The golden sky darkened as I asked, “What if someone from the Network kills my father or uncles? Would you kill my team?” My vision turned red as I had a quick fantasy of Theo taking on my father, overpowering him with the abilities our connection had given him. No way I’d let Grandfather retaliate against Theo just for weakening his bloodline.
Grandfather’s lips twitched like he was holding back a laugh. “Your Network serves its purpose policing those supernaturals arrogant enough to reveal themselves and their powers to the human world. If your father or uncles are so inept as to get themselves killed by a human agency like that, then their power wasn’t worth the blood in their veins anyway.” I relaxed. “Now, my dear Magnolia,” he said with a slight tilt of his head. “Until next time.”
His smile changed then, turned violent in a way that made everything in my dream go still. The sea, the breeze, my twin, everything stopped as I stared at this most powerful, most dangerous being.
Then just like that, he was gone. The breeze picked back up as movement returned to the sea.
For a long moment I sat there, absorbing the revelations Grandfather had left me with. How incredibly ironic that in Father and Uncle Max’s quest for greater power, they had turned away from what apparently could give more than anything imaginable. Love. I thought of Father’s Marlena. Things would have been so different if he’d just been able to love her like I loved Theo.
I’d never shared these dreams with anyone else before, but tomorrow, I’d talk to Theo, tell him everything about this place, about my twin and my grandfather. After all, the foundation of my power was love now. Sharing could only strengthen it.
I’d also tell Thirteen what Grandfather had said about more powerful beings existing that the Network wasn’t yet aware of. I couldn’t imagine him actually doing anything about it—I mean, if these beings were a real threat, he would have already known about them.
But all that would happen tomorrow. Tonight, I slept warmly in the arms of the man I loved, a man whose love for me grew my powers to a level that changed who I was for the better. I had a team of friends who accepted me and trusted me. And now I had a real member of my family who was truly interested in me. He would continue to talk to me, answer my many questions, and visit me again in this safe place. Our paths would cross in real life one day, either through a Network assignment or through some other means, but I had a feeling that wouldn’t happen until both of us were ready.
I reached out to touch my fingertips back to my twin’s and returned her smile. I wasn’t evil and I wasn’t good. I was powerful, with the potential to do so much with both. Glancing around the crimson-and-gold landscape, I felt surer of myself than ever before.
And for once, I was much too at peace not to lie back and simply smile.
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
First and foremost, I’d like to thank you, the reader. Thank you for spending some time with Magnolia in all her beautiful, dysfunctional glory. She is very dear to my heart, and as she continues to grow, I can’t thank you enough for coming along for the ride.
I would also like to thank Amazon Publishing, 47North, and the many people who worked so hard to bring No Love for the Wicked to life. Most especially, I’d like to thank Maria, Jayne, and Patrick—your constant communication and support are more than I could have ever hoped for in a publishing team.
Speaking of teams, my eternal gratitude will forever be sent to the incredible people at New Leaf Literary. Kathleen, Suzie, Danielle, and the miracle worker herself, Jo—I hit the jackpot, won the lotto, and found a pot of gold at the end of the rainbow the day I signed with this incredible agency. I thank my lucky stars every time I send in another round of edits that they are still willing to work with me.
I’d also like to send a special thank-you to my dad’s crazy old roommate—your encouragement and insight is more appreciated than you know.
Finally, I’d like to send my loving thanks to those who are always with me, whether it be in my created worlds or my real one: Molly, my always reader. Mark, my always inspiration. Sarah and Cathy, my always supporters. Stephanie and Amy, my always cheerleaders. J and R, my always foundation. And Brian…my always. Thank you.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Photograph by Molly Champion, 2011
Megan Powell was born and raised in the Midwest, where she developed a strange affinity for state fairs and basketball humor. Her debut novel, No Peace for the Damned, was the first book in her Magnolia Kelch series. When not writing, Powell can be found feeding her paranormal romance addiction.
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