Souls Eternal

By Shonna Whitley

Jensen Webster just got her PhD in Archaeology and is ready to take on working on her dream excavation in Pompeii, Italy. When an unfortunate accident postpones her trip by three years, she realizes that she's not only an expert in ancient cultures, but she also possesses an extraordinary ability to experience her past life through the artifacts she touches. Forced to re-evaluate everything she believes; her trip becomes more complicated after an old flame resurfaces and a new spark is ignited with someone that she feels is far beyond her reach. Does she venture down a familiar path or take a risk with someone that will show her a side of life she has never experienced?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Shonna Whitley
• Release date: Oct 5, 2015
• ISBN: 9781524220761

Book preview

Chapter One

I noticed the museum was dark as I approached the door. I placed my face against the glass, hoping to get a glimpse of Ted, the security guard.

I thought Harry was meeting you here! My best friend, Serenity, twisted a bit of her blonde hair around her finger, as impatient as ever-especially when her social life was in the balance. She would never be caught going into a historical museum voluntarily unless it was a date with a handsome, cultured doctor.

He’s supposed to be. I tugged on the doors. Maybe I am supposed to use the back entrance? I started around the corner when I heard Ted opening up the door. Ted was short and a bit shy, especially when talking to women, but he was sweet enough. He held the door open and whispered.

So sorry Jensen, Harry is waiting inside for you. I thought I noticed a smirk on Serenity’s face for a brief second.

It’s so dark in here. I reached out for the desk trying to guide myself. As we walked passed the information and security desk, I thought I heard giggling. I glanced over at Serenity, but she wasn’t there. Serenity? I called out to her, noticing Ted had also disappeared when I looked back the other direction. What the...

Surprise! The lights flipped on and all of the staff, Serenity, and Harry; my mentor and boss, were smiling and clapping in my honor.

I didn’t hate surprises, but I didn't like too much attention on me. I felt a little blush from embarrassment, but I was happy with the surprise party. I had worked in the museum while I finished up my doctoral degree in archaeology. Harry had groomed me well for museum work, but I longed to put some time into the field. I wanted the whole experience of getting my hands in the dirt and discovering items that have been buried for centuries.

I made my way around the crowd making sure to greet and thank everyone as they all mingled with their cake and champagne.

So, were you surprised? Serenity handed me a glass of champagne.

Oh, yes! I took a sip of my drink and looked around. Are you responsible or did you join forces with Harry on this? Her sly smile gave me my answer. She glanced over at Harry walking towards us.

It was his idea, though. He’s very fond of you. She whispered, walking away toward some friends inside one of the exhibits.

Harry grabbed me in a bear hug. Not exactly co-worker behavior, but we were just great friends. Or more accurately, I was great friends with him and he was a shameless flirt. As someone with pretty crappy self-esteem, I welcomed the attention rather than allowing it to bother me. I had horrible luck with men and I didn’t find the little ego boosts harmful at all. I mean, he was old enough to be my dad, so I couldn’t think of him that way. Although, he was very sexy and I would be lying if I didn’t say I had been tempted to take him up on his offers a time or two.

Excuse me, Jensen, Ted interrupted while one of the guests asked Harry for some assistance. Ted reached out his stubby hands to give me an envelope. Someone dropped this by for you earlier today. I took it and looked at the writing on the front. Hesitating, I considered if I should keep it or just toss it into the trash. I forced a smile and acknowledged him.

Thanks, Ted.

I slid the small envelope into my pocket without opening it.

The party was winding down but there were still several people admiring the ancient Italy exhibit I recently completed. I was obsessed with ancient Italy throughout my whole college education and I was finally getting ready to live my dream.

I grabbed another glass of champagne and continued the mingling I had started before I received the letter. My smile was genuine as every guest came to congratulate me and wish me well, but then I found myself overcome and feeling quite anxious. I needed a minute to catch my breath.

I shuffled to my favorite corner of the room, squeezing my way through the people that were left admiring the exhibit. Most of the guests were making their way to the main entrance, but still lingering in the museum lobby.

