Natalie C asked S.J. Kincaid:

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S.J. Kincaid Lol Tyrus did one thing in the very first draft only I read, another in draft two that my sister Meredith Duran saw where I went a little more ambiguous with the ending, then a third draft before I sent to publishers found me toning down some things that were unwittingly more villainous than I'd intended. After it sold, a little more of his shadiness was removed, especially a godfather style resolution of an ending, so.... Yeah. There still are some echoes of what once was in the story and book two should clarify one way or another ;-)

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