by Ashley Maker
“This is Kade Kieran from Security at Evergreen,” he says after a moment. “There’s been an ambush. I and one female have escaped. Requesting reinforcements.” He makes a low sound of agreement, pausing to listen to the person on the other side. All of a sudden, his freezes in place, the tension carrying into his voice when he says, “Where are we headed?”
Something in his eyes darkens. With a swift movement, he slams the phone onto the dirt floor and smashes it under his heel.
I look at the shards of plastic. “You don’t want anyone to know where we’re going.”
His gaze bores into mine when I look up. “That’s right.”
“So you destroyed the phone.”
He returns to the shelf and starts filling an empty duffel bag with various items. “They were asking too many questions, and they knew more than they should. I never told them I was with a Seer.”
A chill traces my spine. The garage suddenly doesn’t feel as safe as it did before. I can’t help looking around for skulking figures or hidden cameras. Even though I don’t see anything, my skin crawls like I’m being watched.
Over by the door, a pegboard catches my attention, the light from the window glinting off something silver. Rubbing both arms to get rid of the sudden goosebumps, I wander closer and grin when I see what it is.
Snatching them off the board, I turn and dangle a set of keys in the moonlight. “Guess you won’t have to hotwire anything after all.”
“Nope.” Kade grins when I toss the keys to him, then unlocks the Jeep. After placing the duffel into the back, he slides into the driver’s seat and puts the keys in the ignition. The engine cranks, turning over but not catching. He turns the key again, and this time the engine roars to life.
I climb in and sink into the passenger seat, fastening the seatbelt. “Where exactly are we going?”
“South.” Without another word, Kade punches the gas, and the Jeep flies out of the garage. We only stop twice that night: to open Evergreen’s outer perimeter gate, and to fill up at a gas station with a handful of cash Kade pulled from the bag of supplies he brought with us.
Most of the drive that night is silent, and I stare at the dark roadside, the white lines on the blacktop blurring into one continuous streak. Sharp pain flares in my throat, and I blink rapidly as memories of the night flash by with the road:
Of Piper being dragged away, and Pam pushing me against the wall. The moment Mathias hit the ground. Laila attacking me. Tarry going to his knees with a look of betrayal in his eyes. Kade standing by me, protecting, never doubting. Standing by me, still.
The only thing that feels real and extends beyond the numbness is the fact Mom might be alive. No, has to be alive. Knowing I might see her again makes the rest easier to handle.
For everything left behind, and everything still ahead, I have to keep moving forward, because Kade is right.
There is no going back.
42
I lean my head against the cool glass of the Jeep’s window and stare up at the clear blue Oklahoma sky. Dappled with endless, billowy white clouds, the vast canvas seems to stretch on and on forever. Highway 412 is much the same, unfurling into the distance ahead of us, flanked on either side by open prairie that’s only broken by reddish dirt and sparse green shrubs. It’s the kind of view I don’t think will ever end, though Kade insists we are almost to the Fairview compound.
My eyelids flutter, and I force them open. I can’t sleep yet. Not until we get there.
Not until I find out what happened to Evergreen.
The Jeep begins to slow, and I jerk my head up as Kade turns onto a dirt road. Flinging dirt clinks on the underside of the Jeep, increasing as Kade accelerates toward a large mesa in the distance. After a half hour of driving, the view finally changes. A massive chain-link and razor-wire fence emerges after a small dip in the landscape, stretching as far as the eye can see on both sides of the road. Blocking the entrance is a gate with an electronic keypad and cameras mounted to the sides.
After pulling up and rolling down the window, Kade leans out and presses a button on the keypad. A female’s static-filled voice asks who we are and where we’re from.
“We’re from Evergreen,” is all Kade answers back with a hint of stubbornness, as if that’s all he’s going to tell them, at least over an intercom system.
“Hold please,” the woman says.
We wait, and wait, the Jeep idling while I anxiously look at the gate, the cameras, and Kade, whose white-knuckled grip on the steering wheel indicates he’s nervous, too. About the time I’m convinced she’s never going to say anything else, the intercom crackles to life again.
“Welcome to Fairview.”
The gate buzzes and slowly swings open. Kade eases the vehicle through, resuming our journey toward the mesa. Halfway down the long, winding road, a solitary figure sprints toward the Jeep, his sandy hair glinting almost blond in the sunlight.
