Skintight: Book Three of Sidetrack Series

by Rina K. Fenderson

Sequel to Killswitch: Cal has some experience with memory repression; he's gotten pretty good at it, what with all the other mayhem in his life distracting him. So what happens when all his enemies are lying in wait, leaving him stuck with memories better left alone? What happens when his new enemy, Grimm, decides to take the family he's tried to erased from him?

1. Foreword

SKINTIGHT, A FOREWORD

HELLO READERS!

I don't usually bother with much of a foreword other than a disclaimer, but I felt this story needed a bit more. First off, I would like to thank everyone who has been following me through Crossfire and Killswitch. Your comments and views are appreciated more than words can express.

USUAL DISCLAIMER

The usual disclaimer does apply. I don't own Rob Thurman's characters or conceptualize world, nor do I obtain any profit from this work. This story is the third book in my series. It takes place after Killswitch (and Thuman's Doubletake). It is highly recommended to read the previous novels both for Thurman's published series and my fanfic series.

THE INTERWEAVING CONUNDRUM

Now onto the main reason I took up a page for this. I would like to warn that this story is going to be veering off down its own path this time. Previously, I've tried my best to interweave my little side plots between Rob Thurman's genius novels. Crossfire took place between Roadkill and Blackout, Killswitch between Blackout and Doubletake. In Killswitch I even tried to set it up that Cal decided to erase any and all memories he had regarding Cassie and Dante; it was a flimsy excuse, but it was an attempt. Well, while Skintight does take place after Doubletake, I will not be weaving in to transition into Slashback–obviously, since it won't be out until March (yay, March!).

There was no way for me to continue on with the plot I wanted while maintaining Thurman's vision, mainly due to the fact that certain characters I created will be sticking around and that the Auphe are too awesome a villain not to keep around. This doesn't mean I'm not going to be continuing with my own plotlines; in fact I have two twists swirling around in my head for another fic. This does, however, mean the creative interweaving ends here.

MISTAKEN IDENTITIES & CREATIVE LICENSE

That being said, you'll see more often (now that I'm giving myself the freedom) that I make up my own details of the world Thurman created. This started with the peris (making up their reproductive abilities, stuff about their wings, and the whole clan system), the Auphe (their 'culture' and continued existence), and the Vigil (their power, manipulation, and government funding) and it will happen a lot more. Sometimes…my creative decisions are made too quickly. For example: Ishiah leaves for Vegas in Doubletake. There is brief mention of it being like a peri military-type mission. Halfway through writing Skintight I finally decided to look into Ishiah's Vegas trip and Tae (whom we also meet in Doubletake) and apparently their story is from the Trickster series, which I have yet to read (it's on my shelf I will get to it one day). So, yeah…this doesn't pan out the same way in Skintight…sorry. Please forgive me for this creative license.

So last, but not least, thank you for the support and ENJOY!