She wasn’t sure it was possible, but with Heath there to help her understand her powers, she might just be able to pull it off.
“Come on,” she said, “let’s get back to the house. Flying this time, not climbing,” she added. “It’s time to go home.”
IT WASN’T THE MOST ORNATE or complicated door she’d ever created, Rook thought as she, Drift, and Fox crowded together at the back of the roost’s tiny closet, the place where she’d spent so many late nights trying to make a doorway to get back to Vora. But in order to make a door permanent, Heath said she needed to use as little animus as possible. Simple was better.
In the weeks since she’d first met the wizard and the pirate, Rook, Drift, and Fox had learned so much about their powers. They’d gotten to know the other children, and Heath had kept his promise to go to Regara to check on the Wasteland.
He reported back with some surprising and promising news. Now that the wild magic had been cleared from the portal site, the constables and the people of Regara had stepped in to try to reclaim the Wasteland. The animals and plants within had returned to their natural states, making the prospect much less dangerous. Even the instances of the Frenzy sickness in the city were dwindling.
And Heath said that the constables and Regara’s mayor continued to search for Rook, the one who had saved the city from certain destruction. Not to hunt her down, but to give her their thanks. Heath said that the actions of Rook, Drift, and Fox on the city’s behalf had already done much to change the people’s attitudes toward the exiles. Even the Red Watchers, who proclaimed it had all been a trick to gain sympathy for the children, were losing support in the city.
It was a start, a hope for the future of the exiles in Talhaven.
Hope, Rook thought, was something she was learning to believe in. The door in front of her was another symbol of that change.
It was small, plain wood, with simple hinges. The doorknob was brass. When Rook opened it, a cloud of snow blew into the back of the closet.
There, in front of them, was Heath and Danna’s house. They could come and go as they pleased now.
Rook stared across the threshold, and as she did so, she felt Fox and Drift take her hands. They stood quietly, breathing in the fresh, cold forest air. No matter what happened next, they would stay together. They’d promised each other that.
Two worlds connected. Two homes had become one.
It was all possible because of an open door.
And an open heart.
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
Starting something new can be terrifying, especially if you feel like you’re working without a net. Thankfully, when I delved into this new fantasy world and story, I had multiple people standing by to catch me if I started to fall and support me whenever I wobbled. There’s always a lot of wobbling where I’m concerned.
To Krista Marino and my dream team at Delacorte Press, you continue to go above and beyond with your encouragement, your enthusiasm, and the hard work and support that make me think I can take a leap of faith and you’ll be there for me.
To my amazing agent, Sara Megibow, thank you for telling me to follow wherever the world of Talhaven took me and for reminding me to enjoy the ride.
To Elizabeth, Gary, and Kelly, thank you for taking the book off my hands when I was too frustrated to look at it anymore. I knew you would help me make it better, and of course, you came through.
To Mom, Dad, and Jeff, we’re on number nine. Can you believe that? You always did believe, of course, but I’m still waiting to wake up.
And to my husband, I promise I’ll finish writing these acknowledgments and come help make dinner now. Thank you for always making sure I have the time I need and for understanding when I’m going nonstop. Love you tons.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Jaleigh Johnson is the New York Times bestselling author of The Mark of the Dragonfly, The Secrets of Solace, The Quest to the Uncharted Lands, and The Door to the Lost. A lifelong reader, gamer, and moviegoer, she loves nothing better than to escape into fictional worlds and take part in fantastic adventures.
Jaleigh lives and writes in the wilds of the Midwest, but you can visit her online at jaleighjohnson.com or follow @JaleighJohnson on Twitter.
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