Soul Decisions Read online

  Table of Contents

  Title Page

  Soul Decisions (Decisions Series, #3)

  Dedication

  Foundations

  Indicators

  Crash

  Burn

  Anger

  Confusion

  Pain

  Feats

  Grief

  Retribution

  Karma

  About the Author

  Other Books by Casey

  Author Recommendations

  Soul Decisions~ Decisions Series Book III (Final Installment)

  © 2018 Casey Harvell

  All Rights Reserved

  No part of this book may be reproduced in any form or by any electronic or mechanical means, including information storage and retrieval systems, without the express written consent from the author, except in the case of a reviewer, who may quote brief passages embodied in critical articles or in a review.

  Trademarked names appear throughout this book. Rather than trademarked name, names are used in an editorial fashion, with no intention of infringement of the respective owner’s trademark.

  The information in this book is distributed on an “as is” basis, without warranty. Although every precaution has been taken in the preparation of this work, neither the author nor the publisher shall have any liability to any person or entity with respect to any loss or damage caused or alleged to be caused directly or indirectly by the information contained in this book.

  The characters, locations, and events portrayed in this book are fictitious. Any similarity or resemblance to real persons, living or dead is coincidental and not intended by the author.

  Cover & Interior by Fancy Pants Book Formatting

  Fancypantsformatting.com

  Dedication

  For my boys, all five, grown, and getting there.

  Foundations

  The Beginning...

  It seems my destiny doesn’t entail “normal”. Rather it contains the extraordinary. Perhaps my younger years would’ve been easier with the knowledge. How was I to know that all of the years spent as an outcast are for good reason? I’m not like anyone else because I truly am one-of-a-kind...

  It all starts with the simplest of things—a seemingly harmless (and incredibly lucrative) exhibit of my photos. That night everything changed with the influx of two radically different men in my life: Gabe—my heart and soul...and Chase—the one who gave up everything for me. Sure, they’re completely different. Gabe is my fiancé, the father of my unborn child, and my whole world. Yet somehow Chase weasels his way into my heart as well. Not enough to outshine Gabe, but just enough to hurt like hell when he dives into a portal to a hellish dimension of no return to save me.

  Who am I? I’m Lettie. My nightmares turned to reality about a year ago (literally) and the ride since has been crazy. It turns out my family isn’t my family. My biological parents are what you would call Angels—my mother fallen to save my life—my father only fallen in my eyes for allowing her to without standing up for her. My (adopted) sister is a demon placed in my life who tried to kill me.

  It turns out I’m a hybrid of sorts. Angels don’t have children together because of the power they can have. I’m the very definition of this. When Gabe disappears a ceremony is done to initiate all of my abilities early...but no one knew just how much power I would have...

  It turns out it’s a lot of freaking power. Probably more than any person should have—which would bother me if I was a person. Instead (in my usual manner) I cause quite the ruckus. I stopped a war that’d been going on for a couple millennia and became numero-uno on a whole lot of people’s shit lists. Want to know a secret?

  I really don’t care.

  Before I stopped the war—one that affected both humans and non-humans—something they call ‘The Balance’ ruled. For all good there must be evil—for all evil there must be good. To me, it’s senseless to allow the evil—the suffering—to continue. So I stopped it.

  Told you I’m powerful.

  My demon sister consequently went all ballistic and since I didn’t want to kill her, I attempted to trap her in some inescapable dimension...except she almost pulled me in with her. That’s when Chase got all heroic on me. He grabbed my sister and jumped in before I could do anything to stop him. Stupid selfless-bastard.

  Now I submerse myself in things to do. I have my business, a wedding to plan, a baby on the way and a house to rebuild (thanks, sis) so there’s no shortage of work to be done. Besides, when things are quiet...when I’m alone...the thoughts invade. No matter how many times I picture the calm look on Chase’s face as he jumped, it doesn’t make me feel any better. If I’m being honest? It only makes me feel worse.

