Samskaras by Melissa Lummis
When the universe conspired to bring Loti and Wolf together, it was just getting warmed up. After surviving Modore’s attempt to kill Wolf, the lovers want nothing more than some peace and quiet. But the universe has other plans. And Loti and Wolf are done waiting to find out what they are. All too aware there will be no happily-ever-after for them until Modore is dealt with, they form a dubious alliance with untrustworthy forces from Wolf’s past. While searching for clues to the homicidal vampire’s whereabouts, they uncover secrets that begin to unravel reality as they know it. Tangled up in the chaos of black ops conspiracies and fae treachery, they make a fatal mistake—overlooking the enemy in their midst. Can love and light survive a downward spiral into darkness?
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Read an excerpt from the book:
“Wolf,” Loti whispered.
He shoved her away and she stumbled backward. “I don’t want your pity.”
Loti’s eyes flashed with resentment as she recovered and took a step towards him. “I am not pitying you.” Her hands curled into fists as she spoke low through her teeth. “I would never.”
Swallowing the lump in her throat, she spit out, “Don’t you dare do this to me, again.” The lump slid heavily into her solar plexus. “Don’t shut down and turn your self-loathing inside out and onto me.”
Wolf did nothing—absolutely nothing. Loti thought a blood vessel popped in her eyeball.
“Enough!” She stomped by Wolf and into the bathroom, slamming the door.
She was through catering to his self-imposed isolation for one day. Why was it so damn hard for him to let her in? She leaned her forehead against the door and cried herself limp. Sagging against the door, she waited for him to knock for several minutes. When he didn’t, she splayed both hands against the door and heaved herself upright.
She yanked the ponytail holder out of her hair and threw it without thinking. Pausing, she turned back around and snapped the slide lock into place. She stuck out her tongue and gave an obscene hand gesture, before twisting the shower handles too hard. Water blasted from five different directions in the glass shower stall. Brass pipework crisscrossed evenly up and down the glass and at pivotal intersections a shower head stuck out. She held her fingers under the main shower, while fiddling with the levers until the temperature was right.
The ball of lead lodged in her solar plexus plopped into her stomach, where it festered until she thought she was going to throw up. What am I doing wrong? Why does he shut down like that? She slid the thin straps of her nightgown down her arms and stepped out of the puddle of sheer cotton and into the shower. The water sprayed in soothing pulses as Loti closed her eyes and bowed her head.
I deserve the kind of love I give. I deserve the kind of compassion I give. When she opened her eyes, she couldn’t tell the difference between the tears and the water. Exasperated with herself and Wolf, she grabbed the tiny shampoo bottle and scrubbed at her head with too much vigor.
“Loti.” A woman’s quiet voice filled the shower.
She froze, recognizing it from her dream. A vein throbbed in her neck as suds ran down her face and she revolved in slow motion. Isabelle’s spectral form greeted her through a film of fog.
“She’s in danger.”
Loti blinked and rubbed the soap from her stinging eyes. “Isabelle?” She swiped at the glass and clasped the brass pipes. “Who’s in danger?”
Isabelle scanned the room as if looking for someone. Seeming not quite satisfied no one was there, she approached the shower like she was ready to dart away. Her face loomed large behind the steamed glass. “Please help her.”
“Who? You have to tell me who or I can’t help.”
Isabelle jerked back. “He’s here. I have to go.” Her eyes flared wide like a cartoon character’s. “Promise me you won’t let her die.” Isabelle’s voice shrieked as she began to fade away.
“Promise me!” She screamed, her voice piercing Loti’s skull like a harpy’s screech.
“I promise!” Loti screamed back, clutching her head and screwing her eyes shut.
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About the Author
Melissa Lummis considers herself a truth seeker, a peaceful warrior, a paranormal and fantasy writer, an avid reader, a thru-hiker GAàME ’98, a wife, a mother, and a free thinker. She believes the universe conspires to help an adventurer. And if we live our lives as if it is a daring adventure (and it is!), then everything we need will find its way to us.
The author lives in rural Virginia with her husband, two children, an Alaskan Malamute and a myriad of forest creatures. The nature of her mind dictates that she write to stay sane. Otherwise, her fertile imagination takes off on tangents of its own accord, creating scenarios and worlds that confuse the space-time continuum. Namaste, dear friends.
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