Life's Depths of Souls

By Amy Shannon

Raina has always felt her depths of souls, little by little. She even learned to control them. Now, one magical touch from an unlikely source, gives her the power to feel all of them. All the depths come crashing into her body as she begins to feel and heal.

Her new investigation and assignment take her into a totally unexpected direction. Men from the past ingratiate themselves into her lives when the secrets of past deaths and past crimes come into focus.

A new beginning starts in her life as she tries to protect the ones she loves from a betrayal in her own lab. Will the tampered drugs cause fatal errors? Will she be able to revive the ones that are most precious to her? Will her family turn on her once again? Or will they become closer to her as they finally experience her pain?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Amy Shannon
• Release date: Oct 9, 2023
• ISBN: 9798215696644

Amy Shannon

Amy Shannon is an author, professional book reviewer and literary consultant. Amy is republishing and publishing some for the first time, her MOD Life Epic Saga, which has over 67 volumes, and 9 bonus books.

Book preview

Life’s Depths of Souls

Amy Shannon

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Essence Publishing

Ballston Spa, NY 12020

https://essenceenterpriseus.com/essence-publishing

2023 Edition

Copyright © 2023 by Amy C Shannon

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means without the prior written permissions of the author, except by a review who may quote brief passages in a review to be printed in a newspaper, magazine, or journal.

This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, businesses, places, events, and incidents are either the products of the author’s imagination or used in a fictitious manner. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events is purely coincidental.

Thank you for downloading this ebook. This book remains the copyrighted property of the author and may not be redistributed to others for commercial or non-commercial purposes. If you enjoyed this book, please encourage your friends to download their own copy from their favorite authorized retailer. Thank you for your support.

Credits:

Cover Illustration Copyright © 2023

Cover design by Amy Shannon

The Entire MOD Life Epic Saga

1 Unwritten Life

2 Rewritten Life (Best Read after Unwritten Life)

3 Unwritten Life's Paths to Destiny (Best Read after Rewritten Life)

4 Written Life's Past Meets Present (Best Read after Rewritten Life)

5 Life's Written Past

6 Life's Unwritten Future

7 Another Written Life

8 Life Rewritten

9 Unwritten Life & Death

10 Life's Healer

11 Life's Hindering Hope

12 Life's Binding Ties

13 Life's Resurrection

14 Life's Infiltration

15 Life's Revival

16 Life's Depths of Souls

17 Life's Explosion in Time

18 Life's Connections

19 Life's Collision

20 Life's Intersection

21 Life's Final Destination

22 Life's Generations

23 Return to Life

24 Life's Resolution

25 A New Unwritten Life

26 Life's Dissolution

27 Life's Linear Souls

28 Life's Choices

29 Life's Passions

30 Life's Awakening

31 Life's Vengeance

32 Life's Heartful Depths

33 Life's Quaking Souls

34 Fractured Life

35 Life's Drowning

36 Life's Exploration

37 Life's Curative

38 Thicker than Life's Blood

39 Life's Salvation

40 Capturing Life's Midnight

41 Life's ReEvolution

42 Life's Soulful Intentions

43 Life's Jagged Flames

44 Life's Rising Depths

45 Life's Doomed Immortality

46 Life's Raw Enforcement

47 Life's Deemed Corruption

48 Life's Inherent Immorality

49 Life's Retrospective Legacy

50 Life's Torturous Souls

51 Life's Passages

52 Life's Tribulations

53 Life's Spirituality

54 Life's Revitalizations

55 Life's Rapture

56 Life's Sacred Retaliation

57 Life's Fiery Resuscitation

58 Life's Experimentation

59 Life's Redemption

60 Life's Humanity

61 The District Life: Districtive

62 The District Life: Disarray

63 The District Life: Disassembled

64 The District Life: Disapparent

65 Life's Return: Home Sweet Sars Springs

66 Life's Return: The Practice

67 Sars Springs: The finale

Bonus Series:

B1 Life's Perspective: Matthew Garris (Best Read after Life's Binding Ties)

B2 Life's Perspective: Bill Wheeler (Best Read after Life's Binding Ties)

B3 Life's Perspective: Perspective: Mike Dix (Best Read after Life's Connections)

B4 Life's Alternate Path: Destiny ... Rewritten (Alternate Path Parallel to Unwritten Life & Death to Life's Binding Ties)

