Bound by Sin: The Beginning of a Prophecy (Prophecy #3) Read online

  Copyright © 2014 by Stevie J. Cole

  All rights reserved

  This book is an original work of fiction. All of the names, characters, sponsors, and events are the product of the author’s imagination and used fictitiously. Any similarities to actual events, incidences, persons, deceased or living, is strictly coincidental.

  Any opinions expressed in this book or solely those of the authors.

  Bound by Prophecy

  Copyright ©2014 by Stevie J. Cole

  Published in the United States of America

  Ebooks are non-transferable. They cannot be sold, shared, or given away. The unauthorized reproduction or distribution of this copyrighted work is a crime punishable by law. No part of this book may be scanned, uploaded to or downloaded from file sharing sites, or distributed in any other way via the internet or any other means, electronic or print, without the publisher’s permission. Criminal copyright infringement including infringement without monetary gain is investigated by the FBI and is punishable by up to 5 years in federal prison and a fine of $250,000.

  All rights reserved. Except as permitted under the U.S. Copyright Act of 1976. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in or introduced into a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form, or by any means (electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise), without the prior permission of Stevie J. Cole.

  Editing: A.M.S

  Cover photos: Shutterstock

  www.shutterstock.com

  Cover design: Stevie J. Cole

  Contents

  Acknowledgements

  Preface

  Chapter one

  Chapter Two

  Chapter Three

  Chapter Four

  Chapter Five

  Chapter Six

  Chapter Seven

  Chapter Eight

  Chapter Nine

  Chapter Ten

  Chapter Eleven

  Chapter Twelve

  Chapter Thirteen

  Chapter Fourteen

  Chapter Fifteen

  Chapter Sixteen

  Chapter Seventeen

  Chapter Eighteen

  Chapter Nineteen

  Chapter Twenty

  Chapter Twenty-one

  Chapter Twenty-two

  Chapter Twenty-three

  Chapter Twenty-four

  Chapter Twenty-five

  Chapter Twenty-six

  Chapter Twenty-seven

  Chapter Twenty-eight

  Chapter Twenty-nine

  Chapter Thirty

  Chapter Thirty-one

  Chapter Thirty-two

  About the Author

  Acknowledgements

  Thanks to all my loves: Eva, Simone, Abby, Sarah, and Caleb. You each make my days brighter, funnier, and so much more fun! I love you all so much and am beyond thankful to have you all in my life.

  Thanks to A.S. for her amazing grammar and editing abilities. I heart you!

  Thanks to Stevie’s Steamy Sisters. You guys are freaking amazing! I am so grateful for all the help you gives give me.

  To all the authors, bloggers, and readers who have helped me and who have enjoyed my work. Thank you! It is so amazing to be sharing my work with you guys! You all rock!

  Preface

  No one could have told me how my life was about to change, and even if they’d tried, I wouldn’t have believed them. I was blinded – possessed – by him. Something much greater than I can understand brought me to him. Had I known how this all would end, I’m still not sure I would have been able to resist him. Bound to him the moment he fell, I was made specifically for him… how could I deny that?

  Gavin

  Chapter one

  September 14, 2014

  Staring at her, I forced myself to look at the pain I’d caused and it was almost unbearable. I’d promised I’d not hurt her. Sworn to her that she could trust me and now, not only had I hurt her, I’d all but destroyed her.

  Had it been as simple as that – I’d broken Brooke’s trust by lying with another woman – it may have been easier for her to forgive me, to put it behind her, but she’d just discovered that I in no way resembled the man she’d thought I was. A love founded on the greatest of deceptions – forbidden and cursed – is where she now found herself: tangled within sins, within a world that seemed unbelievable, and all against her will.

  The tears collected in the rounded corners of her eyes, her chest rising in uneven and ragged draws as she stared down at the ground. Helpless. She was utterly helpless and it showed on her face. I was ripping her away from all she’d known, killing her off in a way that almost made death seem a welcome option, I’m sure. But… I’d no choice. I couldn’t allow my weakness for her to make me cave and let her say her goodbyes. I couldn’t give her the time to debate on whether she really belonged with me. There was no time. She was mine and I was taking her with me. It was my job to protect her.

  Pulling her from my car, I said, “You look at the floor. Do not look at anyone, do not make eye contact with anyone, do not speak to anyone. I will speak for you. Understood, aye?”

  She shook her head. I leaned down and kissed her forehead before turning to walk toward the entrance of the airport. “Come on, then.”

  She resisted, staring blankly at me. “Where are we going?”

  Drawing in a breath, I said, “I’m not exactly sure yet.”

  Her hold on my hand loosened and her shoulders fell as though she were completely defeated. A labored breath forced its way from her lips as the fear became real to her. I wasn’t exactly sure how this would all play out; I’d no experience with the situation I now found myself in. When the reality of this all, of what I really was – of the truth that shadows really do lurk in the dark waiting to prey upon man’s soul… whenever that reality finally slammed over her I’d no idea how she’d react. The only other mortals who’d known about this darkness had found out moments before their death, and Brooke, she was very much alive and I intended to keep her that way.

