Mary Ting - Crossroads

Crossroads

By

Mary Ting

World CastlePublishing

http://www.worldcastlepublishing.com

This is a work of fiction. Names,characters, places, and incidents are products of the authorsimagination or are used fictitiously and are not to be construed asreal. Any resemblance to actual events, locations, organizations,or person, living or dead, is entirely coincidental.

World CastlePublishing

Pensacola, Florida

Copyright Mary Ting 2011

Smashwords Editon

ISBN: 9781937085766

Library of Congress Catalogue Number2011931988

First Edition April 2011

Second Edition World CastlePublishing August 2011

http://www.worldcastlepublishing.com

Smashwords LicensingNotes

All rights reserved. No part of thisbook may be used or reproduced in any manner whatsoever withoutwritten permission, except in the case of brief quotations embodiedin articles and reviews.

Editor: Maxine Bringenberg

Crossroads by Mary Tinghas it all: danger, romance, suspense, incredible characters and anoriginal plot that is sure to thrill. The action never stops asgood and evil battle to the death. This well written andfascinating love story will keep readersentranced. --ReadersFavorite.com

Crossroads is a lovely,heartwarming story about young love and hope. It is a wonderfulescape into the world of an ordinary girl, an extraordinary love,and the forces of evil that try to keep them apart. We lovedit! Michelle DeLa Vara , Owner of www.InspiredByTwilight.com

"Crossroads is an excitingdebut book with a rich paranormal mythology, unique angel-lore,forbidden romance, action, suspense and plot twists. With herdetailed writing and a plot that flow wells, Mary created a world Ienjoyed visiting, and a story that was hard to put down." Katie with Mundie Moms

Watch out Edward Cullen!The angel Michael has officially given you a run for your money!Teens everywhere will add a new fictional boyfriend to their evergrowing lists! OMWings! An amazing paranormal angel romance thatstays with you long after the last page has turned. I needmore! Jennifer Howell withLateBloomerOnline.com

Crossroads has it all:forbidden love, angels, and suspense. Ting characters are vibrant,vivid, gorgeously drawn, and told with sheer honesty. I reallyenjoyed it, Im anxious to see what happens in book2! Faye with Rambling of a TeenageBookworm

Crossroads is mysteriouswith a fantastic plot. Not to mention handsome guys, a sweet younggirl, and a Fallen that could threaten everything. Crossroads willkeep you up into the wee hours of the night, and you will bebegging for more! Andrea Newkirk withDark Readers

With easy-to-lovecharacters, a fantastical and unique story line, and a delightfulromance, Crossroads will captivate readers of all ages. A heavenlydebut! Shari Bergquist at My NeuroticBook Affair

Crossroads is abeautifully written debut novel that has everything you need for anoutstanding read. Forbidden love, danger, angels and demons. What'snot to love? Siobhan Phinn withlovefantasyscifinovels blog

Dedication

For my grandmother, Lucy Rhee, thereason this book was written. I know you are in heaven watchingover me.

My husband, Richard, and kids, Joshuaand Kaitlin, you are my life and the reason for myhappiness.

Enormous thanks to Kristina, Linda andJennie. They have dedicated countless hours in making this bookpossible. Kristina, the most creative person I know, who has beenthere for me from the start. For your motivation, enthusiasm andlove of the characters that got us excited to move forward with thebook. Linda, for constantly challenging me to improve the story andfor your critical feedback regarding characters and plot. Jennie,for your vital editorial guidance and wonderful suggestions thatwere essential to the storys development.

Michelle, who has inspired me thatdreams can come true and for all your support.

For my parents-for the person I amtoday. Roy, Maggie, Nancy, Lily, Jane, Jenny, Patricia, Hung,Gracie, Holly, Barbara and Ai for your support in everything Ido.

For my little cheerleader, Sylvie, mynumber one fan.

To Karen, my publisher, thank you fortaking a chance on Crossroads and for being such a wonderfulperson. Maxine, thank you for your professional editorial feedbackand for being easy to work with. Clarrissa Moon, you have a bigheart. Thank you for all your help.

For the readers of this book, fly withme through this incredible journey. Fall in love with thecharacters as much as I did and make Crossroads your place to be.Thank you for your support.

Our destiny can be examined, but itcannot be justified or totally explained. We are simplyhere.

Every man has his own destiny; theonly imperative is to follow it, to accept it, no matter where itleads him.

Henry Miller

Prologue

There was something different abouther this time. He didnt know how long it had been since her lastvisit, only that she had blossomed beautifully, and he knew that ithad been too long. His eyes were immediately drawn to hers; radiantlike the sun. Instantly, he was mesmerized by her. He saw her nowin a way that he hadnt beforealmost forbidden.

Her long and lustrous auburn hairshimmered in the sunlight, tousled from the gentle breeze andbrushing softly against her delicate face. She was striking in hersimplicity, yet she took his breath away. A flawless painting waswhat he saw, and he couldnt believe she was here againall grownup. In his eyes, she was perfect in every way.

He had always watched her from adistance, like a guardian protecting her so she wouldnt be foundas a child. And just like the past times, she always looked lost,as if visiting for the first time, though she had been there manytimes before. What tortured him the most was knowing that he wasunable to comfort her.

She was unaware of his presence, andthere wasnt a glimmer of a chance that she knew he was just beyondher reach. An endless field of tall, thick grass was the only thingseparating them, but would she ever be able to cross over? It wasnearly impossible. He watched as she pushed and shoved, trying topass through. But there was only one way in, and she would neverknow. He reached out his hand to help her and then stopped. It tookevery ounce of energy to refrain from letting her in. His fisttightened and shivered as he fought against what he wantedmosther.

Suddenly, she looked straight at him,her eyes sparkling like the most perfect luminous stars. He didnttwitch, but inhaled the moment as if she really did see him, for heknew instead that her eyes were focused elsewhere. Although sheseemed a world away, he imagined feeling her sweet breath on hislips. He gasped at the thought, wondering why he was feeling thisway. The heat that infused throughout his body wasnt anything thathe had felt or remembered before, whatever was left of his memory.He was trained not to have these types of human emotions, and yetit confounded him how she appeared to have taken him over. Hedidnt mind at all. He liked the way she made him feel. After all,she didnt even know he existed, although a part of him wished shedid.