There’s a forceful jolt as he comes closer, all the pieces falling together, and then I’m straining forward as far as the seatbelt allows, taking in the foreign, official-looking bodysuit uniform he’s wearing and the holstered gun on his hip. Even though I can’t see them clearly yet, I know his eyes are as blue as mine.
“Stop the car.”
Kade glances over. “We’re almost there.”
I reach across the console and clamp down on his arm almost desperately, half tempted to pull the Jeep over myself. “Stop the car or I’ll jump out while it’s still moving.”
He lets out an audible breath, but the Jeep slows to a stop. “Clare, wait,” he says, reaching for my hand, but I yank out of his grasp, unable to sit still, drawn by an internal force that has my heart climbing up my throat.
I fling the seatbelt strap away and fumble with the door latch until I’m out of the Jeep and staggering through cramped muscles down the dirt road. Sweltering heat clogs the air, the humidity stealing my breath.
Chris doesn’t stop running until he’s a few steps away, sweat pouring down his brow and into his frantic eyes. He swipes a hand over his forehead and smiles. Before I know what’s happening, he yanks me forward into a smothering hug. “You made it,” he breathes into my hair. “They didn’t get you. They didn’t get my girl.”
Tears fill my eyes. For the first time in my life, I hug him back.
I hug my dad, and I don’t let go.
Author’s Note
Dear reader,
Thank you for taking time to read Seer. I hope you enjoyed Clare’s adventures as much as I enjoyed writing them. Her story is far from over. I’m currently hard at work on Book 2 in the Seer Series. If you would like to receive a brief notification e-mail the day Book 2 releases, you can sign up here or in the Seer section on my website over at ashleymaker.com.
Like any author, I crave reader feedback. On days when I am plagued by writer’s block or lack motivation, I love to go back and read reviews. I cherish all of them and appreciate the time you take to let authors know what you liked and didn’t like about the stories you are reading. If you feel so inclined, I would love to know what you think of Seer. Are you Team Tarry or Team Kade? Or did you not like either of them for Clare? Who was your favorite character? What did you think of the ending? Answers to these questions, and any other honest feedback you would like to provide, are all things I would love to know.
I love to interact with readers and would like to invite you to join my Story Makers Reader’s Group on Facebook. In the group, you can expect sneak peeks, exclusive giveaways, contests, book discussions, and access to Advanced Reader’s Copies of my stories before they release.
You can also subscribe to my monthly newsletter to receive periodic e-mails about new releases, behind-the-scenes writing updates, and featured Young Adult books.
With love,
Ashley Maker
Acknowledgments
Where do I even begin to thank all the people who have helped with this book? Seer has been ten years in the making, and a sm
all village has helped shape this story into what it is today. Maybe I should start with Staysa, the beta reader who has been along for the ride the longest, all the way back to when Kade was a vampire and Clare was falling off swing sets. Staysa, I am so thankful for our friendship and the fact you have stuck with my stories, and especially this story, through all these years. (Just so you know, I am still waiting on Chapter 11.) And while I have no intention of making you wait ten more years to get Book 2, let me give you a spoiler: B.F. Cakeboy is coming soon!
Corey, you already have the dedication, but you deserve a spot here, too. I don’t know where I would be without you, either as a writer or in life. You are my ultimate support, and your strength and belief in me means everything. I have been trying to put it all into words, but I can’t. No one else sees what I do—all the ways you sacrifice and help out so that I can pursue this dream. But I see it, and I’m thankful to have such an amazing husband and best friend. I love you.
Rachel Bateman, you have seen so many versions of this story, and your edits and suggestions are always spot on! My writing is stronger as a result, and I know I can always go to you when I need help. Thank you for all the texts, Facebook conversations, and phone calls. As always, all the CPLove!
Micheala, from picking this story on inkpop to reading numerous drafts to helping me promote, you have had such a role in helping me with this story. I am so, so thankful you are my PA and my friend. Thank you for all your help. Your excitement leading up to this release has been the encouragement I needed to get things done. You deserve a thousand more thank you’s than I am able to give here, and I hope you know how much I appreciate your support.
Mom, it is hard to put into words all that I want to say and how much I need to thank you. You are always there to talk book stuff with me, but especially when it has to do with Seer. You have been one of the strongest supporters of this book, and that means so much to me. You’ve read most of the versions, have encouraged me to keep writing, and you even paid for our lunch that one time and told me not to worry about it so that I would have more money for Seer’s marketing launch. I appreciate all of those things. Thank you, thank you, thank you!
