The Serpent (The Immortal Dealers Book 1)

by Sarah Fine

  “Is he?” Andy’s glass refilled itself, and he took a sip off the top.

  “I want you to tell me where to find him.”

  Andy’s eyes met hers. They weren’t black anymore, but nor were they blue, just some uncomfortable shade in between. “Finish your assignment. We can talk again once you’ve earned your keep.”

  Ernie wasn’t done. “My father became a Dealer to save my mother, but I think he’s been trying to get back to us.”

  “He was doing a lot more than that.”

  “Virginia—the Chicken Dealer—”

  He laughed. “I do know who she is, thanks.”

  “She said she did something to him. Or made something happen to him. She wouldn’t say what. Can you—”

  Andy held up his hand, and Ernie went silent, waiting.

  “Ah, Redmond. I was fond of him,” Andy said with a chuckle. “He was a bit of a surprise.”

  “Was?”

  “Ukraine.” The Forger’s voice had gone low and menacing.

  “Ukraine can wait. I’m asking about my father.”

  “And I’m telling you that you owe me.”

  “No, I don’t. I used a Mark.”

  “And for that, I gave you the means to save yourself and the Kestrel. But I could have snatched your cards and given them back to Duncan, and I chose not to.”

  “But you wanted Duncan gone, too! We did you a favor by destroying him!”

  “I never expected that you would be so obnoxiously ungrateful.” His voice was little more than a growl.

  Ernie cleared her throat. For a guy who didn’t look that intimidating, he sure knew how to scare the crap out of someone with a few words and a lot of attitude. “Thank you,” she said. “I should have opened with that.”

  He grunted, then did a perfect imitation of her accent. “Don’t get above your raisin’, young lady. Though I guess I can’t blame you for the faults in your upbringing, given that I lured your father away when you were at such a tender age.”

  Ernie felt her hackles rise but forced herself to smile. She was more or less immortal now. She could play the long game. “Kiev, then.”

  Andy grinned. “Perfect. We’ll talk soon.”

  Ernie headed back to her table and sat down.

  “Well?” asked Dia. “Did you hit it off?”

  Shaking her head, Ernie placed her hand over the deck in her pocket. “It just wasn’t in the cards.”

  ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

  This book has truly been a group effort, with the dedicated and phenomenal team at 47North investing in this story and guiding me forward from the very beginning. Thanks to Jason Kirk for giving it a chance and introducing me to my editor, Adrienne Procaccini, who had a vision that aligned perfectly with my hopes for the Immortal Dealers series, and who has faithfully steered it ever since. Many thanks to Courtney Miller as well, for supporting the team, this book, and me as an author. Much gratitude goes to my developmental editor, Jessica Jernigan, for pushing me to deepen the world and the relationships within it. Thanks also goes to Janice Lee, my copyeditor, for making sure not a single modifier was left dangling and that I didn’t unintentionally insert time travel into the plot; to Sara Addicott, the production editor, for making sure the process of turning The Serpent into an actual book ran smoothly; and to Phyllis DeBlanche, my eagle-eyed proofreader.

  A huge thank-you goes to Blake Morrow, who photographed the perfect images and built The Serpent’s cover from the ground up, and to Ellen Shantz, who emanates a strength and beauty well worthy of Ernie Terwilliger. My gratitude also goes to Kathleen Ortiz for finding my book the perfect home and for always being there to advise, assist, and advocate. Thanks also to the team at New Leaf Literary & Media for providing excellent auxiliary support.

  Thank you to my friends, both in the writing world and otherwise, especially Paul Block, Jim Campbell, Catherine Allen, Claudine Silverman, Claire Legrand, and Brigid Kemmerer. Lydia Kang, you are a rare gem, and I will always be deeply grateful for your friendship—and your willingness to kick my butt when I’m not meeting my daily writing goals.

  To my parents, Jerry and Julie, and my sisters, Cathryn and Robin, thank you for your unending and unconditional support, no matter in which direction I veer. And to my children, Asher and Alma, thank you for still thinking that I’m at least a little bit—occasionally—cool.

  Peter, my love, you’re the only one who knows all the references and inside jokes. They’re probably funny only to the two of us, but there’s no one else in this dimension or any other whom I’d rather share that tiny tent with.

  Now I get to give some extremely special thank-yous to readers and fans who contributed awesome suggestions that made a big mark on this novel before a single word was ever written: Justin Longino and Courtney Cogswell suggested Asheville, North Carolina, as Ernie’s hometown, inspiring me to faithfully eat and drink my way through it in an effort to make sure the details were there. Michelle “the Magnificent” Fredsall suggested our heroine’s first name: Ernestine, or “Ernie” for short, is named after one of her great-aunts. Ginger Elinburg contributed Ernie’s profession as a hospital ward clerk. Natalie Cleary recommended Doodys Bottoms, a glorious place in her native Ireland, as Ernie’s landing spot when she first gets whisked away by the Diamondback deck. Vicki Ramirez inspired Virginia’s Chicken deck: “You never really see a good chicken as a familiar.” Cassie Wilson was the source of the Emperor Tamarin, and Kay Ro suggested the Pot-Bellied Pig. Veronica Quarry gave Duncan his name, while Tina Hines offered “Gabriel” and Rhonda Waite Rosick suggested “Carrig” for our disheveled hero, Gabe. I must reserve a special thank-you for my junior high crush, Mr. Shane Brashear, for coming up with a name for the diamondback herself. “Legs” captured the tone and spirit of this series in a way only Shane could. And to the rest of my readers, both dedicated and new, thank you for giving this book and series a chance. You inspire me to write tales worthy of your time and your hearts.

  ABOUT THE AUTHOR

  Photo © 2012 Rebecca Skinner

  Sarah Fine is the author of more than twenty books and novellas for adults and teens. Her adult books include the Servants of Fate and Reliquary series. She confesses to having both the music tastes of an adolescent boy and an adventurous spirit when it comes to food (especially if it’s fried). Sarah has lived on the West Coast and in the Midwest, but she currently calls the East Coast home. To learn more about the author and her work, visit www.sarahfinebooks.com.