Unreap My Heart (The Reaper Series) (39 page)

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Authors: Kate Evangelista

BOOK: Unreap My Heart (The Reaper Series)

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A shadow ran in front of Arianne. Something wet splashed on her face, followed by blades grinding against each other. She wiped away the wetness on her cheek and blinked to focus her vision. The first thing her eyes latched on to was a striking blue blade with circle cut-outs preventing the black blade of Balthazar’s scythe from coming down. Then—just as she gasped—her gaze moved from the wet black hair plastered against the back of a head she’d recognize anywhere. She’d spent most of her high school life staring at it. She realized the whole body standing in front of her was dripping wet. Only then did his being naked register. Arianne flicked her eyes up to the dueling blades again.

“Get out of my way, Nikolas!” Balthazar said through the wall of his teeth, fangs bared.

The words confirmed what Arianne already knew. Her heart soared. Somehow Niko had gotten out of that crystal coffin to save her from Balthazar. She’d never loved him more than in that moment. She should have never doubted her feelings for him. Balthazar only said all those things about not really knowing Niko to mess with her head. She shouldn’t have trusted anything that came out of Balthazar’s mouth.

“Niko.” She said his name like a prayer.

Without losing his footing against Balthazar’s push to bring the blade of his scythe down, Niko glanced over his shoulder at Arianne. She smiled up at him, expecting he’d grin back at her the way he always did.

Instead he frowned and said, “Do I know you?”

Acknowledgments

This novel took me a long time to write. I lost the story for a while. Then, when all hope seemed to be lost, Balthazar came along and brought the story back to life for me. He’s the bad guy who saved the day. I love him to bits, even if he hates that I do.

As always, I first have to thank my family. We are a small group. Some even say a core group, and I’m fine with that. When someone’s at the hospital, the house really feels empty. I thank the universe every day for having a father who forgives my shortcomings and bursts of temper and continues to be proud of me. I’m thankful for the constant presence of the Momager in my life. She’s my guiding light. My trusted advisor. My Emily Gilmore. And my brother, the guy who tolerates me…and that says a lot. You don’t know.

I want to thank Elizabeth for continuing to believe. This story wouldn’t have been told without your gracious acceptance and awesomeness. Thank you for Omnific. You’re on my People to Meet in the Future list.

Thank you, Lisa, for asking me when I would be submitting the next book. I started my 2013 right because of that email. As for the next book? It’s getting there. I promise. ;-)

A hundred thank yous go to Colleen. You guide the way. I wouldn’t have seen the holes in need of plugging without your excellent notes. You make the process so much fun. Looking forward to your notes for the next book…that is, after I finish writing it.

A meteor shower of gratitude rains on Kathy for batch after batch of comment bubbles. You totally helped me clarify images and avoid choppy sentences. You shined the light on the right spot at the right second.

A champagne bottle goes to my critique partner, Angie, for falling in love with this story. She is the first person who reads any of my stuff. She sees the raw and the ugly and never hesitates to help me clean shit up. I love you, Sis!

Baskets of chocolates go to Traci, publicist extraordinaire. Thank you for helping me think up ways to get people to pay attention to my books. Your support is priceless. I look forward to actually giving you a tackle hug in real life.

Bouquets of carnations go to everyone else behind the scenes. I may not know all of you by name, but please know that you are in my heart. I would be lost without your talents. All the mistakes found in this novel are my fault alone and no one else’s.

Hugs and kisses go to you, dear reader. Thank you for accepting Balthazar into your life. Do you believe in the good in him? He won’t ever admit it, but I think he can be a sweetheart when he wants to. Thank you for joining me in this journey through the Underverse. Know that the Voyeur is watching you.

About the Author

When Kate Evangelista was told she had a knack for writing stories, she did the next best thing: entered medical school. After realizing she wasn’t going to be the next Doogie Howser, M.D., Kate wandered into the Literature department of her university and never looked back. Today, she is in possession of a piece of paper that says to the world she owns a Literature degree. To make matters worse, she took Master’s courses in creative writing. In the end, she realized to be a writer, none of what she had mattered. What really mattered? Writing. Plain and simple, honest to God, sitting in front of her computer, writing. Today, she has six completed young adult novels.

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