Phantom Universe (42 page)

Mindy chuckles.

“
We’ve crossed the border into New York, though President Montgomery’s requested we be escorted,” says Cameron as several hovercrafts appear on her radar screen.

Several minutes pass in silence, and Summer leans her head on Gage’s shoulder and holds his and her mum’s hands. Her breaths finally grow even as her eyes close in relaxation. She’s exhausted and slightly terrified at what the future holds for her—for them all, really—but in this one moment she’s content.

EPILOGUE

Julian sits on an examination table as he pulls on a shoe. He’s roughly six feet tall with a thin, muscular build, and has hair as dark as the night’s sky. His deep voice, crisp and annoyed, fills the room. “Is that all?”

“
Unless you want a lollipop?” says Doctor Zhar comically.

He’s not amused. “I’m not six anymore,” barks Julian as he seizes his other shoe.

“
No, you certainly aren’t.” Doctor Zhar sighs exhaustedly as she makes a note in his file. Her silky black hair falls in her face, her skin dark due to her Middle Eastern ancestors. “I know you hate these examinations, but if we can’t fix you so you’re useful to us, then we’ll have to terminate the project.”

Julian stands to his full height, which is ten inches taller than the tiny Doctor Zhar. His eyes are a boiling, deep blue. “I’m not stupid. I know what ‘terminate the project’ means.” He marches toward the door, flings it open, and continues down the hall as the door bounces off the wall.

“
I know you’re not stupid,” says Doctor Zhar as she follows in his wake, her legs having to move twice as fast to keep up with his gait. “A fool, most definitely, but not stupid.”

Julian stops and swings around, his hands in fists at his side. Doctor Zhar almost runs into him. “I’m no fool,” he shouts, his teeth gritted. “If anything, you’re all the fools here. It’s not my fault you miscalculated twice”—he holds up two fingers in her face—“and expect both of us to perform the same when we are obviously built so differently!” He pivots and continues to march down the hall, scowling.

“
But you’ve got to think rationally here, Julian—if you keep resisting my examinations and the treatments then you’re only asking for death,” reasons Doctor Zhar as if she cares. She does—only because she’ll lose her job if she fails.

“
I
am
thinking rationally,” he snaps.

“
Then why’d you deny our request?”

“
Because,” he practically growls out, “if I seek her out then I’ll definitely be terminated.” He stops and spins around on her again, his face full of irritation. “Or you’ll terminate
her
, and I can’t have that.”

“
Why?” she asks smugly. “Are you that in love with her?”

Julian takes in a deep breath and turns away. “You did this.”

“
Did what?” She’s just messing with him now, making fun of him. He hates that.

“
Made me love her.” His voice is soft. “I don’t even know the girl—never even met her.” He twists back around, his irritation flaring again. “Why did you do this to me? Can’t you leave well enough alone?”

“
I needed you to be more complacent,” argues Doctor Zhar.

“
You’ve never been in love, have you, Doctor?” asks Julian, rubbing his temple as if the whole conversation’s giving him a massive headache. It kind of is.

“
Why do you ask?” she asks defensively.

“
Because it’s irrational! That’s why,” snaps Julian. “And no matter how ‘rational’ I think I’m being, I know I’m not!”

Doctor Zhar only blinks at him in surprise.

“
Now, if you’ll excuse me, I’ve got to pack and find our little Time Bomb.” He whips around and stomps the rest of the way down the hallway.

“
Does that mean you accept our request?” she shouts after him.

“
Yes,” he yells back bitingly. “I don’t have any other choice!”

Doctor Zhar stands stunned, her jaw hanging loosely. She doesn’t follow him this time. Did she make a mistake? She hopes not.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

FIRST: the fans. I just don’t even know where to begin. Thank you.

Thank you, beautiful, lovely, splendid Lisa Langdale a.k.a. Lucy Wofe. You’ve kept me in line, given me great advice, and have constantly been a source of . . . bestfriendness? Is that a word? I dunno. It is now! Without your notes, ideas, and encouragement, I’d be nowhere. Love you greatly. (Shout out to the whole Langdale family for letting me steal Lisa many nights. Kisses for my girls ‘Kayla and Elf Princess. Fist bump—or we could sword fight?—for Donnie!)

Cesya Cuono: you always push everything aside when I need you, and I love you for that. You catch my silly mistakes and make me sound smarter. Together we’ll move forward in our writing careers, helping and cheering each other as we excel at and exceed our goals.

Brianne Villano’s a very special person. She’s so incredibly smart everyone should bow to her intelligence. She’s also my snarky editor that doesn’t let me make “that” mistake . . . you know what I mean? The one you can’t believe you made? Anyway, Bri, I love you much.

Jenn Baker, for being my lovely assistant. Brenda Pandos for her awesome books and being my fantastical business partner. Michael Kreitzer and Nate Shaw for being such amazingly awesome brothers; I couldn’t ask for better. Jennifer Murgia for our chats about mean reviewers and how we’re going to kill them off in our novels!

Shanda, Holly, Erika, Kat, and Traci for the support they’ve offered me during the hardest time of my life. (Breezy, Cherry, Pixie Kat, E’s Erika: without NJ I would have never pulled myself from the floor.) A big thank you to Tiffany Madison for her positive attitude. She may never know how much better my life is with her in it—and Fictionista Workshop. Such amazing ladies; I’m so lucky.

Oh, my dear, dear parents: Debbie and Tony. You can blame EVERYTHING on them. It’s all their fault. Yup—they’re the ones that created this monster. They’re also the ones who molded me into the person I am today, and there aren’t enough thanks, acknowledgements, book dedications, or words in the entire universe that would expression my undying gratitude to them.

J.D. for helping create my “nook” and then buying me one so I’d get the two confused often. Love you dearly. Thanks also Linda! Chris Emberton, because his love outlives him, and for Ava, the daughter he loved unconditionally. Angie Vaughan for her friendship and love through crisis—and long afterward when it still just hurts. The Jepsons, the Camerons, Grandma & Grandpa, and all my family out in Utah. Thanks for supporting me through everything.

FORSAKEN HARBOR

BOOK TWO

SUMMER CHRONICLES

The Secret Clock Society has infiltrated every aspect of the government. You can’t hide from them, you can’t out run them—the only choice is to surrender or die fighting. Well, Summer’s found her voice and her confidence. She’ll fight if necessary, but for now she’s on the run. And the only place that can offer her refuge is the one city that’s been devastated with disease and death. Full of savages, Forsaken Harbor holds her life on the edge of a knife. Is there still hope to be found here after all? Or will survival mean savagery?

February 15, 2012

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