by Anne Stryker
“Yuval . . .”
His forehead rested against hers. “I love you, wai lily, my Asaria of the dawn. We’re together now, even if we’re worlds apart. And I’m not taking you away from anything ever again. It’s my turn to wait, for as long as you deem.”
Asaria’s heart soared, and she threw her arms around Yuval, kissing him until her lips were numb and they were tangled together atop her board. “And if I don’t deem it very long?”
He shrugged, his hold tightening as though he’d never let go. “That’s up to you. All of Ocea will be waiting. It’s always been waiting.”
It had always been whispering a secret.
A secret of her very own.
Acknowledgments
It’s that time again! That time when I never know what to say because so many amazing people helped me make this, and they are all so amazing, and they’ve helped me with so many other books, and I’ve already said so many great things about them, and they are just so amazing.
I love you guys.
Bree, Noee, you two are my rocks with every project. I wouldn’t be here without you, and, occasionally, I wonder if I’d be anywhere without you.
Rosee, Livvy, Alessandra, my incredible friends and beta readers and supporters. You all helped me through the hard times, told me I could do it when I listened to the pieces of me that said I couldn’t. Your undying encouragement helps me through every thousand words.
Amee, the best fangirl.
Boriana, the best editor.
Without each and every one of you, none of this would be possible. I look forward to continuing this journey by your sides.
To the next adventure!
~~Anne
Also by Anne Stryker
Escapism: A Novella Collection
Lurking in the Woods (Beyond the Veil #1)
Coming Soon…
The following is an unedited preview of the next book in the series, Hiding in the Mountains.
Chapter One
Goodbye
Autumn clung to the world with a fiery passion, heating the cooling land with bright colors and warm scents. Early in the season, the leaves had yet to fall, and all was awash in the burning shades.
Her phone pressed to her ear, Pepper sighed and leaned against the rickety fence post. Silence blanketed the mountain lot. Behind her, a petite stone cottage stood, her new home, and she liked it. It had character.
Even if it didn’t have reception.
Glancing at the single bar, she leaned the other way and put the phone back at her ear. Finally, a ring croaked out of the box. Several pitiful cries later, her father’s deep voice crackled through the line. “Hello?”
“Hi, Daddy, I was just calling to let you know we’ve settled in; I have almost everything unpacked, and Mom’s doing all right. The mountain air seems to have calmed her.” Pepper remained very still, counting the trees she could see lining the road.
Papers shuffled. “That’s great, pumpkin. I had hoped she’d feel better in the country.” A murmur cut into the conversation, and her father dished out some instructions before returning his attention to her with a sigh. “I’m not fond of the Big Apple myself, but until I can find a job there . . .” His voice faded, and she knew he was shaking his head and adjusting his glasses.
“Potato picker. You’d be a fantastic Idaho potato picker,” she offered.
“Very funny. Take care of each other.” A pause. “Tell your mother I love her, and I miss you both.”
Swallowing emotion, Pepper kept her voice peppy. “I will. Watch out for papercuts, Daddy. We love you too.”
The line fell dead after goodbyes, and she watched the signal follow when she took a single step back. Twenty-seven years in the city hadn’t prepared her for this, but she’d brave it—like the pioneers had.
Certainly she’d read about them having spotty Wi-Fi. But highschool was a while back, so who knew what she’d read.
Her mother’s light laughter drifted out of the cottage, so she entered, passed through the separate foyer piled high with wood on either side of the walkway, and slipped into the house. Heat from the fire immediately enveloped her, and a sigh blew past her lips.
“Mom?” she called as she left the living room and turned down the short hallway.
Her mother sat in her room, her hands clasped before her and her eyes alight. “Pepper,” she said, her airy voice floating. “Come say hello.”
Pepper’s eyes drifted to where her mother motioned, but only the empty space before the bed manifested. Nevertheless, Pepper crossed the room and sat beside her mother. “Hello,” she chirped. “I’m Peppermint; Pepper for short. Are you a fairy?”
Her mother laughed, shaking her head. “Forgive her, Amura.”
Pepper’s eyes widened. “Amura?” Ever since her mother had fallen ill, she’d taken care of the woman. She’d listened to her tales of magical creatures that swam in the air, dark ones that burned in the shadows. But never before had any been given names. In fact, often her mother pouted that none responded when she greeted them.
“Amura,” her mother repeated, her eyes glazing as she looked forward. “She’s young, but beautiful. And very wise. She came by when you were at the store yesterday, and we’ve been talking while you were outside.”
Pepper looked between her mother and the empty space, then said, “It’s nice to meet you, Amura.”
A pause.
“She’s glad we’re here. She says she has been waiting a long time to meet us.” Her mother’s cold hand settled on hers, and she held it. Tears gathering, her mother looked into her eyes. “Oh, Pepper, I now know I’m not crazy. This is why I can see them.” Her mother’s other cold hand cupped her cheek. “You’re why I can see them.”
Pepper smiled, forcing tears away herself. “What do you mean, Mom?”
“They’ve been searching for you for many years. And now you’re here.” Abruptly, her mother’s head turned, and her brows lowered. “Why not?” After several moments, her mother’s lips tipped down. “Amura would rather I not say much. Only that the mists will call you when it’s time, and she’ll explain more then.”
Pepper didn’t know what to say. She tried not to think each day was worse, but then things like this would happen, and she’d watch her mother slip farther away. It had already been ten years since the doctors found the tumor in her brain. Her hallucinations had started five years ago, when her mother had called her home from work, screaming about monsters. Just months ago, the woman had begun to hear them. And now . . . now they replied.
Pepper pressed her forehead against her mother’s shoulder and circled her arms around the smaller woman. Pepper had received her grandfather’s height, and she wished her mother had as well. Though she was barely fifty, she appeared so frail.
“Dad told me to tell you he loves you and misses us.”
A giddy smile crinkled the corners of her mother’s eyes. “He’s sweet. Will he be home from work soon?”
Squeezing her mother in a hug, Pepper kept her voice bright, even chipper. “Yes, soon.” She kissed her mother’s cheek before she stood. “I’ll make dinner.”
“Oh, I can—” the woman began to stand, but Pepper shook her head.
“That’s all right. Talk with your new friend.”
Peace softened her mother’s features, glassing her eyes. “Amura is glad to see you’re so kind. She had been worried for her—” Pepper’s mother covered her mouth. “Oops.” She shook her head, then looked up. “Keep your jacket and scarf by the door. For when the mists come.”
“Okay, Mom.” Pepper slipped out of the room, leaving the door ajar. A shaking breath left her halfway through the hall, so she leaned against the arch into the living room and closed her eyes. It couldn’t be much longer if the insanity had already gone so deep.
Pepper wasn’t ready. How could she ever be ready to say goodbye?
If there were anything she could do . . . anything at all . . . she would do it. Without a second thought
. Even if it meant something insane. Like coming face to face with the monsters her mother claimed lived in the darkness.
Thank you!
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