Alexandra Adornetto: Hades

“It’s perfect for you,” Xavier observed.

“It’s so elegant,” I breathed. “Where on earth did you find it? I’ve never seen anything like it before.”

“My grandmother left it to me in her will. My sisters were pretty pissed off that she wanted me to have it. It’s a ring made for an angel. Aren’t you going to try it on?”

I nodded and reached hesitantly for the ring, still struggling to believe that something so intricate and so precious was to be mine. But I never got the chance to try it on. Just as Xavier’s words were spoken, the very earth beneath us began to shake as if Heaven itself were in revolt.

The ring slid off the table and tumbled onto the trembling floor.

Thank you, Mom — for everything. I don’t even know where to start.

Thank you, Liz Kerins, for being my adopted big sister and dear friend. Our Texas road trip was epic.

Thank you, Janna, Gail, and all the Memphis girls, for making me fall in love with the South.

Thank you, Christopher, for understanding that “creative” is pretty much code for “crazy.”

Thank you to each and every one of my fans. Without you, none of this would have been possible. I love y’all!

Thank you to everyone at Feiwel and Friends, for their commitment and dedication to this series.

Thank you to my agents, Jill and Matthew, for believing in me.

Thanks to my dear friend Lisa Berryman — your intelligence, grace, and insight have helped shape me as a person, as well as a writer.

Lastly, thanks to my country music heroes: Hank Williams, Johnny Cash, Willie Nelson, Kitty Wells, and Alan Jackson, for being my constant inspiration.