“Are you just going to gape, or are you inviting me in?” Stupid comment, being as he was in and already shutting the door behind him when he said it.
“You vanished, died. Everyone saw that you died.” I stumbled back as the man I’d been mourning for the last few hours flipped back the hood on his cape. Alric was alive and well. His hair still had some of the faded black dye but more of the white blond shone through. He looked remarkably sexy for a dead man.
“What do they know? They don’t even know what’s under their city, how can they tell what happens in other dimensions?” He took an amiable step forward. One to which I responded with a panicked step back. Too much had happened. He had poofed out of existence.
“Wait, dimensions?” Boy, my brain must still be recovering from the blow I took—I was functioning about as fast as minotaur in a swimming race right now.
“Yeah, dimensions, others, more than one. That’s where we really fought. But I don’t have time to talk about that now.” One more step and he had me backed against the side of my chair. “I need to leave for a bit, but I had to tell you a few things first.”
Having nowhere further to go, and not sure that I wanted to go further anyway, I peered solidly into those beautiful green eyes. “Oh?” Wit and wisdom that was me this evening.
But he seemed happy with my response, and leaned in closer. His eyes danced as they traveled my face, settling on my lips. “Yes, two things actually. One, the elves are not dead, not by a long shot, and two…” He leaned in further and kissed me slowly, then with more passion. Just as I was responding he pulled away. “This isn’t over.” An instant later I fell forward from leaning into a body that was suddenly gone.
He’d vanished.
Just like that, with a kiss, some cryptic words, and no warning, he vanished. Again.
Well, fine, he’d come back when he knew about that second gargoyle. I’d show him, after all I had it right here in my…empty pocket.
“Shit.”
The End
Acknowledgements
It seems like a book is written by a single person, perhaps two, but in fact it takes an army to bring a world to life. I have been so very blessed to have so many wonderful and supporting people who have helped me along this path.
I’d like to thank everyone who has ever supported me, read chapters, edited, let me cry on their shoulder, and/or bought me supporting and soothing beverages. I could never have done this without ALL of you. I can’t list you all here, but you mean the world to me.
My editors extraordinaire- Khristie Close of Scribe Ink Editing and Jessa Slade of Red Circle Ink- wonderful ladies with wit, skills, and tons of talent. My beta readers: Patti Huber, Sharon Rivest, Tami Vahlik, and Cyndi Chie. Any errors or mistakes are completely mine. My brain storming and emotional supporter Sandi Jordan- also namer of the Shimmering Dewdrop pub.
My very talent artist- Aleta Rafton, thank you for making my world come alive. And to The Killion Group for the formatting magic you do.
All of the wonderful folks in RWASD, specifically the FPE’s for all of their feedback and support (Shoshana Brown, Cassi Carver, Melissa Cutler, Rachael Davila, Lisa Kessler, Georgie Lee, Janet Tait, and Tami Vahlik).
And my family. My father and my best friend didn’t get to see this book, but both always supported me and I know they’d be proud. My sister and my mom support me every day and I am so grateful.
Dear Reader,
First off—thank you for reading this book!
I had a wonderful time creating Taryn, her world, Alric, and those three flying miscreants; Garbage Blossom, Leaf Grub, and Crusty Bucket, and it was a joy to share them with you. Creating people and places is a long process and pulls a lot out of the writer, just as it gives back. I’m not the same person I was before I started writing this series—and it’s a great thing.
I hope there are two thoughts racing through your mind right now as you finished this book: that was a great read and when can I read the next book!
The next book in The Lost Ancient’s series, THE OBSIDIAN CHIMERA, takes place a few months after the end of this book, and will be out in June 2015. The third, and final book for this trilogy, THE EMERALD DRAGON, will be out September 2015.
If you want to keep up on the further adventures of Taryn, Alric, and the faeries, make sure to visit my website and sign up for my mailing list. Not only will you be updated every month or so, there are contests, prizes, and a few secret shorts not available anywhere else. http://marieandreas.com/index.html
If you enjoyed this book, please spread the word! Positive reviews on Amazon, Goodreads, and blogs are like emotional gold to any writer. And mean more than you know.
And please feel free to email me directly- I love to hear from readers. [email protected]
Again, thank you for joining me on this journey, and hope to see you in THE OBSIDIAN CHIMERA.
~ Marie
About the Author
Marie is a fantasy and science fiction reader with a serious writing addiction. If she wasn't writing about all the people in her head, she'd be lurking about coffee shops annoying total strangers with her stories. So really, writing is a way of saving the masses. She lives in Southern California and is owned by two very faery-minded cats.
When not saving the masses from coffee shop shenanigans, Marie likes to visit the UK and keeps hoping someone will give her a nice summer home in the Forest of Dean.
Copyright © 2015 by Marie Andreas
First printing; March 2015
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Cover art: Aleta Rafton
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The Glass Gargoyle (The Lost Ancients Book 1) Page 30