Storm

by Amanda Sun

  What happened had really changed all of our lives, sent us spinning off in directions we hadn’t known we could go.

  “And you?” he said.

  “Me? What about me?”

  “Are you... Are you going back to America?”

  Dad had called again over the weekend to invite me back. He hadn’t mentioned the Kami to Diane—would she even believe him? But he kept sending me emails, photos of the lake, insisting I would have fun.

  The lake was beautiful, even if it came with a lot of family drama to work through. I missed my life on the western side of the world, where I never culturally goofed or said the wrong thing without realizing. With everything that had happened, I had to pull a miracle by February or international school was probably in my future.

  But so what? Tomo wouldn’t be at Suntaba next year, anyway. And I could still see Yuki and Tanaka outside of school. Maybe international school wouldn’t be so bad.

  “I don’t know what’ll happen,” I said. “But right now, my home is here in Shizuoka. With you.”

  He looked up, a shy smile spreading across his face. His fingers trailed over my arm and linked with mine. I could see the scars that trailed up his other arm, crisscrossing with one another in a history map that was uniquely his.

  “None of them have come off the page, you know,” he said.

  “Hmm?”

  “The drawings.” He’d seen me looking at his scars. “They haven’t attacked, not even one. They still move, but the darkness in them is sleeping. I can feel it.”

  “And the nightmares?”

  “I still get them sometimes,” he said. “But I also get new dreams. Amaterasu and Tsukiyomi walking along the Heavenly Bridge together, flocks of ravens circling them, things like that.”

  “Nice.” I smiled.

  “Katie,” he said, his eyes filled with worry. “He’s still in there, you know. The darkness is still there.”

  Of course. Because as long as Tomo lived, the threat of Tsukiyomi resurfacing existed. “You can’t help it,” I said. “You’re descended from Tsukiyomi, and from Amaterasu. You have light and darkness both in you.”

  He lay back on his bed, staring at his ceiling. “Yeah. But I was thinking. So does everyone.” I lay back beside him, and he pressed his warm shoulder against mine, our fingers still twisted together. He held up our entwined fingers, turning them gently in the beam of light from his window. “There’s a darkness in my heart. And I’ll fight it for the rest of my life.” He squeezed my fingers. “I’m glad we’re fighting together.”

  “Yeah,” I said. “Me, too.”

  I didn’t know if the darkness would ever waken in him, if it would slumber forever now the cycle had been broken. But I knew Tomo would fight it as he always had, that we would carve out the fate we wanted, that we would cleave the past from the future.

  I knew that it was worth everything to fight.

  And I knew that nothing could stop us.

  * * * * *

  Keep reading for an excerpt from RAIN by Amanda Sun.

  Abunai:

  “It’s dangerous” or “Watch out!” (Go back)

  Ano ne:

  “Listen, okay?” (Go back)

  Arigatou:

  “Thank you” (Go back)

  (Aru)baito:

  A part-time job (Go back)

  Atama wo Sagete:

  “Lower your head” (Go back)

  Chan:

  Suffix used for girlfriends or those younger than the speaker (Go back)

  Chawan:

  The special teacup used in a tea ceremony (Go back)

  Che:

  “Damn it!” (Go back)

  Chigau:

  Literally “It’s different,” or “It’s not like that,” but it’s used as a more polite way to say “No” (Go back)

  Conbini:

  A convenience store (Go back)

  Daijoubu:

  “Are you all right?” or “I’m/It’s all right” (Go back)

  Dame:

  “It’s bad.” Used to tell someone not to do or say something

  Dekiru zo:

  “You can do it.” Slang used by male speakers (Go back)

  Depaato:

  A department store (Go back)

  Dou:

  “How is it?” (Go back)

  Doushita:

  “What happened?” (Go back)

  Ee:

  Can be used when one is surprised, impressed or simply listening and processing what someone is saying. Roughly translates to “Is that so?” (Go back)

  Ee to:

  “Um,” means the speaker is thinking of what to say (Go back)

  Faito:

  An encouraging phrase meaning to fight with one’s might or do one’s best (Go back)

  Furin:

  A traditional Japanese wind chime (Go back)

  Gaijin:

  A person from a foreign country (Go back)

  Genkan:

  The foyer or entrance of a Japanese building. Usually the floor of the genkan is lower than the rest of the building, to keep shoes and outside things separate from the clean raised floor inside. (Go back)

  Genki:

  In good health or spirits (Go back)

  Genmai:

  Roasted brown rice tea (Go back)

  Geta:

  Traditional Japanese sandals that vaguely resemble flip-flops. Usually worn with a yukata or kimono (Go back)

  Gomen:

  “I’m sorry.” Also used to refuse a date request (Go back)

  Hai:

  “Yes,” but usually used to let the speaker know you’re paying attention (Go back)

  Hai, kochira desu:

  “Yes, this person/this place” (Go back)

  Hakama:

