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J. R. Ward

Lover Mine

Black Dagger Brotherhood-8

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

With immense gratitude to the readers of the Black Dagger Brotherhood and a shout-out to the Cellies!

Thank you so very much for all the support and guidance: Steven Axel-rod, Kara Welsh, Claire Zion, and Leslie Gelbman.

Thank you also to everyone at NAL—these books are truly a team effort.

Thank you, Lu and Opal and all our Mods, for everything you do out of the goodness of your hearts!

As always with many thanks to my Executive Committee: Sue Grafton, Dr. Jessica Andersen, and Betsey Vaughan.

And with much respect to the incomparable Suzanne Brockmann and the ever-fabulous Christine Feehan (and family) and all the authors in my life who are such a source of comfort and advice (Christina and Linda and Lisa!).

Thank you also to Kara Cesare, who remains so close to my heart.

To D. L. B.  — I am one of your biggest fans, please keep writing! Love u xxx mummy

To N. T. M.  — thank you for sticking with me every step of the way, good and bad.

To Jac (and his Gabe!)—with thanks for Plastic Fantastic and the redefinition of romance.

To LeElla Scott—whom I love so much and not just because she takes such good care of my beloved nephuppy.

To Katie and our Kaylie-girl and their mama—who I’m so putting on speed dial.

To Lee for paving the way and Margaret and Walker for being such a source of joy.

None of this would be possible without: my loving husband, who is my adviser and caretaker and visionary; my wonderful mother, who has given me so much love I couldn’t possibly ever repay her; my family (both those of blood and those by adoption); and my dearest friends.

Oh, and with love to the better half of WriterDog, as always.

GLOSSARY OF TERMS AND PROPER NOUNS

ahstrux nohtrum (n. ) Private guard with license to kill who is granted his or her position by the king.

ahvenge (v. ) To commit an act of mortal retribution, carried out typically by a male loved one.

Black Dagger Brotherhood (pr. n. ) Highly trained vampire warriors who protect their species against the Lessening Society. As a result of selective breeding within the race, Brothers possess immense physical and mental strength, as well as rapid healing capabilities. They are not siblings for the most part, and are inducted into the Brotherhood upon nomination by the Brothers. Aggressive, self-reliant, and secretive by nature, they exist apart from civilians, having little contact with members of the other classes except when they need to feed. They are the subjects of legend and the objects of reverence within the vampire world. They may be killed only by the most serious of wounds, e. g. , a gunshot or stab to the heart, etc.

blood slave (n. ) Male or female vampire who has been subjugated to serve the blood needs of another. The practice of keeping blood slaves has recently been outlawed.