Iniquity (The Premonition Series Book 5) (34 page)

“How long do ye tink dis arrangement of ours will last?” Brennus asks.

“As long as it takes for her to realize that you’re still evil.”

“She knows I’m na. But I do worry about ye, aingeal. Ye have a much more dangerous job dan we do. Ye guard da key ta Paradise. Dere are many who would give anyting ta possess such a priceless commodity as dat.”

“I have a team in place, just as you have.”

“Ye’ll need more dan a few aingeals. Na many demons are aching ta get inta Sheol, like dey are Paradise.”

“I control two armies—Tau’s and Xavier’s.”

“Ye’ll need dem. Ye put Genevieve in danger jus by her being around ye and dat key.”

“I’ll protect her. She’s agreed to be my aspire again.”

“Have I ever told ye da story of da Faerie queen, Reed?”

“I’m not sure, Brennus. You’ve told me a lot of stories.”

“Did ye know dat once upon a time, dere was a faerie queen? She was da heart of her realm until one day when an aingeal came ta her world from Paradise. He warned her dat her world was destined ta be destroyed—dat a time would come when da Faerie realm would be overrun by its enemies and dere would be no peace.

Da queen, caring only for da welfare of her subjects, begged da aingeal for mercy for dem. Da aingeal relented, tellin’ her dere was only one way for her subjects ta be reborn after its destruction. Da aingeal told her dat if she agreed ta be human, she could one day save da human world from da evil dat is jus a thin veneer away. She listened ta him when he said she would face terrible danger and suffer greatly, but one day, a Faerie king would return from da grave ta save her. He said dat once da queen was finished wi’ her mission ta help da humans, she would again be da queen of da faeries and da savior of her race. Have ye heard of dis tale, Reed?”

“No, I haven’t heard that bit of fiction.”

“Och, maybe ye should look inta it.”

“Maybe it’s a story for another day.”

“I hope ta tell da whole ting ta ye soon, aingeal.”

I rush back into the foyer. Giving Reed a quick kiss on the cheek, I turn to Brennus. “I’m ready,” I murmur.

“So am I, mo chroí.”

G
od
, all things are possible through You. Thank you for Your infinite blessings and for allowing me to do what I love: write.

To my readers and bloggers: Thank you! The outpouring of love that I receive from all of you is incredible. Your generosity toward me is humbling. You make me want to write a thousand books.

Gloria Lutz, your unwavering support and unconditional love are a guiding light in my life.

Tom Bartol, you’re my best friend. I cannot imagine my world without you in it. I love you.

Max and Jack Bartol, I count myself as the most fortunate person in the world to have you both in my life. Thank you for knowing when to let me write and when to rescue me from my computer.

Tamar Rydzinski, one of the best days of my life was when you agreed to be my agent. Thank you for always having my back.

Janet Wallace, you’re inspirational. I love seeing what you create. Thank you for all of you help marketing Iniquity. I’m grateful.

Regina Wamba, you’re an artist. Thank you for sharing your marketing genius with me.

Vilma Gonzalez, your support of this series has been mind-blowing. Thank you for being part of this journey.

Trish Brinkley, thank you for always including me in your circle!

Amber McLelland, thank you for your friendship.

I
live
in Michigan with my husband and our two sons. My family is very supportive of my writing. When I’m writing, they often bring me the take-out menu so that I can call and order them dinner. They listen patiently when I talk about my characters like they’re real. They rarely roll their eyes when I tell them I’ll only be a second while I finish writing a chapter…and then they take off their coats. They ask me how the story is going when I surface after living for hours in a world of my own making. They have learned to accept my “writing uniform” consisting of a slightly unflattering pink fleece jacket, t-shirt, and black yoga pants. And they smile at my nerdy bookishness whenever I try to explain urban fantasy to them. In short, they get me, so they are perfect and I am blessed.

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