Jennifer Murgia: Angel Star

I picture the beautiful triangles of colored glass, the red candles, inside. I picture the way it was when I first came here with Garreth. An ordinary person stumbling upon this place now would assume time has done its damage. They would never know what transpired here, nor should they. There is no need. No need to know that all could have been changed in the blink of an eye.

It is best to let it become covered up and let time erase it all.

It is, after all, just another ruin.

But it was here that I came to know of my angel. It was here that he warned me of Hadrian, and where I learned the truth about my father…about myself. I look at my hand and trace the scar with my finger. I let it fade and become invisible…for now.

I’m accustomed to letting it surface and fade and I watch now as the lines melt safely into the creases of my palm. My back tingles ever so slightly between my shoulder blades. Something else is coming and I smile softly to myself. But for now, happiness is beckoning and I walk toward my angel. No matter how human he pretends to be, for now he is still my angel. I am thinking about all he is giving up for me, the risk he is taking by staying. It scared him once, but not enough to keep us apart. It would be scarier not to take that risk and chance losing what means the most.

To be human, and aspire to become more, is pretty amazing. But to be an angel whose wish is to become human…is a miracle.

There is nothing else I can ever imagine wanting.

My thoughts are interrupted by a sudden shiver that shakes me from head to toe. One name passes through my mind and I know I will have to face him again. Who knows when that someday will be?

He is waiting.

Hadrian.

The trees whisper his name.

Always waiting. And in stoic silence,always watching.

My gratitude is monumental to each and every one who has supported the journey of this book.

First and foremost, I must thank my amazing publisher, Lisa Paul. I cannot thank you enough for seeing the story within the story. Your enthusiasm, insight, and determination to make this book possible went beyond my expectations.

Thanks to Sharon K. Garner for the outstanding copyedits and for your ability to decipher my ramblings, and to Kimberly Martin for your talented design skills.

Thank you so much to my parents, Richard and Linda Voigt, for encouraging me to go after the depths of my heart, and to my grandmother, Alice Danner, for being my cheerleader and friend! The biggest thanks to my “seester,” Sharon Murgia, and to Nicole Murgia and Rhonda Powell for being my first readers, and for putting up with the tears, the sighs, and the giggles.

You guys are the best! Thanks to my friend and fellow author Shelena Shorts for being a mere e-mail away when I needed someone who would understand.

A humongous hug goes to my husband Chris and to my amazing kids, Christian and Megan. Dedicating this book to you just doesn’t seem like enough. I love you so much!

Finally, to the person holding this book, you hold my dream in your hands. Thank you doesn’t suffice.