‘Is it true?’ he asked, not expecting an answer.
‘Yes,’ she whispered, her lips barely moving.
‘And the creature from the Parry farm, the one who tracked us… The one who… The one who attacked Sasha?’ Ran choked on the words. A tear slipped down his cheek and his hands shook with rage. ‘That was you?’
Her ice-blue eyes locked onto his.
‘Yes.’
THE END
Acknowledgements
I would like to take this opportunity to thank the people who have helped bring Blood of Heirs to the world. Without the care, love and support of those mentioned below, and likely dozens more I have encountered over the years, this book would never have seen the light of day.
My parents and grandparents—for supporting and enabling this obsession. You could not possibly have understood it or seen what it might become. I hope I have made you proud.
My husband, Josh—for paying the bills, wiping away the tears and making me laugh, for holding things together when the writing called me away and most of all, for loving me as I am.
My loyal beta readers—Bec Murton, Ben and Jess Dawson, Aiki Flinthart, Laura Hughes, Jeff Bryant and Graham Austin-King—for your encouragement, honesty, excitement and commitment to bringing this book to life. There are not enough words to thank you
My editor, Sarah Chorn and proofreader, Bethan Hindmarsh—you cannot know how much I value your hard work, critique and faith in the world I built.
My excellent cover artist, Pen Astridge—for taking this challenge with both hands and creating art so much better than I could have ever imagined.
My author-friends, literary colleagues and Fantasy Queens (you know who you are) — for welcoming me into a community of kindness, for your support, encouragement, genuine friendship and love, for being my cheer squad and pushing me through doors I did not know I could open.
All those who have read my work across the years (there are too many of you to name, so I must be content with thanking you as a collective)—for your thoughts, advice and critique. You taught me so much.
Finally, Dr Steve Andrews at Brisbane Private Hospital—for repairing my right hand halfway through the year I wrote Blood of Heirs, and again while I wrote Legacy of Ghosts. I couldn't have finished this book, or continued on writing more stories, without your expert care.
About the Author
Living in outback Queensland, Australia, surrounded by coal mines, snakes, marsupials and a wide blue sky, Alicia is a writer, a mum, a cat-herder and a dog-whisperer. She began writing in her teens and never grew out of the phase, working in her spare time until the birth of her son allowed her to focus on writing full-time. She has also dabbled in editing and blogging while completing a Bachelor of Education and studying a Post Graduate Certificate in Ancient History.
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