Soul Survival: Instinct and Passion
Kelsey L. Alvarez
Author Bio
Kelsey L. Alvarez, or known as KLA by those close, is new to self publishing but by no means new to writing. With an advanced degree in Public Relations, KLA is more than happy to pay the bills by working on speech writing, social media copy, annual reports, features, etc. However at one point the draw of these storylines, long simmering in KLA’s mind, could no longer be ignored.
With that said, KLA began the process of creating the characters and stories that demanded not just focus but heart. The hope is that the individuals shaped aren’t seen as two dimensional, but as the flawed imperfect, yet passionate and persistent people that they are. With elements of science fiction and humor, the main drive in the Soul Survival series is the romantic bond between the lovers.
It’s also a little wishful thinking that KLA created a relationship between two of the leads that more than likely could only exist in fiction. The concept that the profound soul-level union between them existed before life, and will continue to do so long after physical death, surviving and sustaining difficulties both subtle and intense, is one that always appealed to the author. You’ll notice though the emphasis, at least on the character’s part, is to come at their gift from God in the most simple ways. They never knew anything else, would never want to be with anyone else, and find both refuge and salvation in each other’s arms.
They don’t just live and breathe one another, they are each other’s breath.
Description
Strangers Valerie and Ethan have both hit rock bottom. Their many issues—depression and apathy, an abusive spouse and bad life decisions—push them to seek out each other on nonphysical planes. Neither knows exactly why, but they develop a persistent need to find the other and distinguish together what is real in their dreamlike world.
Enter Emerson and Preston—a pair as close to soul mates as any couple could be. Born at the exact same time, their meeting at age five was only a formality; their souls having been linked since long before. Together they developed unique mental and physical abilities due to their exceptional neural makeup and bond. Instead of using their gifts for ill, the only thing they ever want to do is love each other for as long and profoundly as possible.
When their skills are discovered, Emerson and Preston are taken and put through a series of experiments to study and exploit what they have, to the detriment of thousands. With the lovers disabled, it is left to the damaged pair to right the wrongs being done. Ethan and Valerie set out in this romantic sci-fi series to solve a problem far beyond their own understanding, and perhaps obtain a fraction of the love the other two have in the process.
Book excerpt
For now, the weakened damaged form of one Emerson Brooks utilized her athletic training efficiently. As the elevator door had been damaged and left half open, she managed to squeeze herself through and drop down to the floor effortlessly. It was dark and wet. She wouldn’t have known where to go if it had been light and dry, but the divining rod in her head and in her heart directed her to a utility closet.
Closing it behind her, she didn’t stop and wait for security to arrive and hear her; she just climbed her way up the shelves and popped through the ceiling. Using the flashlight on her smart phone, she crawled along the side of the concrete ceiling of the bottom level. Like a rat in a maze, Emerson knew exactly where to go and what her cheese was. And not hesitating when she saw a large shunt that regulated power, she took her weapon and fired at it until it blew, emptying her clip in the process.
What was left of the lighting during this emergency wasn’t affected, but she did hear what sounded like the winding down of large machines and or equipment. It also felt like the air filtration system went offline, and it got very hot very quickly. Still, no time to sweat, she was light enough to not make any noise and quick enough to not waste time.
At this point, Emerson wasn’t doing much thinking. She really didn’t know where she was or if what she did with the power supply and SUV would work. She just did it, and it was done. Still alive apparently, she ignored the loss of blood from her arm—which she had not noticed was bleeding even worse until now—and the lightheaded feeling and kept going. And it didn’t take long before the beacon in her mind and heart shut down when she finally arrived at the lab containing the only person on her radar.
She peered around to make sure no one was there, but it didn’t really matter. To say she was committed to her goal at this point was an understatement. As her eyes locked on to his bloody face, it was only the dim light of some of the technology and red alert that helped her see. Kicking out the vent grill, she relied on her other arm to help her down, as she no longer had feeling in the bleeding one.
Instantly becoming soaked from the sprinklers above, she held her damaged arm to her body and put her hand on the bed under her love. She couldn’t even touch him yet, still taking in the shock of how badly he looked. Bruises hadn’t yet formed on his body, but there were red areas all over. She didn’t understand what he was hooked up too. As she stared at his face, water running down, she could actually differentiate between that and his tears somehow.
Finally putting her hand in his, he grabbed it without hesitation, the realization of what was going on slowly dawning on her. He opened his mouth, not his eyes, and cleared his throat trying to speak. She dropped the gun to the floor and, still holding his hand, got next to his head and wiped at the blood and water.
“Em, why? They want you too… you can’t rescue me,” he struggled as his throat filled up, not with water, but with emotion and fear.
“Pres, this was always going to be a one-way mission,” she whispered, lightly kissing his cheek and ear.
Unable to stop himself, he began to weep. “Em, why? Please, go, God, please… You have to go,” he squeezed her hand tightly, but she did the same back tighter. “Em, I love you. I live… I live for you.”
“And if you can’t live for me, I’ll die with you.”
Gradually, they became surrounded by a form of energy. It wasn’t light like before—it wasn’t joyful or orgasmic—it was as profound a cocoon of love and devotion as they had ever created together. It was all those rushes, tingling sensations, shared thoughts and feelings, sexual energy, and raw emotional embraces all combined and tripled. Their physical pain had vanished and aching heads seemed to become clear. The world around them disappeared as well.
Like so much of her recent activity, her body moved without thought. Lying on her busted arm, she interlocked their free hands digging their nails into their no-longer trembling forms. She put her forehead to the side of his head as he leaned it in with his last ounce of strength.
“If we can’t live together…” were the last words he whispered.
“Then we die together” were her last.
Their crying ceased, hearts calmed, and cocoon ebbed and flowed. Emerson never felt the stun gun press to her back and release its energy. Preston never felt it flow and arch from his wife’s body into his. They only felt each other’s love and lust, and if this was how they were going to die, it was the most appropriate way in the universe to do so.
Author Website
http://www.soulsurvivalnovels.com