Amy Jones Books: Christmas with the Oracles

Day Four

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Soul Deep

The Soul Quest Trilogy, Book Three

Amazon

Barnes and Nobles

Smashwords

Chapter One

Etheline

Time: January 3, 2016

Place: Edinburgh, Scotland

Requiem

Under the wide and starry sky,

Dig the grave and let me lie.

Glad did I live and gladly die,

And I laid me down with a will.

This be the verse you grave for me:

Here he lies where he longed to be;

Home is the sailor, home from sea,

And the hunter home from the hill.

~ Robert Louis Stevenson

It had been three days since we arrived in Edinburgh and we were no closer to attaining our goal than we were before we left Los Angeles.

“Relax, Etheline. My plan will work if we approach the kelpie the correct way, but it will take time. Be patient and enjoy the luxury of your new surroundings.” Lefu encouraged.

Before we fled the mess we left behind in LA Lefu took careful measures to insure that all of Shyam’s financial accounts were emptied and electronically transferred to a bank here in Edinburgh. Shyam was so careless to entrust Lefu with such fragile personal matters. He had been so sure of Lefu’s loyalty, yet he had nurtured him to be the ruthless, greedy, power seeking man that he is today. What an idiot he had been. I’m no fool, however. I can assure you that I’ll be sleeping with one eye open at all times.

“When are we going to make contact with the creature, Lefu?” I complained.

The waiting is beginning to get very old and I’m growing sick and tired of looking at the walls inside of our hotel suite, granted the hotel and local community is breath taking.

“Why don’t you go for a stroll darling? Get some fresh air.” he rolled his eyes.

Oh, am I getting on your nerves too, love? Fine, I’ll show him I can take a hint.

“Don’t’ mind if I do. One can only admire the Edinburgh Castle from afar for so long. Besides, I’m in need of some new shoes.”

“Yes, dear, you only have two-hundred pair. Run along and have fun now while I tend to business. Please do make sure you grab us a bite to eat on your way home.” he winked.

His voice was dripping with sarcasm.

“Grab us a bite to eat?” I ranted. “What am I now your servant? Am I to believe that my sole role now is to take over the lowly duties of those wretched Aengels we created in LA?” I could feel myself getting worked up. “If you would bother to listen to me for once neither one of us would have to reduce ourselves to such menial tasks.”

“Now, now, sweetums, don’t get yourself in a tizzy.” he smiled playfully. A tizzy? Who says that? “I’ve told you, no more Aengels.” he growled.

This time his voice was firm, harsh and sexy. This was the Lefu I yearn for, not that passive coddling crap.

“We already broke that rule when we compelled those runaways into spying for us in Manhattan.” I challenged.

“Yes, and as I anticipated, they’re dead now. Problem solved. Listen, you and I turned our backs on Shayam and Avna. It’s in our nature. Why chance the same consequence for ourselves? We made an army to defend us while we fled Los Angeles. They served their purpose, now they’re dead. I couldn’t be happier with the outcome. It saves me the trouble of killing them myself. Cheers to the Oracles!” Lefu raised his glass of Chardonnay in mock toast to those damn spirited brats.

“Very funny…” I scowled disapprovingly.

“Off, off, be gone. Shop until you drop and all that sort of thing.” he waved me toward the door impatiently.

“OK, I’m going.” I grumbled as he slammed the door behind me.

I could swear I heard him exhale in relief as the door swung toward the hinges, the bastard.

The Balmoral Hotel is a rather swanky pad, even I must admit. I allowed myself to finally revel in my lavish accommodations. It could be described as nothing short of a luxury, five-star property. How many hotels can claim host to the majestic clock tower and splendor of Edinburgh’s landmarks on their doorstep? The hotel is only a short stroll away from Edinburgh’s main shopping area and leading luxury department stores. I’m already looking forward to relaxing with multiple shots of traditional whisky in the stylish Balmoral Bar following my shopping spree.

As I stepped onto Princess Street I admired the cityscape. Edinburgh’s city centre is an exciting infusion of European architecture in modern day commerce. The Georgian streets, dramatic backdrop of Edinburgh Castle and the medieval turrets and spires of the Old Town provide a stimulating yet soothing ambience to a rigorous day of high end shopping and dining.

