The Girl Between Two Worlds

by Kristyn Maslog-Levis

  Finally, darkness fell. I rolled my sleeves up and transformed both of my arms into claws allowing me to dig Mother’s grave faster. I got on my knees, focusing on getting the soil out of the way. Was I hearing my own heartbeat or was the heartbeat under the ground getting faster and faster? I felt the stirring again. This time it was much stronger. I stopped and moved back as the ground started to shift. Whatever it was that was coming out, it was determined to escape. I felt its desperation, its panic.

  My heart was pounding in my chest, I could hear it ringing in my ears. My breath came in ragged gasps, every single vein in my body was tingling, screaming at me to run from the danger. But there was something familiar about the creature emerging from the ground. I knew the scent, the thoughts, the feelings. I knew even before I saw her come out of the grave.

  “Mother?”

  She turned around and adjusted her head so it was facing the right way.

  “Hello, son. Would you like to give your mother a hug?”

  Acknowledgments

  This is my first ever traditionally published novel so there are a lot of people to thank. I have been working on this novel for around five years—not all five years straight since I do have a day job, a daughter, and a husband.

  But I digress.

  Thank you to Justin, my hubby who sees what I want to do and supports it, and Inara, my little girl who is fascinated and proud that I write books, even if it’s not for her age group.

  Thank you to my family, in the Philippines and in Australia. They do not seem to be surprised every time I tell them something new that I want to do.

  Thank you to the SR7D, The Midnight Society, KGB, and friends from around the world who are my personal cheerleaders and PR people.

  Thank you to my beta readers—Roanne Monte, Michelle Baltazar, Kristene Hekmi, Kat Mayo, Abby Lumsdaine, Claire Dy, Anastasia Tellis, Alexandra Eleftheriou, and Lisa Pennell. Your inputs have helped. A lot.

  Thank you to Kriscia and Kitinn, my Sydney sisters, the first people I told my concept to while eating at a restaurant with belly dancers.

  Thank you to Allison Tait, a clever and amazing author who always answers my questions even when she’s on holiday.

  Thank you to Anna Katrina Gutierrez, a brilliant editor who helped me reshape the manuscript with gentle guiding hands.

  Thank you to Marrow Jerry Cabodel for the illustrations. Your artistic skills are beyond exceptional.

  And a big thank you to the people at Anvil Publishing for giving me this amazing opportunity. You never forget your first.

  QUESTIONS FOR CLASSROOM AND BOOK CLUB DISCUSSIONS

  What was your experience while reading the book? Did the story capture you?

  Which character do you find most interesting? Why?

  What do you think about the concept of taking Filipino mythological creatures overseas?

  What can you say about Karina’s struggle? Do you think she made the right choice in the end?

  Compare and contrast Karina and Jason. How are they similar? How are they different?

  If you were Karina, which one will you choose—leave your world permanently to rule a kingdom you don’t understand, or stay in your world and let Engkantasia fall? Why?

  Based on Karina’s state at the end of the book, how do you think she’ll fare in Book Two?