INTEGRATION (Bonfire Academy Book Two) (Bonfire Chronicles) (38 page)

“Mason,” she said, her tone hard. “Remember that this power comes with responsibility.” She stepped back as Mason transformed into a magnificent eagle. He extended his wings and took to the air. He circled the auditorium a few times, with everyone crouching down in their seats, arms covering heads, before he flew out the door his father held open for him.

Once the auditorium had silenced under The Smelt’s death glare, Asmen moved back to the microphone.

“Ryker Darley,” he called. Even though there was no way he could top his half brother’s little performance, I heard Spencer Darley cheer loudly as Ryker walked up to get his diploma.

When Faustine’s name was called, I stood and yelled in delight. She gracefully approached the podium and transformed. She bowed to the audience in her demon form before elegantly changing back into her human one for the picture with Frau Smelt.

I felt a lump in my throat when the last Integrate walked off the stage. This was it. Jagger put his arm around me as The Smelt returned to stand behind the podium. “Congratulations to the new Bonfire Academy graduates!”

“I
s everything under control? It’s time to deliver on your first haiku.”

“Mostly,” Robert said. “We’ve had one hiccup thus far.”

“What?” Miss Miller hissed. “We can’t afford any mistakes.”

“We’d expected Faustine to ride home with her father, but they left separately. We haven’t been able to pick her up yet, but I’ll get on it. It shouldn’t be too difficult.”

“I can do it,” Mason offered.

“Don’t underestimate her,” Miss Miller warned. “Remember that she has her powers back. What about Sebastian, Joplin, Alexander, and Cordelia?”

“We got Sebastian and Joplin on their way to the airport. And I had Alexander picked up in New York. Cordelia, I believe, is on her way here. Quinn?”

“Yes.” Quinn walked over to his office window and looked down into the parking lot. “Here she is now. You guys better disappear. I’ll bring her to New York as planned.”

“Potomal’s crew is on their way to help you with that,” Miss Miller said. “Keep it simple. Just a sharp blow to her head ought to do it.”

W
henever I write this section of my book, I imagine myself standing on a stage, holding a little golden statue. I look over the room full of people, feeling overcome with gratitude, knowing that without all them, this book would remain a figment of my imagination.

The first person my eyes find is my youngest daughter, Lauren, now eleven years old and grinning at me with her shiny new braces. Without her, there would be no stories…no books. She is my muse.

Next to her sits my dear friend and editor, Sue Bernstein, perhaps relieved that she’s no longer visiting my head…until I send her the next book. I bet she never expected to be editing my seventh book when she unsuspectingly offered to edit my first one a few years ago. There is no one else I would trust with my beloved characters.

Late at night, when I’m up writing, there is always one person I can depend upon to be around—Al Kunz. To call him just my beta reader doesn’t begin to describe our friendship. He is the brother I never had. Similarly, the best way to describe how I feel about Allirea Brumley—who also beta reads for me—is to say that she is like a sister. Sometimes, you
can
choose your family.

I am extremely grateful to the rest of my team including my copy editor Lynn McNamee (Red Adept Editing Services) and her staff (Cassie and Misti). Sending lots of smooches to Vickie Boehnlein (beta reader), Lala Price (proofreader), and Sarah Heller (proofreader). Thanks to Ted Risk at Dellaster Design for formatting the ebook edition. Thanks, guys. You are the best.

As I scan the room, I am overwhelmed by the number of book bloggers who have shown unfaltering support of my work. KindleObsessed always makes me smile. Every review she writes is a masterpiece. Candy’s Raves has me in awe with every review she pens. I’d also like to mention Kipp Poe Speicher, Leilani Lopez, and the host of amazing bloggers I have met through Bewitching Blog Tours. I am eternally grateful to Steven Windwalker (Kindle Nation), Greg Doublet (eReader News Today), Abishek Singh (Ireaderreview), Christian Hupfeld (eReaderIQ), Elizabeth Brown (Frugal eReader), and Kindle Fire Station for their support.

The rest of the seats in my self-indulgent fantasy are occupied by my amazing friends, family, and fans. As I mentioned above, sometimes you
can
choose your family. And that’s how I feel about Christine, Anne-Marie, and Sue. I also want to give a special shout out to Heather, THG, and the Backroomers.

