Part 22 (2/2)
”And you get to make that decision? Brooke and her family are far from innocent. They plunder the earth, tear nature to pieces in order to make their money. It's partly the mining that's caused the instability of the pools. She's tied to the land, she's part of it. She isn't so innocent, you know.”
”Brooke's not responsible for her parents.”
”No, you're right, she isn't.” His voice grew softer. ”So what about me, Icy? Bulldog and the others practically raised me. I did what I did because they asked me to, and I wanted to help them. It was only when you came on the scene that I started to ask myself if what they were doing was right. And then that night Jordy attacked you, I realized I cared about more than just the other carnies now.” He looked at me, his eyes so deep, my tears mirrored in his own, pool-like depths. ”I would never hurt you. I love you, Elizabeth. I've loved you from the very first moment you stepped onto the midway, when you caught my eye right before the accident. It was like you reached inside my chest and claimed my heart for your own.”
”You love me?” My voice was a nervous stutter.
He nodded, his face utterly serious. ”With every inch of my being.”
I could hold back no longer. I threw myself in his arms.
”I love you, too,” I managed, a m.u.f.fled cry. He lifted my face and kissed me, ignoring the wet and the salt, kissing my pain away.
But then I remembered he was still leaving.
”What about the carnival?”
He shrugged. ”I don't know. Now Bulldog's not running things, people may disband. Join other carnivals, I'm not sure.”
”What about you?”
He reached out and stroked my hair from my face. ”I'm not going anywhere. My home's right here with you.”
My heart sung. Here we were, neither of us normal, neither perfect, but we'd found each other in this imperfect world.
Like what you've read? Book two in the Dhampyre Chronicles, Twisted Magic, will be released in 2015. Did you know The Dhampyre Chronicles is a spinoff of Marissa Farrar's dark vampire series, The Serenity Series? Why not check it out as the first book, Alone, is free across most book retailers!
Make sure you sign up to Marissa Farrar's new release list to stay updated about new releases, exclusives, and special offers!Acknowledgements.
I had some extra special help from some people during the writing of Twisted Dreams. As I have never been to an American college, I drew on the experiences of some of my wonderful online friends who were kind enough to answer my numerous questions! Those friends were Trina JamesKnerr, Ashley Dora, and Dyamone Gabrielle Rockmore. Thank you so much, ladies. Your insight and help was invaluable.
As always, I also want to thank my editor Lori Whitwam, who worked with her usual lightning fast accuracy, and spotted so many of my errors before I hung them out in public for all to see.
I would also like to thank Karri, who designed my cover art. It wasn't an intentional design, as I spotted this artwork when it won a compet.i.tion and immediately knew I wanted it for Elizabeth's book. I can't wait to see what you come up with for book two!
Thank you, as well, to my little team of fantastic proofreaders, Glynis Elliott, AJ Wilc.o.x, and Kim Hayes. I know Lori's excellent work doesn't often give you much to do, but your sharp eyes are need and appreciated nonetheless.
And finally, thank you to all my readers. Without you, all of these books would never get written.
Marissa.
About the Author.
Marissa Farrar is a multi-published fantasy and horror author. She was born in Devon, England, has travelled all over the world, and has lived in both Australia and Spain. She now resides in the countryside with her husband, three young children, a crazy Spanish dog, and two rescue cats. Despite returning to England, she daydreams of one day being able to split her time between her home country and the balmy, white sandy beaches of Spain.
Even though she's been writing stories since she was small and held dreams of being a writer, her initial life plan went a different way.
In her youth, inspired by James Herriot, she decided to become a vet, and would regularly bring home new pets to her weary parents. Upon discovering her exams were never going to get her into a veterinary degree, she ended up studying Zoology. Once she completed her degree and realised she'd spent the majority trying to find time to write, she decided to follow her dream of being an author. Seven years later, she was published and two years after that she was able to say goodbye to the day job.
However, she's continued to collect animals!
Marissa is the author of twelve novels, including the dark vampire Serenity' series. Her short stories have been accepted for a number of anthologies including, Their Dark Masters, Red Skies Press, Masters of Horror: d.a.m.ned If You Don't, Triskaideka Books; and 2013: The Aftermath, Pill Hill Press.
If you want to know more about Marissa, then please visit her website at . You can also find her at her facebook page, /marissa.farrar.author or follow her on twitter @marissafarrar.
She loves to hear from readers and can be emailed at
Also by Marissa Farrar.
The Serenity Series:.
The Vengeful Vampire (free short story).
Alone (free first novel of the series!).
Buried.
Captured.
Dominion.
Endless.
The Spirit s.h.i.+fters Series:.
Autumn's Blood (free novel).
Saving Autumn.
Autumn Rising.
Autumn's War (out December 2014).
UNDERLIFE.
(Please note, the prequel to Underlife, Go Back, is now free to download from Amazon).
THE DARK ROAD.
WHERE THE DEAD LIVE.
IN THE COMPANY OF THE DEAD.
THE BODY FARM.
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