Avenge
Page 20
“He didn’t try to bite me if that’s what you’re asking. Well, he nibbled a bit, but that was different. I think it’s like Jessica, he doesn’t have any memory of his time—like that.”
Cassie nodded, but knew she wouldn’t get any more out of me. “All right, let’s go tell the med team so we can get him checked out and hopefully back home ASAP.”
“From your lips to God’s ears!”
The medical team cleared Max for release the next morning after keeping him overnight for observation. He forced me to go home and spend a few hours with Jessica. I was reluctant to leave his side, but we had a lot of fun playing board games until the wee hours of the morning.
At the very crack of dawn, I was there ready to take him home. Cassie and Jessica organized a small welcome home party for only our team and as we walked in the front door, Jessica was placing the final tack on her homemade sign—glitter and all.
Seeing us, she ran toward Max and me and wrapped her arms around each of us. “I’m so glad you’re okay, Max. Welcome home!”
I dropped Max’s stuff by the doorway and couldn’t help but smile as Max returned her hug. Her tiny arms wrapped around his neck and he picked her up, spinning her around.
“Welcome home to you too. Your big sister is so happy that you’re here with us for a few days, ya know that?”
“Only until tomorrow,” Jessica pouted. “Cassie told me that I have to go see my grandma and grandpa tomorrow, but I wish I could stay here with you and Lucy. Are you going to be my brother in law?”
Max laughed. “Something like that, sweetie. But don’t you worry, I’m going to take really good care of Lucy. And when you get to the place with your grandparents, you’re going to have so much fun you won’t even have time to miss us too much. I promise.”
“Can I have a dog like Frenchie when I get there?”
“I bet you can.”
Jessica pumped her fists in the air, jumping up and down on the balls of her feet before spinning around to chase Frenchie back down the hall.
Hearing me laugh at the scene, Cassie winked as she iced the cake she and Jessica made as Lola snuck up behind her and stole a swipe of icing. Cassie’s buttercream was famous in our realm, and I couldn’t blame Lola for wanting a sample. Adam grabbed two beers from the fridge, popping the caps off on the counter before walking over and handing one to Max. James was already over there, and the three plopped on the couches and put their feet up before starting to strategize about their fantasy draft picks.
I leaned against the wall, crossing my arms over my chest and smiling. I may have lost my family on Earth, but what I had gained made up for it in spades. Being a Patronus, finding my other half, and kindling friendships that would last an eternity made me happier than I ever thought possible. Yes, I would always miss my mom and dad and everyone else, but I had a new purpose in life. And until every threat against innocent souls was eradicated, I would fight to protect them.
In the meantime, I would love, play, and laugh with the people who surrounded me with hope and happiness. What else could a girl ask for?
While Lucy’s story may be over, the Patronus world is just getting started. Be sure to look for James’ story in the third installment of the Patronus series.
-Avowed-
Coming Summer, 2013
Acknowledgments
“An individual is but a silent spark when they must stand alone, but when others stand beside them, that simple spark becomes a vigorous flame.”
~ Deanna Lee
When I set out to write Awaken, I had no idea it would turn my life completely upside down in the best possible way. And I couldn’t have done it without the help, advice, and friendship of many.
First, to my family: thank you for your continued love and support. I am lucky to have you all in my life!
Thanks to my baby sister Jessica, for letting me kill her and then hold her soul hostage. Don’t worry, Ryan. I’ll kill you in a different book! And THANKS MOM!
Steve, my love and my light: thanks for not giving up on me and letting me live my dream.
Thank you to my critique partner, Nichole Chase. When I was ready to lose it, you swooped in and saved the day. I am so lucky to have you as a friend. I hope one day I can be as awesome as you. But I don’t know if that’ll happen, ‘cause you have a lot of awesomeness.
Special thanks to my beta readers: Shelly Crane, Heather Self, and Melanie Ainsworth. Your input has made this book better than I could have imagined.
Thank you to my good friend, Marguaux Murray, whose chats and phone calls are always the highlight of my day.
Thank you to Tawdra Kandle, my editor, Kristina Circelli, my proofreader, Elizabeth Sharp, my cover designer, and Julie Titus, my formatter, for polishing my book and helping it shine! Your talent amazes me and I am thankful for all your hard work!!
Thank you to the following bloggers, who have posted and retweeted and sent people my way countless times because they believe in me—Jennifer Swiger, Mandy Anderson, Jennifer Morris, Derinda Love, MaryAnn I and Ruthi K, Mera Sampson, Jordan Butcher, Rob Zimmermann, Danielle Rose, and Kathy Womack.
And finally, a big, sloppy, wet-kiss thank you to all my readers. I can’t do this without you, and if I could thank you all personally by name, I would. I am so grateful that you buy my books, recommend them to your friends, and write reviews for them so others can enjoy them too. I love you all to pieces! MUAH!
About the Author
I started my obsession with reading at an early age, getting in trouble for sneaking BabySitter Club and Nancy Drew books into math class in elementary school. I would read any fiction book I could get my hands on. I knew it was an addiction when instead of grounding me from TV or music, my mom would take away my books as punishment (The Horror!). My love of all things paranormal was inspired by my good friend Laurie, who convinced me that books with vampires, witches, and all things shifter were amazing. After a little reluctance, I gave it a shot with the Sookie Stackhouse books, realized she was right, and the rest was history.
I grew up in Pittsburgh, graduated from The University of Pittsburgh with a degree in English, and taught 8th graders to love reading as much as I do for several years. I will always be a proud member of Steelers Nation, but I couldn’t take the cold and moved my frozen tush to Florida where I now live with my family and two cats. You will find me many days with my trusty Kindle in hand and toes in the sand!
Connect With Sarah
Website: http://www.sarahmross.com
Email: sarah@sarahmross.com
Twitter: https://twitter.com/#!/SarahtheAuthor
FaceBook: http://www.facebook.com/SarahtheAuthor
Books by Sarah M. Ross
Patronus Series:
Awaken
Avenge
Avowed (coming Summer, 2013)
Earth Angel Trilogy:
Echo of an Earth Angel
Fate of an Earth Angel (coming Spring, 2013)