First and foremost, thank you, Barbara Lalicki, for your support and guidance through the creation of this book. You steered me right many times with encouragement and sage advice. I am so fortunate to have an editor with the soul and talent of an artist. Thank you.

Andrew Harwell provided additional editorial input and helped in countless other ways. Andrew, you do it all with such a fantastic attitude. It is truly a pleasure to work with you. To Karen Sherman, my copyeditor: Thank you for your insight and thoroughness. You make me look good, and I would be nowhere without you. My gratitude also goes to the marketing, design, and sales folks at HarperCollins. There’s so much work behind the scenes. I appreciate your efforts very much.

Thank you to my ninja agents, Josh and Tracey Adams, for handling the business side so I can focus on the fun—I mean creative—side of things. You are wonderful. Thanks also to Stephen Moore for running the show in Los Angeles.

Lorin Oberweger, Eric Elfman, Lia Keyes, and Jackie Garlick were always available to brainstorm, read, or critique or just support me as I wrote Through the Ever Night. You are all invaluable to me.

The YA Muses—my home team of Katy Longshore, Talia Vance, Bret Ballou, and Donna Cooner—this wouldn’t be half as fun without you. Thank you so much for sharing this journey with me. YAH-Muses!

One of the most rewarding aspects of being a writer is belonging to the writing community. Thank you, Apocalypsies, for bringing me great friendships and much support during my debut year. A few years ago, the SCBWI opened a door for me. In particular, thanks to Kim Turrisi. I aspire to be like you by someday opening a few doors for others, too.

My family is my greatest treasure. My parents, in-laws, brothers, sisters, cousins, aunts and uncles, nieces and nephews … I could write another book or two or ten telling you how much I love you. Thank you for believing in me. To Michael, Luca, and Rocky: You are the point of everything.

Last, but certainly not least, to the bloggers and readers out there—to you—thank you for sharing your time with Perry and Aria. Many of you have reached out to me and touched me deeply with your support and enthusiasm. Thank you.

Now, are you ready? It’s time to head Into the Still Blue....

CREDITS

Cover art © 2013 by Gustavo Marx/MergeLeft Reps, Inc.

Cover design by Michelle Taormina

Brooke

Chapter 1

1

The breeze that wafts by me is deceptive. It carries the scent of burning sage, a scent we associate with happy occasions, like marriage ceremonies and harvest festivals. Marron believes the herb will lift our mood and help us all forget we’re living in a cave.

Like that’s possible.