by Jaime Rush
She loved his smile, too.
“I’m never too tired in my dreams,” he said.
“Bring the pyramids with you.” She propped herself up on one elbow. “How would you feel about an addition to our little family?”
His eyes widened. “You can’t be pregnant!”
“I mean my cockatoo.”
“If it makes you happy, I’ll put up with just about anything.”
She snuggled into his body and for the first time in over a week slipped into a contented sleep. Lucas was here, he was alive and well, and he’d said he loved her.
Before she could sink into dream bliss, though, she passed through the hypnagogic state and heard voices whispering, talking, the mix muddling the individual words.
Cyrus? Are you there?
Amy. You’re all right?
I’m wonderful. I’ve got Lucas with me.
I’m glad. It’s not over, though. You know that.
I do. We’re trying to find as many Offspring as we can. Do you know how many of us there are?
At least a dozen. Probably more.
Can you give me names?
Bill Hammond, but he’s dead. Zoe Stoker. Those were my other Offspring. I didn’t pay attention to the others.
She started hearing other voices intruding. One man’s voice stood out. You will all be annihilated. I see your destruction.
Amy shook away the voice. Cyrus, who was that?
Gladstone. The man Eric Aruda killed. He hated Offspring.
We know. We saw his journal. Can he really see our destruction?
I hope not. I can’t see into the future, but I get premonitions. Right now I don’t get anything.
Cyrus, before you go, there’s something I have to say. I’m sorry I thought you were the enemy.
Don’t be sorry. I deceived you. I was responsible for your father’s death. I’ll never forgive myself for that.
I forgive you.
She fell into sleep then, and waited for the desert sands to stretch out before her…
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
Writing is not a lonely profession. Along the way lots of people helped to make this book come alive, brainstormed ideas, answered questions, and gave encouragement. My sincerest thanks to all of these fabulous people:
Janet Evanovich, for your butt-kicking advice. They don’t call you a phenomenon for nothing!
Pat Hommel, my Annapolis Realtor who showed me your hometown through your words and hospitality.
Dave and Susi Martinson, for the use of Snowball, aka Orn’ry.
Michael Joy (aka KillJoy), for answering computer questions.
Antonio “Tony” Sanchez, MSM, CLET, Captain, Biscayne Park Police Department, for giving me feedback on all these crazy scenarios I throw your way.
My critique bud, Marty Ambrose, for just being you!
I also send out appreciation to the folks on the business end of things who have helped bring this book to the reality that sits in your hand now, including Joe Veltre, Tessa Woodward, everyone at HarperCollins, Sue Grimshaw, and all you wonderful readers and booksellers!
About the Author
Since she was a kid, JAIME RUSH devoured books on unexplained mysteries and psychic phenomena. She knew she would be published, marry a fabulous guy, and win a Toyota Supra. Missing the romance, relationship drama, and action of her favorite television shows—X-Files, Roswell, and Highlander—she created her own mix in the Offspring series.
Jaime loves to hear from readers (unless they’re deranged or don’t have something nice to say). You can reach her at PO Box 10622, Naples, Florida 34116 or through her website at www.jaimerush.com.
Visit www.AuthorTracker.com for exclusive information on your favorite HarperCollins author.
By Jaime Rush
A PERFECT DARKNESS
Coming Fall 2009
OUT OF THE DARKNESS
Copyright
This book is a work of fiction. The characters, incidents, and dialogue are drawn from the author’s imagination and are not to be construed as real. Any resemblance to actual events or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental.
A PERFECT DARKNESS. Copyright © 2009 by Tina Wainscott. All rights reserved under International and Pan-American Copyright Conventions. By payment of the required fees, you have been granted the non-exclusive, non-transferable right to access and read the text of this e-book on-screen. No part of this text may be reproduced, transmitted, down-loaded, decompiled, reverse engineered, or stored in or introduced into any information storage and retrieval system, in any form or by any means, whether electronic or mechanical, now known or hereinafter invented, without the express written permission of HarperCollins e-books.
EPub © Edition DECEMBER 2008 ISBN: 9780061984709
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