Part 22 (2/2)

I pulled out a black card. In blood-red letters were four simple words: BECAUSE I LOVE YOU.

I caressed the words with my fingertips and held the letter to my heart. Tears fell from my face as I wearily slunk against the Mansion gate.

It was a stake shoved into my heart.

Birds chirped overhead and I looked up to see them hovering over the trees. One swooped down and landed above me on the iron gate.

It was a bat.

Its wings remained solemnly still as it fixed its gaze upon me. Its shadow prominent on the pavement, its breath in time with mine. Bats are blind, but this one seemed to be staring right into my soul.

I slowly reached for it. ”Alexander?”

And then it flew away.

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS.

A million thanks to my editor, Katherine Brown Tegen, for your experienced advice, talent, and friends.h.i.+p. Many thanks to Julie Hittman, for your hard work and communication, and the wonderful staff at HarperCollins. I'm deeply grateful to my brother, Mark Schreiber, for your generosity and expertise. XOXO to Suzie, Ben, and Audrey Schreiber, for your support and the memorable trip to New Orleans.

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