Elected (The Elected Series Book 1) (26 page)

I look at Griffin whose face is now cast down. Finally, the truth is out. He wants his father to be alive. I answer him quietly. “No, we didn’t save him.”

Griffin continues to look down and nods.

“His crime was violence,” I say, hating to mouth the explanation. “He was too dangerous to save.”

“I understand.” Griffin is resolute, picking his head back up and looking at me.

My biggest fear is that Maran’s prophesy will come true—that Griffin will turn against me and Vienne, ultimately agreeing with his father’s rash beliefs. But for now, at least, I know we’re united. I reach out to squeeze his hand, about to proceed with my big revelation.

And that’s when I see a figure walking toward us, crouched low.

“Margareath?” I whisper into the darkness.

“Madame Elected?”

I breathe a sigh of relief. It’s her.

“Margareath, it’s me, the Elected. And Griffin. Madame Elected isn’t here.”

She looks toward us, her eyes fearful.

“Don’t worry,” Griffin says. “We aren’t here to hurt you.”

Margareath doesn’t ask us if we’re here to take her back into East Country, as I’d suspected she might. Instead she asks, “What do you want?”

“We need you to take me across the border,” says Griffin. “I need to stay with you for a while. See for myself what’s going on in Mid Country.”

“Take both of us,” I say, ignoring Griffin’s look. Then I stare out in front of me at the pervasive technology alight on Mid’s horizon. More quietly I say, “Yes, I need to come too.”

“Ohhh,” says Margareath. Her eyes are suddenly bright with excitement. “You won’t believe what they have over there. It’s amazing. I can’t wait to show you!”

I look at her, cocking my head to one side. “Amazing?”

“Yes, it’s simply unbelievable!” She’s excited now, happy to be able to take us with her. She starts walking forward, and Griffin and I begin following her.

Maybe she just yearns for company. So I give in a little, thinking of Vienne’s warning about Margareath’s desperation to see her family.

“Margareath,” I say from behind her. “Your family is doing well. They’re coping. They’ll see you soon. After we finish this mission, I’ll let you go back to them. I promise.”

Margareath stops and turns. She looks at me, an odd expression dancing across her brow. She lifts a hand to her forehead, one word escaping her mouth. “Who?”

I stop midstride and stare at her. “Margareath, your family? Your kids? Your three kids?”

Again Margareath looks at us, her eyes darting back and forth between me and Griffin. Then she shrugs and raises her hand. “Come on!” she says. “I have so much to show you!”

Griffin and I lock eyes behind Margareath’s back, exchanging a sharp glance. I lift my eyebrows in alarm and he does the same, shaking his head. She doesn’t remember her family?

Griffin grabs my hand, and then we both walk forward. Whatever Margareath has to show us, now we have to see. With Griffin’s hand firm in mine, I look behind me as the crest of the hill begins to disappear behind us. I stand on my tiptoes, looking back one last time at my country.

“Don’t worry,” I say silently toward my home. “I’ll come back for you. I won’t leave you neglected for long.”

Then we begin our descent into Mid Country.

THE END

Acknowledgements

There were so many people who made it possible for me to write and publish The Elected Series. Thank you from the bottom of my heart for all of your support, expertise, and enthusiasm. Thank you to:

Mom and Dad for reading every word as I wrote them and for your unfailing interest that kept me going. You instilled a love of storytelling by reading to me every night as a child and writing down the stories I “dictated” before I could scribble them myself. Jason for having one hundred percent confidence that I would write books and publish them. Your belief in me makes unbelievable things seem possible. I appreciate the many car rides spent discussing plot and character development. My oldest daughter who tells me “Mama’s writing” anytime I sit at my laptop and for allowing me to write ELECTED on maternity leave with her. My youngest daughter who enabled me to write the next book while on maternity leave the second time around. Both of the main female characters in this book get pieces of their personalities (spunk, bravery, adventurousness, and compassion) from the two of you precious girls.

My agent, Sara D’Emic and the team at Talcott Notch, for believing in the story of ELECTED and taking a chance on me. Sara, I knew the second you talked to me on the phone about ELECTED and discussed Aloy, Griffin, and Vienne like they were real people, you understood and could nurture the book. May there be many writing years ahead where we gush about our mutual love of Halloween!

Silence in the Library Publishing, who saw ELECTED’s potential and brought me onto the team. Janine Spendlove, Ron Garner, Tanya Spackman, Kelli Neier, Bryan Young, Maggie Allen, and Amberley Young, thank you for your dedication to making ELECTED happen. My editors: Diana Bocco, Kara Leigh Miller, Julie Wingfield, Tricia Kristufek, Eden Plantz, Kelly Coffey, and Emily Ward for guiding ELECTED through multiple iterations to ensure it flowed and sounded like life-on-pages. My cover artist Suzannah Safi. You worked with such grace and efficiency as we determined what feelings ELECTED’s cover should evoke. Misty Williams and Suzanne van Rooyen, my publicists, for tirelessly working to promote ELECTED and answering coordination messages so fast. I barely press send on a note before you respond with the much-appreciated information.

Ron Romanski from Preactive Marketing for making my website and giving me advice on social media.

My current writing critique group members: Clifton Tibbetts, Jon Sourbeer, and Vivian Bloomberg for your unfailing enthusiasm and the detailed analysis you’ve given the book. Every time I’m on the phone with you, your dedication to write inspires me. To my earliest writing critique group members: Kellye, Stephanie, Mo, and Linda, for picking ELECTED when I asked you which of my novel ideas you’d want to read and for encouraging me to join the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators (SCBWI).

My friendly legal team (literally made up of my friends) Leif and Heather. The time you took reviewing my various contracts was invaluable.

Beta readers who peeked at ELECTED when it was a very... very rough draft: Erin, Kat, Kim, Luke, Amy, Jon, Pina, Matt, Colleen, and Sara. You told me ELECTED seemed like a real book you couldn’t get out of your head, and that made me feel like a real writer.

My writer friends: Diana Peterfreund, Nancy Grossman, and Debra Shigley for giving me advice on the industry early-on. The entire DC Mafia Writers group, made up of a welcoming bunch of literary gurus. The MD/DW/WVA SCBWI chapter that offers a breadth of writing information through their conferences and events.

To all of my long-time friends as well as the new ones from social media, for Tweeting, blogging, Facebooking, emailing, talking and, in general, sharing info about ELECTED. There is an army of “East Countrymen” that got this book into the hands of readers.

THANK YOU!

Kickstarter Backers

This printed book would not be possible without the generous support of each and every one of the Kickstarter backers who contributed to this project.

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