  The Now

  “Lettie! You have to pick a color! We only have a few more days to get these details finalized!” My best friend Shay scolds me. He’s taken it upon himself to plan the wedding for me. It was easy to get him to do it. I just threatened to marry Gabe on the beach in a sundress. My overly-eccentric friend almost shit a brick and poof—instant wedding planner!

  “I told you before, Shay—you pick! You’re better at this crap than I am, anyway.” I remind him. “Did you even ask Gabe?”

  “He wants all black. Do you want a goth wedding?” I shake my head. “Exactly! Now. Pick. A. Damn. Color.”

  I skim over the choices Shay lays out once more. I can stop a war, but can’t pick a color combination—go figure. I study them all carefully for the first time. As a photographer I do have an artistic eye and I make a final decision. “That one.” I point to the chocolate brown and baby blue combo.

  A look of approval crosses Shay’s face. “Finally! Good choice. Now, dare I ask you about invitations?”

  Gah! I consider my options. If I make the final choices at least it’ll get him out of my hair for a few days while he goes and does whatever the hell it is that he does. “Fine. Let’s do this shit.”

  “Okay!” Shay plops down three invitations in front of me. “Pick.”

  “That one.” I point. I don’t tell him I don’t really care, I just pick one.

  “You’re on a role today.” Shay says.

  “I am.” I throw him a grin. “What else do you got?”

  About an hour later I’ve chosen china, menus, and a cake style. This has to keep the man busy for at least a few days, right?

  “Okay, love—I’ll get working and give you an update tomorrow.” Shay kisses my cheek as he stands. “I’ll call you later. Love you!”

  “Bye, Shay!” I call after him.

  My hand drops to my belly instinctively. It’s been about three months since I first discovered I’m pregnant. My belly is small, but pronounced. This is the reason for Shay’s rush—apparently wedding dress fittings will be hell.

  Part of me just wants to run to Vegas, marry Gabe and be done with it. The only thing that stops me is because to do so would crush Shay...and Jocelyn...and undoubtedly my brother Michael and Gabe’s parents.

  Okay, I suppose there’s really no way to get out of it.

  “A change is coming, Lettie. It’s one you have to prepare for. Come see me soon—it’s important. Love you...”

  My mother’s voice fades out as my eyes flutter open. I can’t help but crack a smile. I spoke to her yesterday, but she still prefers to pop up in my dreams. A glance at the clock lets me know it’s later than usual. Gabe has left already for work and I really should get my own ass in gear. I hit the bathroom and grab some tea before I settle into my new favorite chair. I have to get to work myself, but first I need to see what my mom thinks is so important.

  It doesn’t take long to reach her. I frown when she insists that I have to go to her. It’s easy for me to pop over, but anyone else not so much. My a
bilities give me the power to transport myself to her—across our dimension and into hers...into hell. Of course they don’t call it that, but a rose with any other name and all, right?

  It’s not that it won’t be easy—it’s that it’s a surefire way to piss Gabe off. He doesn’t like when I pop around inter-dimensionally all pregnant. Of course, what he doesn’t know won’t hurt him. His overprotectiveness is totally understandable—after all people have been trying to kill me ever since we met. As understandable as his constant concern is, he also needs to realize that I can take care of myself and our baby.

  I tell my mom to let me dress and I’ll be over. I pick up my cell to call Kortney and let her know I’ll be late today. Sure, it’s more convenient to talk in her mind like my mom and I do, but Kortney (like almost all the humans in my life) doesn’t really have a clue. The only human who knows the truth about me is my brother, Michael.

  It doesn’t take long to change and poof on over to Abyssus. My mom greets me with a hug.

  “Lettie, I’m so glad you came. I take it Gabe doesn’t know you’re here?” She gives me a knowing smile.

  “Not exactly...” I may tell him later...if it comes up...

  “Don’t worry. I doubt there’s much you can do that he won’t forgive you for.” My mom says.

