Sea of Strangers

by Erica Cameron

  It’s not enough, but if we can’t come up with a plan, this is what Varan will do: flatten cities until there’s nothing left to save.

  I watch Rido’iti die.

  I knew from the moment I decided to help Sanii find Yorri that I was going to lose my home, but now I know there’s nothing to go back to. This waste, this brutality, this chaos, it’s everything we were raised to avoid. Varan has destroyed everything I love about Itagami as completely as he’s leveling Rido’iti.

  Varan has so much to atone for. Somehow, I am going to find a way to make him.

  Even if I have to drag him before the Kaisubeh myself.

  Epilogue

  Rain lashes the ground, creating small, quick rivers in the cracks of the red rock. Screaming wind tears across the mountain, ripping a boulder off the slopes and sending it flying into the valley below. It slams into a black stone platform, shattering a corner.

  The girl trapped on that platform doesn’t even scream. She’s unconscious, locked to the stone as it tips off its base and slides to the valley floor. It knocks into the next platform, rattling the boy trapped on the surface.

  Yorri’s eyes fly open. His back arches off the black rock. He opens his mouth and screams. Thunder muffles his terror. The wind rips it away from his lips. Not one of the thirty-eight other people trapped in the valley with him hears.

  One by one they wake up. Some of them struggle, fighting to break the red cords binding them to the black platforms. Some only try to hide their faces from the driving, pounding rain. Others open their mouths and drink the pouring water like they haven’t tasted it in centuries.

  Yorri closes his eyes and cries, his tears lost in the cold raindrops splashing on his face.

  He remembers everything that’s happened since Neeva pressed a circle of black rock to the back of his neck and trapped him in unconsciousness, leaving him watching himself and everything that happened around him.

  He’d thought being forced to watch others fake his death was torture. He’d been sure seeing his sister’s pain as she said goodbye was the worst it could get. He’d known nothing could be more maddening than being trapped in his body and hearing only the neverending crash of the waves against the rocky edges of Imaku. He’d prayed nothing would ever hurt worse than jerking to a halt at the edge of Imaku, watching Sanii and Khya fall into the water, leaving him behind. He’d lost hope when his blood-parents came and helped carry the platforms off Imaku, hiding him in absolute darkness in a place Khya would never find.

  Now this.

  Time passes. Days, maybe. Weeks. Entire moons. He doesn’t know. The storm continues to rage. Lightning flashes, so close it singes his skin and so bright he sees the shape of it streak across his eyelids. Yorri barely flinches. He doesn’t open his eyes.

  It doesn’t matter anymore.

  No one will ever find them here. Not even Khya. Not even Sanii. That much, at least, he knows.

  No one is coming. Varan will make sure of that.

  Glossary

  Terms and Phrases (all languages):

  Ahdo – Itagamin – Sagen sy Itagami’s second citizen class; includes the following ranks (sorted highest to lowest):

  Ahdo-na | Ahdo-mas | Ahdo-sa | Ahdo-po | Ahdo-li | Ahdo-va

  Ahoali’lona – hanaeuu we’la maninaio – the small, furry animals kept as companions

  Akiloshulo’e kua’ana manano – hanaeuu we’la maninaio – the universal energy of the world and the source of magic

  Akukeiji – Ryogan – a derogatory term that literally translates to “evil mage”

  Akuringu – Itagamin – a mage with the ability to use a reflective surface to see across great distances or, rarely, a short period of time into the past or future

  Alima’hi – hanaeuu we’la maninaio – a respectful greeting; hello

  Alua’sa liona’ano shilua’a – hanaeuu we’la maninaio – the gods or power responsible for the creation of the world

  Andofume – Ryogan – those denied death; a word Tsua and Chio invented to describe their lifespans

  Anto – Itagamin – a short, slightly curved dagger used in Sagen sy Itagami

  Asairu – Ryogan – a fire spell to burn everything within a designated space

  Atakafus – Itagamin – a headscarf worn on Shiara as protection from the desert winds

  Basaku – Itagamin – a mage whose five senses are enhanced and who also has the ability to feel shifts in the desosa; in rare cases this includes the impact emotions have on that energy

