Abby turns to me, squeezing my hand. “Eve, she loved you. She loved all of us. That girl was the only one I know who unconditionally accepted who and what we are. She knew what our paths are supposed to be. Aria sacrificed her life so you could complete your ascension and fulfill your destiny. Her death will not be in vain. I promise you.”
I acquiesce and forgive that she disregarded my question. Abby gently tugs on my hand, pulling me toward the black Escalade. “Come on. Michael would like us to get you to England before nightfall.”
I numbly follow her, allowing her to guide me. Her hand is in mine as we walk toward Callan. Dressed only in his pea coat, jeans, and a pair of gloves, he must be freezing. Then I remember the coldness doesn’t affect them the way it does me.
As we approach, he pulls me into his signature bear hug. “It’s going to be all right, Eves. I promise,” he speaks quietly in my ear before opening the door and helping me in. “In you go, cutie,” he orders, assisting me and then Abby into the back seat.
Asher sits on the seat bench, waiting. His beautiful indigo eyes are marred in sorrow for both Aria and myself. He opens his strong arms to me and I fall into them, absorbed in his warmth. I place my head on his solid chest, allowing the scent of smoky wood and leather to assault my nose, a fragrance that’s all Asher. The dark stubble on his jawline and chin entangles in my hair, comforting me.
His deep voice is gentle. “Keegan, we’re ready to go to the airport.” At his command, I lift my long lashes and notice McKenna’s platinum blonde hair in the front seat next to Keegan. A tiny smile brushes over my lips, knowing I’m safe with the London clan.
I curl into the shelter of my gargoyle’s protective arms and briefly shut my eyes, saying my final goodbyes to my roommate and friend as he holds me.
My head turns to the window and I notice pink rose petals floating gently in the icy wind as Keegan begins to pull out of the cemetery at a slow pace. Assuming it’s a sign from Aria, I glance one last time toward her marble stone marker only to see the stone and pink rose have vanished.
In its place, Deacon stands amongst the now crushed headstone. His hand is open as the pink flower petals drift in the gentle wind toward me. I sit up and press my forehead to the glass, fixated on them.
Deacon mouths to me as we drive away, “It’s just beginning.”
Glossary
Batya – Daughter of God
Barghest – A monstrous black dog with huge teeth and claws
Belker – An evil spirit whose body is composed of smoke
Banshee – A female spirit messenger from the underworld
Feeks – Gaelic for gorgeous girls
Gurgulio – Latin for Gargoyle
Dialect Translations
CHAPTER 1
Dimittet eam, Nero: Let her go, Nero. (Latin)
Subdit est filia Dei: Daughter of God, your protector is here. (Latin)
Dixit mittam tibi pergat ad profundum inferni, sive: I said let her go or I’ll send you back to the depths of Hell. (Latin)
Et subdit quod me putes: And you think you can send me back protector? (Latin)
Et veniunt ad me ut gurgulio: Then come get me gargoyle. (Latin)
Delectabiliter: With pleasure. (Latin)
CHAPTER 2
Cartref merch Croeso duw: Welcome home daughter of God. (Welsh)
CHAPTER 3
Ui vid lem kredon hiuman in-saengkt ku drak ágra-lem: I see they entrusted the human protection to you dragon warrior. (Garish)
Via, qua-lem plú ben to in-saengkt the des-por de arc de drak ágra-lem: Of course, who better to protect the daughter of god than a dragon warrior. (Garish)
Beidh mé tú a mharú go mall agus millteanach: I will kill you slowly and painfully. (Gaelic)
CHAPTER 4
Drak om in-ex Asher de the grav cal-ort: Dragon spirit release Asher of the bonding connection (Garish)
Acknowledgements
I’d like to start by thanking my family and friends for supporting me throughout this amazing journey. Without your love and encouragement, I would never have written, and finished, this series.
Every author should be so lucky to work with Kris Kendall, who made the editing process smooth and kept my anxiety levels low. You’re truly (←adverb alert) a delight to work with and I’m in your debt for birthing this series with me, through affectionate guidance. Thanks for not letting me chicken out. Hugs!
Thank you Claudia McKinney of Phatpuppy Art for the cover design. Your vision was spot on, and it was so much fun creating this world with you visually.
A huge thanks to the beta readers, specifically: Sara Dustin, Maureen Switalski, Kaylee Murdoch, Meghan Tate and others, for your dedication toward this book and these characters.
Terri at My Book Boyfriend Blog thanks for agreeing to be my first reviewer and turning the review into a beta reading. Your honesty and feedback made this story ten times better.
Paula (a.k.a MOM) thanks for believing in me enough to get excited about, and read, a New/Young Adult Paranormal Romance. A special debt of gratitude to my sister-in-law Deb who kept my secret, my brother Michael for your encouragement, my sister-in-law Leigh who helped secure beta readers and my brother Dan for the amazing website - which I keep touching, and he keeps fixing. To my mother-in-law Darlene and sister-in-law Stacey, thanks for all your support, always!
To the real Bert: Sara Dustin, my friend, sister, and partner-in-crime with whom I’ve shared countless book ‘boyfriends’ and love stories with. Thank you my dear friend, for your unwavering friendship over the years. All my love: Ernie.
It’s my hope that I’ve proven to my daughter Maddison that no matter where you are in your life, your dreams and desires can be accomplished. Always reach for the stars my little rainbow! Mommy loves you and each night will see you in the morning light.
Last but by no means least, thank you to my husband Dave, whose unconditional love and support helped me face my fears and achieve my dream. You allowed me to talk incessantly about the ‘voices in my head’ without having me committed and for that, I love you. Thanks for reading your first New/Young Adult Paranormal Romance and actually bribing me for more chapters as you ran out and believing in me enough to buy the first book.
Finally to the readers, thank you for taking this journey of self-discovery, love and sacrifice with me.
About the Author
Randi was born and raised in Massachusetts where she attended Bridgewater State University and graduated with a degree in Communication Studies. After graduation she moved to California where she lived happily bathed in sunshine and warm weather for fifteen years. She and her husband recently moved back to Massachusetts with their daughter where she was encouraged to begin writing again.
Revelation is her first novel and The Revelations Series is her first New/Young Adult Paranormal Romance series.
I love to hear from readers, please reach out to me at: randicooleywilson.com or via social media outlets:
Twitter: R_CooleyWilson
Facebook: www.facebook.com/authorrandicooleywilson
Goodreads: www.goodreads.com/RCooleyWilson
REVELATION (THE REVELATION SERIES) Page 24