  The pleated skirt-like clothing worn by kendouka (Go back)

  Hanabi:

  Fireworks (Go back)

  Happi:

  A special coat worn during festivals (Go back)

  Hidoi:

  Mean or harsh (Go back)

  Hontou ka:

  “For real?” (Go back)

  Ikuze:

  “Let’s go,” said in a tough slang (Go back)

  Inugami:

  A dog demon from Shinto tradition. Known for their uncontrollable wrath and murderous instincts. (Go back)

  Irrashaimase:

  A welcome greeting by store clerks (Go back)

  Isami:

  Courage (Go back)

  Itadakimasu:

  “I’m going to receive.” Said before a meal like “bon appétit” (Go back)

  I-te/Itai:

  “Ouch” or “It hurts” (Go back)

  Itterasshai:

  “Go (and come back) safely,” said to the one leaving home (Go back)

  Jikan de gozaimasu:

  “It’s time.” Very polite Japanese (Go back)

  Kakigori:

  Shaved ice with syrup, much like a snow cone (Go back)

  Kamaboko:

  Fish cake (Go back)

  Kapparu:

  “Couple,” a dating couple

  Kashikomarimashita:

  “I understand,” said by waiters taking orders (Go back)

  Kawaii:

  “So cute!” (Go back)

  Keitai:

  Cell phone (Go back)

  Kendouka:

  A kendo
participant (Go back)

  Kirin:

  A traditional Asian unicorn. “Kirin” is also a homophone for “giraffe.” (Go back)

  Kotatsu:

  A heated table used in Japanese homes in the winter (Go back)

  Kouchou:

  A school headmaster or principal (Go back)

  Kouhai:

  A fellow student younger than the speaker (Go back)

  Kun:

  Suffix generally used for guy friends (Go back)

  Kuromoji:

  A bamboo stick used to eat traditional Japanese sweets (Go back)

  Kusanagi no Tsurugi:

  The sword of legend, one of the Imperial Treasures of Japan (Go back)

  Maa:

  “Well,” but it can be used as a subtle way of affirming something (“Well, yes”) (Go back)

  Machinasai:

  “Wait,” said as an order (Go back)

  Maji de:

  “That’s impossible” (Go back)

  Matte:

  “Wait” (Go back)

  Momiji:

  Maple (Go back)

  Moshi mosh(i):

  “Hello?” Said when answering the phone (Go back)

  Moushi wake gozaimasen:

  Literally “There is no excuse.” A very formal apology. (Go back)

  Muri:

  Something impossible, or unreasonable; a bad idea (Go back)

  Ne:

  “Isn’t it?” It can also be used as “Hey,” to get someone’s attention. (Go back)

  O temae choudai itashimasu:

  “Thank you for making the tea,” said during tea ceremonies (Go back)

  Obasan:

  “Aunt,” or said to an older stranger to be polite (Go back)

  Ofuda:

  A Shinto scroll traditionally said to exorcise demons (Go back)

  Ohayo:

  “Good morning” (Go back)

  Okaeri:

  “Welcome back,” said when someone returns home (Go back)

  Oi:

  “Hey” (Go back)

  Oni:

  A Japanese demon (Go back)

  (O)tousan:

  A polite term for father. It’s more polite than Tousan

  Ryokan:

  A traditional Japanese inn (Go back)

  Sama:

  A suffix used to raise the person to an honorific status (Go back)

  San:

  A polite suffix used for people you don’t know well, or those older than you (Go back)

  Sankyu:

  “Thank you” (Go back)

  Sanshu no Jingi:

  The Imperial Treasures of Japan: the sword, the jewel and the mirror (Go back)

  Senpai:

  A fellow student older than the speaker (Go back)

  Shikari shite:

  “Get ahold of yourself,” or “Calm down” (Go back)

  Shinai:

  A sword made of bamboo slats tied together, used for kendo (Go back)

  Shou ga nai:

  “It can’t be helped” (Go back)

  Sore dake:

  “That’s all” (Go back)

  Sou ka:

  “Is that right?” (Go back)

  Sumimasen:

  “Sorry” or “Excuse me.” Can also mean “Thank you” in certain contexts. (Go back)

  Takoyaki:

  Breaded balls of octopus, often served at festivals (Go back)

  Temaki:

  A cone-shaped, hand-rolled sushi (Go back)

  Torii:

  Shinto entrance monument to a shrine. The O-Torii is the famous orange gate in front of Itsukushima Shrine. (Go back)

  Tsugi:

  “Next” (Go back)

  Umeboshi:

  A Japanese pickled plum (Go back)

  Urusai/Uruse:

  “Shut up,” or “It’s noisy” (Go back)

  Uso:

  An expression of disbelief, literally “That’s a lie” (Go back)

  Wakatta:

  “I get it,” or “I understand” (Go back)

  Washi:

  A special paper placed under traditional Japanese wagashi, or sweets (Go back)

  Yamata no Kagami:

