“No, I don’t know why. Tell me,” I whispered.
He squeezed my hand gently, but I didn’t dare look, too scared that his eyes would reveal a hurtful truth. But he took my face into his hands and tipped my head back until his lips were inches from mine.
“I broke up with Kate,” he said softly. My eyes grew wide and for a moment I couldn’t breathe. “I should have done it long ago. We’ve been doing nothing but argue. Our relationship has always been a matter of reason, never of love. When I stayed in Livingston to clear things up with Major, I couldn’t think about anything but you, and every time I visited Kate in the hospital you were on my mind. And when I saw the mark on your rib cage, I can’t describe how that made me feel. I realized how close I’d come to losing you, and when I found out that you were at the funeral . . .” He shook his head, as if it scared him just thinking about it. “I’ve tried to fight my feelings for you because I thought you were too young and because of Major . . . but I just don’t care anymore. I’m tired of resisting, tired of fearing the consequences.”
His thumb brushed across my cheek and then his lips pressed against me, warm and soft. I melted into the kiss, relaxing against him. After a moment, he pulled back and exhaled. “I want to do this every day.”
I smiled against his mouth. “Then do it.”
He pulled back and scanned the area. “We should leave now. I want to get you back to headquarters as soon as possible.”
Alec led me down the hill toward the entrance of the cemetery and past the mourners. Devon looked up. Our eyes met, and for the briefest moment I felt a twinge of emotion I couldn’t explain. Part of me was glad that he would join the FEA soon, before he could be targeted by Abel’s Army, but the other part worried how we would act around each other. Would it be awkward? Or would we try to help each other deal with everything that had happened?
“What about Devon? Who will keep him safe?”
“Before Major and I left Livingston, he assigned Agent Stevens to watch out for Devon. I saw his car in front of the graveyard.”
Relief settled in me. I didn’t want anything to happen to Devon, couldn’t bear the thought of never seeing his smile again. Alec wrapped his arm around my waist, and I let the rightness of his touch carry away the doubt and worry.
As we passed through the gates of the cemetery, I glanced over my shoulder one last time. I didn’t spot the man with the sunglasses but I was inexplicably sure he was watching—that Abel’s Army was watching me.
Major had made it sound like Abel would stop at nothing to get what he wanted. He had already taken two agents. And if Alec’s worries were justified, I was the one he wanted next.
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
I owe thanks to the following people, who made this book possible:
My fantastic agent, Jill Grinberg, for finding the perfect home for me and my book. Having you at my side during the sub process was the best thing that could have happened to me. Katelyn Detweiler, who’s always there to sort things out and answer my e-mails. Cheryl Pientka, who tries to get Impostor out into the world and who never seems to grow tired of my questions! I loved meeting the three of you in New York!
My fabulous editor, Caroline Donofrio, for falling in love with Tessa and her story, for swooning over Devon and Alec, and for making this book so much better.
The Razorbill team for wanting me and my book, and for giving it a stunning cover!
My friend Elke, who loved Impostor from the start and compared it to Vampire Academy, a series we both love. Little did she know back then that I’d end up sharing a publishing home with VA! You are a prophet, my friend!
My crit partners, Kathy, Shari, and Tracy for helping me through the tough times that followed after writing this book. You know what I’m talking about. I wouldn’t have stayed sane without you.
The many beta readers that made this book better: Shveta Thakrar, Trisha Wolfe, Heather Anastasiu, Nikki Loftin, and McCormick Templeman. You rock!
But the absolutely biggest thanks go to my husband, who never lost faith in me, who talked me off the ledge more than once, and who was there for me during the many sleepless nights I spent obsessing over publishing! Danke, dass du immer für mich da bist. Ich liebe dich.
Susanne Winnacker, Impostor A Variants Novel
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