Soul Sacrifice (Soul Series - book 3)

By Annie Nadine

Just when Baden begins to put Annie back together after the loss of Jory, and their lives begin to become everything they hoped it would be, Oliver and Taru intervene and cause more trouble than even they expected. More trials arise for everyone as new secrets and relationships start to reveal themselves and old flames come back to disrupt everyone’s lives. And in the middle of the chaos is the mysterious Jiel and Aliyah. Will Annie’s heart ever mend from losing her love and will she ever be able to let it go and completely belong to Baden? In the end, will it all be too much for them both?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Annie Nadine
• Release date: Aug 12, 2017
• ISBN: 9781370482948

Annie Nadine

CONTACT ME: www.facebook.com/annienadine I grew up and currently reside in Newcastle, Australia. I enjoy spending my time in my fantasies, always have and I think I always will. I began my love of writing in my early teens with poetry. I branched out to novels in my late teens and though poetry is still a love of mine, I find myself becoming more lost in my novels as the years pass.

Book preview

CHAPTER 1:

September 1805

Pain is like the sun. Though it sets it never stops existing and sure enough it returns after setting…and it burns.

Love is like the moon. In all the darkness of the night it is your only solace and you would give anything for it to remain full. You would give anything just to touch the gentleness of it. Somehow it feels out of reach, always reflecting the rays of hurt from the sun…the pain.

Annie was constantly left with these thoughts. At first they were all she could think of but as time slipped away and life moved slowly around they dulled to a background roar, like waves crashing against the sand. To others it might sound beautiful but to her it was just another reminder of…him. She still couldn’t say his name and she hadn’t been back to his grave since that first time.

Baden knew she still wasn’t whole but he never lost patience with her. Or was it that she was just different now? He still loved her with everything in him but a part of her was broken and he was taking special care to put every piece back together.

However patient he was he still found himself becoming jealous whenever he found out something intimate between Annie and Jory. Like when Baden lay with Annie as she tried to sleep for the first time she cried so hard he was scared she would die but she explained it was because Jory usually slept with her. It felt like his soul clenched inside him and he wanted to smash the bed apart and burn it before scattering the ashes into the ocean. But he had held himself back, letting out a tight lipped smile that went unnoticed by Annie.

At times when they were moving into a more private time with each other Annie would find herself steering away from going too far. Which wasn’t difficult for Baden to respect but it was the fact he suspected it was because of Jory and he was right. Annie would never admit it, even to herself, but it felt like she was cheating on Jory somehow by being with Baden, kissing him and loving him. She had everything she wanted…well almost everything. Wanting Baden as much as she did just filled her with guilt.

Though her soul was still more beautiful to him than any other, there was an ever present shadow over it. Her pain had become so stitched through her that it was starting to cover the light and the scent of what made her soul special. With every piece of her that he placed back together her true soul shone through but soon enough the pain had managed to cover a different part of her. He could barely stand to watch it.

Seeing that Annie was struggling, Baden suggested they wait until they were married to take their physical relationship any further…however challenging that might be. It was really to give Annie the excuse and time she needed to work through how she felt. So without setting a date for a wedding or even proposing, their celibacy became continuous.

Though Annie did find it increasingly hard to not be with Baden in that way the other part of her, the Jory part, was fighting hard against her desires. It was as if he was standing in the room making it almost impossible to ignore.

But Baden would wait, as he always would for Annie. It was more acceptable this way, to wait until they were married. Not that he really cared about what others thought. He just wanted to make sure he valued Annie the way she deserved.

He distinctly remembered his father sitting him and Eli down when they were young and explaining how to treat a woman. His father’s actions spoke louder than his words because he had loved their mother to no end and it had sunk deep into Baden. It made him more ashamed of the things he had done in his past, made it all the more haunting but loving Annie felt like a form of absolution. Loving someone entirely, unconditionally, with everything of him. Loving Annie in all of her perfectness and loveliness.

And in the moments he felt like he had been given too much and went quiet with guilt Annie would somehow bring him back and rescue him from himself. Through all of her own pain she still looked after him and cared for him. She still loved him and it softened his soul more each day.

Any softer and you would be a pillow, she said with a smile one day when he had told her this.

Any lovelier and I will wake to find you are but a dream, too perfect to exist, he said gathering her into his arms.

The fact that Baden could pull her out of her misery, for even a moment, showed how strong her feelings were for him and in turn it showed the extent of her misery.

