Hi friends, family, readers, Samantha lovers! I have to tell you that I had a really hard time pulling an excerpt from Embraced to share with you. I ended up deciding on the prologue with the hopes all my limbs stay intact. 🙂

Rachel

PROLOGUE

“We’ve all got both light and dark inside us. What matters is the part we choose to act on. That’s who we really are.” – Sirius Black

The knife came out of nowhere. It sailed in my direction, threatening a fate worse than death. It was another betrayal. I caught the handle using quick reflexes. Shock yielded quickly to anger. I swallowed hard, lifted my chin, and boldly met his gaze. I lowered the knife to my side and watched in horror as he approached, murderous ire permeating his features. He stopped in front of me. He was close enough for me to feel his hot, heavy, erratic breaths. I clenched the handle of the knife, unsure if I would be able to harm him; the man I loved. His face, a glowering mask of rage, suddenly transformed. He was a tortured, desperate man. I knew then that my man was gone. My magic started pooling around me. The attack was imminent. He grabbed my hand holding the knife as his nostrils flared with fury. I was breathless and numb, hung in the moment like a puppet on weakened strings.

“Stop, don’t do this.” My voice wavered as resentment masked my haunting despair. His sturdy grasp stayed on my hand as he shut his eyes tightly and tried to calm his breathing. I took the moment to plead with him again, although the cast to defend myself was on the tip of my tongue.

“Please, just talk to me.” My talisman tattoo lit as it did in any heightened emotional state. Without taking his gaze off mine, he raised my hand very slowly and pointed the knife straight at his shirtless chest directly above his heart. Blood welled where the tip pierced his skin. I was a prisoner to his grip, unable to move for fear I’d harm him further. He twisted the knife deeper until a steady stream of blood ran down his chest. Bile rose in my throat and strangled any words that would help the situation. He finally spoke.

“Do it, Samantha.” His voice was sharp but the pain in his eyes seared my heart. I shook my head subtly and with a pang realized he was serious. This would be the end. I regained an ounce of composure but my response was feeble.

“You don’t have to do this. There’s always a way.” Not so, my heart whispered back. He didn’t believe my words either. He quirked his mouth up in one corner as he shook his head in disagreement.

“I am disgusted with myself. Help me, Samantha. Only you can ease my torment.” I bit my quivering lip as I listened to the man I loved beg to die, pleading to end his life because of our differences.

He pointed with his free hand to the bloody knife and his heart. “This is yours. Shut it down or let it live, but make a decision. I can’t deal with this anymore.” A tear sneaked out the corner of my eye. His beautiful wide eyes were questioning. It was like some sixth sense finally awakened him. He knew exactly what I would do.

“Kiss me or kill me, Samantha.”

I hesitated briefly then screamed out in horror as he pulled my hand. The knife went in further. He knew I wouldn’t stop him.

Coming August 2013…