Soul Bound

By Jack Trader

Death, soul mates, and Hell, with a side of assassination attempts. Athena’s life turned kaddy-corner when she finds her grandmother dead, her best friend has powers, and oh yeah, her real father is the Master of Hell. Can her new court, new friends, and new soul mate figure out how to save her kingdom all while staying alive?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Page Publishing, Inc.
• Release date: Jan 7, 2022
• ISBN: 9781684569694

Book preview

cover.jpg

Soul Bound

Jack Trader

Copyright © 2021 Jack Trader

All rights reserved

First Edition

PAGE PUBLISHING, INC.

Conneaut Lake, PA

First originally published by Page Publishing 2021

ISBN 978-1-68456-968-7 (pbk)

ISBN 978-1-68456-969-4 (digital)

Printed in the United States of America

Table of Contents

Chapter 1

Chapter 2

Chapter 3

Chapter 4

Chapter 5

Chapter 6

Chapter 7

Chapter 8

Chapter 9

Chapter 10

Chapter 11

Chapter 12

Chapter 13

Chapter 14

Chapter 15

Chapter 16

Chapter 17

Chapter 18

Chapter 19

Chapter 20

Chapter 21

Chapter 22

Chapter 23

Chapter 24

Chapter 25

Chapter 26

Acknowledgments

I want to thank my family and friends for believing in me. I’d like to especially show appreciation to my grandmother to be the first to read my book and put up with my hounding, my aunt for helping (through the process, my parents for supporting me, and most importantly, my son for giving me the time to start my dreams.

Chapter 1

Ath! I turn my head and pause, waiting for Sam to come barreling out of the school.

"Hey, are we going to hang out this weekend? What did you get on that Spanish quiz? Did you see the hunk in first period? Drool!" And on she goes. Don’t get me wrong, I love Samantha. She is the closest thing I have to a sister, but, man, can she talk.

Um, yeah? I turn and say, hoping she thinks I was listening. She glances at me but continues on like I didn’t say anything.

Hey, Sam! Jared calls from somewhere behind us. She glances back, then turns to me, pleading with her eyes like a puppy.

I chuckle at her expression. Go ahead, Sam. It’s not like I need to be babysat. Besides, me and Leo are going to hang out and go for a run today.

She smirks at me but doesn’t comment, skipping away to see her new boy toy.

She gets a new guy at least every three weeks, and with her glossy long blond hair and a body to die for, it’s an easy sport. She sashays up to him and runs her manicured hand down his chest. He wraps his arms around her, pulling her close. I roll my eyes and turn toward my car.

Getting in and throwing my bags into the seat, I speed out of the parking lot. I think over my day and mentally groan over the excessive homework they had given us. We were on our last leg of senior year, and we had already taken the finals for most of the classes. They only gave out busy work for the stragglers now.

I took the time to admire the trees and the winding roads. I loved my home. I had lived in Aspen, Colorado, all my life, and for some, that would bother them, never having the adventurous life, but not me. I was content. I pull in the driveway and collect my crap, throwing the bag over my shoulder.

Mom! I’m home! I scream, coming into the living room.

I see that, dear. How was school? She’s drying her hands with the rag and reaches over to run her fingers through my hair and envelops me in a hug.

Eh, the usual. I got an A on my Spanish final today and didn’t get in a fight. You? I throw my bag, and it lands with a hard thump near the recliner.

Great job! And same. Sold stuff, bought stuff, made stuff. She smiles sweetly over to me as I race into the kitchen, following my nose and her warning about the still-warm chocolate chip cookies. I grab one, or three, and shove them each into my mouth, moaning at the heavenly taste.

So what did you buy? I say, wiping the crumbs from my mouth.

She glances at the window when a bird lands on the feeder. More books that seemed interesting and some things for your father.

I brighten and sit up from the thought. Mom collects books, while Dad collects…weapons. I’ve known how to fight since before I was potty-trained. Guns, swords, knives, everything, you name it, and my dad has it.

What kind of things? I grin at her, and she looks down and gives me the did-you-really-just-ask-that face. I smile and go to find Dad.

He is in the garage, sweetheart. Be careful. He is in a foul mood. She snorts.

Huh. That means he is overreacting again. I go grab another cookie before changing into my workout clothes.

Ten minutes later, I’m holding the punching bag steady for Dad’s quick and fatal love taps. He’s fast and big. He has to turn to get through the doors in the house, and his arms are thicker than my thigh. But, man, is he quick. He bounces around and scowls at his opponent.

