"If he's dead, then why do I still hear him in my head?"
Izzi's gaze shot to Gib. His expression was as shocked as she felt. "Can you hear him, Alex?" he asked. "Right now?"
"Yes."
"And what's he saying."
"That some things are stronger than life. Some things can never die. Like what was inside of him. It's still alive."
"Where?" Izzi asked. "Where is it alive?"
"I don't know. Out there. Somewhere. He said it's always been here and it will find a home. And when it does, it will find us. What does that mean?"
Izzi looked at Gib, and he took her hand, clasping it tightly. She smiled at him before she answered. "It means our jobs aren't done. We thought we were finished fighting the monsters, but we might not be done just yet."
"Can I fight the monsters with you?"
"When you're older, if that's what you want."
"I just want to be a regular girl with a mom and dad and a dog."
Gib gave Izzi's hand a squeeze, and when she looked at him, he smiled. "I think we might be able to manage that, don't you think?"
"Which part?"
"All of it. After we're married, we can adopt Alex. She'll be our daughter."
"We're going to marry?"
"If you want."
"I do. I very much do," Izzi squeezed his hand and looked at Alex. "How about you?"
"I do, too. Just one thing."
"What?"
"Do I get to have a dog?"
Gib and Izzi both smiled at the child who'd won their hearts. "Any kind you want, kiddo," Gib promised. "If it's okay with your mom."
"Is it?" Alex looked at Izzi.
"It sure is."
And for the first time in her life, Izzi felt there was a chance for her to have a happy life.
She wasn't foolish enough to believe that evil would not rear its head again. She was finally free of those monsters, but now knew there were more who needed to be found and eliminated.
He made others.
Other girls whose innocence had been stolen. Others touched by evil. Others, who, Izzi was willing to bet, would come looking for who destroyed their creators.
Izzi wasn't going to ignore the warning. She was going to be watchful, pay attention, and prepare.
For whatever came next.
A Note from the Author
I've been a reader my entire life, finding solace, excitement, happiness, fear and love in the pages of books. If anything has been a constant in my life, it's reading.
I also remember all of the times in my life when being able to buy a book was a luxury, a treat that I didn't get every week. I've never forgotten those times or how much those books meant to me.
That's why I am so grateful to you, the readers. Regardless of your level of income or profession, I understand how precious your reading dollars are and I feel humbled that you've used some of those dollars to purchase my books.
I hope my stories prove worthy of your investment and thank you from the bottom of my heart.
Many blessings.
Ciana
About the Author
You can find all of Ciana’s books on Amazon.
Visit her author page
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Mystery, Thriller and Suspense Titles
The Boy in the Barn
Out of the Shadows
Let the Game Begin
Wrath: Voodoo's Angel
That Which Survives
A Matter of Trust
The Territory of Lies
Romance Books by Ciana Stone in reading order:
The World of Cotton Creek
The Whisperers
Staking a Claim
Making a Stand
Taking a Chance
The Whisperers Box Set
Rangers
Rangers Box Set
Honky Tonk Angels Series
Southern Comfort – Honky Tonk Angels, Book 1
Finding Justice – Honky Tonk Angels, Book 2
Baby I’m In. Honky Tonk Angels, Book 3
Playing for Keeps – Honky Tonk Angels, Book 5
Lookin’ for Trouble – Honky Tonk Angels Book 6
Coming Home – Honky Tonk Angels – A Christmas Novella Book 7
Honky Tonk Angels Box Set
Heartbreakers & Heroes
Book 1 - Grady Judd
Book 2 - Mason James
Book 3 - Jasper Jacks
Book 4 - Deacon Johns
Book 5 - Brody Judge
Book 6 - Wiley Johns
Book 7 - Gray Horse
Book 8 – Lincoln Shaw
Book 9: Game On
Heritage Series
Book 1 – A Death in Texas
The Fire You Hold
The Senator's Daughter
The World of “The Others”
Untamed Series
(Associated with The Others)
Feels Like the First Time
When You Least Expect It
Colton’s Memory
Untamed Box Set
The Legacy Trilogy
Longing
Craving
Yearning
The Legacy Box Sex
The Seven Trilogy
On My Knees
Ruffle My Feathers
A Taste for Jazz
The Seven Box Set
The Shattered Chronicles
Reckless
Ruthless
Relentless
Darkness
Defenseless
Dauntless
Enlighten
Entrust
Endure
Undone
Unraveled
Unending
Stand Alone Titles
Hot in the Saddle Series
Chase’n’Ana
Scout’n’Cole
Molding Clay
Conn’n’Caleb
Hot in the Saddle Box Set