As for the situation of Annie being turned into a soul snatcher, well that was a topic she tried to avoid all together. She had said she wanted to wait until she was the same age Baden had been when he was changed but that was only a small part of the reason. The real reason was that she couldn’t bear the thought of being changed so close to Jory’s death because she and Jory had planned on going through that together. To wake up completely different all by herself felt lonely and altogether frightening, especially when she was meant to have him by her side. To share it with him. Though everyone had their reservations on the idea due to her safety they decided to humor her for the time being. They didn’t want to push her into something she wasn’t ready for, even though their common sense was gnawing at them to hurry it along.

So, on they all went with their lives; Martha and Everard spending most of their time at the institution, visiting infrequently and Martha more than Everard. Annie lived with Adam, Stewart and Baden in the manor. Baden was generous enough to supply the men with their everyday needs…well the only need being clothing really. He allowed them to build up a hefty tab in his name at Antoinette’s shop. Of course she didn’t mind the job of outfitting the two strapping gentlemen. Baden didn’t mind the cost at all, he had enough money for everyone and he didn’t care what was done with it.

Occasionally Annie would sneak out to the barn to be alone. Every now and then Micah would visit then run away like a little mouse before anyone could catch them. He made her laugh and it felt good, it started to feel like old times but this time it was a real friendship forming not one based on lies and agendas.

Though one day Baden had found them in their fun and became furious at the danger she was putting herself in. She stood up to him of course and seeing no use in fighting her he and the others reluctantly allowed Micah to visit under their strict supervision. The only rule was he was not allowed anywhere near the house when Martha and/or Everard were visiting. Micah accepted their generous offer humbly and as much as it annoyed each of the men to admit it they were starting to see that Micah might have actually changed.

One night as Baden lay beside a sleeping Annie, as he did every night, she stirred from her light slumber and looked around dazed. Her thin nightdress was caught around her legs and her hair was a tangled mess as she looked around lost until she found him next to her.

Baden, she whispered his name feeling her panic ease at seeing him.

She fell back onto the pillow and curled into him, which he rather liked. He wrapped his arms around her and held her close. The warm bare skin of his chest felt nice to touch and she enjoyed that he was only wearing long johns.

Annie, he said mimicking the way she had said his name because he liked the way she had sounded. It didn’t have quite the same effect but still.

I want to marry you, she said in her sleepy haze and he froze at her words.

He didn’t think she realised what she was even saying but the thought must have been on her mind to say it…to possibly be dreaming of it. Her soul looked closer to what it had always been whilst she slept that night and it made him happy.

What he didn’t know was that she had been dreaming of them getting married and that everything was as it should be, no pain or loss and it was just the two of them. He kissed her head as she mumbled something inaudible then she drifted back into her dream. Her dream of Baden.

Baden quietly slipped off the bed and crept out of the room. He didn’t want to leave Annie for a moment but he had to tell someone what he just heard. He rushed around the house until he found Adam and Stewart in the library musing over some poems that they were reading. They sat in casual, everyday clothes and if anyone else saw them they probably would have laughed because it was the middle of the night but Baden was used to it. The two men sat in their own reading chairs by the lit fire as they talked.

Both of them looked up at Baden in question when he just stood there looking at them without speaking a word. They were completely unfazed by the lack of clothing he was wearing.

Is there something you would like to say? Stewart asked trying to hide a smile. He could see Baden seemed flustered by something and it wasn’t often that happened.

Yes, Baden answered but didn’t elaborate.

Would you like to tell us or should we guess? Adam teased and dropped the smile when Baden glared at him.

I want to ask Annie to marry me, he announced and both Adam and Stewart’s eyes widened and mouth fell agape with surprise. He looked at them brows raised, to try and spur on a reaction and when they could see he was waiting for them Stewart chimed in.

That is…. He looked at Adam for some help.

Excellent, Adam said after sifting through a group of discouraging words to find a positive one. Baden usually gave them their privacy but this time he decided to peek into their soul and he could see their hesitation.

You both think that I am making a mistake? Baden accused, anger obvious in his voice.

No! Adam and Stewart chorused together seeming a little frazzled. They looked at each other with a scolding expression.

It is just…. Stewart faltered. Should you wait? Baden’s look forced his next words. Not too long…

Do you doubt her love for me? Baden asked and Stewart’s eyes filled with panic.

No! Adam jumped in. No, not at all. Her devotion and love for you is quite clear.

However, Stewart carried on where Adam left off. She still seems…. He couldn’t quite find the word.

Bereft, Adam tried. Baden looked almost enraged at the word. Not bereft! He retracted in panic, trying to rectify his mistake.

Baden, Stewart said as evenly as he could to try to calm Baden’s rising anger. You must admit yourself that she seems a little…lost.

Baden thought for a moment as he took in his friend’s words. Without thinking he sat down on the brown leather divan close by, the seat already warmed from the fire.