Dad, thank you for reading an earlier version of this story. I hope you enjoy the changes I’ve made based on your feedback. The book is stronger and has a wider reach because of it.
Rachel and Jenn, I am so lucky to have you both as critique partners and friends. Even though our lives have become busy with babies and jobs, you two are always there for me when I need to run an idea by someone, or just chat. Add to that the fact you both give excellent writing advice, and I have really hit the critique partner jackpot! Hopefully life will slow down enough that we can all get together one day at a fabulous book convention.
Whisper, where would this book be without your early support? Actually, I think Clare would still have unexplainable powers, and we definitely can’t have that. Thank you for all the Facebook conversations and brainstorming phone calls!
Lauryn, you have been one of the biggest supporters of this book and my writing in general. I know I can always expect an honest opinion from you, and you’re always there when I need someone to talk to about book stuff. Thank you for pointing out when things don’t work, because that’s exactly what I need to hear.
Abbi, thank you for reading early versions of Seer and leaving the best comments ever. They always made me smile, and so did the amazing fan art of Tarry that you drew. I will cherish it forever!
Aubrey, thank you for always being so enthusiastic about my stories and helping out in my street team. Your encouragement and excitement helps when I’m feeling down. I look forward to lots more book chats with you!
Rae O., without your excellent insight, Seer would be lacking crucial scenes that are now part of the book’s ending. Thank you for helping me make this book better, and for doing it so generously. You are a fantastic editor, and I hope this book is just the start of us working together.
Brittany, thank you for taking time to help me with this book when you didn’t have to. Your editorial feedback was the final polish it needed. Thank you also for keeping in contact after and helping with marketing tips. I love chatting with you, and I hope we can work together again in the future!
Additional thanks to Cover Couture for Seer’s amazing cover, to my cousin Laura for posing as Clare when I used Seer for a college project, and to Tracy and Jess for the Seer photoshoot. Tracy, your photos were beautiful, and Jess, you made a stunning Clare! I’m so grateful you both took time to bring my character to life, and those photos mean a lot to me even though they aren’t used for the current cover.
I also must thank all of the beta readers and critique partners who have looked at this story over the years. Some names that come to mind are Suzanne, Brittinie, Chen, Josi, and Michelle, but there have been many others, including all the people who enjoyed and commented on Seer when it was on inkpop and Swoon Reads. You all have my heart and gratitude. Thank you!
Last but definitely not least, thank you to my beautiful daughters Carol and Jane. Thank you for being patient with me when I took time away to go write or work on book stuff. You two haven’t read this yet, but I hope one day you will and that you enjoy it. I love you both so much!
About the Author
Ashley Maker is the author of SEER, UNDER THE TREES, and A CURSE OF STONE AND MOONLIGHT. As both a writer and middle school English teacher, Ashley spends much of her time thinking about fictional worlds, grammar rules, and how yo effectively share those things with others. She loves hanging out with her husband, two young daughters, and their zoo of family pets in Oklahoma.
For more information:
www.ashleymaker.com
[email protected]
Also by Ashley Maker
Under the Trees
Desperate to prevent an abusive arranged marriage, Princess Araya flees to a neighboring kingdom, only to land at the mercy of the impulsive Crown Prince Thoredmund, who provides refuge in a secluded forest and teaches her survival skills. Her surprise at the unexpected hold the prince has on her heart mirrors his shock at falling for the one girl he can't have.
As the young couple's feelings for each other grow, the fragile alliance between the two kingdoms threatens to break apart. With a vengeful duke and an enraged king fast on their trail, Thor and Araya must decide how much they're willing to risk for love.
Even if staying together means starting a war.
A Curse of Stone and Moonlight
Sixteen-year-old Adele never asked for immortality.
Cursed to become a marble statue in a private art gallery, Adele is at the mercy of a wicked sorcerer’s quest for revenge and something even more sinister. With her freedom hanging in the balance, she must decide whether to succumb to Wilmont’s repulsive wishes or remain frozen as just another piece of art in a chilling collection.
The only thing keeping her from going mad is a promise to her mother and curiosity about the other statues in the gallery, especially the one taking the likeness of Wilmont’s tragically lost son. Adele cannot help but wonder if he is human like her, imprisoned beneath marble skin. She vows to find out the truth and escape before it’s too late and she’s trapped forever.
Find out what happens to Adele in the captivating first installment of the Enchanted Revenge Short Story Series.