  Bobasu – Ryogan – the exiles; a word used for the twelve immortals and numerous mortal followers who were exiled from Ryogo

  Boruikku – Itagamin – a word created by Rai and Etaro to describe magic that uses symbols to guide and control the flow of the desosa

  Chonochi – Ryogan – the last royal family of Ryogo; a member of this family ordered the exile of Varan and his followers

  Desosa – Itagamin – the universal energy of the world and the source of magic

  Dyuniji – Itagamin – a mage with the ability to use their own kinetic energy, or sometimes someone else’s (for example, blows landed during battle) to augment their own strength

  Ebet – Itagamin – the designation for one of Sagen sy Itagami’s three recognized sexes

  Fykina – Itagamin – a mage with the ability to shield themselves and others from both magic and the physical world

  Garakyu – Ryogan – a clear, spelled globe that allows anyone to communicate across miles

  Goa’wa uita – Ryogan – the spell to unseal a protection against the elements

  Hanaeuu we’la maninaio – hanaeuu we’la maninaio – a group of nomadic traders who travel either by wagon caravan or by boat; the name translates to “souls carried by the wind”

  Hinoshowa – Ryogan – an incredibly derogatory word for a wretch, someone lower than the peasant class; often used synonymously to mean someone who is neither male nor female

  Hishingu – Itagamin – a mage with the ability to heal themselves and others

  Ishjii – Itagamin – a mage with the ability to reform, lighten, move, and mold stone

  Jindaini – Ryogan – the title held by the elected leader of Ryogo

  Kaiboshi – Ryogan – the priests who serve the Kaisubeh, the gods Ryogans worship

  Kaigo – Itagamin – the council of elders who serve the Miriseh in Sagen sy Itagami

  Kaijuko – Ryogan – the place Ryogans believe souls are trapped for punishment in the afterlife; also, what Ryogans call the black rock that helped them trap and defeat the bobasu

  Kaimashin – Ryogan – the spirits who carry out the orders of the Kaisubeh, according to an ancient belief

  Kaisuama – Ryogan – a mountain in the Mysora range where the Kaisubeh convened to observe their followers, according to an old legend

  Kaisubeh – Ryogan – as a whole, the gods and goddesses that the Ryogans believe created and control the world

  Kasaiji – Itagamin – a mage with the ability to create and control sparks and/or fire

  Katsujo – Ryogan – a vein of concentrated power and energy

  Kujuko – Itagamin – where Itagamins believe souls are trapped for punishment in the afterlife; Varan introduced this to his city, a twisted version of Ryogo’s belief in Kaijuko

  Kynacho – Itagamin – a mage with enhanced speed, agility, strength, stamina, and endurance

  Kyneeda – Itagamin – a mage with enhanced strength, stamina, and endurance

  Kyshiji – Itagamin – a mage with the ability to find, cleanse, and sometimes manipulate water

  Limahi – hanaeuu we’la maninaio – an unwelcome stranger

  Miriseh – Itagamin – the title Varan gave himself and the other immortals after he built Sagen sy Itagami

  Mura’ina – Ryogan – a purple flower with healing properties that only grows in specific climates within Ryogo

  Myiji – Itagamin – a mage with an extremely rare ability to manipulate wind and detect o
r, sometimes, call up storms

  Mykyn – Itagamin – a large, predatory bird that lives on Shiara

  Niadagu – Ryogan – a powerful binding spell using specially made red cords

  Nyshin – Itagamin – the first and highest of the citizen classes within Sagen sy Itagami; includes the following ranks (sorted highest to lowest):

  Nyshin-lu | Nyshin-ri | Nyshin-co | Nyshin-ma | Nyshin-pa | Nyshin-ten

  Obyoto – Ryogan – a deeply personal term of endearment

  Ojoken – Ryogan – a plant whose stem and roots are used for powerful healing potions

  Omikia – Ryogan – the old, now unused written language of Ryogo

  Onyo – Ryogan – mother

  Oraku – Itagamin – a mage with three enhanced senses: sight, smell, and hearing

  Osukiga – Ryogan – a portrait to which a family continuously adds famous, powerful, or influential ancestors; usually includes a shrine where people pray for advice and guidance