  I was certain this woman was the only reason I’d fallen. I knew that moment of weakness in the Garden… that was just to bring me to Brooke. Something about her was undeniably and sinfully innocent. Mine. Brooke was mine and I’d be damned if anyone would take her from me.

  Adjusting the heavy duffel bag over my shoulder, I reached down to pick up the suitcases and took steady strides toward the crosswalk. My eyes were constantly scanning each face that passed. Fearing that everyone was our enemy, I was on edge and still in shock at what I’d done.

  Brooke grabbed onto the back of my shirt, scrunching the material up into her fist. Her makeup had smudged underneath her eyes and black streaks of mascara had dried on her cheeks. Her breathing was heavy, her eyes still aimed at the ground, and a look of absolute horror had painted its way across her face.

  The glass doors slid open and a rush of cool air surrounded me as we walked into the bright, open atrium of the airport. My pulse hammered through my temples and I could feel a cold sweat slowly bead on my forehead. I’d not the slightest idea what havoc my rash decision would cause; all I knew was that we needed to get far away from here. Even though the distance of oceans may not be able to shield us from the repercussions of my sins, I’d refuse to just surrender.

  My eyes frantically searched the boards and I randomly made my way toward a counter. Brooke’s body stayed so close to mine that at times her feet would scrape against my heels and trip me up. I knew she must be absolutely terrified, and I was livid with myself for having put her in this situation.

  The young blonde behind the granite counter stared at us as we approached. From the look of us, I’m sure she was suspicious. I was wearing only an undershirt, which clung to my sweaty skin and tendrils of my hair were sticking to the sides of my face. Brooke’s cheeks were red from crying, her pupils were driven wide with fear, and my black t-shirt hung loosely from her delicate figure.

  My eyes remained locked in front of me as we walked, my lips barely moving as I spoke softly to Brooke. “Answer whatever questions she asks you. Understand, love?” I whispered.

  “Yeah. Okay.” Her voice trembled terribly as she spoke and her grip on my shirt tensed.

  “No need to be afraid. I told you I would protect you. You don’t need to worry about anything,” I tried to reassure her. I glanced down at her and stopped. Her breath caught as she fought back the tears threatening to roll down her cheeks. I set the bags down and reached up to her face. “I’m sorry,” I whispered as I searched her eyes, my thumb gliding across her jawline. “So sorry.”

  I didn’t know what else to say to her. Grabbing our luggage, we continued walking in the direction of the counter.

  The woman, dressed in a crisp blue dress shirt, straightened herself up and cleared her throat. Her eyes pulsed wider and then cut down to Brooke before she made eye contact with me. “Can I help you?”

  Forcing a charming smile, I asked, “What international flights do you have?”

  The woman blinked and stared at me briefly. “Any international flight, sir?”

  “Preferably Europe. What about Italy – somewhere in Italy.” Pausing, I thought about my request. Time. I didn’t know how much time we had. I just needed to get us on the next plane out of here. “Actually, just the next flight you have out of the country. Whatever flight leaves next.” I dug in my pocket for my wallet.

&
nbsp; The woman stood there, a dumbfounded look plastered to her face as she continued to stare at us. Her eyes grew larger. Her lips dangled open briefly before she forcefully clenched her teeth together and nervously cleared her throat again. Hesitating, she glanced over at Brooke once more before typing my request on her keyboard. It was as though she was waiting for Brooke to beg her for help.

  Time seemed to slow down. What is truly only seconds seems like hours when you are fully aware of the pending danger you’re in.

  The woman looked up from her screen. “The next flight I have is one for London, and I only have first class seats available.”

  Flipping my wallet open, I pulled out my card and handed it to the woman.

  She narrowed her gaze. Her eyes moved from my card to the screen and then back up to my face.

  “Sir, that flight leaves in an hour and the cost –”

  I slammed my fist down onto the counter, the noise causing both Brooke and the woman to jump. Bringing my face closer to hers, I spoke in a low, controlled growl. “I don’t care how much the damned flight is. Just get me the tickets. Understand?”

  She snatched the card from my grasp and carried out the transaction, the entire time her eyes darting back to Brooke. The longer we stood there, the harder Brooke squeezed my arm.

  The lady slid the receipt and tickets across the counter. Turning to Brooke, she cautiously said, “Lucky girl.” Her eyebrows arched and her eyes widened as she tried to prod at whether Brooke was with my by choice. “Must be exciting to have a man just whisk you off to another country? Looks like it was quite the surprise?” The woman glanced back up at me, trying to figure out exactly what was so dire that I was willing to pay such a ridiculous amount for last minute tickets.

  “Yes. He’s unbelievable,” Brooke said softly, not looking up.

  The woman forced a smile. “Enjoy your flight,” she said, tapping her nails across the granite.

  After checking our luggage, we went to wait in the terminal. I walked to the window and stared out into the blackness of the night. A low fog had rolled in and covered the tarmac. I watched the mist creep across the ground. Never had time seemed to tick by so slowly.