B5 Life's Alternate Path: Destiny ... Crossroads (Alternate Path Parallel to Life's Resurrection to Life's Depths of Souls)

B6 Life's Alternate Path: Destiny ... Intertwined (Alternate Path Parallel to Life's Explosion in Time to Life's Connections)

B7 Sars Springs Handbook (Best Read after Life's Torturous Souls)

B8 The Interview: Life's Revelations (Best Read after Life's Fiery Resuscitation)

B9 M.O.D Life Epic Saga Character Guide

Introduction

Raina has always felt her depths of souls, little by little. She even learned to control them. Now, one magical touch from an unlikely source, gives her the power to feel all of them. All the depths come crashing into her body as she begins to feel and heal.

Her new investigation and assignment take her into a totally unexpected direction. Men from the past ingratiate themselves into her lives when the secrets of past deaths and past crimes come into focus. A new beginning starts in her life as she tries to protect the ones she loves from a betrayal in her own lab. Will the tampered drugs cause fatal errors? Will she be able to revive the ones that are most precious to her? Will her family turn on her once again? Or will they become closer to her as they finally experience her pain?

1 Lessons

DR. RAINA MARKUM glared into her husband’s eyes. Terry, what are you saying? she cried.

If you do this, I’m leaving. I’m sick and tired of worrying about you, Terry crossed his arms and turned his back to her.

"How dare you threaten me! It took me over a year to find this place. Now that I have, you’re going to leave me? How dare you even threaten to leave me! You don’t love me," Raina cried.

Terry turned around. I’m sorry. I can’t deal with this right now. You decide. Our marriage or your damn job! he walked out of the kitchen and slammed the front door.

Raina stared down the entryway. What the hell is going on with him? she wiped her eyes and picked up the phone. Momma?

Raina, what’s wrong? Alex O’Roark asked.

Terry threatened to leave me if I go undercover. I don’t know what to do. Momma, I don’t want to lose my husband, but this is so important to me.

"Raina, if you don’t do this, you and Terry won’t make it. You’ll end up being angry with him for making you choose. I know why this is so important to you. It’s important to all of us, but only you can decide. I think Terry will come around, even if I have to beat it out of him."

Momma, what do I do about Starr?

Raina, I’ll be happy to take her while you’re gone. Don’t worry about anything. You need to do this. I don’t know why Terry isn’t supporting you, but your father and I do. This entire town needs to know. You’re the only one that can get in and get out with all the information that we need.

Thanks. I have an idea. I’ll talk to you soon, Raina hung up the phone.

She took a deep breath and headed out the door. She stopped when she noticed Terry, in the driveway washing his car. She walked up to him. "Do you still want to leave me?"

Terry turned toward her. Doc, I just can’t go through life alone without you. I’m so sorry. I love you very much. I know that your career is important to you, but you’re already a cop. You’re a respected and intelligent doctor. Why do you have to join the FBI? Terry sighed.

Baby, it’s not for me. Besides, it’s just temporary. I’ve always had the credentials but stopped using them years ago. I need to do it for the undercover assignment. I have to find them. I need to know. I’ve spent the past year trying to find that secret lab and I finally did.

"I understand. I just always worry about you. Ever since we’ve been together, there is always someone trying to kill you. Either for your mind or your body," Terry sighed.

I want you to come with me, Raina said.

What?

"I want you to come undercover with me. I want you to be my partner," she grinned.

Are you sure you can do this? Terry’s eyes lit up. I mean, is it possible? I’m not an Agent. I’m just a cop.

Oh, Baby, you’re more than just a cop. Besides, there isn’t anyone I’d rather have with me. Momma said that she’ll watch Starr for us.

Terry touched her cheek. I’m sorry I said all of that to you. I worry about you so much. You’ve been through so much. I didn’t mean to add to your pain. God, Doc, I love you so much. I don’t want to lose you.

Then don’t ever leave me. Baby, you need to realize even after all the crap I’ve been through, the only thing that would hurt me the most is losing you, Raina smiled. The only thing about this is that you’re going to have to go undercover as a doctor.

Oh, damn. I don’t know anything about that, Terry turned off the hose and started to dry his black ’68 Dodge Charger.

