Free Out of the Shadows: Shadow Warriors, Book 1 by Gabriella Hewitt

god’s eyes narrowed. “You are a guardian,” he said with little emotion.
    “And a spirit mate.” She watched him, willing him to believe her.
    “Spirit mates are unique, one soul for one soul. They are destined, not made. Perhaps you only think you are spirit mates. In five centuries, none have been found.”
    “No!” Carolina denied vehemently. “I can feel it in here.” She rubbed a palm over her heart. “Tomás and I are destined to be together.”
    “It is too late,” the sun god decreed.
    “It can’t be,” Carolina cried. “I’ll do anything, sacrifice anything. My life for his.”
    “You would do this?”
    “Yes.” A tear rolled down her cheek and fell upon Tomás’s pale cheek. Gently, she brushed it away, absorbing it into her fingertips. She’d thought all the water inside her spent, yet in her pain she managed to still produce a tear. “I am a mere mortal. Tomás is a shadow warrior who fights for all of us in this world. He is needed beyond this lifetime. My life for his.”
    “So be it.”
    The sun god raised his spear to the sky. Carolina braced herself as she glanced down one last time at Tomás’s beloved face. “In this world or the next, I won’t stop fighting. I will always be with you in your heart. I love you, my spirit mate,” she whispered. Light burst forth from the tip of the spear and cracked the sky. Her tattoo pulsed against her skin as if it wanted to take flight. She closed her eyes, prepared to take Tomás’s place in death.
    Fingers lightly caressed her cheek. Carolina’s eyes flew open and she smiled in joy. “Tomás? You’re okay?” She glanced up at the sun god.
    “You sacrificed your soul. The bond between you both is complete.”
    She didn’t quite understand, but she didn’t have time to ask. Tomás levered himself up, got to his feet and helped her stand. His body showed no sign of the brutal injuries of before.
    She looked into his amber brown eyes. No longer did she see the feral wolf staring out at her, but the peaceful soul of a man.
    “Carolina!” He picked her up and swung her around. He set her down upon her feet and kissed her hard and fast. “You gave me back my humanity.”
    She wanted to run her hands over his newly healed body and kiss him until she was breathless, but it wasn’t time to celebrate just yet.
    She grabbed Tomás’s hand and pulled him towards the sun god. “Wait. You must help Chica,” she pleaded. “You must save her.”
    “Who is this Chica?” The sun god’s voice rumbled across the landscape like thunder.
    “Your wife,” Carolina choked out. She ran the short distance to the few drops left on the ground.
    For a second, Huitzilopochtli appeared stunned and then he was moving with purposeful strides. His shield disappeared, though he held on to his spear. He bent down and held his palm over the damp spot. “We have little time. I feel her fading fast and I cannot lose her again.” He straightened and from his waist, he pulled a small dagger. “Give me your palms, each of you.” Both obeyed without question, holding their hands out to him. He sliced a line in all four palms.
    “Let the blood drip into the water,” he ordered.
    Carolina watched their blood mingle with Chica’s essence.
    “Put your palms together and hold them above the water.” The sun god raised his spear towards the sky and in a loud voice chanted in the Aztec language.
    A river of energy flowed back and forth between Tomás and herself. She felt her spirit bind with his and, looking into his eyes, knew he felt it as well.
    Power welled up within them and spilled over. Her tattoo strained against her skin as if wanting to take flight. A golden glow burst outwards, surrounding them, bathing the area. The sun god continued to chant. When she thought she could no longer hold her arms up, he ceased.
    The light disappeared.
    Before them, Chica stood, healthy and strong.
    “Come, Chalchiuhtlicue .” The sun god offered his hand to his