  Amaterasu’s mirror, one of the Imperial Treasures of Japan

  Yamenasai:

  “Stop,” said as an order (Go back)

  Yasakani no Magatama:

  A crescent-shaped jewel of legend, one of the Imperial Treasures of Japan (Go back)

  Yatagarasu:

  A three-legged raven, the traditional messenger of Amaterasu (Go back)

  Yatta (ne):

  “I did it!” or a general “Yay!” With ne it means “You did it, didn’t you?” Sort of like “Good job!” (Go back)

  Yoyo tsuri:

  A balloon yo-yo, often part of a festival fishing game (Go back)

  Yukata:

  A lightweight summer kimono (Go back)

  Yumi:

  A Japanese longbow (Go back)

  Yurusenai yo:

  “I won’t forgive you” (Go back)

  Yuuki:

  Bravery or courage (Go back)

  Zannen:

  “What a shame” (Go back)

  I have been writing the Paper Gods series for six years, and dreaming of it much longer. It’s a surreal feeling to stand on top of this mountain, to look down over the view of Shizuoka captured on the page and to know that I have shared a story with you all that I’ve longed to share. It’s with deep gratitude that I thank everyone who climbed this mountain with me, who made this dream possible.

  Thank you, T. S. Ferguson, for your unwavering confidence and enthusiasm for Storm. With your help, I was able to shape this book into everything I hoped it could be. I so appreciate the faith you put in me, and the insight you pour into the edits that enrich my books.

  Melissa Jeglinski, you are the best agent a girl could hope for. You’re always there and I feel truly blessed to work with you. Thank you so much for seeing potential in the Paper Gods and being there for me every step of the way.

  Thank you to everyone at Harlequin TEEN for making Storm look absolutely beautiful. Thank you to Mary Sheldon, Amy Jones and the Marketing and Production teams. A huge thank-you to Gigi Lau, Kathleen Oudit and the Art team for creating a gorgeous cover that left me speechless. I’m so incredibly fortunate to work with such an amazing team.

  Warm hugs and gratitude to my friends and family for their support, word wars and encouragement. Julie Czerneda, for your friendship, mentorship and inspiration. Thank you Yumiko Okajima for checking over Japanese phrases in Storm to get them just right. To Mara Delgado and Kate Larking, Elsie Chapman and the Lucky 13s, and the MSFVers—thank you all so much for your friendship and support! Thank you to the readers and bloggers, and all who take the time for that meaningful connection between author and book lover.

  I couldn’t have written Storm without support from the Canada Council for the Arts. They made it possible for me to live in Japan while revising the book so that I could get the details just right. Thank you for allowing me to live my books while I completed the series, so that I could look out over the drowsy lights of Shizuoka by night, and sit in Sunpu Park by day.

  Thank you to the station lady who waited outside the Nihondaira bus stop to give me a coupon for the ropeway lift, to the Ojiisan who presented me wi
th a brown sugar candy after I climbed the sheer steps up the mountainside beside Sengen Shrine. The label read Otsukaresama deshita, meaning gratitude to others for a job well done. This is the feeling I want to extend to everyone who worked on Storm. Thank you for helping me share the Paper Gods with readers around the world. Otsukaresama deshita.

  “The work of a master storyteller.”

  —Julie Kagawa, New York Times bestselling author of The Iron Fey series

  If you loved Storm, don’t miss the rest of the titles in the Paper Gods series by Amanda Sun:

  Shadow (novella)

  Ink

  Rain

  Rise (novella)

  Available now in ebook format!

  Connect with us on Harlequin.com for info on our new releases, access to exclusive offers, free online reads and much more!

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  “Captivating, mysterious, fun and deep...for readers of John Green or any realistic YA authors, I would highly recommend this new wonderful novel.”

  —Fresh Fiction on Let’s Get Lost

  “Reminiscent of John Green’s Paper Towns, Alsaid’s debut is a gem among contemporary YA novels.”

  —School Library Journal

  Five Strangers. Countless adventures. One epic way to get lost. Don’t miss Let’s Get Lost by Adi Alsaid.

  Four teens across the country have only one thing in common: a girl named Leila. She crashes into their lives in her absurdly red car at the moment they need someone the most.

  Hudson, Bree, Elliot and Sonia find a friend in Leila. And when Leila leaves them, their lives are forever changed. But it is during Leila’s own 4,268-mile journey that she discovers the most important truth—sometimes, what you need most is right where you started. And maybe the only way to find what you’re looking for is to get lost along the way.

  Available wherever ebooks are sold!

  And don’t miss the highly anticipated second novel by Adi Alsaid:

  Never Always Sometimes (August 2015)

  Dave and Julia are best friends. On the brink of high school, they made a list of 10 clichés they would NEVER do, including:

  • Run for prom king/queen, student body president or any other position that would have its own page in the yearbook

  • Attenda party at the Kapoor brothers’ house (or any party where the invite is just the word BEER)