  Ratoiji – Itagamin – a mage with the ability to create lightning

  Rianjuko – Ryogan – A rare flowering plant used in a variety of ways depending on which part of the plant is used; powerful when added to magic work

  Rikinhisu – Itagamin – a mage with the ability to move physical objects without touching them

  Riuku – Itagamin – the class of mage that includes enhanced senses: uniku, oraku, and basaku

  Rononi yakusoro – Ryogan – a strong expletive, its meaning close to “cursed bastard”

  Rusosa – Itagamin – a mage with the ability to create illusions in other people’s minds

  Ryacho – Itagamin – a mage with enhanced speed and agility

  Ryiji – Itagamin – a mage with an affinity for plants and soil who can help plants grow

  Shuikanahe’le – hanaeuu we’la maninaio – a family name of the hanaeuu we’la maninaio

  Shunkyus – Ryogan – the title held by the leader of Ryogo when the position was earned by birth instead of by election; emperor

  Sukhai – Itagamin – a bondmate or one partner in a sumai soulbond; often used as a term of endearment between bonded pairs

  Sumai – Itagamin – a magical bond that ties two souls together beyond death

  Susuji – Ryogan – a potion used to heal

  Sykina – Itagamin – a mage with the ability to shield themselves from other magic

  Tenrai – Ryogan – a large mountain cat with thick white fur and sharp claws

  Tokiansu – Itagamin – the warriors’ dance, performed once a moon cycle in Sagen sy Itagami during their celebrations

  Tozaiko nitoko – Ryogan – the spell used to activate the niadagu binding

  Tssiky’le – Denhitran – a curse close in meaning to dammit

  Tudo – Itagamin – a long, slightly curved sword used in Sagen sy Itagami

  Tyatsu – Ryogan – the Ryogan army

  Ukaiahana’lona – hanaeuu we’la maninaio – horned herbivorous beasts with tough, mottled gray hides that the hanaeuu we’la maninaio use to pull their wagons or cargo loads

  Uniku – Itagamin – a mage with a single enhanced sense, usually either vision or hearing

  Ureeku-sy rii’ifu – Ryogan – the spell Tsua and Chio think might break the magic binding Yorri and the other prisoners to the stone platforms

  Ushimo – Itagamin – describes those on the asexual spectrum; someone who feels little to no sexual desire for anyone, regardless of gender, appearance, or personality

  Vanafitia – Denhitran – a term of endearment meaning beloved one

  Yonin – Itagamin – the third and lowest of Sagen sy Itagami’s social classes; includes the following ranks (sorted highest to lowest):

  Yonin-na | Yonin-mas | Yonin-sa | Yonin-po | Yonin-li | Yonin-va

  Yugadai – Ryogan – describes the system Varan enforced in Itagami requiring approval for all births and lifetime partnerships

  Zohogasha – Ryogan – the massive statues guarding the Ryogan coastline; each set contains fourteen statues

  Zoikyo – Itagamin – a mage with the ability to boost other people’s powers

  Sentence Translations:

  Ou’a ka lea’i imloa ka’i ia okopo’ono aloshaki ana’anahou. – hanaeuu we’la maninaio – It is good to see you again.

  Aloshaki naho olea’o wa’heekohu shahala’kai. O’kaoo malohakama ka lea’i le’anohu – hanaeuu we’la maninaio – You were not lying. Your friends are many.

  Shomaihopa’a sha opai’hoa. – hanaeuu we’la maninaio – Bless this fate.

  Cities and Places:

  Arayokai Sea – the stretch of water between Shiara and Ryogo

  Atokoredo – a city in northwestern Ryogo within the Soramyku Province

  Denhitra – the city in the southern mountains of Shiara

  Ejinosei – a city on the western coast of Ryogo within the Soramyku Province

  Imaku – the black-rock island off the north-eastern coast of Shiara

  Jushoyen – the capitol city of Ryogo, located in the center of the country

  Kanaga’ako – a city in southeastern Ryogo within the Namimi Province and Osshi’s hometown

  Khylar – the country directly to the north of Ryogo, separated by the Mysora Mountains

  Mushokeiji – a prison for mages located within the Soramyku Province in northwestern Ryogo, specifically the Suakizu region

