She’d done this to him, as surely as if she’d been the one to plunge the knife into his gut.
And Renzo… oh, Renzo.
She’d sentenced him to life as a fugitive.
She prayed he kept running.
Nomi curled forward toward her hands, the agony unbearable. In trying to save Serina, and herself, she’d destroyed them all.
The night stretched on and on, the ocean throwing them through the darkness with savage abandon. Nomi’s stomach revolted. Maris sang a lullaby under her breath, her voice hoarse from weeping.
Malachi’s chest rose and fell, slower and shallower with each passing moment.
And then, at last, as dawn bled up from the horizon, Mount Ruin slowly rose from the mist, blackened and ominous.
Nomi took a ragged breath.
Serina, I’m here.
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ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
It was an absolute honor to work with the incredible teams at Alloy and LBYR in bringing Serina and Nomi to life. Huge cupcake-sprinkled hugs to my editors, Pam Gruber, Lanie Davis, and Eliza Swift, and to my story gurus, Josh Bank, Joelle Hobeika, and Sara Shandler. To Les Morgenstein, Romy Golan, Matt Bloomgarden, and the rest of the team at Alloy, thank you for everything you’ve done to support me and this book. To Megan Tingley, Alvina Ling, Emilie Polster, Katharine McAnarney, Carol Scatorchio, and the whole amazing team at LBYR, thank you so much for taking a chance on my sisters and being so enthusiastic about them! And to the wonderful designers who brought them (and the cover in general) to beautiful life—Karina Granda, Mallory Grigg, and Liz Dresner—thank you!
My sincerest thanks to Kirsten Wolf at Emerald City Literary Agency for helping me with my contract, and to Linda Epstein, who somehow always knows what to say (no, you’re the rock star). I feel so lucky to be one of your authors, Linda, I can’t even tell you. Thank you so much, Mandy Hubbard, for encouraging Linda to check her e-mail.
To my dear friend Michelle Nebiolo—thank you for helping me with my Italian and for generously suggesting Serina, your grandmother’s name, for my first sister. Serina would literally not be Serina without you. Grazie, amica mia!
Dr. Jody Escaravage, Aimee L. Salter, Morgan Tucker, Rachel Hamm, and Natasha Fisher: Here are some big, awkward squishy hugs for being such insightful early readers and such amazing friends. This process would have been so much harder without your encouragement, feedback, and emotional support.
To my writer and editor friends who listened to my angst, who cheered for me, and who sent me hilarious gifs—Jax Abbey, Paige Nguyen, J.D. Robinson, The Wonder Writers, Crystal Watanabe, and Morgan Michael—thank you and a dark chocolate cupcake for each of you!
To my family, thank you so much for your support and encouragement. It has been thrilling to share this experience with you.
Ollie, I love that you’re already telling your own stories. My favorite is the one about Risky Pupperniss. Remember that one. I think it’s got legs.
To my husband, Andy, without whom none of this would have been possible: Thank you for making me laugh, for comforting me during stressful deadlines, and for always, always being there (except, you know, when the Army needs you to be elsewhere. Ha!). You are an incredible husband and father, and an incredible man. You inspire me daily. Not only do I hope Ollie grows up to be like you… I hope someday I do too. I love you.
And finally, dear reader, I’m so honored that you’ve spent your valuable time with Serina and Nomi. You are magical and wonderful, and I love and appreciate each and every one of you. If I could, I would bake all of you cupcakes. Thank you!
Grace and Fury Page 25