She just told me that she wanted to marry me, he reasoned. The surprise was obvious on Adam and Stewart’s face so he confessed the detail he omitted. I am not certain if she was completely awake…but she said it none the less. Adam and Stewart looked at each other then back to Baden.

At the end of it all, it is obviously your choice, Stewart said deciding that he had already volunteered his opinion and didn’t need to say anything further.

Well…in that case I am going to ask her, Baden declared, deciding that even though Annie was hurting she still desired to be with him and obviously wanted to marry him.

Then I suppose we best get to planning, Adam suggested enthusiastically. No use in fighting someone when they had already made up their mind. And in truth Adam and Stewart were elated for both their friend’s future.

So Adam and Stewart placed their poetry books down and Adam quickly grabbed some paper and a quill from a desk nearby and the men got to planning how it should all come to pass. A lot of the time Baden was quick to dismiss their ideas that didn’t sit right with him and they took it with a grain of salt because, quite frankly he didn’t really like most of their ideas.

In the end they all felt they had come up with something that would be unforgettable for Annie. They were happy to be part of something that was so uplifting after all of the burdening sorrow. Now it was simply a matter of when.

CHAPTER 2:

Baden lay with Annie on the bed one night talking as they did most every night. Even though it was raining outside and the weather was getting cooler she was wearing a rather light nightdress. Baden opted for just his long johns which she didn’t object to at all.

Sometimes they shared their dreams, other times their fears. Sometimes they talked about the useless, silly things because after exposing your soul to another so often it’s nice just to stay in the shallows and wade rather than in the deep and swim until your limbs hurt.

This particular night they were laughing at how Adam had done something clumsy, as he seemed to do often, even though he was a soul snatcher. It was an anomaly to them all because he was meant to be agile and graceful, which most of the time he was, but sometimes it was as if he forgot that he wasn’t human and would do something so clumsy it looked bizarre. This time, his mistake resulted in him trying to piece back together one of Martha’s expensive vases. The look of distress on Adam’s face, his frantic attempts to gather himself and the porcelain together were priceless.

Annie was clutching her stomach as tears of laughter rolled down her cheeks from the memory. She tried to say something but she couldn’t quite push the words out and it made Baden and her laugh even harder.

You should tell him it was a family heirloom, Baden said through his laughter.

They were crumpled on the bed with their faces close together on the pillow as they let out their fun together. After the laughter faded and Annie had wiped the tears from her face they drifted into a comfortable silence that brought them some peace. He fiddled with her hand and kissed it after a time.

How are you? He asked looking at her through her fingers. She let out a giggle that was left over from their boisterous laughter before she answered.

I am good, she answered looking at him as if he wasn’t making any sense.

"I mean, how are you?" He repeated trying to show his meaning without changing his words. She saw that he was referring to Jory and he hadn’t said his name because they had a strict ‘no naming’ policy.

I… She was about to lie and say she was fine but she decided not to.

There was no use in lying because she was so terrible at hiding her emotions. It’s not that she would want to keep anything from him, it’s just that she didn’t want to burden him with her pain.

So far she had been open with him about how she felt. Unless she thought it was something that would only hurt him, like the reason she didn’t want to be changed. In that case, as long as she knew the way she felt was going to change she decided to keep the process under wraps. He knew she was hurting and he knew why, no use adding more pain by showing how much she was hurting.

I feel like it will get easier, she said, sidestepping having to really answer.

It was the best she could do but it would do for now. Baden pulled her into his arms and she closed her eyes from the pleasure of it. If she was honest with herself, she actually did feel a little more… mended? Maybe that was too big a call but it was close enough.

Can I take you out tomorrow? He asked, his hand tickling along her back.

His touch started to send that certain tingle through her that made her forget who she was. Her nightdress was sheer and thin, him shirtless with sleepwear only on the bottom, not leaving much between them. She was enjoying touching his bare skin and their physical proximity became more distracting as the lighter mood from earlier drifted away.

And where would you like to take me? She said flirtatiously. He leaned his face towards hers and grazed his lips against her ear.

To my secret lair so I can have you to myself, he purred seductively and her face went warm from thoughts of what they might get up to in that ‘secret lair’. She wrapped her arms around his neck and brushed her face against his.

And what will we be doing there? She whispered not being able to muster her usual voice. He caught onto her meaning and couldn’t help the raised eyebrow that shot up of its own volition.

It was easy to get carried away and forget all the rules that you previously had in place when you loved someone and they were laying, half naked next to you.

Well, he whispered getting swept up in her intensity. I think I might have to discover if that blush covers any other part of you.

