by G. K. DeRosa
A glass of orange juice was placed beside me, my gaze watching the orange liquid rippling back and forth.
My grandmother tapped the wooden spoon against my plate. “Eat, Evangeline. Por favor.”
I stifled the urge to roll my eyes and tore off a piece of bacon. The salty meat popped with flavor on my tongue.
My grandmother scoffed dramatically. “Diablo just left hell. Hide your gatos y perros.”
My sister trailed into the kitchen, her raven hair tousled and eyes half-lidded as if she just rolled out of bed. She probably did, and she still looked hot. Marisol was the epitome of a sexy senorita with tanned skin, sultry features, and luscious curves.
Everything I was not.
“Oh please,” she said through a yawn. “I don’t sacrifice cats and dogs.” She reached over and grabbed a plate. “Only chickens and little piggies. At least today.” She piled her plate high, brightening Abuela’s smile.
Why Marisol was allowed to go to Tulane while I had to apply to the community college was beyond me. I had the grades, and we had the money. The only thing stopping me was the night I overheard my grandmother crying while speaking out loud to my father. She expressed her worry about me leaving home. There had never been so much fear in her voice.
“That’s all you’re eating, Flaca?” Marisol’s words yanked me back to the present.
I kicked her leg. “Don’t call me that.” I hated that nickname even if it was sort of accurate. Having skinny as your nickname in any language wasn’t exactly flattering. “This is plenty enough for me.”
Marisol scoffed and reached over, trying to smack my chest. “Maybe if you ate a little more, you might grow some bigger tetas.”
I dodged her hit and shoved her hand away. “My tetas are just fine.” I wasn’t about to admit my boob envy to her.
Abuela smacked Marisol’s arm with the wooden spoon. “Don’t pick on your sister.”
While she was still recovering from the scolding, I leaned over. “At least wearing tight clothes doesn’t make me look like a slut.”
She gasped loudly. “Did you hear that, Abuela? Angel just called me a slut.”
My grandmother winced dramatically. “Well, if the shoe fits…”
Marisol’s jaw dropped. “Abuela! Unbelievable.” She tossed a piece of bacon at me, fighting a smile. “Just wait. I bet there’s a Lolita hiding inside this little muñeca.”
My grandmother passed by, patting my head and then Marisol’s. “Quizás. Maybe she’ll meet a handsome niño this summer.” She disappeared around the corner.
I scoffed and returned to picking apart my toast. “Doubtful.”
Marisol nudged me. “No one in Carrefour is good enough for my Flaca.”
I stuck my tongue out. “You’ve ruined them all.”
She shot me a half-hearted scowl. “Cute.”
“What are your plans today?” I asked, moving the eggs around my plate.
“I don’t know.” Marisol examined her arms and then her nails. “I’ll work on my tan out by the pool and then maybe I’ll get a mani-pedi.” She flashed a smile. “Want to come?”
I shook my head. “I’m supposed to volunteer at the library today.”
She scoffed. “Why would you want to spend your summer in that dungeon when you’re not even getting paid for it?”
My eyes remained on my plate. “I want to do some research.”
“School’s over.” The scent of maple filled the air as she drowned a stack of French toast in syrup. “What could you possibly have to research?”
“Lots of things.” One thing in particular, how to break a deal with a supernatural voodoo creature.
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Also by G.K. DeRosa
The Guardian Series
Wilder: The Guardian Series
Wilder Destiny
Wilder Revelation
Wilder Legacy
Wilder: The Guardian Series The Complete Collection
The Hybrid Trilogy
Magic Bound
Immortal Magic
Beyond Magic
Also by J.N. Colon
The Iron Series
Blood In Iron
Badly In Blood
Blood Lies
Torn By Blood
Blood Shattered
Divine Darkness Series
Dark Souls
Dark Sins
Dark Prophecy
Dark Goddess
Secret Salem Series
Stalked
Hunted
Haunted
Tormented
Acknowledgments
A huge and wholehearted thank you to my dedicated readers! I could not do this without you. I love hearing from you and your enthusiasm for the characters and story. You are the best!
A special thank you to my loving and supportive husband who always understood my need for escaping into a good book (or TV show!). He inspires me to try harder and push further every day. And of course my mother who is the guiding force behind everything I do and made me everything I am today. Without her, I literally could not write—because she’s also my part-time babysitter! To my father who will always live on in my dreams. And finally, my son, Alexander, who brings an unimaginable amount of joy and adventure to my life everyday.
A big thank you to my editor, Sarah. And a new talented graphic designer I discovered, Sanja Gombar, for creating a beautiful book cover. A special thank you to my dedicated beta readers/fellow authors Kristin and Tiea who have been my sounding board on everything from cover ideas, blurbs, and story details. And all of my beta readers who gave me great ideas, caught spelling errors, and were all around amazing.
Thank you to all my family, friends, former co-workers (especially you, Robin Wiley!) and new indie author friends who let me bounce ideas off of them and listened to my struggles as an author and self-publisher. I appreciate it more than you all will ever know.
~ G.K.
About G.K. DeRosa
USA Today Bestselling Author, G.K. De Rosa has always had a passion for all things fantasy and romance. Growing up, she loved to read, devouring books in a single sitting. She attended Catholic school where reading and writing were an intense part of the curriculum, and she credits her amazing teachers for instilling in her a love of storytelling. As an adult, her favorite books were always young adult novels, and she remains a self-proclaimed fifteen year-old at heart. When she’s not reading, writing or watching way too many TV shows, she’s traveling and eating around the world with her family. G.K. DeRosa currently lives in South Florida with her real life Prince Charming, their son and fur baby, Nico, the German shepherd.
Contact me:
Website: www.gkderosa.com and www.wilderbook.com
Email: [email protected]
Facebook: www.facebook.com/wilderbookseries and www.facebook.com/gkderosa
Twitter: @vampgirl923
Goodreads: G.K. DeRosa
Instagram: GK DeRosa
About J.N. Colon
USA Today Bestselling author, J.N. Colon writes young adult and new adult paranormal romance and urban fantasy. She’s a bonified paranormal junkie, getting her fixes from books, television, and movies. Her favorite day of the year is Halloween, and she’s dying to go ghost hunting one day. Stop by her website and learn more about her and her books.
Read More from J.N. Colon
www.jncolon.com