by E. J. Mellow
Dev studied her, allowing her plea to roll through him. “He’s been alive for all these years, alive but letting us think he was dead. Letting you, his sister, think that. For what? To fulfill a delusional, misplaced avengement to a dead person?” The words stung to say, but he kept going. “Someone he claims to have loved? What about the love he had for you? The one who’s followed him through everything. Do you think he even thought about what you wanted when he decided to be a Nocturna guard? That you gave up your own dreams to follow in his footsteps? What leaving you behind, never to be heard from again, would do to you? He’s selfish, Aurora. He’s always been selfish. And what he did to Molly—” Dev’s hands balled into fists. “How can you stand here pleading his case?”
Tears tracked down Aurora’s cheeks, her green eyes bright in the dark. “He’s my brother,” she whispered. “He’s still my brother.”
Dev shook his head, wishing he could understand, but his current tolerance for anything that was in his way of getting back what he lost was nonexistent.
A bright light shined in the distance again, and this time, thank Terra, Rae exited the portal. He glanced around and stopped on Dev, who brushed past Aurora and stepped out of the alley.
“How is she?”
Rae’s shoulders were tense as he walked forward, holding a black box. At the sight of it, Dev’s heart pounded. The only form of connection between him and Molly had been through this tiny container that could send small things between their worlds without mutation. “No real change today,” he said and looked beyond Dev. “Oh, hi, Aurora.” She came to stand near them but not close enough to be a part of their conversation. Rae frowned.
“Has she been eating at least?” Dev wanted to ask a million questions, like if her hair still smelled of honeysuckles, but he thought Rae would probably feel as comfortable answering that as he would to ask.
“Some things. With the help of Becca…” His brows creased together. “It’s getting harder to make up excuses for why Molly is the way she is right now. I don’t know how much longer I can keep all this a secret from Bec.” He gestured to the city. “Molly barely speaks though, so at least I don’t have to worry she’ll slip up and say something.”
Dev’s eyes narrowed. “Has she been sleeping? Getting enough rest?”
“That’s all she wants to do, but it only makes things worse, because when she wakes up, she realizes she didn’t come here and collapses into herself again.”
Dev glared off into the distance, the ball of rage growing hotter in his gut.
“But we’ll find something to fix this.” Rae tried to console. “Elena’s got the top engineers on it. I promise—we’ll find something.”
Dev’s gaze cut through him. “Don’t you know by now? Promises are useless.”
Rae shifted, clearly uncomfortable witnessing his friend’s slowly dimming faith. “She gave me this to give to you.” He handed over the container. “And don’t worry. I haven’t been sneaking peeks at any of these letters. Terra only knows the type of smut you two must write to one another.”
Dev’s lips remained still, his ability to smile severed along with his heart. Rae sighed, but Dev ignored him as he removed the lid. A note sat on top, and he picked it up, reading the elegant slanted scrawl of Molly’s handwriting.
I expect this back the next time I see you.
Dev’s grip tightened around the paper as he moved it aside to peer into the box. His breath caught, and his heart tripped. For there, resting alone in the plush interior, was a tiny swirling seashell.
“What is it?” Aurora asked, walking closer.
With nerves buzzing, Dev gently removed the object as a hesitant feeling of warmth filled his chest. “Hope.”
Acknowledgments
Wow, are we really at the end of book two already? How in all of Terra did that happen? Well, probably because of a boatload of some pretty awesome people. The first of which are my family. Ma (Cynthia), Papa (Emil), Alex, Phoenix, and Kelsey, you will always remain my rock, my cozy corner, my warm hug when I need it. Thank you for believing in me to keep chugging forward on this dream of mine. Also, Kelsey, thanks for still wanting to talk to me after all the ignored calls and texts back saying, Shh, I’m writing. Your patience is definitely your virtue ;-).
To Dan, I know I’ve driven you a bit mad at times with my incessant questions dealing with this series. So thank you for your endless, tireless support and for giving me the courage to put my work out there. I’ll share my peanut butter with you any day.
To Corinna Barsan and Julia McCarthy, thank you for being my wise wizards and reading the early drafts of The Divide. This novel would be half of what it is without your amazing editorial guidance and developmental notes. I bow down in gratitude for having you in my life.
To my dearest editor, Dori Harrell, how can I even begin? Probably first by telling you I love you. You are my angel sent from above, my calming voice among the chaos, and I never ever want to let you go! Thank you for being one of my biggest fans and fielding every crazy question I fling at you, no matter the time of day (or night). Your wit, laser-precision eye, and Einstein-smart notes made this book beautiful.
To my book club gals, Jessica, Lauren, Alicia, Erin, Nicky, Meg, Eman, and Giselle, though most of us are now separated by state lines, you will always remain close. I love you all tremendously.
To Mike, my daytime work husband. Thank you for stepping into the unpredictable freelance life with me so I could stretch my wings and really give this writing thing a go. When will then be now? Soon.
To Emma Raveling, you might not know this, but I consider you a great role model in my life. Your writing is forever inspiring, your positivity always infectious and I’m humbled to be a part of your reader family. Thank you for continuing to create worlds we can get lost in.
To all the book bloggers and ARC reviewers who took a chance on this series and have come back for more, I’m able to wake up every day and write because of you. You are the lifeblood of an indie author, and I am humbled to have gotten to know you. Specifically Cassandra (@thebookishcrypt) and Samantha (The Reading Nook NZ), you ladies are my version of fairy godmothers. Keep being amazing!
To my self-publishing family, the RWA, and all the amazing authors I’ve met along the way, you make me feel sane and forever push me forward to be better and keep writing. Specifically Todd Dillard and Shaila Patel. You made me laugh when I needed it most.
To all the family and friends I wasn’t able to mention individually but whose endless amount of encouragement and love I feel every day—you are amazing, and I’m truly blessed to be surrounded by so much positivity.
Now, on to more writing!
About the Author
E.J.Mellow is a fantasy writer who resides in Brooklyn, NY. When she’s not busy moonlighting in the realm of make-believe, she can be found doodling, buried in a book (usually this one), or playing video games.
The Divide is the second book in her NA contemporary fantasy trilogy, The Dreamland Series.
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