Welcome to my stop on the blog tour for Unforgiven! Today I have a great excerpt from the book to share with you - and don't forget to enter the awesome giveaway! To follow the rest of the tour, click on the banner above.
Unforgiven (Soulkeepers #3)
Author: Lori Adams
Release Date: April 21, 2015
Publisher: Loveswept
Description:
After finally becoming a powerful Spirit Walker, Sophia St. James is shocked to discover that her conjured identical twin, Ka—along with her soul—have been dragged down to Hell by the relentless Demon Knight Dante. Sophia tries to hide the crisis, but there is little hope of keeping any secrets from her red-hot Guardian Angel. Growing suspicious, Michael has been making plans of his own that will bind him and Sophia together forever.
But Sophia is plagued with evil visions through Ka’s experiences in Hell. She is terrified that Dante will discover he has taken the wrong Sophia. Desperate to return to her original state before she withers away and dies, she risks everything to go where Michael can’t follow. To bring back Ka and save her own soul, Sophia must now enter the gates of Hell.
Praise for The Soulkeepers:
“In a clash between heaven and hell, no one raises the heat like Spirit Walker Sophia and her Guardian Angel, Michael.”—Cecy Robson, award-winning author of the Weird Girls series
“As romantic as it is addictive, with witty writing, an action-packed plot, and a face-fanning romance all in one, The Soulkeepers is quickly becoming one of my favorite paranormal series.”—Cassie Mae, author of The Real Thing
“If you are looking for an amazing and unique paranormal romance that never has a dull moment, has an intense love triangle, fabulous characters, and a captivating, action-filled plot, then look no further than this highly addictive series.”—The Avid Book Collector
“Well, we all know Sophia has been the most unusual human we’ve ever come across,” Raph said. “Why should this be any different?”
“But why such a high level of energy?” Gabe mused. He sat down in a chair, absently tugging at his eyebrow.
“Find out,” Michael ordered. He raised his chin and gave the family a hard look. “We need to know everything about Sophia. Gabe, you find out the source of her energy. Ask her fellow spirit walkers why they seemed intimidated by her. They’ve gone through similar training; they’ll know more than any of us what she’s been through. And talk to the Halos from the ceremony. Find out why they treated her differently.”
“Do you still feel the second heartbeat when she’s around?” Gabe asked, reminding Michael that his brother had been researching their unique connection. The answer was plain on Michael’s face, so Gabe continued. “Nothing changed after she gained her Chelsea Light? After her spiritual energy went beyond full capacity?”
Michael considered how much to reveal. The moment Sophia had gasped at the ceremony and clutched her chest, he’d felt a surge to his own system, a stabbing pain that smothered out the second heartbeat for several seconds. Instinct told him not to admit everything, but too much had changed. He wouldn’t ignore the fact that something had happened to her. Sophia was hiding something that caused her adrenaline to skyrocket. In that one moment, she’d radiated more fear than ever before. He had to find out what she was so afraid of.
He told Gabe about his pain and skipped heartbeats. He explained how it returned to “normal” after Sophia calmed herself down, after she gained control of her energy.
“It’s possible that she was really overcome by everything,” Milvi offered. “I saw the bloody clothes she wore when she killed Wolfgang. Poor girl had been drenched in demon blood. That would freak me out, too.”
“Why don’t I just ask her what’s going on?” Raph asked.
“You will stay away from her,” Michael ordered, his voice tight with nerves.
“Why?” Raph demanded.
“Because I have something else to occupy you. Find out what happened at the dance. Why Dante was there and where he’s gone. As far as I know, Dante and Vaughn were not with Wolfgang when he attacked Sophia. The lesser demons disappeared the moment Wolfgang
died. There has to be more to his unexpected visit.” He turned toward the sofa.
“Milvi, ask the demon hunters what they might know. They trained Sophia for weeks. They were fighting alongside her when she made the kill. I want to know what was said between Sophia and Wolfgang. I want to know every word Wolfgang uttered. Understand?” She nodded. “Dimitri, you inform the school that I’ve withdrawn. Tell them . . . I joined the Navy. Use the usual protocol.” He flicked his hand, indicating that the Messenger for The Council knew well how to deflect suspicion from the family. “And now, Katarina. Tell me why Celeste St. James would ask you for help.”
“She feared for Sophia’s safety because Dante—”
“No!” Michael snapped, and then calmed himself. She was purposely misdirecting him. “Why would Celeste know to ask you for help?”
Katarina bristled with irritation. For the first time in Michael’s memory, the Seer showed willingness to defy the ranks of authority. She seemed angered by his insistence in knowing things about Sophia. But as a veteran leader of many guardian families over the centuries, Katarina maintained control and responded in a cool, crisp tone.
“I know Celeste. We met at the Borderlands. We became friends. She shared her concerns about Sophia, and I sympathized.” She tilted her head in challenge against Michael’s calculating assessment.
She was decisively vague. Michael could sense her guarded nature. She was coveting secrets, and her defiance boiled his blood. He stepped toward her, preparing to demand more, but Raph caught his arm.
“You’ve given your orders, Michael. So tell us what you’ll be doing to find out what happened to Sophia.” Raph’s sharp tone left no doubt as to his resentment. Months ago, he’d been excited at the idea of having a brother guardian climb the ranks to the Halos. Now it seemed that Raph didn’t care for Michael’s quick rise to power. He might’ve even heard that Michael excelled in the trials and gained respect from the Master Halos who singled him out as unique. More likely, his hostility came from being told to stay away from Sophia.
Michael suspected that his brother had enjoyed the assignment of watching over her. Raph also might have liked that it irritated Michael. Why he should like upsetting a brother guardian, Michael didn’t know. Perhaps Raph thought Michael had broken his vow and had unnatural affection for Sophia. Perhaps he knew for sure that it was true.
Michael’s eyes grew tight but he spoke softly, deliberately. “You do not want to provoke me, Raphael. Once, we trained together. We were brother guardians, but do not forget your place. Do not question me or my motives now. Do you understand?” He jerked his arm from Raph’s grasp.
Raph contemplated his options and then stepped back and gave an exaggerated bow. “You have my loyalty, as always.”
His elaborate, sarcastic display only tossed fuel on the fire. But Michael wondered if he’d gone too far with his demands. He wondered if his desire for Sophia had clouded his judgment. His need to protect her was making a tyrant out of him. Desperation does that to a man. But it also heightens the senses and sharpens the focus. And Michael would use that to his advantage. He knew without question that Sophia’s secret would be his to discover. He just hoped it wasn’t something that would pull them apart, again.
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