Elemental Issues

Failing to get Mari out of Springfield, Troy is starting to succumb to dream deprivation madness, but when he calls on Caron’s help, an unintended seeding leads to more than an exceptional future progeny as his blood also awakens something even more unexpected in her heritage. The war between the Colonies heating up, putting Mari’s foreshadowing ability to the test, when she discovers Christoph’s intentions to go renegade actually means severing ties to the clan’s true monarch in Italy, a kingpin in the vampire world, she finds herself also contending with his legendary foreshadower. And though Christoph begins allowing Troy visitation rights, the chance of regaining any kind of future with him grows more uncertain when every visit comes with news of his deeper involvement in the extraordinary life he’s building with Caron.

The failure to retrieve Mari from Springfield having left Garlin a prisoner, Troy now knows she feels her destiny lies with Christoph, as his foreshadower, but has also become his lover. Hoping she may not have given up on them, even so, he can sense the presence of her mind as she often watches him holed up in her old house. He won’t leave for fear of missing these visits, does nothing but sculpt marble effigies of her day and night at hyperspeed. Succumbing to dream deprivation madness, he’s also beginning to desiccate, barely feeding on packaged blood. Calling on Caron one night to come to his aide, Troy can’t hide his true nature and they come to an arrangement for ongoing feedings. Only after circumstances require him to feed her does he realize she’s pregnant. So shocked by what he’s done, he reveals she now carries a sleeper. With David still under Mari’s captivation and mourning her death, their marriage is failing and Troy finds himself increasingly drawn to taking care of both mother and child. But the surprising discovery of his future progeny’s heritage isn’t as great as finding that his blood has awakened something even rarer in Caron. The war between the Colonies heating up, Mari’s foreshadowing abilities start really being put to the test, even with Garlin now cooperating with his knowledge of Joplin. But as preparations get underway for the assault, seizing the Ouachita enclave is no longer her biggest worry. When her visions unexpectedly throw her to Italy, Mari discovers Christoph’s plans to sever ties to their chieftain in Kansas City, in fact, means going renegade from the clan’s true monarch, a major power in the vampire world. And worse still, trying to stay a step ahead of his legendary foreshadower. Her personal life presents no fewer challenges. Securing her hand, Christoph begins to allow Troy weekly visits, but every time he arrives, Mari finds him more caught up in an extraordinary life he’s creating on the outside with Caron.

Shanda Adams resides in the Ozark Mountains of northwestern Arkansas. With a degree in cultural anthropology from Wichita State University, her studies underlie her portrayal of a complex, hidden society as old as mankind. Besides the Ozark Destinies Series, she is working on several individual book projects and the release of a paranormal short story in the Fall of 2013. Outside of writing, she spends much of her time hiking in the nearby wilderness area and state parks. She also enjoys nature and wildlife photography, quiet evenings around a campfire, and curling up on the couch with her dog and a good book.