Chapter 1
Cecily - Soul Form
Moments Ago
The light buzz of their touch shivers through my soul; my excitement at actually being able to feel touch has me wanting to zip around through the air doing somersaults. All aboard this rollercoaster! Fasten your seatbelts, hands and feet inside at all times because we’re going to hit those loops at full speed!
From the moment Alex found me, my body has almost constantly been touched. Even when it isn’t being touched, my soul hasn’t floated off. And I canfeeltheir touch! It’s strange going from not feeling another person for five hundred years, to having the sensation of them holding me nonstop.
My game ofstay the fuck away from my bodyhas turned intohold me a little closer, please. I just want to cuddle up and enjoy the sensation. Anyone but Marcellus can hold me all they want... he can go die in a ditch. Ehh... maybe not Alex. He was my hero for carrying me out of the bunker up until he pulled my comatose lips up to his and laid one on me without consent. Pompous ass. Oh, and Klaus said he wanted to be rid of me.
Rewind! I take it all back. Derrick can cuddle me all he wants. The rest are on no touchy alert.
These four men seem to not know who I am, which is understandable for only one of them. I know who they are, having met the three of them before. I know who their parents are and what role they play for our people.
Marcus is the heir to the North, a traitorous leech who enjoys backstabbing his fated mate in his spare time. Don’t let his gorgeous blue eyes fool you. Those eyes will drown you in lies, while holding you down as you gasp for air. His hair is the color of his soul. Black. His soul is black. Marcus is a no-go zone. I will not fall into that trap again.
Then there’s Alex, who’s an heir to the East. His golden eyes are playful, a great expression of his personality. He’s a total and complete geek who loves watching movies almost as much as he loves cracking a joke in awkward moments. I long for the chance to run my fingers through his light brown hair... and then to smack him for that kiss when he isn’t expecting it. Ah, yes! I can picture it so vividly.
The heir to the West pack is Klaus, the one who seems quite hard to figure out. He comes off as nonchalant most of the time, like he doesn’t have a care at all about what’s going on around him. Then there are moments where he seems so insightful on what one of the others need. He takes care of it without bringing attention to himself.
When it comes to me, Klaus seems the most standoffish. The rest of them haven’t had any problems showing how instantly devoted they are to me, but Klaus tries to be more distant. He seems to be in denial, like he’s been hurting for a long time and can’t bear to have false hope. I honestly think that’s where his comment came from about wanting to leave me at a hospital... doesn’t mean it didn’t hurt though.
I met Marcus, Alex, and Klaus when I was a kid. I never knew them well, but the one thing I know for certain is that they were alive when I was betrayed, which means I’m not sure if I can fully trust them. I won’t be accepting any tea from them, that’s for sure.
Then there’s Derrick. He’s a sweetheart but such a nerd, his love of our history rivals none other. His dark auburn hair makes his emerald green eyes pop. Derrick’s the jokester of the bunch, and he gets his kicks from fucking with the rest of them. I think we would have a lot of fun if we teamed up. Seeing as how I know the heir to the South pack wasn’t born before I became stuck in soul form, I feel like he’s the most trustworthy, not that I actually plan on trusting any of them.
Watching them from soul form has given me a rare glimpse into who they really are. It seems like they’re honest with all of their intentions and just want what’s best for their people. Which raises a lot of questions about what my people have gone through while I’ve been in soul form, and even more concerns after hearing Derrick talk about some prophecy about me.How’s it possible I never heard of it until now? Knowing I was going to be betrayed ahead of time might’ve been nice.
Oh, and what’s up with them not using magic? Especially when they shift. Like I enjoy watching their muscular figures stripping down, but it seems stupid and a waste of time to me. I wonder if they’ll still strip to shift if they knew I was watching.
Since they found my body, there’s been quite a lot of action with the security teams the owner of the secret science lab sent after me. Twice these guys fought off men who’ve come after me. Okay, that one time I helped... a lot. They’ve been very devoted to my protection. What more can a soulful gal ask for?
