Infinite 01 - Infinite Sacrifice

lesson I’m about to throw myself into. “I have one more question before I go on to see the next life.”
    “You can ask me anything.”
    “If Simon had lived longer, he would’ve chosen to be with me, right?”
    So familiar were those eyes I’d waited so long to see again—eyes that knew me so well—eyes Ellie promised would soon come.
    “Simon chose to leave you when he did.”
    “Why would he have chosen to leave me then?”
    “Because if he didn’t, he would have failed. He only wanted to test himself so much. He knew he couldn’t take more than that.”
    “Are we going to be together, ever?”
    “You must wait and see.”
    I nod, disappointed.
    “But I think you will be very interested with this next life, though.” He gives me a wink.
    “Well, what are we waiting for?” I laugh as I sit up and put my arm out.
    “So that’s all I need to do to get you to continue?” His eyes glisten with amusement as he points a finger to his forehead. “I’ll have to remember that.”
    I imagine Simon’s shining green eyes as Zachariah takes hold and everything goes black.

Acknowledgements:
    This book could never have existed without the help of the following people:
    Patricia, my mother, for my being my first editor, generating plot ideas, and listening to hours and hours of discussing conflict, characters, and basically everything else
    Erin, my sister and writing buddy, for going through all of this with me as you were writing your first book. You inspired me to get this story out and for continuing to help me through every part of the process (erinwaters.com)
    EJ, my husband, for all your support and encouragement, and for putting up with the many hours I’m off writing
    Scott, my son, for all your love and patience
    Annabelle, my daughter, for being such a good baby so I could get this book out.
    Edward, my father, for reading my first drafts—even though you hate how my characters have to die at the end of each life
    Jessica, my niece, for being one of my first young adult readers
    Bethany Yeager, writer & critique partner extraordinaire, for being so helpful and such a fantastic contributor to the book (beyeager.blogspot.com)
    Westport Writer’s Workshop with Matt Debenham, for all of your suggestions and comments (westportwritersworkshop.com)
    Donna, for creating my fantastic covers (digitaldonna.com)
    Linda Ingmanson, my thorough and superb editor
    Bethany Bears, my wonderful and super quick copy editor (lastdraftediting.com)
    Guido Henkel, for formatting both my ebook and print book (guidohenkel.com)
    Caro Clarke, for your wonderful, extremely helpful website and personal direction (caroclarke.com)
    Absolute Write Forum Members, with special mention to Jim Brown , Lia Brooke (bookewyrme.straydreamers.com), Camilla DelValle, Catherine Miller, Meretseger, Nadia Lee (nadialee.net), and David Gaughran for all your self-publishing advice (davidgaughran.wordpress.com)
    Kindle Boards Forum Members

Sneak peak from the second novel in the Infinite Series:
    Infinite Devotion
    Expected to Launch January 2012

Fifth Life
    The Pope’s Pawn

Chapter 1
    Pulling aside the burgundy velvet curtains, I peer down among the thick crowd surging below. The heavy August air creeps in through the open window providing no relief for us inside. The Vatican square is in all its glory below, despite the heat, and I watch for the procession to come around under our balcony of the Palazzo Santa Maria.
    “Lucrezia! Lucrezia! Over here! Your father is coming down this way!”
    I fly to Adriana’s side and stretch out over the railing to see his tall, massive form standing out among all others with his hooked nose and full mouth beneath the heavy papal crown—his jeweled hand waving to his people.
    “All of Italy has come to see your father elected!” Giulia squeals.
    “There—the Borgia symbol!” Adriana points at the fountain.
    A magnificent fountain, specially made for today, of a giant and powerful bull with one stream from its forehead that flows with red wine. Even though I’m sad to leave our happy place in Spain, I feel great things are going to come of our move to Rome.
    The door to our chamber is thrown open, and my older brothers Cesare and Juan run to me.
    “Lucrezia! You’re here!” Juan shouts as he reaches me first.
    Cesare practically pulls him off, trying to give me his hug next. The music starts up behind us, and Adriana opens the balcony doors wide to let the charming melody in. Juan