Title: Burdened
Author: Peiri Ann
Series: Burdened #1
Genre: New Adult, Paranormal Romance

(Warning: Burdened contains mature content and strong language some may not find appropriate for readers under the age of 17.)

Eighteen-year-old Tracey Warren is a ‘run-of-the-mill’ high school student on the verge of graduation. She has her friends and her fun; she has life all figured out. Or she thought she did.

Her pedestrian reality crashes around her after an innocuous touch from a diabolically handsome stranger. Just one touch from Nathan Newcomb and her head and her world spins out of control. Soon she discovers that the only cure for the uneasy feelings and pain is Nathan himself. A man whose very existence balances between violent chaos and rigidly controlled dangers.

Nathan knows that the life of a woman mated to a burdened Sephlem is destined for peril beyond a human’s reckoning. But Tracey calls to his desire to experience love in spite of the hazards. And Nathan’s impossibly potent magnetism draws Tracey into a bonding that will put her in mortal danger again and again.

Once the pair becomes one, the threat escalates and nowhere is safe. There are enemies that lurk behind every corner. But the greatest danger may be in the bloodlines that course through Nathan’s veins.

Can a love for all time survive or will their burdened souls surrender and fade away?

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Excerpt

“Which house is yours?”

“Just five more houses. It’s a brown and white one with a garage facing us.” He nods in understanding. “You have been very nice to me and I appreciate it. I mean it, you know…what you’ve done for me.” I pause to gather my thoughts. “So what’s your name? Sir hits a lot?”

He looks at me deviously, then turns back to the road. We are coming up on my house.

“Well, here we are,” he says, completely ignoring my insinuated question. He turns to look at me. “Hello Tracey, I’m Nathan. I apologize again, for hitting you. I give you my word, it will never happen again.” He gives me a boring look. “Sorry you were wrong.”

“Wrong about what?” I ask as he pulls up in front of my house.

“My name.”

“Drat!” I snap my finger for extra exaggeration.

I sit, knowing I should leave, but I can’t. I need to, but I don’t want to.

He turns off the engine but does not turn off the truck. Getting out, he walks over to my side and opens the door for me. “Does your head feel any better? You really don’t know how sorry I am.” He says it in a way that seems like he is apologizing for more than just hitting me.

I shrug. “I’ll be fine after I eat and wake back up. If it gets worse, I’ll go to the doctor.” I smile. He unexpectedly returns it and I melt.

I reach out to grab the handle, in preparation to jump out of the truck. He grabs my outreached hand softly, taking me by surprise.

I am at ease, no pain. Comfort and happiness fills me, yet there is a fire. It is so…alive. It burns through my hand, starting in my palm, making its way up my arm, and starts to creep through my chest.

It’s short-lived as the fire fizzles away with the release of his hand. Although it was burning, I welcomed it. There was a minor discomfort, but it was bearable and I want more. Not more of the burn, but more of his touch.

I don’t even realize I am out of the truck and standing in front of him, when he clears his throat, drawing my attention. He is looking at me and we make eye contact. Unable to resist it, I stare into his eyes that are looking back into mine as they start to swirl again, turning into a deep ocean-blue with grey edges. Strikingly beautiful.

My eyes widen, and as if he realizes what I see, he quickly looks away, toward the setting sun. “I’ll watch you make it in the house safely. I’ll see you around sometime, Tracey. Sorry again.”

Through suspicious eyes, I drag out a “Yeah,” slowly stepping back. “Okay, Nathan.” He shivers. It is getting a little chilly suddenly. “And you don’t have to keep apologizing. It’s okay.” I turn, walking toward my front door.

“Don’t go to sleep just yet. Your car should be back within thirty minutes.”

I wave over my head saying, “Thank you.”