  Tension tightened across my shoulders and shot in jagged bolts up my neck. What have I done? Turning, I saw Brooke picking at her nails, her right leg shaking furiously. I sat down and reached over, pushing her leg down and holding it in an effort to stop her nervous movements.

  Her hand dropped from her mouth to her lap. “I – I don’t have my passport. I can’t go!”

  A slight smile crept over my face. Reaching down into the side of my carry-on bag, I pulled an envelope out and handed it to her. “Yes. You do.”

  Her eyes broadened in disbelief as she dumped the contents out of the envelope. “How did you …” her voice trailed off as she shuffled the items in her hands.

  “I told you I would take care of you,” I said, brushing my hand across her warm cheek.

  Brooke let out a small gasp. She was holding the picture of her mother, sister, and niece that I’d instructed the man to pack in her bag.

  “I thought you’d want that.” I leaned my face toward hers and stared into her eyes.

  Her eyes seemed to be searching me. Trying to understand me.

  “I know you’ll keep me safe,” she said, as though she were trying to convince herself of it. Brooke leaned in and gently pressed her lips to mine. The warmth of them sent a feeling surging inside me unmatched by any other I’d ever felt. Pulling away from me, she said, “I love you, no matter who you are – no matter what you are.” I knew she wanted to believe that, I wanted to believe it… but the unwavering tremble in her voice made it evident that she was uncertain.

  We sat in silence after we boarded the plane. Every once in a while I’d catch her staring at me, a dazed look fogging over her face as she was reminded that although I looked it, I wasn’t at all human. I kept waiting for her to ask questions, anticipating that at any moment she would break. I kept waiting for the tears, the yelling; for sheer terror to grip her by the throat, but it never did.

  After what seemed like an eternity of silent glares, Brooke turned to me. “Did you kill Dan too?”

  Scrunching my brow, I asked, “What? Dan… Dan’s dead?”

  “Yeah, that’s why I came over to your house. Constance saw on the news that he had died. I couldn’t get in touch with you and was afraid you’d gotten mad at the way he’d acted with me and went to confront him.”

  “No. I didn’t kill him.”

  “So, why was Ashley there?” she asked, hurt wearing heavily on her face.

  I found it strange that humans could be in the midst of a complete crisis and of all the emotions, jealousy could trump fear and apprehension; but then again, those may have been the only things she could somewhat wrap her mind around. All the other things she’d just learned of denied reality and shattered the perception she’d had of what this world truly is.

  Inhaling deeply, I brought my hands to my face. My fingers steepled over the bridge of my nose and I fought to find the words to explain things to her. I decided it was best to be brutally honest at this point. Releasing the breath I’d drawn in, I turned in my chair to face her.

  “How to explain this to you, love?” I gently took her hand, my fingers stroking over the ridges of her small knuckles. “Before you become hurt or angry with me, you must understand that there were things you should have never found out – things I’d been sworn never to tell. So, I had no way of explaining things to you. I felt guilty.” My eyes shifted down to my knees. “I never should’ve touched you.” That confession cut me more deeply than I’d thought it would. It felt so wrong to say to her. Her eyes shot down into her lap, shame washing over her.

  I settled back into my seat. “The love we’ve found with each other is forbidden – cursed even. I don’t care, though. I hadn’t lived until I found you.” Continuing, my voice shook from the sheer emotion of it all. “Of the entire existence of this world, I never knew what life felt like until my lips met yours. I can swear to you that there has never been a need for someone that can rival my need for you. This is the rare love that stories are based on – so wonderfully perfect and damned all at the same time.”

  Bringing her hand to my lips, I kissed her skin gently. “You read the beginning of that book, aye?” I asked as I stared over her hand into her eyes.

  Brooke nodded. “Yes. About halfway through.”

  Letting out a soft laugh, I said, “You know, your eyes are the only ones to see those words aside from the man who wrote them and Azaal.” The mention of his name caused my thoughts to whirl about in my head. He’d never destroyed that book, I’d known that. He was too devious, too manipulative. I knew he must have been the one who sent that book to Brooke. For him to have held that book, to have waited for all these years, I knew the outcome would be horrid.

  “Azaal?” The sweetness of Brooke’s voice broke my thoughts.

  “Yes. He was a friend of mine. I guess you could say my oldest friend. We both were angels assigned to watch over man at the beginning of time – seraphim. They referred to us as the Watchers. At one time, our identity was known to man.”

  Brooke stopped me. “So…the things in that book – all those things are true?”

  “I’ve not read the book, so I can’t vouch for the validity of every word, but I’d say yes – it is truth.”

  Brooke’s head tilted to the side as she studied me. “What was your name?” she asked, narrowing her gaze.

  It had been so long time since I’d thought of my name. “Semyeza,” I said.

  Her eyes widened. My name struck something within her. By her reaction, whatever had been mentioned of me in that book had not been pleasing to her. After a long pause, she asked, “Why did you change it?”