“What happened after we left you?” I ask.

Jemma’s expression darkens. “I only remember bits and pieces. I had just settled with the tavern owner and was walking back to our table. Someone tapped me on the shoulder, and then…I was no longer in control. I fought it at first, but they were too strong. After you two fled, I didn’t have the strength to keep fighting. It was like falling into a dreamless sleep.”

I shudder. I know that feeling well. But for me it was more like a waking dream. Doing things I didn’t wish to do, but without a choice in the matter. Perhaps I experienced it differently because of how Lady Aisling’s magic worked with mind-based talents.

“When I was myself again, I was in the woods. I had no idea how I got there, but eventually I found my way out, and not far from the inn either. I was able to collect my horse, but I had to pay extra; apparently I’d lost two whole days. They were ready to sell poor Red off. I started after you, and then… The rest is a blank.”

“I’m sorry,” I say. Maeve is my mother, and I can’t help feeling as if this is somehow my fault.

“You have nothing to be sorry about. You hadn’t even met Maeve yet, and had no idea what your real mother was like.” Jemma squeezes my arm warmly. I’ve missed her. She’s kind and warm and honest, all things Maeve is lacking.

“I just… I feel responsible.” I shrug helplessly.

“Well, then what do you wish to do, Simone?” Jemma asks.

Determination fills me from head to toe. I’ve given this a lot of thought over the past few days. I know Maeve is going after the soul summoner, and that there was a soul summoner last seen in Wren before it flooded. She may have gleaned more information than that, but it’s a place to start.

“We have to stop Maeve from carrying out her plan. We must save our captive friends and her from herself.”

And then and there we promise each other: that’s just what we’ll do.

Find out how Simone's story ends in Lost Island

She must stop the darkness once and for all.

Coming October 2021

Acknowledgments

First and foremost, I must thank my readers. Your love and support of the Shadow Weaver series is what made this companion duology set in the same storyworld possible. It quite literally would not exist without you. Thank you so much for reading, and I hope you love Simone’s story too!

My editor, Annie Berger, for taking this second journey through the Cometlands with me and Simone and her friends. I’m so glad you love my weird little girls as much as I do! And, as always, none of my books would make it to bookstores without the rest of the incredible team hard at work behind the scenes at Sourcebooks Young Readers, especially Margaret Coffee, Sarah Kasman, Cassie Gutman, Ashlyn Keil, Michael Leali, Stephanie Levasseur, Lizzie Lewandowski, Heather Moore, Valerie Pierce, Stefani Sloma, Heidi Weiland, and many, many others. I’m so grateful to work with you all.