Alana Serra - Sky Lord’s Mate (Sin & Salvation Book 1)

Sky Lords Mate Alana Serra and Holly Lexington 2019.

Amazon Kindle Edition.

Edited by Mystique Editing.

Cover design by Resplendent Media.

A ll rights reserved . No part of this story may be used, reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means without written permission of the copyright holder, except in the case of brief quotations embodied within critical reviews and articles.

This book is a work of fiction. The names, characters, places, and incidents are products of the writers imagination or have been used fictitiously and are not to be construed as real. Any resemblance to persons, living or dead, actual events, locale or organizations is entirely coincidental.

The author has asserted his/her rights under the Copyright Designs and Patents Acts 1988 (as amended) to be identified as the author of this book.

This book contains sexually explicit content which is suitable only for mature readers.

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T he worst moments of my life always take place in restaurants. The scene of tonights impending disaster is called Francescas, a little Mexican place near the Wolf Run University campus. I've never been, but my sister, Cassie, loves their dollar margarita nights. How she manages to party and get perfect grades, I'll never know. I never have time to party, and I'm getting Bs. Im not really in the mood to go out, but since Im broke, itll save me from figuring out if I really can make ramen in my tiny coffee pot.

I should be studying for my chemistry test tomorrow, but instead my mom texted about having family dinner. It could go either way; I could get into a passive-aggressive fight with my mom or dad about my life and everything in it, or Ill be super uncomfortable because Im the odd one out in my family. Even knowing this, my complete lack of a bank account balance said I shouldn't turn down a free meal. I needed to talk to Dad anyway, I guess. Maybe hell lend me a little money and save me from ramen and peanut butter for a few weeks.

I spot Cassie at a table in the back, giving me a little wave, and I start to weave my way through the overcrowded dining area. Despite the fact that we go to the same university, I never see her--a fact that Im sure shes about to remind me of.

Hey, Allie-cat! Cassie stands up, wrapping me in an uncomfortably tight hug. Hows my little sister? I never see you out at the parties. She sips her margarita, not giving me a chance to answer. Theres still time to rush, you know. The Pis would take you, Im pretty sure.

Hi, Cassie, I finally manage to say, sitting across from her. Im good. Busy studying, you know. My whole life is studying, and Im not even sure what Im doing it for. Not that Cassie cares. I can tell she hasnt heard me, and shes looking back out over the sea of people in this tiny, cramped restaurant.

Oh, there are Mom and Dad, Cassie says, waving out towards the entrance. Mom did get her hair cut! We were talking about it last week on the phone, when we made plans for a spa day. Which, she pauses, we were gonna invite you, but Mom said you never want to go anyway.

I let that little slight go by me. I know my mom and Cassie are close, and were just...not. I know my parents have no idea how to talk to me in general, and Im starting to think that living off of ramen until my student loan check comes in isnt such a bad thing after all.

Hello, girls! My dad greets us, and Cassie and I stand for his hug. Cassie, youre looking lovely. Allison, you look a little tired. Maybe cut back on the Gilmore Girls binging, get some good sleep?

My cheeks redden. Dad, I dont even have Netflix anymore. Couldnt afford it.

Couldnt afford it? Oh, sweetie. My mom pats my shoulder as I go by her to retake my seat. You can use our account. Ill text you the password.

I wave this off. Its okay, I dont have time anyway.

My dad sits down next to Cassie, giving her another little around-the-shoulder hug. No time? he repeats. What are you doing with yourself?

This is the big question, and one of the biggest reasons why I hate family dinner nights. I have no idea what Im doing. I went to college because it was expected, because thats what my family does. I never had a plan. I never had a dream. While Cassie has always flitted from hobby to hobby and clique to clique, thats never been me. I like music, but I cant play it. I like art, but I cant paint. Ive always just been on the fringe of everything, never involved in it, and I dont really excel at anything, except apparently failing at the things my parents want for me.

I can feel irritation welling up as the waiter approaches the table. Studying, Dad. I study. I have a chem exam tomorrow.

He stares at me, and I stare back at him until he tilts his head at the waiter, who...probably asked what I wanted to drink. Right. Um, margarita, please.

Sure thing, he answers, and looks to my parents for their orders.

Cassie clicks her tongue. Damn. Wish I didnt get carded anymore. Lucky.

But youre older than me. How are you getting carded? I meant this to be lighthearted, but somehow it comes out in this petulantly sarcastic way that I can already see my dad reacting to.

No claws tonight, Allison. Cassie, how are the medical school applications going? You settled on a place yet?

Cassie digs into her purse, pulling out a list, and Im not surprised to see my dad huddle closer to her to read it better. My parents have always been completely invested in Cassies success, supporting her, and this is the shop talk that will probably dominate the rest of the night. Im thinking Georgetown, Wake Forest, maybe Duke, she says, but the application fees are nuts.

Your mom and I can help you out with that, he answers easily, turning his eyes to me. How about you, Allison? You settle on a major yet?

Ive never been so grateful to see a waiter before in my life, and I try to stall with a sip of the tart margarita he puts in front of me. Um, not yet, no.

I should have lied. I should have just played into the family narrative that Ive somehow never had the right lines for and just lied. My dads face darkens a little and he looks away as my mom turns to me. Sweetie, when are you going to pick one? she asks. Youre a sophomore. You should know what you want.

I shift uneasily in my chair. Well...I dont. I dont even know if I want to be in college.

Fine time to decide that, after youve been here more than a year, my dad mutters.

Hey, I say sharply, my anger rushing up at me. You didnt pay for my tuition, like you did for Cassie, so I dont know why youre mad about it.

The vein in my dads forehead is beginning to pulse, a sure sign that Ive gone too far, but he keeps his voice low. I told you I would pay if you went into the sciences. You couldnt promise me youd do that.

Liberal arts-

I dont want to hear about liberal arts right now, Allison, he cuts me off, rubbing the bridge of his nose. Jesus. What is so difficult about knowing what you want to do? Cassie never had any trouble with this.

My mom reaches under the table, where Ive got my hand curled into a tense fist, and lays her hand over mine. Were just worried, she explains, giving my dad a look. Allison, you dont return our calls. You say youre studying all the time. You dont date. You dont have a major or a plan. Whats going on?

I cant tell her. I cant even summon up the words. The truth is that Ive never known. Everything I do in my life just feels like its a thing I have to do because its right there. Its expected. I had to go to college because thats what was done. Making perfect grades is expected. Having it all figured out, essential. Dating, meeting guys, going to parties...all things a girl of my age should be doing, all things that come easily to my sister.