Of Ash - New Adult Manuscript
DODIE BRANWELL is placed in The Tournament, a magical fight that her mother believes will most likely result in her death. With many of her memories gone and her powers dormant, Dodie is at a disadvantage to some of the people around her. But her mother is not in charge as she once suspected. As Dodie begins to regain her memories of her life before The Tournament, and of her ex-lover ALEKSANDER, she finds herself tossed back into her own love story and dragged by her teeth into a psychic war against PERRY MORELLI, a young woman trying to collect the abilities of others. But to find Perry, and her memories, Dodie must win the Tournament and leave alive. Death is not an option. Even if she wishes it was.
Preview:
I needed proof. Not for him, but for myself. To show that I was right.
I didn’t want to sit there thinking I had lost my mind. I thought it was true, so it had to be. I couldn’t have tricked myself into thinking that something was there when it wasn’t.
I felt the kick of the recoil in my shoulder and let out a low grunt, taking the hit. My eyes shut tighter, a reminder not to open them just yet. The bullet landed further down the length of the room. Not entirely in the direction I shot. I was turned slightly to the left, it shouldn’t hit.
I opened my eyes tentatively and they fell on the target fifteen feet away. Directly on the bullseye was a telltale hole punched clean through. It was undeniable now.
It hit.
Perfectly.
I shouldn’t have made that shot. I aimed too high, too far to the left. My grip wasn’t tight enough.
All I did was think of where I wanted it to go and then it went there. Like my body shifted and locked into the perfect position.
“I told you,” I sighed, flicking the safety of the gun and resting it on the counter in front of me. “I can’t miss.”
Alek blinked in response, staring at the target with his rich hazel eyes. I didn’t know why it would surprise him. He could do the same thing, perfectly practiced. I had watched him a thousand times. I always found myself watching him.
Alek moved to stand closer to me, looking over my shoulder at the target. I fought the urge to lean back into him, thankful for his warmth. The closer he was, the stronger his heartbeat. I didn’t get how he could remain so calm while my heart was beating out of my chest.
“Well, that’s all the confirmation I think you need,” he chuckled. I could feel the heat of his breathy laugh as it tickled my ear.
He could feel it, couldn’t he? My heartbeat?