Night Study (49 page)
Authors: Maria V. Snyder
“I wouldn’t say that. Nor would Leif or Mara.”
“I lost control and almost killed us.”
“But you didn’t. Next time—”
“There’s not going to be a
next
time.” He sounded like a sullen child.
“Yes, there will be. We need every advantage we can get. Leif and Zethan can teach you how to control it.”
“I don’t have to like it.”
Amused by his tone, I said, “Look at the bright side. You reconnected with your parents and gained three new siblings.”
“And you gained a mother-in-law.”
Oh. Right.
“Not so amusing now, is it? I even promised her to bring you for a visit.”
“Fighting Bruns’s Cartel doesn’t seem that bad now,” I joked.
“Ha.”
The silence stretched as I considered how much Valek’s world had been turned upside down in the past two months. The Commander’s mistrust, our marriage, the baby, his family, his lost immunity and the discovery of his magic. No wonder Bruns’s men had been able to capture him at Mara’s. Anyone else would have been unhinged by just one of those incidents.
“Your turn, love,” Valek said. “Why does your touch block my magic? Not that I’m complaining. In fact, I love your touch even more now.”
I told him my theory about the baby being a void. “But after my experience with Loris’s magic and Teegan’s comment, I’m not so sure anymore.”
“Something drained the magic when we were connected,” Valek said. “Is that what Teegan meant?”
“I think so. But if that was the case, then what did the baby
do
with the magic? I didn’t regain my powers. Nothing happened. I don’t think so, anyway.”
“But this blocking power has grown stronger, right?”
“Yes.”
“Perhaps the baby is channeling the power back into the blanket?”
“Perhaps.”
“I guess time will tell if the baby’s responsible for your lost magic, love. In the meantime, you can neutralize a magician with a touch. That may come in handy over the next couple months.”
“As long as it doesn’t hurt our baby.”
“Of course.” Valek rested his hand on my stomach. “That’s what the upcoming battle is all about. Protecting our baby, giving him or her a chance for a peaceful life.”
“No, it isn’t.”
“No?”
“It’s about giving
all
the babies and
all
the people a chance for a peaceful life.”
“You know that’s impossible.”
“I know, but wouldn’t it be nice?” I asked.
“It’d be worth dying for.”
* * * * *
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
E
ven though I spend plenty of hours working alone in my writing cave, none of my books could have been written without the help and support from many people, including my readers. They’re a constant source of joy and motivation.
Thanks to my trio of beta readers—Natalie Bejin, Judi Fleming and my husband, Rodney—my stories are as logical and error-free as humanly possible.
My agent, Bob Mecoy, and editor, Lauren Smulski, have been essential in guiding my stories and career. Thanks for all your hard work!
Speaking of hard work, no acknowledgment of mine is complete without a shout-out to all the talented people around the world who are part of Harlequin. Your efforts on behalf of my books are appreciated, and, if you’re ever in my neck of the woods, stop on by, I’ll buy you a drink.
I don’t have a street team, but I do have loads of supporters who help spread the word about my books. They’re invaluable and I thank them all, especially Alethea Allarey, Jaime Arnold of Rockstar Book Tours, Michelle Haring of Cupboard Maker Books and Sarah Weir.
Thanks to my family and friends for your continuing support. And thanks to my children, Jenna and Luke, for their patience and for not being too embarrassed by Mom’s career and wardrobe choices.
I saved the best for last—my husband, Rodney. Without him, there would be no books. Thanks so much!
“This is one of those rare books that will keep readers dreaming long after they’ve read it.”
—
Publishers Weekly
, starred review of
Poison Study
If you enjoyed
Night Study
, you won’t want to miss a captivating moment in
New York Times
bestselling author Maria V. Snyder’s rich and immersive Study series, available now in ebook format:
Poison Study
Magic Study
Fire Study
Shadow Study
“Snyder’s complex world and rich characterization are what have made this series so unforgettable.”
—
RT Book Reviews
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ISBN-13: 9781488010224
Night Study
Copyright © 2016 by Maria V. Snyder
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This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places and incidents are either the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, business establishments, events or locales is entirely coincidental. This edition published by arrangement with Harlequin Books S.A.
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