Jordan Dane - On a Dark Wing

Acknowledgments

After living in Alaska for ten years, its hard to get the haunting beauty of the land and the endearing qualities of its people out of my blood. I pray that will never happen, but writing about it helps bridge the gap in my soul.

For his technical help on climbing Mount Denali, I wish to thank Niles Woods, who has made the dangerous trek more than once. Teacher, adventurer and dear friend, I thank you from the bottom of my heart.

For sharing his personal experiences about being wheelchair-bound and breathing life into my character, Tanner Lange, I have David Clampitt to thank. Ive always admired Daves strength in dealing with the challenges he faces every day and his humor always makes me laugh. He works as an Occupational Therapist, getting others back on their feet. Dave is one of my heroes.

Id like to also thank my wonderful editor, Mary-Theresa Hussey, who makes collaboration a joy. The emotions she can add to a story make her input invaluable to me. She really knows how to balance the business-minded editor with the passionate heart of a die-hard reader and romantic. And to the team at Harlequin Teen, thanks for everything you do. I heart you.

To my agent, Meredith Bernstein, I have nothing but gratitude for your common sense and good humor. You are my guardian angel in designer shoes.

Special thanks as always, to my crazy family and my loving husband, John (Salsa Boy). And to the latest members of my growing Texas fam-damily The Supper Club (Gracie & Ignacio, Marta & Kevin, Nelson & Janice, Annie & Patrick, Gale & Mike, Jim & Jeannie, and brave soul Denise)I want to say: laughing is a vacation where you dont come back ten pounds heavier. Thanks for the weekly vay-kay. You guys ROCK!

The choices I had made led to the moment when fate took over.
I would learn a lesson I wasnt prepared for.
And Death would be my teacher.

Five years ago, Abbey Chandler cheated Death. She survived a horrific car accident, but her luckybreak came at the expense of her mothers life and changed everything. After she crossed paths with Deathby taking the hand of an ethereal boy made of clouds and skyshe would never be normal again.

Now shes the target of Deaths ravens and an innocent boys life is on the line. When Nate HoldenAbbeys secret crushstarts to climb Alaskas Denali, the Angel of Death stalks him because of her.

And Abbey finds out the hard way that Death never forgets.

Also by USA TODAY bestselling author Jordan Dane and Harlequin TEEN

IN THE ARMS OF STONE ANGELS

Chapter 8

Smoke off the fire wafted into the night air and faded into the dark like the sound of our voices. I kept my distance and sat across from Nate by the fire pit. When he hadnt tried to kiss me again, I never thought Id feel relief over that, but I did, at least for a while. Even as we talked, I struggled with my doubtsabout him and me.

What if Id been right about him being a good guy and now hed think I acted weird? Had I sabotaged any hope of a relationship with him? But if I let him kiss me and things got heated, could I stop him if I had to? I hated thinking he was a pervert. That went against everything I believed about him. I knew about a couple of girls at school that he dated. They werent cheerleader types. He seemed to like normal girls with smarts, but maybe thats why his interest in me seemed wacked. I was in a lose-lose situation with no options. I couldnt explain my behavior without saying embarrassing stuff. Yet if I was wrong about Nate and he turned out to be a perv, I didnt want to think about how much that would crush me.

Nate must have sensed something in the way Id been acting from the moment I got there. Id been guarded, but as we talked I loosened up. He actually seemed interested in what I said, about anything. He listened mostly, which surprised me. Most guys loved to hear the sound of their own voices, but not Nate. He sat across from me, staring with those addictive blue eyes and giving me a glimpse of the occasional shy smile that I couldnt get enough of.

Id never noticed before, but he seemed older. The way he talked, the words he used, they were different than I had expected. He had a calmness that made me want to be with him, but other things about Nate were the same as I remembered from school. Whenever he ran a hand through his dark haira gesture Id grown fond ofI pictured helping him. The feel of his curls in my fingers was something I didnt want to only imagine. I wanted to know how it actually felt.

Being there with him felt like time had stopped. We talked for hours and the crackling fire warmed the bottoms of my boots as I rested my feet on the stones surrounding the pit. When the flames popped embers into the drifting smoke, the orange flickers spiraled up and disappeared into the darkness like the seconds ticking away from our time together.

Do you kiss every girl you meet in the woods? Or did you try it with me because

I stopped from telling him everything. I couldnt bring myself to say it. If he hadnt seen the cyber-bully pictures of me on that FarkYourself website, Id be outing myself. I didnt know what to do.

Because why? he asked.

Nothing. I shook my head and forced a smile. What were you going to say?

No, I dont kiss every girl I meet in the woods. Youre the first, actually. Nate stared into the flames, with the fire reflected in the cool blue of his eyes. Like fire and ice, he was a contradiction and definitely not easy to read.

No way, I said. A guy like you has plenty of girls who

But theyre not you, Abbey.

What he said surprised me. Nate could shock me one minute and charm me the next. He had me off balance and I had no idea what to say.

What makes me so special? I asked him straight up, without playing it cute. I didnt need my ego fed. I really wanted to know.

I see strength in you. He fixed his gaze on me. Youre not afraid to be different. Your mother must have loved you a great deal.

When he brought up my mother again, I glared at him, but he shrugged and said, You asked me why youre so special and I told you.

But why do you keep coming back to my mother? I dont get it.

Because shes a big part of who you areand who youll become.

The things Nate said and how he said them really got to me. He pushed me to think and he caused me to question. I didnt know whether I should be mad or glad he was here. How did he know what I would become and why did he think I was some big deal? I didnt feel special.

Nate had a knack for messing with my head. Every time I got comfortable with him, he brought up my mom on purpose, like he had an agenda he hadnt clued me in on yet. With him keeping me off balance, it made me want to return the favor by asking him something that might rattle him.

So what scares you? I asked. Are you afraid of dying?

Nate looked as if he struggled with what to say, but eventually he answered me.

Im afraid of feeling nothing. An eternity of nothing.

Is that what you think death is?

No, but I know what I mean, I can only imagine what an eternity of nothing feels like. Its my firm belief that death isor might be a welcomed alternative. Death means a soul had lived in the first place. I appreciate what a blessing that could be.

I dont understand. Are you talking about suicide? I crossed my arms, unsure I wanted to hear his answer.

No, of course not. Suicide is something Ive never understood. To squander life, its such aprofound waste.

Then what are you talking about? Youre scaring me.

Im sorry. That wasnt my intention. Im talking about living, not dying. He looked up from the fire and fixed his gaze on me. Life is about feeling absolutely everything. Its a miracle and a glorious blessing that Ive come to cherishrecently. Even being able to communicate and speak is