Actually, you know more than you think you do. You’ve helped me in the lab before. The other stuff you can just fake. I’ll help you. You can do some research. I’ll share my files with you. I had to do the research myself. I didn’t know much about cloning, Raina touched her husband’s hand. Terry, I want you to come with me.

Terry dropped his towel in the basin. Doc, I’d love to come with you. I won’t ever leave you, either. I guess… I’m just being a man!

No, baby. Now, I do understand why you were upset, but you don’t have to threaten to leave because we disagree.

"You’re right. As always, Terry kissed her mouth tenderly. When do we leave?"

In three days. I need to talk to Jack before this all goes down.

Is he in town yet?

He’ll be flying in from New York first thing in the morning.

What time is it?

Around five, why?

What time is Matt bringing Starr home? Terry asked.

She’s spending the night. They called earlier. Starr loves little Kaylee. Matt says that she’s having a great time helping Kathryn out.

"Well, since she’s gone for the night, how about you and me… you know… upstairs?"

Um, well, I had something else in mind, Raina said.

Oh, he said with disappointment, as he combed his hands through his black hair. What was that?

You, my love, need to study anatomy, she grinned.

I do? he flirted.

"Yup and you need to be punished for what you said to me," Raina’s voice was stern.

Doc, I am so sorry. I swear. I won’t leave you.

"You walked out… on a fight. Don’t ever walk out on me. Either finish the fight or make up. Don’t walk out," she reached into her back pocket.

Doc, please forgive a stupid old man. I’m so sorry, he grabbed his head with frustration.

She pulled her cuffs out and cuffed his hands behind him. You, Deputy Chief, are under arrest, she said.

For?

Pick a crime, she said, as she led him into the house.

She brought him into the kitchen and cuffed his hands to the captain’s chair. Now, I want your full attention.

You’ve got it, he said, as tears swelled in his eyes.

Do you love me? she choked on her words.

With all my heart.

"Terry, I’m going to do this. Don’t make me choose again. The truth is you’d win, every time. But our marriage can’t be like that."

I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have said that. I could never really leave you. Besides, if I made you choose and you chose me, you’d end up hating me. I couldn’t bear that.

If I didn’t choose you, would you have walked out? she wiped her eyes.

No, probably stormed out, but I would’ve been back and begged for your forgiveness. Do I have it?

No.

No? tears swelled in his eyes. You don’t forgive me?

"Of course, I forgive you… if you beg," she grinned.

I’d drop down on my knees and beg if I wasn’t cuffed to this chair, he smiled.

Damn eyes, of course, I forgive you. I love you. Anything that happens between us, we need to work out. Neither one of us can walk away. We have too many years together and so much love. We’re not going to lose that, are we?

No, we won’t. I promise. I’ll never walk away again.

Neither will I. Now, Baby, you’re coming with me. I asked you because I want you to be a part of it. I like it when you’re part of my work. I enjoy being with you, she said. "Don’t do it again."

I won’t. I promise.

Good, now for your first lesson.

What lesson is that?

When we’re undercover, it’s that. We’re undercover. You need to forget everything about being a cop, she sat down in front of him.

I don’t understand.

We will be people who we normally aren’t. We will lie. We will do whatever it takes to get answers and find the real men, Raina said. Even if it means breaking the law.

I don’t know about that, Terry said.

We don’t know what we are going to find. We may need to bend or break the law to find the answers we need.

I’ll follow your lead. To be honest, I’ve never been undercover, but I never had a need to in this town, Terry said. Can you take these cuffs off?

Nope, she unlocked the cuffs from the chair. Now, it’s time for your anatomy lesson.

Really? his eyes lit up as she grabbed him by the cuffs and led him upstairs to their bedroom.

She pushed him on to the bed and removed his cuffs. First, this is a stethoscope, she opened her black bag. You place it on the patient’s chest just like so, she placed it over her husband’s heart. I can hear your heart beat, she placed it in his ears. Now, you try.

Terry placed the stethoscope on her chest. Like this?

Can you hear my heartbeat? she asked.

Yes.

You’ve got it. Now, have you ever given injections before?

Um, when I was younger, my Uncle Scott was a diabetic. I helped him with his insulin shots.

It’s similar. We won’t practice on each other, but later, I’ll have you practice on an orange, Raina sat next to him. You know more than you think. You know CPR. You’ve helped me with paddles. You’ve watched me and helped me enough to get by.

I don’t know all the medical terms, though.