I risk speaking. So…what’s up, Dad? I wince when he delivers a hard combo. He glances up at me and smirks.

This douche at work doesn’t know the difference between up and down. He is a complete moron, and the board wants to put him as the new manager, morons. He mutters that last part. Well, technically, being a douche doesn’t make you a moron.

I wince again as he lets off some more steam. He glances up and grimaces, and I find a good opening to lift his mood even more. I jump back, pushing the bag up and into his face, and he staggers back in surprise but quickly gets his bearings and widens his stance, smiling.

I remember when I was little and how he would tap me around the room. But now we don’t tap. Sparring every day, we eventually made full contact blows, and they got harder. I love sparring with my dad—the rush, the sweat, the adrenaline pumping and making everything clearer.

His pole swings around, and I’m too slow. It connects with my shoulder, sending a sharp pain up my neck. I flinch but step back and to the side not giving up. Now, holding most of the weight with my uninjured arm, I turn and jump up over his low swing and come down hard onto his pole, trapping it. I swipe my weapon down, aiming toward his head. I twist my wrist just in time, like we practiced for so long, and miss. He looks down at me beaming. I glance up and smirk. Ha! Score 1 for me!

I narrow my eyes at him. You didn’t let me win this time, did you? I ask.

Now he smirks but shakes his head. No, that one was all you. Well done, Athena, he says with pride. How’s the shoulder? he asks, concern tinging his voice.

My shoulder? Oh, yeah. Now that you mention it, it hurts like a bitch! I chuckle and lightly punch his arm. He growls at my vulgar language but doesn’t comment.

Come on, Mom made cookies, and I’m hungry again, I say behind me, heading up the stairs.

Athena, his voice commanding, you know the rules.

Ugh, I roll my eyes but make my way up to my room to shower.

When I get out, I change into my jeans, sneakers, T-shirt, and jacket, writhing with anticipation for my run. It’s a weekly ritual with me and Leo. Ah, Leo. Sam may be like my sister, but Leo is my absolute best friend. We tell each other everything. He has been there for me since before I can remember. My grandmother had raised him, and it had just been a few weeks that he had gotten his own place.

Actually, I really can’t remember a time without him. With his gleaming emerald eyes and floppy black hair, he’s always been there for me. His long, lean legs and sculpted physique catching me when I fall. He was only a few months older than me and had turned eighteen a few months ago. My birthday was this month, and I was excited to finally be considered a legal adult.

I run downstairs. As I’m setting the table, the front door opens, and Leo comes sauntering into the kitchen. He’s so full of himself. I roll my eyes as do my parents. He grabs a plate and loads it with food. He was close to my entire family and basically lived either here, my grandma’s, or his new little apartment.

So how was school today, kids? Dad mutters around a mouthful of steak, and Mom pokes him with her fork. He mutters an apology. Leo and I glance at each other and giggle. They can be such teenagers.

It was good, Pops. Got a B on my final today! Leo says with a cocky wave of his hand.

I feign nonchalance. Oh, on the Spanish final?

Yeah…, he says, not buying my act.

Oh, that’s good, I say, and my eyes twinkle when Mom plays along.

Ath, weren’t you telling me you got an A or something on that? She looks to Dad and sees the smile tugging at his lips.

Well, at least I don’t lock myself in my room to study all the time, Leo says, a cute blush stealing across his face.

Hey, I offered to help you study, but you wanted to play video games instead.

We all chuckle, including Leo.

We’re quiet a minute as we all inhale our food, except Mom who tries to take dainty little bites.

So how was work, honey? she asks, and Dad’s gaze darkens, but when he looks at me and sees me smirking about my new win, he sighs.

Some douche—I mean man, who doesn’t even know anything about the company just got the new manager job I was looking at. But I did finally finish that paperwork from the last run of things.

Oh, that’s good news. You’ve been stressing about that for a while. She gives him a small pat on the arm before rising to gather the dishes. I glance at the clock, and my face splits in two. Leo does the same, and we are looking at each other like a bunch of loons.

Mom, Dad, can we go now?

They both roll their eyes.

Yes, and don’t forget to keep your phone on you.

But Leo and I are already heading out the door.

We race off into the woods, swooping, dodging, jumping, and barely missing the trees. We swerve in graceful patterns around each other. The vivid colors of fall race by as we skirt around the fallen logs and under the low branches. My hand raises and grasps one branch, and its roughness pulls against my calloused hand. I swing up and grab the next and the next, letting everything fade away and just listen and smell and feel and hear. Leo leaps from boulder to boulder, his hair streaming back. He looks so carefree, so happy, so young. He glances up at me and smiles, then falls.

