Throne of Secrets (Wicked Kingdoms Book 3)
Page 20
Feet away, I stop. Listening as they mutter under their breath. I can’t quite tell if it’s a male or a female, but I don’t hesitate. I raise my gun and point it squarely at them.
“I’m armed! Stop what you’re doing and walk away!” Thankfully my voice doesn’t shake, because the longer I stand here, the more I’m sure my legs are going to give out from under me.
The robber turns, and I see a flash of green eyes from the streetlights behind me. They hold their hands above their head and I bravely take a step forward, my heart pounding.
The potential robber lifts their hands, slowly reaching for the hood of their sweatshirt.
“Slowly.” I inch forward another step.
The black hood falls back and I’m face-to-face with a young girl. Maybe fifteen or sixteen. She’s got sharp features, her chin jutted forward with defiance, and her beauty is something women would pay millions for.
“Please don’t hurt me,” she whispers.
I eye her up and down, seeing if I can spot any weapons. “Are you armed?”
“Only with a lock pick.” She lowers her arms. “Please, they have my mother.”
My heart softens despite my efforts to keep it hardened against this child in front of me. “Who does?”
“They do. They sent me here to get them something they want.”
“Why didn’t you call the cops? Surely they can help you get her back?” That’s what I’d have done. And who’s they?
“They said if I called the cops they’ll kill her.” Her voice shakes.
“Who are these people?”
“I don’t know. They broke into our house and have my mom and my little sister. I just want to keep them safe.” Her shoulders hunch and she wipes at her face.
“Can you show me what they’re looking for? Maybe I’ve seen it and I can get it for you and this can all be over.” I try to keep my voice light and positive but every action movie ever is playing in my head. The villains get what they want and they kill the family to tie up loose ends. If I give this girl what they want, does the same fate wait for her and her family?
Keep Reading in Kiss of Frost
Also By
Graceley Knox
The Wicked Kingdoms Series:
1. Mark of Truth
2. Crown of Betrayal
3. Throne of Secrets
4. Mask of Deceit (coming soon)
The Troll Warden Trilogy:
1. Escape (Coming Soon)
Kiss of Frost – Exclusively in the Sirens & Scales Boxed Set
(coming January 9th 2018)!
Dear Reader,
Thank you so much for taking the time to read Throne of Secrets. I hope you enjoyed reading about Ever and her crew as much as I enjoyed penning their story.
Currently I have quite a few books planned for Ever and her merry band of misfits as well as a few other projects. If you’d like to stay up to date on all of my upcoming books, please sign up for my newsletter here: http://bit.ly/GKNewsletter. Or make sure you follow me on Facebook @GraceleyKnox!
If you’re a fan or you’d like to stay in touch, please join my street team, Knox’s Vixens. Giveaways, Advance Reader Copies, hot men, and awesome book recommendations are the norm over there!
If you enjoyed Throne of Secrets, please consider leaving a review on Amazon or Goodreads. I love any and all feedback and every review counts!
Stay Wicked,
Graceley
Acknowledgements
This book was the hardest book I’ve written to date. My characters fought me, I had millions of other things I could be doing, and most of all, it was just a rough emotional journey for Ever. I owe it to my friends and my parents for kicking my ass and reminding me why I started writing. Hopefully I did this one justice.
As always, this book writing dream wouldn’t be possible without my Ma and her incredible faith in me. She never falters when it comes to telling me that, yes, I can do this, and no, I shouldn’t quit because it’s tough. Thank you for being my number one fan, and for everything you do while I lock myself away to write. It’s more than appreciated.
Dad – where’s my puppy? I still don’t have a giant dog sleeping with me every day. I’m disappointed – ha! You’re going to have to make room on that shelf of yours. I plan on writing more books next year. Sorry, not sorry.
Rachel and Shannon – RaSha as it were. I wrote this book during one of the toughest times of my life. I’d have lost my mind if I didn’t have you guys to talk with, laugh with, and trade middle fingers with. When are we all going to the lake, beach, Vegas? I know I’m missing a few places! I love you guys so hard. Thank you for putting up with my sarcasm and crazy before I’ve had coffee.
This book is also dedicated to my Papa. He’s no longer with us, but I know he’s watching over me, smiling. You always believed in me. Even when I changed my mind a million times. Guess all that reading paid off and I followed my dreams. I love you and I miss you Grandpa.
Thank you to Amy at Blue Otter Edits for your attention to this bad boy. I’m so glad we’re working together. I know my book babies are in fabulous hands!
To my betas Tina and Stephanie, your thoughts on my rough drafts are epic and I couldn’t make changes without you guys holding my hands and cheering me on.
To Angel Payne, you read half a book, that I was about to scrap completely to start over and assured me that I write better than a first grader. Thank you for your unwavering support, your friendship, and your epic stories.
To Brandy at Wildlife Bengals in Louisiana. Thank you for trusting me with Rebel and Frenzy. They’ll be so spoiled rotten it’s not even funny. Anarchy and Khaos gain some siblings, and I gain new babies and an equally cat crazed friend.
Last but not least, thank you to each and every reader out there who took a chance on this book or Mark of Truth. I never thought that the crazy ideas flying around in my head would make sense to anyone else but me. You guys kickass!
About Graceley
Graceley Knox is an up and coming paranormal and fantasy romance author with a serious caffeine and book addiction. She prefers to listen to music while she writes and is a former New Englander living on the Gulf Coast of Florida. By day she works in the publishing industry, and by night, she plots out the many ideas cluttering her mind. She has four Bengal kitties who can usually be found lounging within distance of her desk, adding their opinions on her current projects. When she’s not reading, writing, or hanging out with her large extended family you can find her on her various social media accounts.
Visit her here:
www.facebook.com/GraceleyKnox