Redemption (Book 2 in Chronicles of the Fallen series)
Synopsis:
Lisa's choice has been made. She's living her dream and couldn't be happier. Then as news comes to shed light on her happily ever after, a series of events are set in motion. Some want to claim what is rightfully theirs, others want to mold and mentor in a positive light.
Alex feels the demon inside of him growing stronger, day by day. Will he be strong enough to keep it at bay? When new demons come into Lisa and Alex's life, the two think they know what their intentions are, but do they truly?
There's a demon on the prowl and he has every intention of taking down Alex and destroying Lisa in the process. When Lisa finally understands what is happening to her, will she lose herself and destroy everything she loves or will she seek redemption and accept what she has become?
Excerpt:
Before meeting Alex, she believed in Heaven and knew there was something of a Hell, but never took any notice or gave acknowledgement to angels and demons living around her. After meeting him, Archangel Michael and even Samuel, her world is now so different. Then hearing her parents are in Heaven, she smiles and lets out a laugh that is mixed with a few tears. “Alex,” she trails off and he holds her again.
“It’s okay.” Alex holds onto the love of his life and comforts hers. She rests her face on his shoulder and a few tears slip out onto the fabric of his shirt. Closing her eyes, she tries to picture her parents; their smile, their voice, their scent. She recalls her mother’s perfume and her father’s aftershave.
“I miss them so much.” She opens her eyes and looks out to the trees surrounding them. A few butterflies fly past followed by a light breeze. She imagines this is her parents telling her they are with her.
“I know you do. If I had a way of letting you have five minutes with them, I would make it happen. But I can’t.” Alex tightens his arms around her and kisses her shoulder.
Lifting her head she reaches up and swipes her tears away. Nodding, she smiles and looks into his eyes, the love for her evident in his smile. “Okay, I don’t want to be sad. This is a very happy day! Let’s go celebrate our engagement!”
Alex grins, “Sounds like a plan.” Leaning in, Alex kisses her. She wraps her arms around his neck and presses herself closer to him. Finding support in Alex simply being near, she holds onto him as if he were the air she breathes.
Feeling him moving underneath her, Lisa pulls back and looks at him as he tries reaching into his pocket. “Here, let me get up.” Lisa climbs off of his lap then stands to her feet. Alex shifts to his knees and looks up at her then reaches into his pocket pulling out a white square box. Lisa looks from the box to Alex, then back to the box.
“I would like to make it official and give you my promise in this ring.” Alex opens up the white lid and black velvet hugs a platinum ring. A princess cut diamond rests on top of it and the mounting is set with smaller princess cut diamonds in the band. Lisa gasps as her eyes take in the ring. Alex pulls it from the sleeve in the box and holds it up to Lisa. “Lisa, will you wear this ring in acceptance of my proposal?”
Lisa nods her head and screams out, "YES!" She holds out her left hand to Alex. He grins and takes her hand, then slips the ring on her finger. Alex kisses her hand then stands to his feet. Cupping her face, he kisses her as if he were sealing their commitment to one another. Her arms move up around his neck and the sun reflects against the diamond, causing it to shimmer across her hand. “You've had this planned out for a while, haven’t you?” She opens her eyes and looks into his, her lips still teasing him.
Alex grins and nods, then kisses her again. “Now let’s go celebrate.” He lifts Lisa off the ground, twirling her a few times. She laughs and holds onto him tight. Setting her down, Alex intertwines his right hand with her left, feeling the ring as it rests on her finger. “I would like to announce to everyone wherever we are tonight that you are my bride!”
Lisa smiles and leans into Alex, resting her head on his shoulder as the start to walk. “I can’t wait, baby!”
In the distance watching them, a demon peers around an oak tree. Red eyes gleam while a smirk displays blackened teeth that seep the familiar sludge from Hell. Tan skin smeared black and tendrils of hair drip occasionally on his shoulders. Having no need to keep an appearance just yet, the sulfur reeks, causing the plant life to wither.
Alex pauses for a moment and sniffs the air. Lisa turns to him, curious. “What is it?” She watches him, unaware of what he’s smelling.
“I’m not sure, but it smells like sulfur.” Alex looks around again and feels his guard go up and the fire inside of him ignite. The demon inside of him rises and his eyes begin shifting black.
“Alex, what is it?” Lisa sounding alarmed catches his attention. She reaches up and grabs his face, making him look at her. His eyes fully black, he sniffs again and his nose curls. She gasps and lets him go. “What is it?” she whispers.
“Someone’s here.” Alex’s voice drops deeper. “Stand right here, do NOT move.” He releases her hand and steps away, extending his black wings.
“What is it?” she asks again, feeling panic build inside of her. Alex turns to face her and lifts his finger to quiet her. Suddenly, he vanishes. Lisa gasps and blinks, looking at the spot he was just in. She looks to her left then her right but sees nothing. Wrapping her arms around her waist, she hugs herself and hopes that whatever he’s doing, everything is okay.
“You’re safe,” he whispers and Lisa screams, then quickly covers her mouth. “I’m right behind you.” She nods and Alex roams a few feet away from her, extending his wings to outward. Pressing against the air around him, he lifts himself in the air and looks around, scanning the area. He finds a few sporadic patches of wildlife that have died and lifting his lip in a snarl, he knows demons are nearby or have been here recently. “This is no coincidence,” he whispers to himself.
Where to find Julie Morgan:
Good Reads: www.goodreads.com/juliemorganbooks
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/juliemorganbook
Twitter: @JulieMorganBook
Publisher: http://evernightsecretspublishing.com
