The Evanescence (Fallen Soul Series) - By Jessica Sorensen

“You really think it’s that easy?” I ask with my head tipped back and the sunlight shimmering across my skin. I’m standing in a field filled with blooming, violet flowers. The air is stifling, but in a beautiful way because it’s real, which makes it perfect.

Alex struts up to the side of me with his arms crossed over his chest and an amused smirk playing at his lips. His muscles are flexed beneath his black t-shirt, his brown hair is tousled, and his green eyes glint with mischievousness. “Of course. Why wouldn’t it be?”

I start to spin in a circle, keeping my arms to my sides. My long, flowing, brown hair blows in the gentle breeze and the back of my purple tank top sticks to my damp skin. “Because…” I spin and spin and spin, so free and everything is so wonderful.

Alex chuckles under his breath, watching me with fascination. “Because why?”

I stop spinning, facing him, and blink through the dizziness. “Don’t you ever get the feeling that things are supposed to be harder than they are—that life is supposed to be harder?”

He cocks his head to the side with an amused expression. “You don’t think life’s hard?” He stretches his long legs, walking through the grass towards me, reducing the distance between us. “Because the other day you seemed pretty determined that everything was difficult.”

I put my hands on my hips and narrow my eyes at him, causing him to laugh. “I was having a bad day, okay? I totally failed my math test and then some weird Faerie dude said I had funny looking eyes but a nice butt. Plus my mom said that she doesn’t want me hanging out with you anymore… that you’re a bad influence on me.”

He stops in front of me, grinning from ear-to-ear as he eyes me over, reaching for my hips. “She was just upset because she caught us making out on the bed.”

I scrunch my nose and swat the side of his arm. “It’s not funny. Do you know how embarrassing it is to have ‘the talk,’” I make air quotes as he spreads his fingers around my waist, “when you’re eighteen-years-old. Like I really didn’t know how everything works.”

“Probably pretty embarrassing.” His grin broadens. “Glad it was you and not me.”

I pinch his chest and he winces, laughing. “Stop smiling. It’s not funny.”

“Oh, it’s completely funny,” he says, his hands traveling to my back. “Besides, I think you should put into good use what your mother taught you.”

I try to stay angry, but it’s tough. “No way, if I have to suffer, than you do, too. No more for you. Ever.”

His palms slide up my back, searing hot through the thin fabric of my shirt. He pauses when he reaches my neck and begins combing his fingers through my hair. “That’s not what you said last night. In fact, you were very generous to me.”

Biting my lip, I look out into the sunlight, trying to hide my blush. Alex says I’m the most emotional person he’s ever known, that he can tell what I’m thinking simply by my expression, and nine times out of ten, he’s right.

He places his hand on my cheek and turns my head back to him. “Hey, no hiding from me. I like looking at you when you’re embarrassed, especially when you bite your lip like that.”

I bite my lip harder, just to tease him, and then raise my eyebrows.

He smiles and then leans forward, placing a kiss on the corner of my mouth. My eyes shut of their own accord and I let out a soft sigh, unable to hide what I’m feeling, which has pretty much how I’ve been since the day I was born.

“You’re beautiful,” he whispers with his lips hovering over mine as a light fog begins to surface out of nowhere. “And last night was amazing.”

It really was amazing. And perfect. And everything I’ve ever wanted. However, deep down, it all feels too easy. It feels like my life should have been harder. I’m sinking deep into my thoughts, but then he kisses me, sliding my lips open with his tongue, and I willingly open my mouth, because it’s easy. It always is with him.

Chapter 1

Alex

My mother used to call it the evanescence of the morning mist, the point where the vapor and haze begin to fade and the land clears. It’s the earliest memory I have of her. We were sitting out by the lake, watching the fog lift from