  Mysora Mountains – the northern-most range of mountains that separates Ryogo from Khylar

  Mysora’ka River – the river that runs from the eastern half of the Mysora Mountains to the eastern coast of Ryogo

  Nentoado – the section of the Mysora Mountains known for being harsh and impassable

  Po’umi – a port city on the southeastern coast of Ryogo within the Namimi Province

  Rido’iti – a port city on the southern coast of Ryogo within the Namimi Province

  Ryogo – the country north of Shiara where Varan, Chio, and the other immortals are from

  Ryogan Provinces – (clockwise from the southwest)

  Minowa – southwestern-most coastal region

  Azukyo – central western coastal region

  Soramyku – northwestern-most mountains

  Kyo’ne – northeastern-most peninsula

  Okasuto – northwestern coastal region

  Hynochi – central plains

  Tomi’ishi – central eastern coastal region

  Namimi – southeastern-most coastal region

  Sagen sy Itagami – the city in northeastern Shiara; often simply called Itagami

  Sansosi’ka River – the river running from the western side of the Mysora Mountains to the city of Atokoredo where it splits

  Shiara – the island nation south of Ryogo

  Suakizu – the region within the Soramyku Province where the prison Mushokeiji is located

  Tirodo – a city in northeastern Ryogo, near Uraita, within the Kyo’ne Province

  Tsimo – a city on the western peninsula of Shiara

  Uraita – a village in northeastern Ryogo within the Kyo’ne Province and the hometown of Varan and Chio

  Zunoato – a city in the Okasuto Province that sits just north of the Mysora’ka River

  Acknowledgments

  Writing is always more marathon than sprint, but that was especially true with Sea of Strangers. The book contained in these pages is a cleaned-up version of the third story I wrote—because my editress, Kate Brauning is a perfectionist. And I adore her for that. Kate, this book is almost as much yours as it is mine at this point. Thank you for pushing me past what I thought this story was and making it what it needed to be instead.

  Innumerable thanks are also due to the entire Entangled team, all of whom have supported this series and me with all their hearts, but special love goes to Ashley Hearn, Bethany Robison, and Melissa Montovani.

  Keeping myself centered and sane is a full-time job on its own, and my friends pull it off so well. Thank you to Cait Greer, Katrina Kerr, Lani Woodland,
Olivia Falk, and Tristina Wright for being a constant support.

  Publishing can be a tough industry to survive in. A professional support system (and venting arena) is necessary, and my #TeamRocks agent siblings are mine: Laurel Amberdine, Samira Ahmed, Jill Baguchinsky, Mike Chen, Lizzie Cooke, Dave Connis, Julia Ember, Rebecca Enzor, Kati Gardner, Anna Hecker, Bassey Ipki, Elizabeth Keenan, Sangu Mandanna, Alan Orloff, Rebecca Phillips, Tom Ryan, Lindsey Smith, and Diana Urban. My love for you flows in all its waterfall glory forever and ever.

  I owe so much gratitude to my sisters, Haley and Colleen, and my mom, Corey. Mom, you’re absolutely amazing, and I am so grateful for everything you do for me. It’s because of your support that I can chase the dream of writing full time. Thank you, thank you, thank you.

  And finally, THANK YOU to everyone who gave Island of Exiles a chance. Thank you to everyone who talked about it and posted reviews and shared pictures. Thank you to everyone who loved Island enough to follow me to book two. I sincerely hope I didn’t disappoint.

  About the Author

  After a lifelong obsession with books, Erica Cameron spent her college years studying psychology and creative writing, basically getting credit for reading and learning how to make stories of her own. Now, she’s the author of several series for young adults. She’s also a reader, asexuality advocate, dance fan, choreographer, singer, lover of musical theater, movie obsessed, sucker for romance, Florida resident, and quasi-recluse who loves the beach but hates the heat, has equal passion for the art of Salvador Dali and Venetian Carnival masks, has a penchant for unique jewelry and sun/moon décor pieces, and a desire to travel the entire world on a cruise ship. Or a private yacht. You know, whatever works. You can find her website at byericacameron.com or talk to her on Twitter at: @ByEricaCameron.

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