First Watch: A Watcher Bay Adventure (20 page)

Too late now, Cristina could see Elinor. She stood over her own body and spoke to Elinor.

“What happened to me? Am I…Am I dead?”

“Yes. You are passed from this life. Do not be afraid. You are safe here.”

Cristina’s eyes brimmed over with tears. “My baby?” She groped her still-pregnant abdomen. “What’s to become of my baby?”

Elinor shook her head. “I do not know. I believe you will see your child again, but I cannot say for sure.”

In an instant, the terrible grief turned to fury, and Cristina’s eyes glinted with rage. “He is a monster. Someone has to stop him.”

“There is one who can stop him, but she does not yet know her destiny.”

“Who?”

“Avery Lane. She alone can stop him.”

“You will help her, won’t you?”

The fear in Cristina’s voice was different now, and it was clear she was no longer scared for herself, but for her friend. She put her hands to her throat. “He is so strong. How will she stop him?”

Elinor spoke softly.

“That is why I am here, to help her when the time is right.”

Cristina smiled at Elinor. “Thank you.” She started to turn away and then stopped. “Will I see you again?”

Elinor replied, “Only time will tell, my dear. Go now, find your child.”

With a nod, the spirit of the dead girl vanished into the dark night.

Elinor turned and walked away, unable to watch the disheveled man as he struggled to toss Cristina’s still-warm body into the frigid desert lake.

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ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

Thank you early readers and those of you who constantly support my writing. You mean everything to me.

Heidi Martin

Jaymi Elford

Roslyn McFarland

Amanda A. Allen

Gary Taber

Jared Seal

Gretchen Grey-Hatton

Much gratitude to my fellow authors in the Paradisi world for all your contributions in this extensive collaboration.

Amanda A. Allen

Roslyn McFarland

Andy R. Bunch

Louisa Locke

Sarah Woodbury

Cheri Lasota

Ashley Angelly

FIRST WATCH

Copyright © 2015 by AUBURN SEAL

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