I caught myself looking over one of the replicas of a plaster cast body from Pompeii. I reflected on the last ten years and all of the hard work I had put into school and the museum. I had some wonderful times here and I was going to miss it.

Wanna play...naked? Harry whispered over my shoulder. He was close enough to get a whiff of my perfume, which he’d mentioned on more than one occasion drove him crazy. Sometimes his advances made me blush, but that little ego boost was always welcome.

Standing at five feet eight inches, I was not short, but he seemed so tall although he was only six or seven inches taller than me. He definitely commanded a room and he carried himself in a smooth and agile manner. I can’t get in trouble for questions like that now since you no longer work for me. So, are you ready for your trip?

I am. I flashed him a big smile; I couldn’t help flirting back with him.

Well, as your mentor, I just want to tell you I am very proud. You did a great job on this exhibit and you are going to have the best time in Italy.

I can’t wait. I want to thank you. I learned so much from you.

I can teach you some other things if you want me to stop by your place later. I giggled and blushed some more.

Harry, I scolded, I’m sure your wife would love that! I playfully slapped his arm.

She might. Should I invite her? I rolled my eyes and giggled. We always had a playful relationship. I sometimes found his charms and sex appeal hard to resist. He had amazing green eyes that mesmerized me every time I made eye contact with him.

We made our way to the edge of the exhibit and walked down the sidewall toward the main floor of the museum.

Excuse me, Jensen? I felt a tap on my shoulder and turned. It was Ted, handing me the envelope that must have fallen from my pocket. I smiled and quietly thanked him, secretly wondering if he was following me. What was with this letter? I looked at it again with hesitation.

What’s that? Harry asked. I shrugged and handed him my glass. I stared down at my name on the front of the envelope knowing deep down who it was from and trying to talk myself out of opening it. Eventually, the suspense got the best of me.

I’m not exactly sure, but I have a hunch who it could be from. I pulled open the folded letter, glanced over it, and then folded it quickly and put it back into the envelope. I rolled my eyes, but noticed Harry’s concern and decided to ease the suspense. It’s from Evan; I’m not going to put much consideration into it right now.

Well, that’s great! You shouldn’t. His loss ya know? He lifted my chin and gave me that raised eyebrow look to convince me.

Once everyone had cleared out of the museum we walked toward his office, stopping just inside the door. So did he leave? Harry finally asked.

Yep. He said he thought he was losing his soul-mate and needed to find out if it would work with Tina.

Wow! What an idiot! But you know you have bigger and better coming into your life, so you shouldn’t spend too much time worrying over some man-child that doesn’t realize what a great thing he has. I rolled my eyes again, as I’ve heard it all before so many times. Faking a smile, I turned my head to wipe one tear that was rolling down my cheek. I mean, you’re still young and going to have the best experiences and lots of hot Italian men throwing themselves at your feet! I smiled painfully.

I know. I appreciate your concern. I shoved the envelope back into my pocket but felt something heavy fall from it. Harry’s fast reflexes managed to catch it.

Hmm...strange. He held the coin up to the light and examined it. It appears to be an ancient Roman coin of some sort. Why would he give you that? I reached for it and held it closer to the light to get a better look at it, remembering a story Evan told me.

His grandmother grew up there. When she was a child she lived near an ancient ruin site. She used to play nearby and found several ancient treasures. She lost or donated all of them; this coin is the only one she ever kept. He mentioned something in this note that he wanted me to have it for good luck or some nonsense. Harry gently put it in my hand then left his hand there for a minute with that longing look on his face. Ok, ok don’t get all teary-eyed on me now. I teased.

I stared at the coin for a moment until my emotions started getting the better of me, then folded my hand around it. Grabbing my purse, I prepared myself to say goodbye. Harry threw his arms out wide for a hug. I welcomed a tight squeeze from someone I’d been looking up to for so long. He had quite the grip...or he was trying to cop a feel. Either way, I welcomed it at this point.

Good luck. You’re going to be great! Call me if you need anything! I pulled my head from his chest, pushed myself up on my tip-toes, and gently kissed him on the lips before stepping away without looking at him. Once I got a few feet away from him, I glanced back at the surprised look on his face, which made me smile.

