I laughed. “I bet you do.”
He wrapped an arm around my shoulders cautiously. “I missed you, kiddo,” he said into the top of my hair.
Acting on impulse, I ducked under his arm to give him a real hug, surprising both of us.
“Good,” I said. I felt like I’d been waiting my whole life to hear exactly that. And it was so worth it.
MY NAME IS ARIANE TUCKER. I share that name with a girl who died a long time ago, but that’s all. This is my life. And my rules:
1. Be in by ten on weeknights, midnight on weekends (with exceptions made for special occasions, which do not, apparently, include marathon viewings of the entire original Star Wars trilogy alone with Zane in his mom’s apartment while she’s out).
2. Keep quiet on the whole being genetically-engineered-from-human-and-alien-DNA thing.
3. Check in weekly with my DHS handler, Justine, and make a quarterly trip to the secret warehouse in Phoenix.
4. Figure out what I want to do with the rest of my life, now that it appears I will have one.
5. Be on call in case of first contact with extraterrestrials (of any kind, but especially those with whom I share a genetic connection).
Oh, and most important…
6. Don’t sneak across the apartment courtyard to spend illicit time with my boyfriend. Rather, don’t get caught.
No problem. I was made for this.
THANK YOU TO EVERYONE AT Hyperion for everything you’ve done to support this series and G&G before it. You are amazing, and I’m so grateful.
As a writer, I’m always looking for ways to improve. Tracey Keevan, you taught me so much about making a story (and my writing) tighter. You can bounce a quarter off this book. (I mean, you totally can because it’s a book, but the story is tight, too.) Thank you!
To Christian Trimmer, thank you for believing in me and Ariane and Zane. (And Alona and Will, for that matter!)
Tyler Nevins, I love the new covers—thank you. I think this last one is my favorite. Ariane looks so badass!
Linnea Sinclair, thank you for always being the calm voice of reason in my ear and the shove in the right direction when I need it. I couldn’t have done this without you.
Librarians are the most awesome people in the world. A big thanks to two of my favorites, Amy and Kim, whom I’m lucky to also call friends. Houlihan’s doesn’t know how to close without us!
I owe a great deal to my local Starbucks. When I’m writing a first draft, I’m there for hours, and everyone is so patient and supportive. So, a huge thank you to Megan, Caroline, Stacey, Sharon, Sean, Dawn, John, Kayla, Michelle, Jacob, Kiley, Shane, Sarah M., Brianna, Sarah P., Jessica, Heather, and Roberto.
And when I’m not at Starbucks, I’m at my local Barnes & Noble in the café, scribbling madly away. Thank you to all the booksellers and staff, especially Alma, Ann, Jay, and Roger.
A big thanks to the following blogs that went above and beyond to help promote The Hunt: Jacque’s Book Nook, Lili Lost in a Book, Just a Booklover, and Bows & Bullets Reviews.
Okay, I feel like this is one of those Emmy speeches that just keeps going…but I’m not done yet! Don’t cue up the orchestra!
Thank you to Becky Douthitt, who has been reading my stuff since we were eighteen. And we’re still friends, which speaks to a lot of patience on her part. Love you!
Thank you to Age and Dana Tabion who remind me to take a breath, have fun, and eat some mashed potatoes every once in a while. To Ed and Debbie Brown, who keep inviting me to dinner and refuse to give up on me, even though I often have to say no more than yes. I’m so grateful that you keep asking!
To my parents, Steve and Judy Barnes, and my siblings, Michael and Susan. Thanks for always listening.
And finally to my very patient husband, Greg, who is supportive even when the people in my head are getting most of my attention. Love you, and thanks for the chocolate.
STACEY KADE is the author of the Ghost and the Goth trilogy: The Ghost and the Goth; Queen of the Dead; and Body & Soul. She is also the author of Project Paper Doll: The Rules, and Project Paper Doll: The Hunt. Stacey lives outside of Chicago with her husband and two retired racing greyhounds.
Learn more at www.staceykade.com, as well as on Facebook and Twitter (@staceykade).