and chemistry.
Shit.
The elder male suddenly cleared his throat, regarding me
once Spencer finished whispering to him.
“Starling, how are you feeling?” he then asked.
Icy apprehension gripped my chest. “I’m fine. Why?” I smiled
casually.
“Well,” He began, “Your aura appears…somewhat afflicted. Meaning
that it no longer appears genuinely yours.”
His face appeared contemplative and the other three women
seemed to follow suit. I swear my legs were about to go out from under me. The blood
drained from my face and I know that it was evident to the seraphim as they
continued to watch me attentively.
“I don’t know what you mean.” I asked, not meaning for it to
come out as anything less than affirmative.
Spencer replied before the elder could even open his mouth. “What
he means, is that you definitely don’t smell like you should, which is
understandable considering what you’ve just been through. It’s one thing to get
physically dirty but it’s quite another to have that darkness and filth cling
to and become a part of your aura like that.”
I shrugged, forcing a naive and innocent expression. “I don’t
know. There was a period of time where I was knocked unconscious and I don’t
know how long I was out.” Much to my relief, the elders nodded in understanding
realizing that my answer made sense to them.
“What happened when you awoke?” A female elder suddenly asked.
Her question was more of wonder than accusation. If I cut
out a huge chunk of what happened, would that still be considered…lying?
I didn’t have a choice. If this symbol beneath my feet
suddenly lit up or something after my response, I was screwed.
“I had a few hall portal gems. Lorelei gave me some when we went
into the human realm, to have just in case.” I answered while keeping my eyes
on Spencer, who didn’t seem convinced.
If anything, that answered his earlier question on how I had
managed to return untrained and without a map.
“Oh, I see. Well, thank goodness for that then.” She smiled.
Spencer spoke up again, “Without disrespect Elder Woods,
I’ve seen that discoloration in auras many times before. Tainting is a high
possibility and we shouldn’t leave her at risk.”
I glared at him.
“I agree but quite frankly, if there was any darkness
existing within her, it could not survive or remain, especially after that momentary
display of her essence.” He countered.
I smirked slightly this time.
Spencer pursed his lips tightly and nodded at me, “Then her
aura should have returned back to normal by now. Look at it, it’s still tainted.”
He motioned with his head in my direction.
I felt naked.
The way that they were all studying me made me feel like a
slutty anomaly. Or maybe that was just my own guilt and paranoia. Damn you,
Spencer!
“In my expert assessment, I think it would be wise for her
to see a succor for a thorough examination, just to be on the safe side.” Spencer
added quickly with a respectful nod at the elder.
He had thrown out and played his final card.
I was irritated now.
“Yes, I agree that it would be beneficial. That will be all
Starling. Thank you again, for your quick thinking and heroic act of bravery.
And of course, welcome back. Spencer, Kaia, and Brynn will escort you to the
medical quarters. Your own safety and well-being is top priority now.” The
elder woman then said.
“I’m fine, really. I don’t need to be examined. In fact, I’m
just really tired.” I rushed to my own defense.
“Don’t argue with protocol, Starling. It’s for your own
benefit. Since I’m in charge of helping you with your training, I’m sure Sean
will want me to also assist you with honing your essence too. As a being who can
sense physical maladies and changes in biorhythms, I can honestly say that
something about yours really needs to be checked out.” He affirmed assiduously.
I went rigid with irritation at his insistence despite what
I was saying about being fine. Heat began to rise under my skin once again.
He smirked with satisfaction.
I began to panic internally. This is not going to go well.
Check out more on the Divinity Saga.
http://divinitysagabooks.wordpress.com
https://www.goodreads.com/AuthorSusanReid
Susan Reid at Amazon
Check out more on the Divinity Saga.
http://divinitysagabooks.wordpress.com
https://www.goodreads.com/AuthorSusanReid
Susan Reid at Amazon
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