  “You’re probably right.” I agree. “Now, what’s so important that I needed to zap over?”

  My mom’s demeanor changes instantly. “Unfortunately, it’s quite serious.”

  My time with my mother is short, but the information she gives me will take much longer to process. It swirls in my mind, taunts me as I try to make sense of it all.

  The way I feel about my father—Elias—has not been good for some time now. To learn now just what he is—and in turn what that makes me—leaves me in turmoil. My mother doesn’t sugar-coat it either. She traces Elias’ lineage far back—far enough to uncover the truth. Elias’ loyalties don’t lie with the side we thought. I’m not the daughter of two Angels—no. Only one of my parents can claim that right. My father spawns from a place much darker.

  Somehow I knew it. I felt it...only I didn’t want to believe it.

  How can I be good if I’m spawned of both good and evil?

  “Hello?”

  “Hey, Michael,” I say brightly.

  “Hey, sis,” he says normally.

  “I was wondering if you planned to visit before the wedding.”

  “Well...”

  And just like that, the awkward sets in.

  “It’s okay. I get it. It’s a lot to take in.” I tell him softly. I want to see him, but I understand his hesitancy.

  “It is.” Michael agrees. “It’s not that I never want to see you again or anything. I just need some more time.”

  “Take all the time you need. I love you.”

  “I love you, too.”

  I know he does...I do...

  I just can’t help but wonder if I’ll ever see my brother again.

  “Lettie?” Shay’s voice breaks me out of my thoughts.

  “Hi, Shay.” I grin. No matter what has happened between us lately, he’s still my BFF.

  “Are you here with me, girl?”

  I laugh. “Yes. Yes, I am. What’s up, buttercup?”

  “I have a surprise for you. I even cleared it with Gabe, so no excuses.”

  This piques my interest. “Oh? I do love a good surprise.”

  “I know.” Shay’s grin is seriously amazeballs. “Now let’s go!”

  I don’t resist when Shay (gently) tugs me to my feet and directs me out the door to his car.

  “Where are we going?” I ask him.

  “That’s part of the surprise.” Shay says both mysteriously and annoyingly.

  Okay, maybe surprises aren’t all they’re cracked up to be. Just saying.

  I sit patiently for an hour. It’s not until my full bladder begins to scream that I persist. “Shay? C’mon, now I have to pee.”

  “Okay, okay. Sheesh, are you pregnant or something?” He winks at me.

  He pulls off the next exit and I rush into the mini-mart to use their bathroom. On the way out I grab a bottle of water and some honey-roasted peanuts. A girl’s got to eat when it’s for two.

  Shay fills the car up outside. By the time I buckle up, he hops in beside me.

  “Are you ever going to clue me in?”

  “Patience.” He answers.

  Arg.

  What’s about ten minutes feels like ten hours. When Shay parks I begin to closely examine our surroundings. “Shay? Is this our old neighborhood?”

  “Yes.” He replies as if that answers everything.

  “And?”

  “You’ll see.” He gets out of the car so I follow suit.

  It’s weird to walk around here. Everything feels smaller—but perhaps it’s just because I’ve gotten bigger. “Shay, this is kind of freaking me out.” I admit.

  “Same,” he tells me. I can tell by the way he glances around that the memories hit him, too.

  “Why are we here, Shay?”

  He smiles softly. “I have something that I want to show you.”

  Shay leads, though I remember the way. We get to his parent’s house and he pulls a key from under a flowerpot. Some things never change.

  “They’re out. I checked first.” Shay explains as he opens the door. “Mom has a doctor appointment in Tampa. They’ll be gone all day.”

  I’m not sure why that matters, but I keep my big mouth shut. The suspense is seriously about to kill me, though.

  Shay goes into his father’s study after he directs me to sit in the kitchen. Moments later, he returns with a large manila envelope in his hands. He hands it to me with a stoic expression.

  I almost don’t want to look inside.