My heart lurches into my throat, and fear spikes through me. He tumbles to a nearby bush and stops. I land and run to his side.

Leo? Leo! I shout, and he rolls his head back to look up at me. He looks stunned but otherwise okay.

Ow. He reaches up to rub his head. That hurt, he mutters.

I pull his hand away and run my fingers delicately over the bump forming on his head, testing for cuts. His breathe catches, and I quickly pull away.

I’m sorry. Did that hurt? I gaze into his stunned wide eyes.

He swallows. No, just surprised me. You seemed worried? He smirks up at me, and I punch his shoulder.

Ow, hey, what was that for?

For scaring the shit out of me! And of course, I was worried, Leo. I love you. You know that. You’re my best friend. Besides, who else could kind of keep up with me? I smirk down at his stunned face, which slowly changes to mock outrage.

Kind of? Please, I left you in the dust. He gets up and brushes off his front.

I chuckle when he turns around. Gosh, Leo, more like fell in it. I walk over to him and wipe the dirt and grass from his shirt.

Care for round two? he asks, turning and looking down at me with competition written all over his face.

No, thanks. I don’t want to hurt the little baby anymore. Can we just walk? I wink up at him, and he stills then growls at me.

I am not a child, Athena. I’m a grown-ass man, and you’d do well to remember that. He stalks off to the meadow with the creek and our campsite.

This place has been our sanctuary since we were little. We found it and built a few benches centered around a makeshift hut. We have even camped out here. No one knows about it, save for my parents and grandmother, who lives close by, but they have never been and probably couldn’t find it.

Yes, a very big, strong, handsome man who stomps off and pouts whenever he doesn’t get his way. I chuckle.

Handsome? You think I’m handsome? he says with amusement clear in his voice, forgetting his anger.

Well, it’s obvious everyone does, silly. Don’t you hear all those sighs when girls walk down the halls?

Sure. His brow crinkles in confusion. But I didn’t know you thought I was handsome. His eyes gleam, and for some unknown reason, I start to blush.

Well, duh, of course, you are. You’ve always been good-looking.

He laughs and sits down on the nearby log that we set into place years ago. Always? His eyes are twinkling, and he smirks.

Oh, stop with the ego boost already. I lean over and grab a long hefty stick, getting into the ready fighting position. Want to spar?

He chuckles at my obvious attempt to dispel the awkwardness and gets up, grabbing a stick of his own.

I eye him warily as he crouches low, scooping up a pine cone. He throws it at me, and it surges toward my face. I instinctively swipe down, blocking the projectile, but he is running toward me, stick held high. The tactic wasn’t to hurt but to put my own weapon in a position that couldn’t block his strike.

I step forward and to the side with my weapon held hip high, pointing to the ground. He gets within two feet of me before I surge out and turn, swiping across his back. He staggers but finds his footing. Turning, he glares with playful ire at my trickery.

He jumps up to the bench and runs to the end, backflipping wide of my position. Thinking he missed, I turn and lower my stick to taunt him, but he is swinging the stick to my shoulder. The same shoulder. Oh crap. The impact knocks the breath from my lungs, and I cry out.

Athena? Leo flinches and immediately drops the seemingly harmless stick. Athena! I’m sorry!

I look at him and give him a reassuring smile, I hope.

It’s okay, Leo. Dad and I were sparring today, and he knocked it too. I’m fine. This time, my smile is a little more confident. He still looks upset though and walks over, gently putting his hand over mine.

Let me see, he whispers, concern clearly evident in his soft voice.

I’m fine, Leo, I say with exasperation but lift my hand out from under his.

He gently lifts my arm and grabs the sleeve of my jacket, slowly pulling it down and off my tender shoulder. My breath catches, but it’s not from pain. He looks up into my eyes, and he stills, eyes changing to a darker green. He starts pulling the jacket down with sensitive fingers again slowly.

I gulp. What the hell…? His eyes don’t leave mine as he pulls my jacket off the other arm and tosses it near our seats. Eyes flaming, he reaches up and gently, oh so gently, grazes his soft fingers over the already-darkening bruise.

I’m sorry, he whispers and leans down, brushing his lips over the sensitive skin. My heart stops and picks up with such force, it’s almost painful. The tiny hairs on my arm rise with the contact, and I gasp.

He leans back up and, fingers still grazing over my skin, scrutinizes my face. What? Cat got your tongue? For some reason, his eyes are laughing at a joke I don’t get. I shake my head and lean forward, teasing him. My face is inches from his, and I bat my eyelashes. He gasps, and his eyes grow wide.

