Cordelia jumps up and down on the spot. Iris’s eyes shine.
“We’ll have to hurry, though.” I complete the sketch and spin it around for all to see. “We don’t have much time. I figure together we’ll be able to finish the armor and wings by late tomorrow,” I turn to C.L., “and then we can leave by mid-day the next.”
“We?” he swallows.
I twist the pen in my hand. “Well, I was kind of hoping you’d come with me.”
C.L.’s eyes grow big.
“I’ll need a wingman and I hear you’re the best—”
C.L. bursts into a smile. “I wouldn’t have it any other way!”
“Good.” I take a breath. “And Iris, you’ll stay here with Cordelia in case by the grace of God Urlick comes back on his own?”
She nods.
“Wonderful. Now”—I rub my hands together—“once we get there, we’ll have to create some sort of diversion.” I pace. “Elsewise, we’ll be arrested the second we set foot in Brethren. Wanted posters of me hang on every street corner. You should see it. It’s a mess. Even the Northerners will be looking for me by now.” I turn to C.L, shaking my head. “This is not going to be easy.”
“Nothing worth doing ever is, Mum.” His lips curl up into a Cheshire-like smile. “But I think I know just the people to ’elp us.”
“You do?” I turn.
C.L.’s eyes alight. His pupil's glow. He dips his toes into his waistcoat pocket and pulls out a weathered-looking old poster. Stretching it out over the table, he presses out the seams, revealing a full color illustration of a travelling freak show. The faces of five or more tortured individuals peer up from the weathered page like animals behind their cage bars. The one to the far left looks suspiciously like C.L.
“I know them, Mum.” His eyes flash. “They’s good people. If only we was able to commandeer the train before it gets to the city, they’d be more than ’appy to ’elp us free Urlick—”
“What are you saying?”
“The show’s due to arrive in Brethren in two days time. If we was to overthrow the freak master and steal his train, we could ride it into the city.”
“Are you suggesting we shanghai the travelling freak show, and what? Tie up its master?”
“I prefer we kill him, but sure—”
“Have you lost your mind?!”
“Can you think of a better diversion?”
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Up-coming books by Jacqueline Garlick
The Illumination Paradox Series
Book Two: Noir
Book Three: Soleil
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A Novella: The Epitome of Eyelet
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Acknowledgments
It takes a village to build a great story. I say “story” because that’s what counts, isn’t it? The story. Not the book.
On that note, I’d like to begin by thanking my story development coach, editor, and above all, one of my dearest friends, Lorin Oberweger, without whose counsel (and unyielding encouragement) Lumière would literally have been only half the story it is today—and me only half the person I am. Hugs. I would also like to thank the resilient and brilliant Kerry Vail for her many insights, and additions to this manuscript, and David Gatewood, whose talented eye helped to strengthen my every word.
A special thanks to my ninja agent Josh Adams, for his belief in me. Thank-yous go out to early draft readers and cheerleaders, Veronica Rossi, Katherine Longshore, Kjersten Ann Hayes, Donna Walker, Lia Keyes and Kristen Crowley Held, whose counsel helped to shape the story early on. Also to R. J. Anderson, whose kind words of encouragement (telling me I had in fact not made a mess of everything) picked me up when I stumbled and, gave me the strength to carry on, as did the wise words of Kathleen Duey, and of Emma D. Dryden, as well as her edits. And thanks be to Hazel Mitchell for her helpful British-isms. And to Naomi Canale and Heather Hamilton-Senter for their keen eyes.
And then there is Rosemary Danielis, my dear friend and biggest advocate, to whom I owe a great debt. Not only has she helped me to see the world in a very different way, she’s helped me embrace it, and we’ve all benefited from her wisdom. To Jennifer Pun for countless things and bountiful friendship. And to my rock, and very first writing friend in the business, Stacie Ramey, thanks for the endless love, support and encouragement you’ve given me throughout this journey (P.S. there may or may not be a bear in the cabin, but I will always have snacks). To my mentor and role model Ellen Hopkins, who saw a spark in my early writing and nurtured the flame, taking me under her wing, there aren’t enough words. Your ongoing support and encouragement has opened up a whole new world inside my heart and my soul. Thank you so much.
To Suzy Williams and Lynda Sandoval, early encouragers, and to all my friends and (writing) family, too many to mention—you know who you are—who have touched my life on this journey to publication, from Niagara to LA to Nevada, California and New York. Thank you all.
Lastly, I would like to thank my children, who’ve endured eating one-legged turkeys in my absence and who have graciously shaken off being shushed. And to my first reader, copyeditor, proofreader, business manager, best friend, and above all, the love of my life—my husband Sean, who from the very beginning believed in me enough to read through countless drafts, some good, some bad, and some downright ugly, but who is always there to cheer me up and cheer me on.
Love always and forever. J
About The Author
I’m Jacqueline Garlick. Author of YA, New Adult, and Women’s Fiction. I love strong heroines, despise whiny sidekicks, and adore a good story about a triumphant underdog. I love to read, write, paint (walls and paper) and plan cool writing events for cool writers (check out NiagaraRetreatAndConference.com). I have a love/hate relationship with chocolate, grammar, and technology. I’m a dog person, not a cat person. I prefer creating things to cleaning things, and baking to cooking. I believe laughter is a one-stop-shop solution to all things miserable, and that ELO’s Mr. Blue Sky can improve even the foulest mood. You will always find a purple wall (or two) in my house (perhaps even a door) and a hidden passageway that leads to a mystery room. (Okay, so you won’t find a hidden passageway but a girl can dream, can’t she?) Oh, and tea. There will always be tea. I love specialty teas...and collecting special teacups from which to drink them. (See jacquelinegarlick.com for collection.)
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Table of Contents
Dedication
Prologue
PART ONE
Chapter One
Chapter Two
Chapter Three
Chapter Four
PART TWO
Chapter Five
Chapter Six
Chapter Seven
Chapter Eight
Chapter Nine
Chapter Ten
Chapter Eleven
Chapter Twelve
Chapter Thirteen
Chapter Fourteen
Chapter Fifteen
Chapter Sixteen
Chapter Seventeen
Chapter Eighteen
Chapter Nineteen
Chapter Twenty
Chapter Twenty-One
Chapter Twenty-Two
Chapter Twenty-Three
Chapter Twenty-Four
Chapter Twenty-Five
Chapter Twenty-Six
Chapter Twenty-Seven
PART THREE
Chapter Twenty-Eight
Chapter Twenty-Nine
Chapter Thirty-One
Chapter Thirty-Two
Chapter Thirty-Three
Chapter Thirty-Four
Chapter Thirty-Five
Chapter Thirty-Six
Chapter Thirty-Seven
Chapter Thirty-Eight
Chapter Thirty-Nine
Chapter Forty
Chapter Forty-One
Chapter Forty-Two
Chapter Forty-Three
Chapter Forty-Four
Chapter Forty-Five
Chapter Forty-Six
Chapter Forty-Seven
Chapter Forty-Eight
Chapter Forty-Nine
Chapter Fifty
Chapter Fifty-One
Chapter Fifty-Two
Chapter Fifty-Three
Chapter Fifty-Four
Chapter Fifty-Five
Afterword
Sample Chapter from NOIR, Illumination Paradox, Book Two
More from Jacqueline Garlick
Acknowledgments
About the Author
Lumière (The Illumination Paradox) Page 33