  Of course I do anyway. I dispel the contents into my lap and carefully begin to rifle through them.

  “I’ll make you some tea.” Shay says.

  I may mumble an answer. I’m not sure because I’m far too busy looking over Shay’s adoption paperwork. I mean, I guess it should’ve been obvious when I found out he’s something more than human, but this? This is like childhood-destroying chizz right here. All the memories flood back, his family...my family. The illusion of it all.

  Maybe it’s the hormones. Maybe the stress is just now all catching up to me. Regardless it takes approximately ten seconds for me to place everything on the table and begin to sob.

  “Lettie?” Shay’s voice is full of concern. “Lettie, no—this is supposed to be a good surprise. Calm down, baby girl.”

  I can’t stop. All of it is just too damn overwhelming sometimes. This is only the straw that broke the camel’s back. It’s not just my falsified childhood I mourn, it’s everything.

  All of it.

  Slowly my sobs turn to hiccups. Snot drips down my chin, but I don’t care because Shay has seen me way worse than this. He hands me a box of tissues and I clean myself up.

  “Better?” He asks cautiously.

  “Better.” I confirm with a sniffle.

  He hands me a cup of tea. I take a few sips and realize that I actually do feel better.

  Stupid hormones.

  “Don’t freak on me.” Shay warns.

  I stick my tongue out in response.

  At least this time I know where we are. Shay takes the long way to Aether, but I take advantage of the fact that I can poof right over.

  Plus boats and morning sickness totes don’t mesh.

  There are some things that are even out of my power.

  Shay meets me on the path and takes the lead. It recharges me to be here, in all that is light and good. Moments later we arrive at the door of a nice small house. Shay knocks and the door opens quickly.

  “Shay!” The man who looks like an older version of my BFF exclaims.

  “Dad!” Shay confirms my suspicion.

  Oh...Oh! Now I see the surprise part!

  “Lettie, this is my Dad—Chance. Is mom here?”


  “Yes,” Chance says. “Lettie, it’s a pleasure to finally meet you. We’ve heard a lot about you, as I’m sure you can imagine.”

  “The pleasure is all mine,” I say with a grin.

  The two men usher me inside where I meet a petite blonde bombshell who has to be Shay’s mom.

  “Oh!” She squeals. “Is this her? Is this Lettie?”

  “Hi!” I say with a small wave and bright smile.

  Instantly this little powerhouse of a woman engulfs me in a large hug. It would’ve taken me aback, if not for the feelings of calmness she exudes.

  “I feel as if I already know you,” Shay’s mom continues. “I’m Rosie. Welcome to our home!”

  “It’s a pleasure to be here, Rosie.” I say as she releases me. “You have a beautiful home.”

  “Why, thank you!” She gushes, obviously pleased with my compliment. “Shay, you’re right—she’s so sweet! Tell me y’all ae staying for dinner?”

  I glance at Shay and he shrugs.

  “That works for me,” I reply happily.

  “Lettie?” Shay asks as we walk slowly through the woods behind his house, trying to digest the meal his mom made.

  “Yeah, Shay?” I burp loudly. I can’t help it.

  He laughs before he grows serious. “I have something to show you. I don’t want you to freak out on me, though. You have to promise, okay?”

  I nod, not wanting to commit to words.

  Shay sighs and takes a few steps away from me. “I want to show you the real me, Lettie—now that I can.”

  I hold my breath as the air around Shay shimmers softly. A regular human would have to avert their eyes as the light becomes so bright it almost hurts. Then I see it. I see Shay as he is—bright and golden. He somehow exudes the magnificent light from within him. Strong wings, a pure snow white fold against his back. I can feel tears well in my eyes from how beautiful he is—until he spreads his wings behind him. Now I’m left in sheer awe.

  They must stretch over twenty feet! They’re so strong, yet somehow still appear soft as a cloud.

  “You can touch them.” Shay says with a grin and brings one closer to me.