I’m floating above my body and nudge my soul a smidge closer to it so it’s like I’m actually being surrounded by these men. It’s a nifty new trick I’ve picked up since being around them; I can now move my soul form around where I want it to be. Well… within reason. I’m still forced to stay close to one of these gorgeous hunks.
I watch, darting my attention back and forth between the four men who rescued me as they talk. One by one, they each slowly close in around me. They’ve become awfully cozy with me, and I question just how comfortable I am with the liberties they’ve taken. Normally, I can’t stand anyone touching my body; the second they do, I zap them to teach a lesson on manners. Whenever any of these four touch me though, it’s a comfort.
I loathe the fact I even find comfort in Marcus’ touch. Something about it sends a sense of calm washing through me, like everything is going to be okay in the world again. Like I’m coming home again, or better yet, already at home.
Alex cradles my head on his lap and the warmth from his hand on my cheek is so inviting. Klaus holds my feet on his lap with his thumbs caressing my skin. Somehow, I know he doesn’t even realize he’s doing it. Marcus, the asshole, has his hand in my hair, a move I absolutely love... to hate. I love to hate it. I hate it. Just hate. No love.
With the three of them touching me, a buzz begins coursing through my whole body, stronger than I’ve ever felt before. My soul form begins to drift closer to my body, like a lazy fisherman reeling in his line. Derrick turns around and places his hand on my arm, and suddenly I’m being sucked toward my body like a high-powered vacuum is drawing me in. I rush toward my body until my soul form suddenly bursts like a popped bubble.
Oh my Fates, everything is black again… what just happened? My eyelids flutter, making me realize they’re closed. Huh, weird. Opening my eyes, I peer up and instantly spot Alex, Derrick, and Klaus hovering over me. Holy crap, I just blinked. I’m in my body. I... This... How...?
Shock freezes me as I try to process the new stimuli bombarding my body. Smells come rushing in with every breath, sounds are louder, everything seems more crisp and vibrant. A small current of air moves the hairs on my arm and the sensation sends a shudder through me.
Movement catches my attention from the corner of my eye, and suddenlyMarcus is in front of me and there’s a knife being held to my throat. I’m tied in a chair and I can’t move to save my own life.Blinking my eyes, I’m back on the couch.
Fear claws its way up from my gut, its nails scratching their way up my throat, and suddenly I’m screaming. I’ve had a lot of time to conduct self-therapy, my soul having attached to a therapist for a while, and Fates knows how many random sessions I’ve attended with other humans I was attached to. Apparently, no amount of therapy can prepare you to watch your mate hovering over your body in the same position as when they tried to kill you.
For a moment, it’s hard to remember how to move my limbs, but after a moment, I’m able to force my muscles to obey my desperate commands. Sitting up, I push my back into the couch, trying to put some much-needed space between Marcus and I. Holding up my hands, I try to blast him away from me. He’s too fucking close. I need him away from me. Far, far away.
A blast doesn’t occur. Is it possible my memory is fritzing on how to do it, since it has been a while? I shake my hands out and try once more. Have I been drugged again? Did he try to make me weak so he can finish off the job this time? A whimper escapes, even though I try to hold it back. I suppose it could be possible the magic used to push me back into my body left me naturally drained.
Not to mention I’ve just gone through years of a steady decline in my magic to the point of being terrified I wouldn’t be able to protect my body anymore. My eye catches Derrick glancing back and forth between Marcus and myself. It didn’t take me long to figure out who he is, although I’ve never met him in person.
Since he was born after my soul and consciousness were removed from my body, I know there’s no possible way he was involved in my betrayal. The same can’t be said for the others. Not having any other choice, I launch myself into his arms. His warm protective arms wrap around me as I cling to his body, my fingers digging desperately into his back, trying to pull him closer to me.
