I stand up, trying to hide the tears in my eyes. Mother awaits.
“You don’t worry about anything at all while you’re gone,” she says. “I’m better, and with Wilde here, I’ll stay better.”
“I’ll hold you to that,” I say, embracing her, feeling her frail body fold into mine. “Goodbye, Mother.”
“Goodbye, Son.”
Somewhat solemnly, we leave, Siena then Circ then Skye then Buff.
I start to follow but then turn in the doorway. “Thank you, Wilde,” I say. “Thank you for everything.”
She just nods and smiles. “Go,” she says.
Out in the autumn-cold, I pull in a deep breath of cool, crisp air, hold it for a second, and then push it out in a cloud of steam. Watching me, Skye says, “I still can’t get over how we all breathe smoke up ’ere.”
I just smile and drape an arm over her shoulder, which earns me a punch in the gut that I think is meant to be soft and friendly, but which hurts like chill and leaves me gasping. I try to hide how much it really hurts while Skye laughs.
We make our way through and out of the Brown District, ignoring the stares we get from all the Icers who still haven’t gotten used to seeing brown-skinned folk walking around town. You’d think after having the dark riders charging around they wouldn’t bat an eye, but sometimes change don’t sit so well with folks. After a couple of glances though, they go back to whatever it is that they’re doing—repairing burnt houses, shoveling snow, or chasing their kids around.
Cutting across the space that connects the four Districts, we head for the White District. Entering the upscale area, it’s strange to see so many of the beautiful houses devastated by the fires set by the Stormers. A roof missing here, a once-beautiful mahogany door charred black there. But the really interesting thing: there are Brown District men repairing everything. Even after all that’s happened, the rich folk can’t bring themselves to do an honest day’s work, relying on the sweat and muscle of the lower classes. Things are changing alright, but sometimes change is slower than you want, while other times it’s faster than a dark rider’s gallop.
As we pass a familiar house with a red door that evidently escaped the Stormers’ fires, I see a familiar scene. The door is thrown open and a guy pops out, chased by a vase, which hits him in the back of the head, sending him tumbling out into the snow. “And stay out!” a shrill, witch-like voice hollers after him before the door slams, jarring clumps of snow off the roof.
I laugh when I recognize the guy. Soft-hands LaRoy, previously known as girlfriend-stealer. Little did he know he was doing me a favor. It seems things didn’t work out for him and the witch so well after all.
I approach him, chuckling to myself.
When he sees me he shrinks back into the snowdrift, hands above his head. I fake a punch and he shrinks further still. Smiling, I extend a hand, which he stares at with the most disturbed look on his face. “Take it,” I say.
After a moment’s hesitation he does, and I pull him to his feet, using a hand to brush the snow off his back. “Trust me,” I say, “you’re better off without her.”
He shrugs and then flinches when I fake another punch. Despite all that’s happened, it’d feel good to hit him just once, but I won’t today. There’s always another fight to be fought, and although I’m looking forward to the next one, I now know I can control myself.
I return to Skye’s side. “What the scorch?” she says, raising her eyebrows.
“Long story,” I say. “Maybe I’ll tell you on the way to storm country.”
She punches me in the ribs again and I’m beginning to think that means she likes me, which is good enough for me.
We leave the village, and with the setting sun trying to push red light through the thick, gray cloud cover, we march into the forest, two Icers and four fire country natives, off to save the world, or at least a few kids. They’re someone’s daughters, sons, brothers, sisters—special to someone. Special to Skye and Siena.
And I’ll do everything I can to save every last one of them. Just like my sister.
Just like Jolie.
~*~
Keep reading for a sneak peak at the action-packed sequel, book three of the Country Saga (a Dwellers sister series), Water & Storm Country, coming June 7, 2013!
Acknowledgments
As always, I have to thank all the readers, new and old, who have stuck with me through this series. Between the three books in the Dwellers Saga and the two so far in the Country Saga, I know it takes a huge level of commitment to be a part of it, and for that I thank you. But we’re not done yet! I’m especially excited about the third book in the Country Saga, Water & Storm Country, which will answer a lot of your questions about the Cure and who’s behind, in Siena’s words, the ’spiracy. And then, of course, The Earth Dwellers will smash the two series together in a final seventh book (may the sun goddess and Heart of the Mountain be with me as I attempt to not screw this up!), in what I hope will be an epic end to a long adventure. Thanks for sticking with me!
My wife, Adele, gets the biggest hug ever, for being the ultimate supporter and challenger, keeping me from making stupid (and cheesy) decisions in my stories. You are more than just a friend and wife, you’re my soul mate and partner for life and beyond!
Thanks to Rhomy at Black Lion Book Tours, who put together the perfect blog tour to get the word out!
To my remarkably talented cover artist, Regina Wamba, you’ve created the perfect book cover to contrast the cover for Fire Country, and I’m sure your two covers will grace many a bookshelf. Thanks for your dedication to my vision and to the series.
Next, a rapid-fire thank you thank you thank you to my beta readers. You really rocked on this book, taking it to levels even I didn’t realize it could hit. So thanks to Laurie Love, Alexandria Theodosopoulos, Kayleigh-Marie Gore, Kerri Hughes, Terri Thomas, Lolita Verroen, Rachel Schade, and Ventura Dennis for being awesome. And a special thanks to Mr. Anthony Briggs Jr. for pushing me to develop my story in ways I never imagined. Many of the jaw-dropping moments in the book are a result of your gentle but honest feedback.
To my super-secret street team (shhh, don’t tell anyone who you are), thanks for being even more vocal (if that’s possible) in promoting my books than ever before. I get tears in my eyes when I see what you do for me on a daily basis. Your friendship is for a lifetime.
The saga continues in other books by David Estes available through the author’s official website:
http://davidestesbooks.blogspot.com
or through select online retailers including Smashwords.com.
The Dwellers Saga:
Book One—The Moon Dwellers
Book Two—The Star Dwellers
Book Three—The Sun Dwellers
Book Four—The Earth Dwellers (coming September 2013!)
The Country Saga (A Dwellers sister series):
Book One—Fire Country
Book Two—Ice Country
Book Three—Water & Storm Country (Coming June 7, 2013!)
The Evolution Trilogy:
Book One—Angel Evolution
Book Two—Demon Evolution
Book Three—Archangel Evolution
Children’s Books by David Estes
The Nikki Powergloves Adventures:
Nikki Powergloves—A Hero Is Born
Nikki Powergloves and the Power Council
Nikki Powergloves and the Power Trappers
Nikki Powergloves and the Great Adventure
Nikki Powergloves vs. the Power Outlaws (Coming in 2013!)
Connect with David Estes Online
David Estes Fans and YA Book Lovers Unite: http://www.goodreads.com/group/show/70863-david-estes-fans-and-ya-book-lovers-unite
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/David-Estes/130852990343920
My blog: http://davidestesbooks.blogspot.com