His hand drifted down her back slowly and it caused her to shiver against him. He smiled, pleased at her reaction and it made his own body respond to hers. When his hand went low enough and knowing she felt safe with him he gripped her backside, pulling her closer to him. Her face felt like it was on fire and her heart raced with excitement.

Can you bite me? She asked before she could keep the request to herself.

Surprise lit his eyes and she felt embarrassed that she had revealed her fantasy. She bit her bottom lip as if she was waiting to be scolded.

I mean…like when we were at the house…when I first realised what you were. She tried to explain her desire but felt it came out sounding even more absurd. At least he had told her about the special bane he had used, so it made more sense with that reason.

Baden’s mouth started to water and he had to swallow to hold himself back. Annie’s breathing was heavy and escaped from her mouth and over her lips, brushing over his on its journey. His hand gripped harder on her and made her take in a sharp breath of pleasure. He couldn’t help his gaze as it first fell to her lips, then her neck and then her breasts. It was obvious he was trying to hold himself back.

I know you will not hurt me, she encouraged. Finding more nerve she moved further into his body and whispered in his ear. You can bite me anywhere you like, she offered as she wrapped her fingers into his hair and looked at him pleadingly.

He swallowed hard and tried to steady his breathing. They were well and truly tangled together amongst the sheets on the bed, pressed together with nothing between them but heat and desire.

I do not want to frighten you, he said losing the battle with himself.

You will not, she assured. Now that it was out there and he hadn’t laughed in her face she wanted it even more. She could feel how much he wanted it too.

We might go too far, he reasoned, referring to waiting until they were married.

It will just be one…solitary bite…one, she bargained. No further.

At the moment she couldn’t even care less if they went further or not. She secretly hoped that they would. For the first time in so long she was completely lost in the moment and forgot about any pain and heartache. All she could think about was Baden.

The silence was thick as he contemplated doing what she was asking. It felt like an eternity passed before he answered.

Where? Was all he asked. Her eagerness went into overdrive as she realised he was asking where he should bite her.

Anywhere… she said it so quietly it was merely a breath and anyone else would have missed it.

He looked at her neck and she could see he was going to go for the safe option, so she tilted her face to the side to expose her skin a little more. He rolled them over so she was on her back and he was leaning over her, pushing against her. She slipped either leg beside him so he could get closer, as close as he possibly could. He leaned towards her slowly, giving her enough time to ask him to stop if she wanted to back out.

He started with her lips, kissing her slowly…intensely. Her body responded in kind and it made her heart beat to the tone of their craving as her breathing deepened. Moving from her lips he dragged his mouth along her skin to her neck. She reached her arms around him and held onto his back as he gripped her hips. He had to control himself so he didn’t tear the material off her body and give in to his urge to have her.

He grazed his teeth against her neck and is sent a shiver through her. She wasn’t able to stop her body moving closer to his. Then his teeth sunk into her and suddenly the bane rushed through her veins. It was like when you’re sitting in the dark and someone unexpectedly lights the room. It’s blinding and takes a moment to adjust but when you do, everything is clearer.

She bit her lip to hold back any noises that tried to escape and her body was filled with sheer pleasure as he pushed himself hard against her and gripped her hips as if it was his only anchor. She felt his warm, tingly bane sink into her and through her and it was saturated with love and desire.

Baden was nervous before he took the bite. He was worried that she would be scared but as she breathed heavily into his ear trying to hold back the pleasure it was causing her, his worries were abated. She gripped the back of his neck and pulled him against her more and he drank from her, taking her into him. No one had ever tasted the way she did, all milky and sweet. But it was more, she not only tasted good but she felt good. She felt like peace and desire and love all wrapped into one comforting gift as she seeped into him. It was sublime.

When he had measured out that he had taken enough he drew his last mouthful and covered her neck with his hand. It was a neat bite and would heal quickly and without pain thanks to the overdose of bane he had leaked into her. The bane was prone to heal the wound it had created which made the experience more enjoyable for the participant.

Annie lay against the pillow with her eyes closed still feeling the effects of him through her body.

That was… but she couldn’t find the words. He smiled a little as he checked her neck, it was starting to look better already.

You are incredible, he said leaning down and kissing her lips briefly and softly.

You are, she said drowsily.

Now, keep in mind you will feel as if you have been drinking and are intoxicated, Baden warned as he slowly pulled his hand away from her neck after seeing it had closed over. The last time this happened your fear would have overthrown anything else.

Not this time, she said a little loudly and laughed for no reason. He smiled at how cute she was. She looked around the room and everything was spinning.

Now, I am just going to clean your neck, he forewarned. Do you have any objections? He asked knowing she wouldn’t. She shook her head erratically, being silly, and he smiled even wider.