I wasn’t in Jenner’s Department Store for more than fifteen minutes before I fell in love with a pair of Carvela Ginny Sandals. The stunning, stiletto style evening shoe featured a cross-over ankle strap in black, sleek leather. The double strap that arched over the toes was embedded with tiny, clear rhinestones furthering the elegant effect. Yes, I couldn’t give a care that we were in the middle of a blustery, Edinburgh winter. These shoes were mine. They would compliment perfectly the JS Collections black cocktail dress I’d just purchased. The flattering dress is knee length exposing just enough of my long, lean legs while the mesh keyhole halter top enhances my ample breasts and the sparkly beaded waistband accentuates my slim and muscular stomach. Lefu would be putty in my hands. This type of temptation would have to speed our plans along, wouldn’t it? I might feel more confident with our plans if I knew precisely what they were. Well, tonight I would find out!

Several shots and hours of primping having passed, I decided it was time to put my plan of persuasion into action. I sauntered onto the balcony where Lefu relaxed with a scotch on the rocks and relished in his relaxed and appreciative gaze.

“That’s perfect.” He purred as his eyes drank me in. “Now we’re ready to move forward with phase two of our plan.” He smiled satisfied and nodded for me to pull up a seat beside him. The table in front of him was lined with books cataloguing Scottish folklore. What? No play time?

“You did say you were eager to get down to business, did you not?” he mused as he took in my confused, annoyed expression.

Now he wants to get down to business.

“Fine!” I snapped. “The plan…” I waved my hand in a flourish encouraging him to get on with it.

“Good. This, love, is our tale to triumph.” he purred, sliding an old book bound in soft, worn, faded green leather.

I glanced at the open page. There was a picture of the kelpie we spied in the Loch Ness on Christmas Eve in the margin highlighting the adjacent fable.

“Fables? Children’s stories? Really, Lefu?” I asked with chagrin.

“You can find hidden truths in the least likely of places.” He winked through thick, suggestively alluring eyelashes.

I rolled my eyes in an attempt to hide the breathless, heart pounding reaction his intense gaze was burning into me. Failing miserably, I ripped my lust filled thoughts away from Lefu’s bedroom eyes and read the passage. Finally composing myself I was able to focus on the fable. The folktale described a water horse with magical powers of compulsion of the most outlandish illusions of grandeur. In the Irish legend the kelpie is seeking a mate. I raised my eyebrow at Lefu. He smiled in admiration but quickly tapped his finger on the page returning my attention to the story.

The fabled kelpie has the ability to disguise himself as a human and attempts to court a clever girl. The young girl is enamored with the handsome, human version of the kelpie while being simultaneously wary of his charms. Wisely, she decides to consult her father about the situation. Her concerned father has the kelpie captured. The girl’s father tests the kelpie and gives him two choices, both of which have the potential to free him. The kelpie must choose between returning to the lake, never to bother the man’s daughter again, or he may drink a magic potion that will transform him into human form permanently. The kelpie, now full of love for the man’s daughter, decides to drink the potion and become human forgetting his life as a water horse.

“How in the hell is this supposed to help?” I spat in disgust, the previous warm, tingly feeling in the pit of my stomach gone.

“You, my dear, are going to be the girl, or bate rather, to catch this age old legend of the Loch. Surely, after so many years of solitude the creature has grown lonesome. I will play daddy, or perhaps big brother, and offer the kelpie immortal life and love with such a stunning beauty as yours truly.” he gestured grandly toward me, looking foxy as ever. “What do you think?” he arched an eyebrow.

“Well, I do look hot, but who is to say this kelpie wishes for a lifetime of immortal love, as you call it? How will we even accomplish this? If we succeed, what will he do once he realizes I have no intention of being his lifetime immortal lover?”

“One step at a time, love… First, we just need to get him to consider the idea. If he falls for it I’ll inject him with my potion, er DNA, and the kelpie is as good as ours to control for all eternity.”

“I’m not sure…” I hesitated.

“I am!” Lefu demanded in his most commanding, authoritative tone.

“Damn, my man is just so sexy.” I licked my lips as my fingers trailed up his chest to unbutton his shirt.

Lefu relaxed, cocking an eyebrow and displaying his sexiest, devilish smile.

“That’s better, sweetums. Shall we test out the effects of your new wardrobe?” he teased as he scooped me into his arms and carried me to bed.

Now for the Giveaway!!!

Books available in the Soul Deep Giveaway:

Amy Maurer Jones - Soul Deep

Amy Miles – Forbidden

Anne M. Hargrove - Survival, Resurrection, and DeterminantAmy Harmon - Slow Dance in Purgatory and Prom Night in Purgatory
Laura Elliott - Transfer Student
Quinn Loftis - Prince of WolvesBonnie Paulson - Barely AliveJanine M. Caldwell - Rematch and Double Fault (The Vortex Series)