Soul Surrender Read Online Free PDF Page A

fine.” Despite the calm smile she sported, her voice wavered, her aura changing to a dark blue. Sadness.
    â€œGenevieve.” I rushed to her side, guiding her by the arm to a seat. “What’s going on?”
    Her face was so tight, it appeared as though it could shatter at any given moment. “I—Adam and I, we’ve just been trying for so long to have a baby.”
    A gasp caught in my throat and I choked it back, my hand instinctually flying to my own barren belly. “It can take a while, G.”
    â€œNo—you don’t understand. We, I’m—I can’t.” Her chin dropped to her chest, trembling. “You know . . . low egg count or something.” With her index finger, she swiped at the one escaped tear traveling down her cheek.
    I clasped a hand over hers, squeezing. “Oh, Genevieve. I’m so sorry.” The air conditioner hummed around us, offering its own condolences. Her palm was clammy and chilled compared to mine. “There are lots of options, you know?”
    â€œI know, I know. I just really wanted to experience pregnancy.”
    â€œI know. You’re going to make an amazing mother.”
    She sniffled, eyes rimmed red. I sandwiched her palm between both of my hands and closed my eyes. In my mind, I thought of the words to the guardian incantation I had learned, the ancient language becoming second nature. I pulled her in for a hug, kissing her temple. A zap shocked my lips, and I pulled back just as quickly.
    The fastest flash of her life reeled in my mind. Shit . . . had I just stolen some of Genevieve’s life? It’s supposed to happen only when someone reaches orgasm at a succubi or incubi’s touch. But her face—no, a baby’s face—flashed in my mind with the same white lightning breaking up the images, just like with Buckley.
    I released my hold on her, doing my best to procure a shaky smile. “You’ll be okay, girl. Trust me—I know.”
    How much life had I stolen? Most likely only minutes, but it was still too much.
    She returned my smile, hers looking stronger than mine at the moment. The irony of that resonated deep in me, and I couldn’t help but scoff at myself. “Why don’t you go on home. I’ll finish up here.”
    â€œOh, no . . . I couldn’t let you do that. You worked all day.”
    I shrugged, mouth tilting. “So what’s another hour? It’s nothing, I promise. Go give your husband a night to remember.” I winked at her and she laughed, her hand flying to cover her mouth.
    â€œThanks, Monica.” She gripped me in another hug before untying her apron, balling it at her side. Grabbing her purse, she gave another wiggle of her fingers before slipping out the front door.
    Forty-five minutes later, I had finished the books for the night and cleaned the shop. With the counted cash in hand, I entered Drew’s office, blinking with the flickering fluorescents. I spun the lock to open the safe and stuck the money inside. I wouldn’t have time to get to the bank until next week. A sigh crept up on me as I stood, hands on hips, looking around Drew’s office. A hoodie rested on the back of his office chair, and I hesitated before sliding my arms into it. The fleece lining cradled my sensitive skin, and I hugged it tighter around my body. With closed eyes, I inhaled. His scent was faint but still lingered, a freshly sweet smell of arabica beans and soap as though he had climbed out of the shower and brewed a pot of coffee, allowing both the soap and brew to permeate the soft cotton. The fading memory swirled about like a long-lost friend.
    But when I opened my eyes again, I was still alone. Clutching a shirt that wasn’t mine in an empty coffee shop with a hollow heart. Drew and I could never be; I knew that. Even one night with me would result in Drew losing time off his life. No—it wasn’t worth the risk. We’d crossed that line