“Stick." I said in Russian. I had no clue what the word for stake was. I pointed at the silver ring I wore and made a slashing motion. "Stick. where?" He stared at me in utter confusion and then asked in perfect English, "why are you talking like that?”

American author of the *Vampire Academy* series and other young adult fantasy novels, Mead blends gothic romance with sharp character studies. She’s best known for her morally complex heroines and richly detailed world-building, often exploring themes of loyalty, power, and identity.