Sahalie
is the last of her lineage, bearing supernatural abilities gifted by the
Spirits. She knows that in order to unlock her full potential she needs to find
her mate. Yet in order to protect herself from the demanding Elders that would
arrange a marriage and taint her bloodline Sahalie knows she cannot reveal her
secret abilities nor share her lineage with anyone but her true mate. She feels
an instant and an undeniable connection with Yuma. Her Spirit Animal, a sassy
little red fox is also drawn to the man’s Spirit Animal, a powerful tiger.
The problem?
Yuma is the son of an Elder. An
Elder’s son means Yuma is neck-deep in community politics and drama. And she
wants none of that. While Sahalie tries to avoid Yuma, the pull of true mates
is evident and soon they find themselves unable to stay apart.
“What is it about you Sahalie?” I
voice the question that’s haunted me since I first locked gazes with her.
Yuma has a very difficult decision
to make… Will he follow his heart and Spirit Animal’s wishes and claim
Sahalie as his true mate or will he uphold his duty to the communities and
follow through with an arranged mating?
Yuma’s life-altering decision will
affect everyone… not just him and Sahalie but the future of all their
communities.
“I’m going to miss you Sahalie” Inali
whispered into his granddaughter’s hair. He tightly embraced her cherishing the
moment. “Even though you’ve chosen to go far from home don’t forget all my
lessons.”
She sighed into his chest. “Yes
Grandfather” she respectfully stated. “I remember all the old legends of our
people and how important they are to my future. I’m going to college to help
our people Grandfather.”
The majority of their people stayed and
learned the necessary skills and trades to keep their tight-knit communities
prospering. Sahalie wanted to do more than that. Their people were slowly dying
out. They were of a Supernatural race, once human but no longer. Although they
looked human and acted like it for the most part, they bore special gifts and
abilities bestowed to them by the Spirits. Some could manipulate matter. Others
possessed the ability to Dream Walk. Healers contained a pure energy source
that allowed them to heal others. Few were Seers, having the ability to see
visions and glimpses of the future. Many were attuned to Mother Earth and the
Elements. Fire, Wind, and Water responded to those who could command them. The
Spirits communicated with those who listened. They didn’t live in concrete
jungles that many humans favored. Sahalie and Inali lived in communities along
the Pacific Mountain System of North America away from the overpopulated and
polluted cities.
Many communities failed to encourage
their people to travel to find their mate the way Silver Fox did with Sky
Woman. Generations of mismatched and failed matings equated to diluted and weak
bloodlines and lineages. Sahalie wanted to go to college to learn everything
possible about genetics. She wanted to see if she could do something to help.
Maybe it was time to take a more proactive approach. While many Elders of the
communities only followed the old ways, rituals and ceremonies stemming from
the ancient legends Sahalie wanted to look into science to shape their future.
“Sahalie, you and your little red fox are
one-of-a-kind. There is no one else like you in this world. Don’t ever forget
that. You are more precious than the rarest gem in the Earth and more desired
than the most priceless treasure in the world.” Inali breathed in her scent as
she relaxed in his arms. She’d heard him repeat this mantra time and time
again.
Sahalie glanced down at her Spirit
Animal. Her little red fox licked her grandfather’s black fox. “I promise I
won’t” she assured him. Knowing what he was going to say next, she beat him to
it. “And I’ll never reveal who and what I truly am until I find him” she
emphasized knowing that her grandfather wanted her to know that only one man
could know her secret. Not even her best friend, casual boyfriends, or the
Elders could know about their well-guarded truth.
“Very well” he replied, pleased with her
response. The two foxes yipped in agreement making them laugh. Inali pulled
back and looked at his granddaughter. Sahalie knew what he saw. She bared the
markings of their ancestors, the lineage everyone thought to be extinct. She
shared amber-colored eyes that entranced every new person they met. Her grandfather
had jet black hair while she had auburn-colored hair which helped throw the
Elders off from identifying their true lineage. It was vital in keeping the
sacred bloodline pure and allowed them to determine and control future
generations, not the Elders of the communities who were now arranging matings
and further tainting what was once pure.
“And
never forget” he began as she joined his always parting statement, “Hide in
plain sight.”
Senayda
Pierre is a native Floridian who’s always had a passion for music, sports,
reading and writing. She currently lives in Orlando, Florida with her husband
and three beautiful daughters.
Senayda
is an identical twin. That’s right, sometimes people give her a second glance
wondering if she’s the person they know! She’s never seen snow… Swears she’ll
live in Hawaii someday… And she intends to travel the world…
Senayda’s had a long love affair with reading
and writing. She loved to write short stories and poetry throughout her
childhood. Now Senayda’s moved onto novels.
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