Wicked Bite (Night Rebel #2)(85)

I took Ian’s hand. Once again, everything I thought I knew had turned out to be wrong or very, very incomplete. Still, I’d survived Dagon, finally gotten justice for everyone he and Ereshki had harmed, and now had the man I loved at my side. That was infinitely more than I could’ve said a month ago.

In fact, it had taken me my entire life to get to this point, so somehow, I’d find a way to survive these new challenges, be they a demon-acolyte council member, being hunted by both the vampire and demon world, or some gold-fogged lesser deity who thought I was his mandated fiancée.

Wasn’t I the optimistic one all of a sudden? Love did strange, wonderful things to people indeed.

I tightened my grip on Ian’s hand. He squeezed back, a silent promise that we’d face this together. Then, I let out a sigh.

“You need to tell me everything I don’t know about our father’s world, Ashael, and you need to do it now. I don’t know how long we have before Phanes finds me again, but whenever he does, we have to make sure we’re ready.”





Acknowledgments


If it seems like my Acknowledgments page keeps thanking the same people over and over, it’s because the same group helps haul me over the finish line with every book. How could I NOT keep thanking them for that? And don’t expect me to change who I thank first, either. Abraham Lincoln once said, “I have been driven many times upon my knees by the overwhelming conviction that I had nowhere else to go.” When I’ve had nowhere else to go, and even when I’ve been too angry or arrogant to show up, You still haven’t left me, Lord. “Thank you” is so inadequate by comparison.

As usual, enormous thanks also go to my fabulous editor, Erika Tsang; my wonderful agent, Nancy Yost; the amazing Pamela Jaffee, Caroline Perny, Kayleigh Webb, Nicole Fischer, and the rest of the hard-working team at Avon Books. Thanks also to dear friends Ilona Andrews and Melissa Marr, who offered encouragement and invaluable early critiques. Endless thanks and love to my husband, Matthew, my sisters Jinger and Jeanne, my father Bill, my many nieces and nephews, my great-Aunt Dottie, and every other family member who’s had to hear “I can’t because I’m on a deadline!” too many times to count.

Last, but definitely not least, thank you, readers! I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again: without you, I’m just telling stories to myself. With you, those stories, characters, and worlds become so much more. They truly take on a life of their own with every reader who opens the pages. Author Charlaine Harris once said, “Here’s to books, the cheapest vacation you can buy.” I couldn’t agree more. That’s why I’m so honored to share my books with you, readers. I hope you enjoy the mini “vacation” you take with them.