Crossroads

Crossroads

By

Mary Ting

World Castle
Publishing

http://www.worldcastlepublishing.com

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

World Castle
Publishing

Pensacola, Florida

Copyright © Mary Ting 2011

Smashwords Editon

ISBN: 9781937085766

Library of Congress Catalogue Number
2011931988

First Edition April 2011

Second Edition World Castle
Publishing August 2011

http://www.worldcastlepublishing.com

Smashwords Licensing
Notes

All rights reserved. No part of this
book may be used or reproduced in any manner whatsoever without
written permission, except in the case of brief quotations embodied
in articles and reviews.

Editor: Maxine Bringenberg

“
Crossroads by Mary Ting
has it all: danger, romance, suspense, incredible characters and an
original plot that is sure to thrill. The action never stops as
good and evil battle to the death. This well written and
fascinating love story will keep readers
entranced.”
--ReadersFavorite.com

Crossroads is a lovely,
heartwarming story about young love and hope. It is a wonderful
escape into the world of an ordinary girl, an extraordinary love,
and the forces of evil that try to keep them apart. We loved
it!
—
Michelle De
La Vara
, Owner of
www.InspiredByTwilight.com

"Crossroads is an exciting
debut book with a rich paranormal mythology, unique angel-lore,
forbidden romance, action, suspense and plot twists. With her
detailed writing and a plot that flow wells, Mary created a world I
enjoyed 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 ever
growing lists! OMWings! An amazing paranormal angel romance that
stays with you long after the last page has turned. I need
more!”
Jennifer Howell with
LateBloomerOnline.com

“Crossroads has it all:
forbidden love, angels, and suspense. Ting characters are vibrant,
vivid, gorgeously drawn, and told with sheer honesty. I really
enjoyed it, I’m anxious to see what happens in book
2!”
Faye with Rambling of a Teenage
Bookworm

“Crossroads is mysterious
with a fantastic plot. Not to mention handsome guys, a sweet young
girl, and a Fallen that could threaten everything. Crossroads will
keep you up into the wee hours of the night, and you will be
begging for more!”
Andrea Newkirk with
Dark Readers

“With easy-to-love
characters, a fantastical and unique story line, and a delightful
romance, Crossroads will captivate readers of all ages. A heavenly
debut!”
Shari Bergquist at My Neurotic
Book Affair

“Crossroads is a
beautifully written debut novel that has everything you need for an
outstanding read. Forbidden love, danger, angels and demons. What's
not to love?”
Siobhan Phinn with
lovefantasyscifinovels blog

Dedication

For my grandmother, Lucy Rhee, the
reason this book was written. I know you are in heaven watching
over me.

My husband, Richard, and kids, Joshua
and Kaitlin, you are my life and the reason for my
happiness.

Enormous thanks to Kristina, Linda and
Jennie. They have dedicated countless hours in making this book
possible. Kristina, the most creative person I know, who has been
there for me from the start. For your motivation, enthusiasm and
love of the characters that got us excited to move forward with the
book. Linda, for constantly challenging me to improve the story and
for your critical feedback regarding characters and plot. Jennie,
for your vital editorial guidance and wonderful suggestions that
were essential to the story’s development.

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

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

For my little cheerleader, Sylvie, my
number one fan.

To Karen, my publisher, thank you for
taking a chance on Crossroads and for being such a wonderful
person. Maxine, thank you for your professional editorial feedback
and for being easy to work with. Clarrissa Moon, you have a big
heart. Thank you for all your help.

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

Our destiny can be examined, but it
cannot be justified or totally explained. We are simply
here.

Every man has his own destiny; the
only imperative is to follow it, to accept it, no matter where it
leads him.

—
Henry Miller

Prologue

There was something different about
her this time. He didn’t know how long it had been since her last
visit, only that she had blossomed beautifully, and he knew that it
had been too long. His eyes were immediately drawn to hers; radiant
like the sun. Instantly, he was mesmerized by her. He saw her now
in a way that he hadn’t before—almost forbidden.

Her long and lustrous auburn hair
shimmered in the sunlight, tousled from the gentle breeze and
brushing softly against her delicate face. She was striking in her
simplicity, yet she took his breath away. A flawless painting was
what he saw, and he couldn’t believe she was here again—all grown
up. In his eyes, she was perfect in every way.

He had always watched her from a
distance, like a guardian protecting her so she wouldn’t be found
as a child. And just like the past times, she always looked lost,
as if visiting for the first time, though she had been there many
times before. What tortured him the most was knowing that he was
unable to comfort her.

She was unaware of his presence, and
there wasn’t a glimmer of a chance that she knew he was just beyond
her reach. An endless field of tall, thick grass was the only thing
separating them, but would she ever be able to cross over? It was
nearly impossible. He watched as she pushed and shoved, trying to
pass through. But there was only one way in, and she would never
know. He reached out his hand to help her and then stopped. It took
every ounce of energy to refrain from letting her in. His fist
tightened and shivered as he fought against what he wanted
most—her.

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

He watched as a butterfly landed on
the tip of her finger, and she let out a huge, heartwarming smile.
The innocence of her smile sent desire to every part of him. He
knew he was completely spellbound by this human being. If only he
could breathe in her scent, embrace her in his arms, and feel her
warmth just once, even if that was all it could be. In the end, he
knew it was hopeless.

Gradually she started to become
translucent, as if he had made her up in a dream. As always, she
never stayed long, just long enough for him to want her even more.
Where did she come from? When would he see her again? With these
thoughts, he desperately tried to memorize every detail of her
before she vanished.