As I walked through the lobby toward the door, I thought I felt the ground move. I didn’t stop, shrugging the feeling off on the alcohol. I barely made it to the door, though, before my head started spinning. I only had two sips of champagne; no way could that tiny bit of alcohol have caused my vertigo.

Jensen, are you ok? Ted’s whisper was barely audible. He had been holding the door, but once I stopped walking, he let it slide closed and ran to check on me. The room was spinning and it felt like the earth was shaking under me. I tried shaking it off, but felt myself swooning...

I don’t know, Ted. Are we having an earthquake? I managed to ask. He led me over to a bench and sat me down.

We don’t have earthquakes in Virginia, Jensen. Well, at least not in a few years. I looked into his eyes with panic as I gasped for breath. I’m going to call for help.

The whole building swirled around like I was on an amusement park ride. I started to feel hot and sweat dripped from my face. I could hear Ted and Harry scrambling around, Ted asked if I was asthmatic and Harry called out my name trying to keep me conscious. I felt my bag slip from my hand but somehow managed to keep the coin tightly closed inside my fist as the room went black.

Chapter Two

I woke up to the brightest sunshine coming through the window. It was almost blinding and obnoxious considering how bad I felt. My sight was blurry, but I managed to make out the silhouette of Serenity on the chair by the window. I tried calling out to her, but couldn’t speak. There appeared to be a tube in my throat. I tugged at it and finally got her attention.

Jensen? She ran over to the bed and grabbed my hands. Wait, don’t pull on it. Let me get the nurse. Just wait! I heard her yell out in the hall She’s awake. She’s finally awake!

It was only seconds until the nurse arrived to remove the tube.

Ok, Jensen, just one second. Try not to talk. When this tube comes out, your throat will be sore and you may not have much of a voice. Nod if you understand. I complied. Dr. White will be in to talk to you soon. Can I get you anything? I mouthed the word water.

Ser..ser... the nurse was right. I could hardly make a sound. I waved my hand at her to bring her closer. Serenity grinned slyly and handed me my cell phone.

It was like our minds were one; at least that hadn’t changed. She always had a way of just knowing what I needed at the right moment, whether it was a pint of ice cream to eat away my sadness or a kick in the ass because I was being too stubborn to take chances. I sent her my question via text message.

Me: What happened? Why am I here?

Serenity: The doctor is coming to talk to you about that.

Me: Serenity! Cut the shit and just tell me!

Serenity: Do you remember getting sick after the going-away party?

Me: Yes?

Serenity: You’ve been here since...in a coma

Me: What happened?

Serenity looked at me with pity in her eyes, the way she did when she wanted to tell me something but didn’t want me to get pissed.

Me: Serenity?

Surely my look of desperation would get her to spill it.

The doctor interrupted our texting.

Hi there. He grabbed the medical chart and made some scribbles, then proceeded to check my vital signs and reflexes. After shining another bright light in my eyes, he pocketed his light and finally spoke to me. Miss Webster, you have been a guest here for far too long. I think we might be able to let you go home in a couple of days since everything looks good.

I texted Serenity hoping she would relay my question to him.

Me: What’s wrong with me?

She wants to know what’s wrong with her.

He lowered his eyes and sighed. Truthfully, we couldn’t find anything wrong with you. We have run every test on you that we could and never found one thing. We just don’t know. There should be no reason that you were in a coma for three years. Serenity cringed when he said it.

Three years? It came out as a whisper, although I was yelling.

Miss Webster, all of your tests were good. You are in perfect health. You just wouldn’t wake up. We honestly have no explanation for it. I wish there was more to tell you. But the good news is, you are awake now and will be able to go home in a day or so. You will need some physical therapy to get your muscles good and strong, but that can be done on an outpatient basis. He made some final notes on the chart, patted my hand, then rushed off to see more patients.

I’m sorry Jensen. Serenity whispered and sat next to my bed. I could feel the waterworks starting to flow. I hated crying but it always came so easily to me as I wore my emotions on my sleeve. I was so damned sensitive and