Glitch
Page 27
“Don’t blame yourself, honey.” Her glower landed on a picture of Declan gracing the wall next to us. “I have a general idea who might be responsible.”
My hands balled together around the necklace. “Bald Declan said he’d manufactured this timeline—my timeline—with his younger self, giving him all his wisdom and stuff. How could he do that?”
“With my help, that’s how.” Anna’s shoulders fell. “You know, I tried something different than what the others had done. Instead of hiding my abilities, I embraced them, hoping to use them for good. I didn’t want to believe that by giving power to Declan it would destroy him. His mind is brilliant and he had such ideas to use my gifts in spectacular ways, like with the Advice Meetings and the DOD watches. But I was wrong, and now everyone is suffering.”
I blinked at her confession in astonishment. I knew she’d most likely been behind those advances, obviously, but to know they weren’t helping society surprised me. “So, they don’t have those in your timeline?”
She chuckled. “No. I don’t think anyone would allow such controls. They hate Declan, so… I let my guard down and he found me and blackmailed me… Like he always does.”
I zoned out and tried to wrap my mind around this. It was too much to think about. I’d craved this meeting for so long, to find out the answers, to know the truth, and now my brain hurt.
“So now what?”
“You need to get my journal and then return Sawyer and Kaden to their rightful timelines. And I’ll do the rest.”
“But what about a cure?”
“I know someone who can fix this.” She smiled, but it didn’t reach her eyes.
Hope filled me. Kaden would be saved as well as anyone else I’d infected. “Good, cause I think I might have infected Kaden.”
Her brows pinched and I looked away. “I infected Declan somehow and I kissed Kaden. What if I infected Sawyer, too?”
“If they stay alive, they’ll be okay until I find the cure.” She grit her teeth. “Just get the journal and then get Kaden and get our little boy to the homestead. He doesn’t need to be part of this fight, not yet. And don’t jump a whole bunch. It just… it messes things between our worlds up every time. Just promise me you’ll jump in emergencies only.”
“Okay.” I nodded. The commotion in the hall drew my attention. “Can’t you just come with me?”
Her lips curled in a soft smile. “I wish I could, believe me. I’ll meet you at the homestead.”
More tears fell down my cheeks. “I’m afraid.”
“I know you are.” Her eyes flickered to the door as the knob rattled. Declan yelled something outside and Anna’s expression darkened. “Don’t ever bargain with that man. He’ll betray you every time. Now go.”
My chest heaved. “I don’t think I have the strength to jump right now.”
She pinched her lips together. “Just relax and let go.”
I pushed the tears from my eyes. I didn’t want to leave. I wanted to be with her forever. In her presence I felt the strongest. “What if I fail?”
She smiled as something crashed into the door. “You can’t, and you won’t. Now go!”
She reached forward and squeezed my hand. Goosebumps flooded over my skin as her body stretched and sparkles burst in the air.
“Wait! Why is your name Anna?”
She smiled for a moment before speaking. “I switched you at birth.” Then she was gone.
I turned one last time to see the door fly open, but I never saw who was on the other side. Darkness enveloped me and I braced myself for what waited on the other side.
… to be continued in Switch, Book 2 of Brighton Zombies.
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If you enjoyed reading GLITCH, I’d appreciate if you’d help others enjoy this book, too, by reviewing it at B&N, Goodreads, or wherever you purchased it. If you do write a review, please send me an email at brendapandos@gmail.com so I can thank you personally. Or visit me at www.brendapandos.com.
OTHER BOOKS BY BRENDA
YA Paranormal Romance
The Emerald Talisman
The Sapphire Talisman
The Onyx Talisman
Out for Blood
Blood Wars*
YA Urban Fantasy
Everblue
Evergreen
Everlost
YA/NA Post-Apocalypse Dystopian
Glitch
Swith*
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
To my husband, my rock and my best friend: Your love is my greatest treasure. This is all happening because of your endless encouragement and continual help with my emotional wellbeing, our family’s needs, and the daily grind. I’m so thankful!
To my youngest brother, Nate, the first Indie I knew. Your example gave me the courage to go after my dreams and I’m tremendously proud of your accomplishments. Thank you. This book embodies you and your love for the Squatch! To my family: for asking about my progress, encouraging me along the way, reading what I write and still loving me. Thank you.
To my BAFF, Author Kristie Cook, for all your encouragement, advice, input and listening ear. You mean the world to me. To Author Jim L’Etoile, for your help with research and that little bit of snark to make me laugh just when I need it.
To my incredible beta team: Julie “Jewels” Bromely, Nicole Hanson, Donna Poole, Jessie de Schepper, Stacey Nixon, Terry Mitchell and Claire Taylor. And the rest of my street teamers: Ashley Shaw, Sarah Erhart, Kate Wilson, Julie Burns, and my #1 fan, Rhonda Helton. Also, to Donna Wright, author Valia Lind, and author Nikki Garcia. You all are such a gift to me and there when I need it most. I’d be no where without you. A million bazillion hugs and thank yous!
To Karen of Crain Editing, thank you for making me look smarter than I am and feel like a million bucks while doing it. You’re the best!
And last, but not least, to my Heavenly Father. For all the blessings in my life I don’t deserve. You love me in spite of me and stretch me even when I ask “why”. I get it now. Thank you for allowing me this dream.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Brenda Pandos is the author of eight paranormal/sci-fi books, The Talisman Series and Mer Tales, and Brighton Zombies. She lives in California with her husband, eight chickens and a grumpy cat, and loves to be contacted by readers.
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