Thanks of a matching caliber go to my wonderful friends of the writing and non-writing variety. To the Cap Hill Crew—Ellen Milne, Suezie Hagy, and Nova Barlow; to Jillian and Pete Venters—two lovely and loving grown-up Goths who I simply can’t recommend enough; Richelle Mead and Mark Henry for being cornerstones in my first actual group of Writer Buddies; and to Kat Richardson, another cornerstone—who has become one of my very dearest friends in the last couple of years. Also, I must note the amazing Mary Robinette Kowal, who, it must be mentioned with some small measure of irony, hails from Chattanooga. But I did not know her—or come to adore her—until we met on the West Coast.

Further thanks to the following folks for their outstanding support in a personal and professional nature, though they aren’t Northwest locals: George R. R. Martin, for teaching me more about writing in six months than a four-year B.A. and three years of grad school ever did; Sam Sykes, a damn fine convention pal and all-round great correspondent; John Scalzi, for good guesses and secret-keeping; William Schafer, for his persistent waving of pom-poms in my general direction, even though I’m a horrible person who hasn’t written that next novella for him yet; Mike Lee, for talking me off the ledge repeatedly re: THINGS THAT ARE SECRET and might be secret forever; Wil Wheaton, for his effervescent enthusiasm and unwavering positivity; Warren Ellis, a man I can’t help but idolize and constantly want to hug, so it’s just as well (for his sake) that he’s overseas; Jess Nevins, the kindest, most brilliant archivist in Texas and well beyond; and to everyone else in the clubhouse that serves the world—you people know who you are, and why I love you.

And now to the publishing team—the people who prop me up, urge me on, keep me moving, and make all the magic happen.

A million and one thanks to my editor, the inimitable Liz Gorinsky, who saves me every damn day; my amazing agent, Jennifer Jackson, because, dear God, I don’t know how I’d ever survive this business without her on my side; my publicist, Aisha Cloud, who sends me on the road and takes care of me while I’m there; Irene Gallo in the art department for all the beautiful covers; and everyone else at Tor who helps these books find their way into the world.

Lifesavers, each and every one of them.

And finally, thanks to my husband, Jaymes Aric Annear—who loves me enough to come home with me. I couldn’t do it without him.

Map of Seattle

Contents

Contents

Title Page

Copyright Notice

Dedication

Acknowledgments

Map of Seattle

Epigraph

Chapter 1

Chapter 2

Chapter 3

Chapter 4

Chapter 5

Chapter 6

Chapter 7

Chapter 8

Chapter 9

Chapter 10

Chapter 11

Chapter 12

Chapter 13

Chapter 14

Chapter 15

Chapter 16

Chapter 17

Chapter 18

Chapter 19

Chapter 20

Chapter 21

Chapter 22

Chapter 23

Chapter 24

Chapter 25

Chapter 26

Chapter 27

Chapter 28

Chapter 29

Chapter 30

Epilogue