He leaned down and sucked the rest of the blood of her neck, which she rather enjoyed. It brought her back from the intoxication feeling and now everything was concentrated on how much she wanted Baden. She sat up abruptly and he looked at her as if she was a wild animal he had to watch.

Careful now, he said as he wrapped his arm around her waist and fell onto the bed, placing her next to him. She scurried on top of him and straddled him, pinning his arms down.

Now you must do as I say, she demanded with a cheeky grin on her face.

You may be slightly stronger because my bane is running through you, he said before he moved so quickly she didn’t even see it.

Suddenly they went from her domineering position to him holding her down, using his body against her and holding her hands above her head with only one of his. His other free arm was comfortably wrapped around her waist. He was gentle with her and she felt safe with him.

But do not forget, not as strong as me, he said playfully.

She snapped her teeth at him playfully, pretending she was the ferociously, feared snatcher instead of him and he outright laughed at her fun. He nuzzled his face into her neck and he almost asked her to marry him right there but something stopped him. Maybe it was that he wanted her to be completely in control of herself and not drunk on his bane…or maybe it was that he was scared she would refuse him. Either way, he kept his question to himself and decided to say the next thing on his mind.

I love you, he said and kissed her neck where he had bitten, in a way to apologise for harming the perfect skin of her neck.

I…love…you, she said and though she meant it, it was obvious she was still running high on his bane He pulled his head back and looked at her.

Tomorrow we will have an outing, he decided, getting back to his plan.

We will do anything you like, she answered through a yawn. Why am I so tired all of a sudden?

You may not be accustomed to the ways of a drunk but after a night full of drinking it usually tires the person, he explained as he watched her eyelids become heavy.

Will you promise me something? She said as he released her. She cuddled into his side as soon as she was free and he willingly held onto her.

Anything, he said before he knew what it was.

Can you always be mine? She asked as sleep crowded in.

Always, he vowed as she drifted off to sleep.

Baden spent the night going over in his mind the plan for the next day. Most of his fears were gone but any that he had before tonight were washed away.

As Annie slept peacefully in his arms he realised that he was one of the fortunate ones who had gotten everything he never deserved and he was more grateful for it than anyone could ever know.

CHAPTER 3:

Tomorrow came and it was a brilliant day, no sight of rain and the sun was shining to its brightest. It literally couldn’t be any more prefect, even the breeze was warm for that time of year.

Baden took Annie in town for afternoon tea. It was all so she could be distracted whilst Adam and Stewart set up his other part of the plan.

Baden was dressed decently in a suit but he left off most of the items he found useless, which was most of them. So he was left in trousers, shirt and jacket which found him preposterously handsome in its simplicity. Annie was in a simple but lovely town dress that he had bought her. The soft blue colour and the delicate material were flattering and they made a striking couple. She wore her hair up in soft curls, atop her head because it was Baden’s favorite hairstyle. Eyes followed them where they went as they drew people to distraction with their combined loveliness but they didn’t care for they only noticed each other.

Annie and Baden sat in a quiet booth, off to the back of the establishment that was obviously equipped for the wealthy. It was sophisticated and regal with its overstuffed leather chairs and dark lighting. The waiters were well dressed and a small but dignified stringed quartette was playing quietly off to the side. It was an elite and unique place and Annie wondered how Baden managed to secure them a reservation. She started to think he may have planned ahead for something but she wasn’t sure why.

Their conversation was light and fun as she drank champagne, ate delicious cheeses and fruits in their private booth. He liked watching her eat, her delicate hands managing the food almost seductively without her realising. The way she let her drink fall over her lips and into her mouth made him wish he was the champagne itself.

Tell me, if you could go back through time or forward towards the future, what would you choose? Baden asked her.

He always enjoyed how her mind worked and was fascinated by who she was. He loved asking her random questions because she was random herself and if she hadn’t already pondered on a subject that he broached, she could easily come up with some opinions in an instant. They sat close in the booth, his arm resting around her shoulders as she leaned into him with ease as he waited for her answer.

Let me think… She said tapping her finger against her chin as if she was concentrating. He smiled at her loveliness.

How would I travel to either? She eventually asked and he had been so distracted by her that he had to think for a moment as to what he had asked.

Oh, it would be… he paused, trying to concoct an answer she would most enjoy. There is a mysterious enchanted river, in a far off country, he started saying as if it might very well be true. If you drift with the current you are taken into the future but if you swim against it you are taken back to the past. Her eyes lit up with his exciting explanation and he could tell she thoroughly enjoyed it. No one has returned from the river, he added to make it more fun for her.

"Then I would say that I might