New World Order (42 page)

Jack placed the document back on the table, picked up the pen, and handed it to me. “Ladies first,” he said.

Printed on a single piece of thick white paper, the official deed declared that the Biodome Treaty of 2024 had been fulfilled and the people of the Dome and Pit were now amalgamated within the new city of Pacem in Terras. My father’s own handwritten notes in the margins of the papal
encyclical inspired the framework for the rights and freedoms of citizens and defined the technology left to us as the common heritage of mankind. I promised myself I wouldn’t get emotional when it came time to sign, but tears sprang to my eyes and my throat constricted. My father had left a legacy that would live on for generations. My heart swelling with pride, I signed my name: Sunset O’Donnell.

I handed the pen to Jack. He gave me an understanding smile and rubbed his thumb across my tear-stained cheek before he took the pen. After he signed, he placed the bottom right corner of the document between the plates of a small embossing press and stamped it with our official city seal: a circle with “Pacem In Terras, Year 2308” written around it, and the city’s initials in the center—
P.I.T.—
with the words,
Lest we forget,
written beneath.

He set the press on top of the paper to keep it from blowing away, and turned his attention to me. His hands grazed either side of my sizable baby bump as they traveled around my back and pulled me close.

I ran my fingers through his short hair and gazed into his intense blue eyes. “Whoever would have thought that Leisel’s betrayal would turn
out to be just the beginning?”

He gave me a crooked smile. “Do you think Leisel’s pissed?”

I laughed. “I hope so.”

Dena held up a scrap of cloth, waved it, and yelled, “Let the games begin!” A roar went up from the crowd, and the soldiers moved to clear the field.

Jack took a step back from me and held out his hand. “Care to train with me, Mrs. Kenner?”

I put my hand over my swollen
belly. “Only if you let us win.”

He did.

The End of the Sunset Rising Trilogy

…stayed tuned for more stories set in P.I.T.

To learn more about the Sunset Rising series, read the satellite stories I’ve written, and keep abreast of future books, join me on
my
website
http://smmceachern.com

You can also find me at these other online hangouts:

Facebook
:
https://www.facebook.com/S.M.McEachernAuthor

Twitter:
@smmceachern

Goodreads:
https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6538545.S_M_McEachern

Note from the Author:

New World Order is the last book of the Sunset Rising trilogy, but not necessarily the last book of the series. Throughout the three novels, I’ve created a post apocalyptic world that I think is worth exploring. A lot of research has gone into my world-building and I was
fortunate enough to have experts generously offer to help with me imagine this fictional place. For more information about my research, check out my blog.

I would be remiss (and perhaps divorced!) if I didn’t mention the long hours my very handsome hubby, Mike, put in on my books. He is my tech support, my web designer, my ebook formatter, and my soul mate. We are partners in everything we
do and I know how lucky I am to have him.

There have been a number I’ve people I’ve met on my writing journey that I also need to thank. Christina Galvez (my trusted proofreader and critique partner), Ellen, Karen, Sarah, Holly, Zeina, Kerry, Hayley, Heather, and several other people who beta read the Sunset Rising series and took the time to give me an honest critique. My editing company,
Red Adept, for all their hard work and expert advice. And Nathalia Suellen, for creating the gorgeous covers for the series. My heartfelt thanks to you all!

Of course, I need to thank you—the reader—for picking up Sunset Rising and taking a chance on a new author. I hope you stay with me on the series. It’s going to be fun to see how Pacem in Terras evolves in the midst of this lawless land.
Writing Sunny and Jack’s characters has been fun, but there are other characters just as worthy of the spotlight in future novels

Thanks for joining me on Sunny’s and Jack’s adventures!

Quoted in the book:

Pacem in Terris:
Encyclical Letter of Pope John XXIII On Establishing Universal Peace

in Truth, Justice, Charity, and Liberty
,
April 11, 1963.
http://www.vatican.va/holy_father/john_xxiii/encyclicals/documents/hf_j-xxiii_enc_11041963_pacem_en.html