by Ronie Kendig
Haven laughed. “You slam it on the ground.” She eyed her mom. “Videoing?”
“Of course,” Mrs. Linwood said.
Tox had to admit he liked this. Liked her in their home. Liked his friends gathered. His parents. With a shrug, he raised the paper grenade above his head. Glanced at Haven and slammed it to the ground.
Blue powder puffed into the air, filtering across the small lawn with vigor.
Tox shoved both fists in the air. “Yes! A son!”
Acknowledgments
Of course, many thanks to the real Dr. Joseph Cathey, who allowed me to use his identity in the creation of the fictional Dr. Cathey. Thanks, Joe, for your inspiration, long chats, and brainstorming. You have an incredible mind and heart!
Special thanks also to Ian McNear and Elizabeth Maddrey, PhD, for your technical help with coding and its intricacies to make the fictional Blood Genesis game legit.
Thank you to my Rapid-Fire Task Force, a team of amazing readers and reviewers, who have been a tremendous help to me: Rel Mollet, Emilie Hendryx, Mikal Hermanns, Heather Lammers, Jamie Lapeyrolerie, Lydia Mazei, Brittany McEuen, Elizabeth Olmedo, Sarah Penner, and Steffani Webb.
And 100,000 thank-yous to my publishing team at Bethany House. My editors, Dave Long and Jessica Barnes, who have been so amazing in helping hone this story into the incredible read that you are holding today—even inspiring me to kill off one character and save another (plotting murders by moonlight . . .). And the marketing and publicity team, who are ever-gracious and so wise in this quickly changing environment. I’m so grateful for each of you!
Ronie Kendig is a bestselling, award-winning author of over twenty novels. She grew up an Army brat, and now she and her hunky hero are adventuring on the East Coast with their grown children and a retired military working dog, VVolt N629. Ronie’s degree in psychology has helped her pen novels with intense, raw characters. Visit Ronie online at www.roniekendig.com.
Books by Ronie Kendig
The Warrior’s Seal (A Tox Files Novella)
Conspiracy of Silence
Crown of Souls
Thirst of Steel
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