We’ll play it by ear. It’ll be fine. Anyone who knows me knows I try to not use a lot of medical jargon, so don’t worry about it, she kissed him. I’ll have you be my assistant. We’ll figure it out.

Terry touched her cheek. Are you still angry at me?

"Yes. Yes, I am. Now, what are you going to do about it?"

Apologize all night long, Terry held her face and kissed her tenderly. I’m going to examine you, he smiled as he lay on top of her.

I’ll let you know when you are forgiven, she smiled as she ran her hands over his chest.

2 Delays

THANKS, I UNDERSTAND. I’ll be there as soon as I can. Don’t worry, I’ll tell Jack. He won’t yell at me, Raina hung up the phone. Terry? she called to the other room.

Terry walked out of the kitchen. What is it?

There’s been a slight change in plans, Raina said.

What’s wrong?

Before we go to Boise, we need to go to New York. At least, I need to go, she sighed heavily.

What do you mean? Why there? Terry took her hand.

Well, that was Ken on the phone. He’s been in New York for two weeks. There’s a strange change in one of my old patients. I need to go there.

Doc? You sound upset or worried. Actually, I can’t tell which one, Terry leaned in.

Al Masterson, she leaned back on the sofa and placed her forearm over her eyes.

Oh, Terry became silent and then he spoke. Um, Doc, I thought you stopped helping these criminal… these evil… patients.

Raina put her arm down and gazed into his eyes. I am, but I have some unanswered questions when it comes to Al Masterson.

Like what? Terry crossed his arms.

When he made me feel him, he did something to me… there are parts of myself that he stole. Terry, over the past years, I’ve gotten different feelings that come and go. I can feel some people and yet, not others. I used to know exactly what I could feel. I could feel the living, the dead, and the partially dead. I know a lot has happened to my body. It’s been rejuvenated and rebuilt, on the inside and out, but as far as I know, my soul is still intact.

Of course, it is.

I know you think I’m a freak.

No, I don’t. I don’t think you’re a freak. You used to think that feeling the depths of souls, as you called it, was a curse.

When you’re used to having something and then, all of a sudden, it’s gone, it’s like you’re missing a piece of yourself. Terry, you’ve always made me feel complete. I love you so much. I know you don’t understand, Raina stood up and walked over to the window. I’m sorry, Terry.

Terry wrapped his arms around her. I didn’t realize you missed it so much. I know you’ve been saying that you don’t do it anymore. I know you hardly ever touch anyone’s heart anymore. I just didn’t know the feelings were gone. I just thought you didn’t use them anymore.

Not all of them are gone, but I don’t use them very often, but the really deep ones, they’re gone. The last person I felt, deeply, was Carey… just before he woke up. He was on his way back anyway. I think it was just a coincidence, but I didn’t feel what he was feeling. I just felt something that I can’t describe, Raina touched her husband’s cheek.

Doc, whatever you need to do, I’ll support you.

Terry, really, do you think I’m a freak? Raina asked.

Doc, I love you. You’re not a freak. You’re a very special person. Maybe I am a little biased because I love you so much, Terry grinned. But, I can’t help it. You’re beautiful and you have a very loving heart.

Oh, Baby, I wish I could feel what I used to, she cried.

He hugged her tightly. Doc, what do you feel when you touch me?

I feel love and I also feel worry. You’re still worried about me, aren’t you? Raina asked.

Of course, but I love you. I’ll always worry. I’d worry if you were just an ordinary doctor. But, the truth is, and, yes, sometimes it’s hard for me to realize, but you’re a very intelligent doctor. You’re also a decorated police officer. Might I remind you, you graduated the academy and got your doctorate at the same time.

I’m nothing special. I just knew what I liked and what I wanted to do with my life at a very young age.

Doc, he took her hand and led her over to the sofa. You wanted to be a cop since you were born. You were always so into saving people. Especially your parents, he kissed her cheek. And me.

Of course, I was. I don’t know how to be any other way. It’s just that when he touched me, my world turned inside out. The way I knew things was so different. I had to be rebuilt on the inside to survive it. I need to know how and why. Terry, what I didn’t tell you… is that Al Masterson has the most unique DNA of them all.

I don’t understand. I thought yours and Matt’s were unique.

"Al Masterson experimented on himself with other DNA as well as drugs and medical technology. I never