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A young woman, cursed. A rebellious prince in hiding. A forbidden love that will threaten two worlds…
There are two main things I’ve learned since my life turned upside down. The first is, if you speak of someone’s death before it happens, you’ll be blamed for murder. The second? If the hottest guy you’ve ever seen kisses you, and thanks you for saving his life, don’t argue.
I watched him die, over and over. So many times. The vision is always the same and there is never one damn thing I can do to save him. I don’t know why I can’t dream about normal things, like going to school naked, or spiders. I hate spiders. No, I’m lucky enough to see strangers at the moments of their deaths.
The only thing keeping me sane is knowing the visions aren’t real.
Until the accident. The blood. He dies in my arms.
At least, I thought he did. But now he’s here, telling me I saved his life. Telling me unbelievable stories about monsters and gods and destiny. Promising to protect me.
If none of this is real, why am I afraid of the creatures hunting me? And if I saved his life, why are the nightmares back, stronger than ever? What is this thing lurking inside me, eager to strike?
I don’t know, but I’m freaking out.
I’m afraid what I think is real, isn’t. And what I know is not, just might be.
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Excerpt From I’ve Watched You Die By Karina Banks
I unlock the bathroom door and step out into the warm lighting of the dorm room. I stop in my tracks when I see Ryker, frozen, standing next to the undecorated desk in the corner of the room.
My cheeks flame instantly as I meet his gaze and my heart does a funny little flip in my chest. I am hyper-aware of the fact that I am totally naked beneath the towel. Check another box on the this-is-a-dream list.
If this is a dream, why does Ryker look so real? So… amazing.
He’s dressed in a clean, dark gray t-shirt and faded jeans, fresh from his own shower. His hair is wet and hangs in waves, and he’s clutching a bundle of clothes in his hands that looks like it’s for me. I don’t normally go for pink, but beggars can’t be choosers.
His eyes scan me up and down, taking everything in before settling on mine again. He clears his throat and shifts his gaze away from my body. “I brought you some clean clothes. I figured they might be more comfortable than your own right now.” He places the bundle of clean clothing on the wooden desk, his cheeks bright pink. “Sorry, I thought I could—I didn’t know… I’m gonna go.”
He walks toward the door, head down, but I stop him with a hand on his wrist. “Ryker…” I swallow hard, my throat tightening with emotions. I take a hesitant step toward him. The air between us is thick, but I don’t know what to say. I don’t know how to act. I want to reach out and touch him. I want so badly for him to wrap his arms around me and make the last hour fade away. Being alone with a boy would normally make me too nervous to speak. But being with him feels so right. Simple. Easy.
I want to burrow into his arms and pretend everything is okay. Instead, all I can manage is a nervous smile as our eyes meet again. “Thanks.”
I watch him intently as his ice-blue eyes, rimmed with gold, burn right through me. My heart races as move toward him. I know my eyes are wide and lips slightly parted. I ache to kiss him.
His muscles tense under his freshly laundered t-shirt and he takes a step back. “Dani…we can’t”
Pour an ice-cold bucket of water over me, why don’t you? I want to be cool and composed, but after the night I’ve had, I don’t have it in me. Instead, I blurt out my insecurity like an idiot. “You don’t want to?”
“I don’t want to? No. Trust me. I want to.”
My breath catches in my throat at the raw desire I hear in his voice.
“You’re in front of me, looking gorgeous, in nothing but a towel. If we start… one kiss won’t be enough.”
My cheeks burn and I tear my gaze from the heat in his eyes, look somewhere much safer, the floor. “Maybe you should go.”
Ryker nods and turns toward the door. His hand rests on the doorknob as he pauses for a moment and looks back to me with a fire in his eyes that’s difficult to ignore.
The thought of dropping the towel and doing something really stupid sends sparks down my spine. I don’t. Of course I don’t. I’m scared, nervous, and I’ve only really been kissed once. By him. I’m not ready for more than that, no matter how insistently my horny teenage body demands otherwise. One thing regular nightmares taught me, is control.
“Dress quickly. It’s time to go.”
Meet The Author Of I’ve Watched You Die By Karina Banks
Karina Banks lives, works, and goes to school in Boston, MA. She is a college student, songwriter, rock climber, pianist, and can normally be found sipping a cup of Earl Grey tea – with milk and sugar, of course. Karina began writing new scenes for her book as a means to procrastinate doing her “real” homework. If you live in Boston, you might catch her riding the T, or frequenting a nearby boba location. I’ve Watched You Die is her first novel.
Interview With Karina Banks
Q: Hi, Karina! Tell us about your hero. What motivates him?
KB: Ryker is a senior in high school who has had his entire life dictated to him because he is heir to the throne of his people. The weight of their future survival is on his shoulders, and even though he accepts the responsibility, he really wants someone in his life who likes (or even loves) him for who he is, instead of for his title and wealth. When he meets the heroine, he keeps his identity a secret because she is the first person he’s met who doesn’t care about him being a demigod or a royal. He is also a bit rebellious and really wants more freedom and control over his own life.
Q: What are you reading right now?
KB: I just finished FOURTH WING by Rebecca Yarros and wow. I can’t wait for book 2 in that series. I want to be Rebecca when I grow up. Her writing is amazing.
Q: What is your ideal reading experience?
KB: I love smart characters. I love paranormal aspects, whether that’s the Fae, shifters, magic, or vampires. Most of all, I love, love, love a good romance where the main characters are dealing with real problems and not just drama and angst. That makes their relationship so much more powerful and believable. A book is not good without a dash of romance.
Q: Favorite book when you were a kid?
KB: My favorite books when I was small were sweet, soft books. That’s the only way I can think to describe them. GOODNIGHT MOON, books about bunnies, the fuzzier the better. This isn’t a book, but I would BEG my mom to let me watch KIPPER. That dog was always so calm and kind, I could watch him for hours.
Q: What do you like to do when you’re not writing?
KB: I love music. I’ve been playing the piano since about 1st grade. I am going to college to be a professional songwriter and commercial music producer. I started writing because it was a creative outlet that didn’t feel like work. It turned out to be an amazing way to avoid doing homework!
Q: What was your dream job as a kid?
KB: I really wanted to be a pop star. I love watching all the singing television shows and I love music. But when Christina Grimmie was shot and killed by one of her fans, I was crushed. I was fourteen at the time and I loved her and her music. After that, I knew I didn’t want that kind of life. So I write music (and books) and prefer to stay behind the scenes.
Q: What is your favorite part of being a published author?
KB: Holding a copy of the print book in my hands makes me so happy and excited. I really feel like I accomplished something that’s tangible and that I can hold in my hands, look at, and feel proud of. First it was a vague idea, then a dream, then a goal, and now? I did it!!!!
This Or That Questions:
Coffee or Tea? TEA
Book or Movie? BOOK
Morning or Night? MORNING
City or Country? CITY ( I love Boston)
Print or Ebook? PRINT
Spiders or Snakes? SNAKES
Early or Late? EARLY
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