I’m proud of her. Hate would have been easy.
I’m still struggling with mine. But that’s okay. I’ve realized hate...and even love...are more than emotions, more than words. They are choices. I decide—what to say, what I do. And I’ve decided to bet on love. On Ali. She’s always been, and will always be, the moral of my story.
Let your light shine,
Cole and the future Mrs. Cole
Ali and the future Mr. Ali
P.S. This letter will self-destruct in ten seconds.
*
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
Love never fails. I know this to be true, more so now than ever before. To God, the One who blessed me, strengthened me and, no matter what was going on in my life, always made a way for me. Every day You say, “You are Mine,” and I am honored to reply, “I am Yours. Always.”
To Natashya Wilson, an editor who defies description—and yet I’m going to try to describe you anyway. Brilliant. Dedicated. Amazing. Magnificent. Genius. Fun. Witty. Talented. Cake. (← You know I couldn’t leave that one out.) You have made this series a joy in every way, and I will be forever grateful for your insight and support!
To Book Rock Betty, a blogger who has rocked me in so many ways. There are only a handful of people I consider a divine connection, and you are one of them. You make me smile. You make me laugh. You make me happy. (Sensing a theme? LOL) I am blessed to know you! P.S. Cole + Betty = LOVE FOREVER
To T. M. Pennington, a man of many talents, a marketing director and writer who took time out of his own hectic schedule to give me masterful feedback. Thank you, thank you, a thousand times thank you!
To Katie McGarry, an amazing woman and author I admire and adore. You are an inspiration, and a treasure, and another divine connection. Thank you for your support!
To Jill Monroe, who has been with me every step of the way. When I’m sad, you cheer me up. When I’m happy, you laugh with me. When I’m working, you encourage me. My life is better because you are in it!
To Bo, Nikole, Isabella and Abrielle Pham and Brook LeFlore at Cafe Bella in Oklahoma City. Your coffees and lunches are so freaking delicious they should be considered a drug—I’m addicted!
And to everyone who fell in love with Ali, Cole and the rest of the gang. Thank you! Thank you for welcoming my characters into your home, rooting for them, sometimes even wanting to donkey-punch them in the throat, talking about them as if they are real people—because they totally are!—and taking this wild journey with them. May light always shine in your lives and chase away the darkness!
BONUS SCENE
A NOTE FROM GENA
Hey, y’all! You voted for the scene you’d most like to see rewritten in Cole Holland’s point of view, and the big breakup in chapter five of Through the Zombie Glass won. (The first time Cole and Ali meet and have a vision in Alice in Zombieland was a close second.)
You’ll notice that while Alice in Zombieland, Through the Zombie Glass and The Queen of Zombie Hearts are all written in past tense, that is not the case with this scene. When I sat down to draft it, it came out in present tense, and I couldn’t bring myself to change it. Let’s face it. At this point in the series, Cole lives in the moment. Plus, he’s my book boyfriend, and I pretty much give him whatever he wants.
As you can guess, this was a heartbreaking scene to write the first time around, but honestly, it was even more so this time. Cole does not hold back.
I hope you enjoy this peek into his head as much as I did!
Cole
War is all I’ve ever known. I was born into it, and I will die in the midst of it. I’ve accepted this. Hell, I wouldn’t have it any other way. I’ll take countless zombies with me.
And I’ll do it with a smile.
Friends have died before me. Many friends. After a while, a sense of numbness settles in. I’ve thought: Another casualty. Sucks, I hate this. But then I’ve moved on.
I’ve had to. War doesn’t take a time-out so I can deal. Slayers are better off without giving in to feelings anyway. I know this. I’ve always known this. Yet here I am, ready to tear down these bedroom walls with my bare hands. I don’t care about the daily stresses I’ve been bombarded with lately. Not anymore. My girlfriend lies on the bed, and she is dying. This has been going on for days. Every minute, every second, I try not to lose hope.
What I am learning: I am strong, but my strength means nothing in the face of this.
What the hell am I supposed to do?
Ali kicks off the covers. When her teeth begin to chatter, I drape the heavy fabric over her once again. But it isn’t long before she’s too hot and kicks them off a second time. She even attempts to tear off her clothes.