by Kate Hall
Helen was found as well, comatose beneath a portion of her home, but still alive. According to Detective Gonzales, the demon possessing her had been collecting the original bodies to gain strength, but the demon was expelled by Sarah’s powerful psychic outburst. The detective hadn’t commented on the ritual it seemed to be performing, and not knowing what it means keeps Sarah up at night.
“I think another day, maybe.” Sarah’s whisper is scratchy and high. Tears prick at her eyes, and she controls the temptation to scratch at her scars. Helen may be innocent, but her face still haunts her nightmares and wakes her up screaming. No, it’s better that she stays away for now.
NEW YEARS EVE, THE WOODS ARE SINGING. SARAH isn’t asleep, but Arthur jerks awake at the crooning. He weighs more than her now, so she doesn’t let him sleep on her chest at night, although the weight of his head lying on her helps to alleviate the nightmares.
The night she was taken, how had she thought that the singing in the woods had been faeries? Now that the real thing is here, she can’t understand how she’d believed Helen’s—the demon’s, she corrects herself—lie. It had been sick, twisted with the magic that stuck to her clothes. This, though, is pure. Melancholy and sweet. She sees that now.
Because the demon is gone—really gone this time—she’s free to come and go as she pleases. She gets dressed in her nicest winter dress, a lavender one Elizabeth had gifted her, Alex’s grey sweater, and a white winter cape that goes down to her hips. It would look better in the snow, but it’s an unnaturally balmy night for December, and her boots get sucked into the mud as she tromps through the woods, Arthur drifting along in the sky over the trees, his shadow a comfort as it blocks out some of the pale moonlight.
When she walks into the party under a hill she’s never seen before, her eyes are caught by a beautiful boy. The dark-haired pyromancer is waiting on the edge of the dancefloor, a smile lighting up his face the moment he sees her. Next to him stands a tall girl with thick, curly black hair and freckles across her dark skin.
They meet at the center of the dancefloor, and Alex gathers Sarah in his arms, pulling her into a deep kiss. For the first time since before the incident, she loses herself in it, although his lips are careful against hers at first.
After they pull away, Gabby wraps her in a hug, grinning.
They dance until the sun rises, and Sarah lets the music pound her eardrums into a blissful oblivion.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
AS IT TURNS OUT, WRITING A BOOK IS REALLY hard. Ridiculously hard. I did a lot of this book on my own at the start, because I felt like I had to. However, in the past year or so, I’ve gotten so much help that I didn’t think I deserved. It’s been a long journey, but I’m so happy that this book happened the way it did.
My readers are so important to me. The fact that you’re willing to take time out of your day to read my words is absolutely incredible. If you have the time, I would love it if you could leave a review for this book online!
For working on this book, I’d like to think Monica Borg. The cover illustration is absolutely gorgeous. You truly brought Sarah and her dragon egg to life. It’s more than I could have imagined.
I also want to thank Ren Hutchings. You were the first person to lay eyes on Smoke and Mist, and you took great care of my baby novel when it was still fragile. Your revision notes meant more to me than you can ever know—it was the first step in me being able to publish this book. I couldn’t have done it without you.
Eilis Barrett, this whole thing started with a project we worked on for like half a day in 2014. I can’t believe where it’s gone from there.
Kristy Nicolle, your support means so much to me. You’ve been so much help, and I wouldn’t have had the confidence to self-published without your encouragement. I really think this is the best path for me, and it’s all because of you.
Some other writers I’d like to thank are Sarah Glenn Marsh, who showed me that girls are allowed to be bi on page, and Gwen C. Katz, who was the first published author to take me seriously.
Mrs. Olivares and Mrs. Sanders, my high school English teachers. You were the first people to read my creative writing, and the first to tell me that my writing was any good. Your encouragement kept me from giving up. (Also, Mrs. O, sorry I said “shit” in front of you at Walmart that one time. My bad).
Madelyn, you’re going to do great things. Don’t let the bastards get you down. You are in control of your future, and nobody can take that away from you.
Andrea, you’ve always been there to talk. You’ve helped me through some of my hardest days these past couple years, and your friendship means the world to me.
Katrina, you’re my closest friend. I’m so glad we ran into each other after work at Scholastic. Your friendship is so important to me, and your editing services are phenomenal. I’m so glad I found an editor with the kind of cold-hearted precision I need.
Virginia Wilcox has always encouraged me to follow my dreams. My mom is the best anyone could ask for, and she’s done everything possible to allow me to pursue my passion without judgement. Mom, you taught me what it’s like to be unafraid of what people think. You also taught me that sometimes, on the path to success, people will think you’re a bitch. I’m so glad you raised me with a backbone so that I could stand up for what I believe in.
Finally, Jacob. You’re my best friend, my rock, and my husband. My favorite person. You taught me what true love really means after years of toxicity in my life. You’ve been there for me through everything, and I couldn’t have written this book without you. Also, you’re the first person to write fanfiction about my work. I won’t forget you when I’m famous.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
KATE HALL is a full time traveler, dog owner, artist, wife, and reader. She believes in wild things like love, magic, and basic human decency. Some of her least favorite things include selfish people, eating fish, and tornados. Smoke and Mist is her first novel.
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