Thanks again for your support. You are awesome.

~ Imogen

Imogen Rose is the author of the bestselling series, Portal Chronicles, which has attained cult status within indie literature and become a favorite among teens and adults alike. An immunologist by profession, Dr. Rose published her first work of fiction in 2010. She now writes full time and is currently working on her second teen series, Bonfire Chronicles. Imogen was born in Sweden and has lived in several places, counting London among her favorites. She moved to New Jersey in 2001. A self-confessed Hermès addict, Imogen freely admits to being obsessed with Kurt Cobain. She enjoys shopping, traveling, watching movies, and hanging out with her family, friends, and Chihuahua.

• Jagger

• Octavia

• Rea

• Dr. Amour

• Professor Kunz

I have to be honest. I approached this interview with some hesitation, perhaps even a little trepidation. After all, even though I feel I know him a bit through Cordelia, I’ve never experienced Jagger directly. As he sits before me, I can empathize with Cordelia. He is impossibly magnetic, his aura both powerful and dangerous, the only release, a hint of humor gleaming in his silver-gray eyes. I met with him in St. Moritz, just before the start of Faustine’s Integration year.

Are you excited about starting a new year at the Academy?

I am, though I’m not exactly sure what my role will be this year. I guess I’ll find out when I get there.

So, you’re not heading back as the Student Council President?

I wouldn’t think so. That position is usually only awarded for a year. Plus, my time at the academy is officially over.

Why are you going back, then?

Mainly to keep an eye on my brother, Ryker.

And Cordelia?

Yes, hmm. You said that you had some questions from my fans…

I do! Here is one from Sean Sweeney. He wants to know what you got Cordelia for Valentine’s Day.

Myself. However, like any girl, she obviously needed a “token” as well. I got her a little secret something from Harry Winston.

Nice! The next question is about Cordelia as well. Al Kunz, the infamous celeb book blogger, aka The Snake, wants to know what really happened on the slopes. He wants details.

He couldn’t handle the details.

LOL! There you have it, Al! Moving on… Michelle Cable wants to know what you thought when you first saw Cordelia and what you thought of that electrifying kiss.

That she’s stunning is apparent to all who are lucky enough to behold her. I was struck by her beauty as soon as I saw her, when she first arrived at the academy. It was my policy to stay away from demons, though. Every kiss with her is electrifying, but I’m guessing you mean our very first kiss. I was shocked, but immediately realized what had happened.

Too bad that doesn’t happen to humans. Synching sounds unbelievably intimate…

It is, but the realization that one is bound forever to this one being frightening, too. That’s unnatural in the supernatural world.

I can see that. Faustine seems to bridge the gap between the human and the paranormal worlds. My daughter Lauren wants to know what you think of Faustine, and Vickie Boehnlein wants to know if you’re scared of Faustine.

I love Faustine. She’s like a little sister to me. I feel very protective of her, even though I know that she can take care of herself. And yes, I’m scared of her. I’d be stupid not to be. She’s one of the most powerful demons I’ve ever come across.

10.
Demons seem to like their food, meat in particular. Lynn O’Dell would like to know if you prefer filet mignon or T-bones?

I’m not a demon, but I do prefer Filet Mignon.

Octavia is the enrichment student at the Academy who represents Cordelia at the Student Council trial. Like all my characters, she was born in my imagination, this time inspired by my awesome friend and editor, Sue Bernstein, who is also a lawyer. During the editing process, something odd happened. Sue adopted Octavia into her own imagination, and Octavia seemed to become a manifestation of Sue’s personality. It was a weird, but wonderful thing, and a total hoot. For the first time, my story had a character who seemed to have taken over a life of her own outside my own imagination. So it was only natural to ask Sue my questions for Octavia. I met with her just before Faustine’s Integration year.

Where did you attend to law school?

From the time I was a kid growing up in the mid-western US, I always wanted to live in New York. So I applied to only one law school—a prestigious school in Manhattan that shall remain nameless—and got in! I spent three blissful years in Manhattan before being turned.

When were you turned into a vampire? How old were you?

That’s a day I’ll never forget—I was turned on graduation day. What began as the happiest day of my life, graduation from law school, ended with fangs in my neck and me undead forever. I was…am twenty-six years old.