Redemption (32 page)

“I’m aware.” My voice is cool.

“Do you want to explain how you aren’t a
stone statue?” Callan asks.

“The divination of redemption,” I say
calmly.

My brothers are silent for a moment.

“Explain,” Keegan orders.

“The prophecy states the souls of the
daughter of light and the prince of dark shall join together.
United as one, the two will, until the end of days, bring
redemption to creation.”

“We’re gargoyles. We don’t have souls,”
Keegan points out angrily.

“No shit,” I spit out. “At the order of our
resident archangel, Michael, both Eve’s and my bloodlines were
altered by the cherub angel of ancestry. The combined lines have
been designed to fulfill the divination outlined in the
scrolls.”

Callan shoots me a confused look. “Are you
saying that because Eve’s line is from the light and yours is from
the dark, once you mate, she awakens your soul and you can’t cease
to exist?”

I throw him a firm glance. “Yes.”

“By the fucking grace,” Keegan exhales.

“How long have you known this, Asher?”
Callan asks quietly.

“For a while. I didn’t want to tell the clan
because I knew you’d use it as an excuse to get me to step further
into the role of king,” I explain.

“YOU ARE THE PRINCE OF THE GARGOYLE RACE!”
Keegan shouts. “Once you fulfill your charge of Eve’s protection,
then you will become king. The fact that you can’t not exist at
someone’s hand would have been useful information, Asher. This clan
doesn’t keep secrets.”

“Holy shit. Does this mean that you and Eves
have mated?” Callan asks. His words linger in the air as we all go
rigid.

“That’s fucking great, Asher. You’ve mated
with the daughter of Heaven. You’ve gone against your oaths, the
council’s and your people.” Keegan’s words hit me like a whip.

Callan just starts laughing, causing Keegan
and I to turn our focus to him. “Christ, Ash. She just tried to
kill you. You took her virginity, gave her your mate mark and your
bride tried to murder you on your honeymoon night. You’re one lucky
man,” he says, clapping me on the shoulder.

I shrug him off. “She did not try to kill
me.”

“No? Did she have buyer’s remorse?” Callan
chuckles.

“She went after Elizabeth,” I offer.

Callan whistles low. “Crap. She stabbed you
to put you into a stone state healing sleep so you wouldn’t be able
to follow her?”

“Yes,” I answer.

“I’ll give Eves props. That is an
interesting mating present, brother.” He smirks at me.

“Stop it. Both of you. Once again, Asher,
you’ve lost your charge. We’re gargoyle protectors. You’re the
future king and yet you continue to lose the daughter of Heaven,”
Keegan says, more to himself than either of us. “Eve is probably
heading to Deacon’s castle as we speak.”

“That would be my guess. She’s impatient and
knew Michael and the heavenly army haven’t been authorized for the
extraction mission. My guess is she went to save her mother,” I
add.

“I suppose we should go stop her,” Keegan
states and exits the chamber.
“What are you going to do when you find her, Ash?” Callan asks
quietly.

“I’m unsure.” It’s the truth. I’m torn
between strangling her and kissing her senseless.

“Well then, brother, let’s go retrieve your
mate.”

With thanks
to my husband and daughter for enduring my deadlines, crazy
conversations with my characters, and my endless ramblings about
plot and character lines. Someday, I will seem more sane. Until
then, thank you for your support and love.

My girlie Kris Kendall. You’re the only one
who I will allow to touch these damn gargoyles because I know you
love them as much as I do. Even though, at times, I do catch you
playing favorites to Gage. Best. Editor. Ever!

A big thanks to the team at Bravebird
Publishing for, once again, producing the most amazing cover an
author could ask for. I think I might receive more swooning
compliments on the book covers than I do on Asher, and that’s
saying a lot!

Chasity Jenkins-Patrick and Jessica Bromberg
are two of my favorite ladies over at Rock Star PR & Literary
Services. I adore working with both of you. Like stalker crazy. A
huge hug to Hang Le for all the branding she’s designed and I’ve
drooled over. You. Are. Brilliant. Lady.

As always, a special thank you to the beta
readers: Sara Dustin, Maureen Switalski, Terri Thomas, Theresa
Hernandez, Heather White, Meghan Tate, Kayla Clinton, and others,
for your continued dedication toward this series and these
characters.

I’m neither going to confirm, nor deny, the
contest sayings used for:
Pick Callan’s Next Apron Saying
,
were created after a few rounds of margaritas during a day of
tailgating at Jimmy Buffet. That said, thank you to all the fans
for voting. I’m humbled by your love and support for these
characters and this series. A big shout out to Kelly Tannacore, who
won the opportunity to name a character in
Redemption
,
Everley the cherub is forever in your debt.

Nichole and the team at
YA Reads
and
all the amazing bloggers, who ALWAYS host my books with enthusiasm
and love, there are not enough words to show my appreciation. Thank
you all for being warm and accepting of this series. You have been
so kind, and supportive of these books and me, I can’t thank you
enough. Please be sure to support book bloggers because it is truly
something they do out of love for the written word.

Randi’s Rebels, you all ROCK! Thanks for
supporting the Revolution.

As always, my deepest gratitude to the
readers, thank you for taking a chance on this series. I’m humbled
that you’ve embraced it as you have. It’s been a journey of
self-discovery, love and sacrifice for not only these characters,
but me as well. Thank you for allowing me to be a part of your
reading library and literary world!

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.

I love to hear from readers. Please reach out
to me at:
randicooleywilson.com
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R_CooleyWilson

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