Jeaniene Frost - Eternal Kiss of Darkness

He caught that knife with one hand, noting the fear in Radje’s gaze when he saw it.

“I take nothing from you,” Mencheres said, slicing that knife across Radje’s chest and coating it on both sides with the Law Guardian’s blood. At once, the brightly lit dome around them disappeared into the endless black of Duat, a lone boat floating toward them on an obsidian river. “He does,” Mencheres finished, nodding at the ferryman.

Radjedef screamed as the horned figure of Aken appeared. Mencheres let go of Radje to back away, pulling out the steel beams from the Law Guardian and piling them in a heap below. Aken grabbed Radjedef with one long hand when he attempted to flee, that wide mouth open in a terrifying, toothless grin.

No one can outrun the ruler of the underworld, Mencheres thought grimly. Not even him. One day, he would be the one ferried to stand before Anubis, his sins measured on the scales against the Ma’at to see if the Devourer awaited him, or the peace of his eternal rest in Aaru.

But not today.

Radjedef was still screaming when Aken placed him in the boat. The horned head of the ferryman nodded at Mencheres.

“An acceptable surrogate, Menkaure. Tell me, did you find your darkness?”

A chill ran through Mencheres. “My darkness?”

“Kira,” the ferryman said, pronouncing her name as the ancient Celts would.

Mencheres began to laugh. He’d had the symbolism all wrong. His visions showed darkness surging ever closer, destined to consume him. He’d thought it was death because his despair could anticipate nothing else, but it wasn’t death. It was her.

Kira. Celtic for “dark.”

“Yes, I found her,” he said to Aken. His memory of that endless stretch of darkness in his vision, filling every aspect of his future, was suddenly the most beautiful image Mencheres had ever beheld.

He turned away from the ferryman. The black void disappeared, replaced with the glow from the damaged pyramid around him and the lights of the cityscape beyond. Radjedef’s slowly shriveling body lay now on the bottom of the structure, lifeless, his soul in the boat of the ferryman on their journey back to Duat.

Mencheres had his own journey as well, but his was with Kira, into their future.

I’ll try to keep it short this time, but since there’s truly a small army behind each book, I’d be remiss if I didn’t at least acknowledge those on the front lines.

For holding me up even when I think I’m going to crash, thanks so much, Lord. For dealing with my deadlines, occasional talking to my computer, and a hundred other things, you’re the best, Matthew. For giving me a background of unconditional love, thanks so much, Mom, Dad, and family.

Melissa, Ilona, Vicki, and Yasmine, whether it’s critiquing my manuscripts, offering encouragement, laughter, or a safe place to vent, you ladies rock!

Nancy Yost, you make the impossible job of being an agent look easy. Erika Tsang, as always, your editorial input is invaluable for making my stories the best they can be. Thomas Egner, you delight me with each new amazing book cover. Amanda Bergeron, Pamela Spengler-Jaffee, Carrie Feron, Liate Stehlik, and the rest of the team at Avon Books/HarperCollins, I so appreciate the support you give to me and my novels!

Thanks so much to Tage, whose assistance has allowed me more time to write. Thanks also to all the members of Frost Fans; you make me feel like I’m at a virtual coffeehouse chatting with friends when I’m on the forum. Plus, thanks to the ladies on the Charlaine boards; you humble me with your enthusiasm for my series. To the group from Vicki’s boards, thanks, and I’m looking forward to more post-True Blood chats! To review sites, bloggers, booksellers, and readers who’ve spread the word about my series or offered a word of support: Thank you all so much. It means more than I can ever articulate.

New York Times and USA Today bestselling author JEANIENE FROST lives with her husband and their very spoiled dog in Florida. Although not a vampire herself, she confesses to having pale skin, wearing a lot of black, and sleeping in late whenever possible. And while she can’t see ghosts, she loves to walk through old cemeteries. Jeaniene also loves poetry and animals, but fears children and hates to cook. She is currently at work on her next novel in her bestselling Night Huntress series.

To know more about Jeaniene, please visit her website at www.jeanienefrost.com .

Eternal Kiss of Darkness

First Drop of Crimson

Destined for an Early Grave

At Grave’s End

One Foot in the Grave

Halfway to the Grave

The Other Side of the Grave