The Hidden Souls Trilogy

ProloguePearls of rain trickled down Cassie Harbor’s supple skin as she ran to her car. The rain began to fall out of nowhere and quickly turned into a relentless storm—the heavy drops, flooding the street within seconds. Growing up in Groverton, North Carolina, she had never experienced a rainstorm like this. It almost seemed unnatural.“Is this rain cloud following me?” Once in her car, Cassie glanced up to the gravel-gray clouds, which pulled over the lush, green mountains. A crackle of lighting sounded in the distance, and this made her heart jolt forward and her body shudder from the loud boom. Startled, she placed the key in the ignition and set off toward the interstate. As a storming array of clouds chased behind her like a ravenous beast out for blood, she sped up; the windshield wipers worked furiously to clear the blur of rain.“What is happening?” She struggled to scream as tears began to form in her eyes. The fear, a noose around her neck.Panic mixed with the u

Xandra KallanWhen I opened my eyes this morning, I felt unusually refreshed, considering the day before had been hectic. I hadn't slept that well in ages, and I wasn't sure if it was just exhaustion or the presence of the special man in my bed. But when I rolled over, his side of the mattress was empty. I wondered where he had gone, and as a beam of light shone through my sheer curtains, I sensed it was a beautiful day outside. My phone on the white oak nightstand began to vibrate, which excited me like a teenage girl with a crush. I picked it up and saw I had received a text from Liam. In his sweet message, he said he had to leave but I could call him if I needed anything. I appreciated his thoughtfulness.I took a deep breath and smiled, feeling blessed by life's surprise gifts, allowing gravity to pull me back onto the coziness of my bed made of silk, wishing I was still nuzzled up against his warm, broad chest. Safe. This made me realize, with all that was happening, I needed him

Xandra KallanAfter arguing with the airlines to reschedule her flight, I was thrown off kilter when I discovered Sasha had arrived in town, two days earlier than she’d told me.Why did she lie to me?And what was she doing here for two whole days before my surprise birthday party?Sash, you have a lot of explaining to do.Putting my anger aside, I paced back and forth nervously, waiting for Sasha’s blood results. Looking across the room at her, she had fallen into an incoherent sleep. I couldn’t believe my twenty-three-year-old sister was unrecognizable, withering away before my very eyes. The thought of our last memory being one of us fighting was destroying me on the inside. The last thing I wanted was for our last words to each other to be ones of anger.Sasha, please come back to me!A knock on the door ended my mental torture and pacing.“Hello, Miss Kallan, I’m Dr. Sanders. I’ll be taking over Sasha’s case.” He put out his hand.“Nice to meet you, Dr. Sanders,” I said, shaking

Xandra"Liam," I yelled into the phone, startling my sleeping sister. I was completely shaken. What did DeMarco say to Liam?I couldn't shake my nervousness until Sasha's faint voice said, "Hey, you're back." Her lips were pursed in a weak smile."Of course, I've returned." I swept her bangs away from her dull green eyes gently. Then I sat down next to her, took her hand in mine, and squeezed for dear life."I overheard your conversation with the doctor," she forced herself to say.I struggled to keep my tears at bay. "Regardless of the blood tests, you'll always be my real sister," I winked, a tear streaming down my cheek.She broke eye contact to stare out the window, appearing lost in her sea of thoughts.I brought her eyes back to mine with a subtle touch to her cheek. “Sash, say something.”“While you were away at college, I overheard mom and an older woman arguing in the living room.” She had a gleam of fear in her eyes.“Wait, when did this happen? What did you hear?”Was this

XandraMy mind was buzzing with so much noise on my way home that I couldn't even hear the music. I returned my attention to the road after turning off the radio. I yanked on the steering wheel at that precise moment. In the middle of the street, a shadowy figure appeared. I didn't have time to think as I slammed on my brakes to avoid hitting a tree. My neck began to burn as a result of the sudden stop.What the hell was that?It took a few moments for me to catch my breath, slow my heart rate, and clear my head. Then I got out of the car. A dog appeared, taller and more muscular than the average Doberman Pinscher. His black and tan coat glistened in the dim light of the street lined with long-leaf trees, ears, and tail uncut. It had fiery eyes that would make even the toughest man flee for the hills. This beautiful dog was a male, and he kept sitting in the middle of the road as if he owned it.Squinting to get a better look at him, I noticed a brown studded collar around his thicken