Book excerpt: Can a rose survive in winter? Rebecca Veritas is eager to pursue her dreams as a clinical psychologist. After receiving a full scholarship for an internship, she leaves the quiet suburban town of Cedar Heights for the big city of Los Angeles. As she adjusts to her new surroundings, she finds solace in a mysterious antique bookstore. Yet, as her thoughts still linger on someone from her past, she is unaware that the present has the potential to haunt her the most. As time passes, a growing sense of unease quickly transitions into more disturbing events that make her question if all is as it seems. When circumstances take an eerie turn, Rebecca will find herself a player on a larger scale than she had ever anticipated, a scale that could cause one to pay the ultimate price. In this riveting sequel to I Thirst, the adventures of Rebecca Veritas, the young, introspective dreamer with an inclination toward random insanity, continue.