I lose all nerve as his hand moves from my shoulder up my neck and cups my cheek. His eyes ask a question. I tremble and lean forward, breath coming out in gasps, answering his question with my body.

His eyes slightly widen before his smile dazzles me. He leans down and waits, asking again for permission, and I lean my head back in answer. Our lips lightly touch, and my breath catches. He pulls away and stares into my eyes. I lean up once more, and he bends down, capturing my lips with his own, this one deepening further. His arms fold around me, and I plant my hands delicately on his muscular chest. When we break for a breath, he steps back slightly to look at me, his eyes alight in wonder.

Wow…, that was worth the wait. His smile is glowing with happiness.

I blush and bury my face in his chest. He holds me tight and sighs.

We sit on the ground, looking out over the creek, his arm around me, and my head snuggly put on his shoulder.

You know, you’re the first person I’ve ever kissed.

He stays still beside me and leans back. But what about that one asshole you dated our sophomore year? he asks, clearly surprised.

I shake my head and blush, looking down.

No, definitely not him. He got drunk at a party and tried to grab me, but I kneed him in the crotch and walked away. And we didn’t date, we went on a date. I look up and hear his soft oh. He pulls me close again and tries to stifle his anger at the other guy before asking, Well, are we dating?

I freeze and start to stammer out an answer, Well, if you… I mean…um…yes? I quickly look away, trying in vain to hide the blush racing across my face. Jeez, I’ve never been so embarrassed. And with Leo!

He gently puts his fingers under my chin and pulls my face around to meet his steady gaze. I love you, Athena. I’ve loved you for a long time, he whispers, stilling my heart again. My eyes widen, and I tear up.

His shocked breath comes quickly, and he pulls me into a hug, enveloping me into his long, strong arms. Don’t cry. Please, don’t cry. He pulls back and kisses the tears off my cheek and stares into my eyes. What is it? he asks with concern.

I choke back more tears, feeling foolish. I love you too, Leo.

Then why are you crying? he asks, throwing his hands up.

Because I didn’t know I loved you this way until you kissed me. I chuckle at myself, and then he does too, and before we know it, we are both in tears from laughing.

Why, Leo? Why now? How did you know? I lay my head on his chest and look at his face, seeing everything in a different way now.

He sighs. I’ve known for a long time. Like I said, I’ve always loved you, but I was scared, scared you wouldn’t love me the same way, scared I’d ruin everything, scared I’d lose you. I need you, Athena. You’re my best friend and the love of my life. His eyes smolder with his confession, and I rise up, staring at my new, gosh, boyfriend. I lean over and press my lips to his, eyes fluttering closed as I savor this new activity.

I guess we better head back now, he says, gripping me tighter, not wanting to let me go. I snuggle in tighter before getting up and dusting myself off. He props up on his elbows. I love you, Ath. He grins up at me, and I freeze, shocked at his nonchalant way of saying something so groundbreaking. He always was good to look at, but I never indulged because I never thought he would want me this way, but now…wow.

He smirks. Like the view? But now, I notice new emotions swirling in his emerald eyes.

No, I was looking at all the dirt on you, I say, but my eyes twinkle at him, and he pulls me down. I gasp in pain as the impact jars my bruised shoulder. Man, that hurts.

He quickly sits up and looks at me with concern. I really am sorry…, he whispers and pouts. He is so cute that I laugh, and he scowls up at me.

I lean forward and plant a sloppy kiss on his mouth but pull back before he can react. I wink and bolt through the woods, heading to Grandma’s house.

We raced back through the trees, not for competition, merely for the enjoyment of running. The wind whipped my long hair back, and it seemed to brush lovingly across my cheek.

The sun was setting slowly over the horizon, and we slowed to a walk when my grandmother’s house appeared before us. She had a happy small yellow house with the prettiest gardens encompassing the whole property. She had various herbs and flowers and ivies twisting in unorganized rows and clumps. I had always offered to help rearrange the plants to better organize the garden, but she always told me nature grew where it wanted.

My heart stopped at the sight of the wide-open door and the pool of blood dripping down the steps.

Chapter 2

Leo pulled me back as I leaned forward, my throat readying to yell for my grandma. I turned on him, anger clogging my throat, but pause at his look. He motions to be silent and crouches low, moving me behind him. I mimic his actions and try to ignore the fear that has stormed my body.

The blood streams down the porch and drips over the edge, making it apparent that the house is tilted to one side. There is no way of getting through the door without stepping into the river of red, and I only hope my grandma was okay enough to