“With Gabe gone, I had no reason to stick around, so I left. Didn’t get very far, not like that time I went to L.A. with your mom. Still, I managed to make it out of Enchantment for a whole five months and counting.” Her lips lift a bit, but the grin is as tight, perfunctory, and frigid as her delivery.
“You could still go back to L.A.,” I tell her. “Jennika’s there. She’s living in Malibu now. Married to Harlan. I’m sure they’d be willing to help you get settled.”
She does an exaggerated shake of her head, causing her ponytail to sway from side to side. “No, thanks. I did my time in LaLa Land. Turns out New Mexico’s a much better match. Besides, it’s not just me anymore. I have my son to consider.” She lowers a hand to her belly, and that’s when I see it.
That’s when we all see it.
The unmistakable bulge straining the seams of her apron.
“Seven months,” she says with a triumphant grin, as though she’s been waiting for this very day. “Looks like a part of Gabe lives on.” She reaches into the neck of her apron, and reveals a long gold chain she arranges to hang down her front. The tourmaline engagement ring Gabe gave her now worn like a pendant, resting precisely at the place where her belly begins to swell with his child.
“So, coffee?” She waves her pot as her gaze moves among us, but we’re so shocked by the sight of her, Dace can barely manage a no, while I can hardly manage a shake of my head.
My pulse pounding, mind reeling, vision blurring, until my entire world shrinks down to one chilling fact: Another Richter is about to enter the world.
It’s the kind of blow I never considered.
I was so sure we got every last one of them—and yet, the evidence is right there before me in the form of Marliz’s protruding belly, along with the only tourmaline that managed to survive.
I struggle to keep my breath even. Fight to steady myself. Only vaguely aware of Dace fumbling under the table in search of my hand, as I lift my gaze to meet Marliz’s. The gleam in her eyes signaling just how much she’s enjoyed the reveal—taking great pleasure in upending our world.
She turns on her heel, starts to move away. Then glancing over her shoulder as though it’s an afterthought, she says, “Be sure to give my regards to Enchantment.” Her lips tilt in a sardonic grin. “Funny how often I find myself missing it. As soon as Gabe Junior’s old enough to truly appreciate it, I plan to return. And don’t worry, I’ll be sure to look you up when I do.”
Praise for The Soul Seekers series by Alyson Noël
“Noël does a terrific job of slowly unspooling secrets and motivations with writing that is both charismatic and spunky.” —Los Angeles Times
“A rush of romance will sweep you away in this hauntingly mystical read. I’m already as addicted to Daire and Dace as I was to Ever and Damen.” —Justine magazine
“With fantastic characters and an amazing plot, Fated will suck you in and leave you breathless. Noël is a master with words . . . with passion and thrills around each corner, this book is a must read.” —Romantic Times (Top Pick!)
“Atmospheric and enjoyable . . . Noël’s many fans will be eager to find out what happens next.” —Publishers Weekly
“Readers will feel the pull of Daire’s quest just as forcefully as Daire herself does.”—Shelf Awareness, Maximum Shelf
“Two boys, one light and one dark, factor heavily into the intriguing, twisting storyline, which is sure to draw “Another captivating series from Alyson Noël.” —The Story Siren
“Fated reads very well and the descriptions set the scene perfectly. Noël takes the time to set the story up right so it never feels rushed or that any details were missing.” —The Reading Date
“If you’re looking for a new series to get stuck into The Soul Seekers is out of this world.” —Dark Readers
“A superb thriller. The key to this absorbing tale is the heroine who makes the Noël mythos seem genuine as she enters the underworld while wondering who she can trust.” —Alternative Worlds
“This book has it all—magick, spookiness, cute boys, a little romance, danger, fun and lighthearted moments, some mystery, and there’s even good/evil twins (cute ones, too!). What more can you ask for? I am very intrigued by this world that Alyson has created.” —Once Upon a Twilight Alyson Noël is the author of many books for teens, including the bestselling The Immortals series. Her books have been published in thirty-five countries and have sold millions of copies around the world. She lives in California, where she’s busy working on her next novel, but her favourite city is Paris. If Alyson could travel back in time she’d visit Renaissance Florence, but only if she could take her modern-day grooming habits! Alyson is an eternal optimist, who always believes in silver linings.
Alyson Noël is the author of many books for teens, including the bestselling The Immortals series. Her books have been published in thirty-five countries and have sold millions of copies around the world. She lives in California, where she’s busy working on her next novel, but her favourite city is Paris. If Alyson could travel back in time she’d visit Renaissance Florence, but only if she could take her modern-day grooming habits! Alyson is an eternal optimist, who always believes in silver linings.
www.AlysonNoel.co.uk
Books by Alyson Noël
The Soul Seekers series
Fated
Echo
Mystic
Horizon
The Immortals series
Evermore
Blue Moon
Shadowland
Dark Flame
Night Star
Everlasting
For younger readers
The Riley Bloom series
Radiance
Shimmer
Dreamland
Whisper
www.AlysonNoel.co.uk
ANIMAL SPIRIT GUIDES
RABBIT: Rabbit represents creativity, fertility, and new life. Rabbit teaches us how to plan and how to set plans in motion. Being a most common prey, Rabbit creates tunnels in the earth, open in front and back, which it can use to escape when necessary, reminding us never to allow ourselves to be boxed into a corner. With its ability to move from a statuesque pose to great speed, and to turn rapidly and double back, the spirit of the Rabbit encourages us to take advantage of fleeting opportunities. Active at dawn and dusk, Rabbits are guides to the mystical world, showing us how to recognize hidden teachings, intuitive messages, and signs in the universe around us.
RAM: Ram represents new beginnings, balance, and imagination. Ram teaches us to trust our ability to land safely as we take advantage of new opportunities and pursue new endeavors. Able to gain a foothold on a tiny piece of rock, the spirit of the Ram is one of courage and balance as we move through life and along our spiritual path. With its spiral horn being a symbol of creativity and imagination, Ram empowers us to be spontaneous and to seek out great adventures.
BISON: Bison represents abundance, gratitude, and the sacred life. Bison teaches us to work with the natural rhythm, to follow the easiest path, and not force our way through life. With its massive head and humped shoulders being symbolic of stored-up power and abundance, the spirit of the Bison reminds us that by combining our own efforts with that of the divine we can enjoy the abundance of the universe. Bison’s enormous size cautions us to stay grounded to the Earth and walk a sacred path, to always be humble and grateful for the gifts that come our way, and to honor ourselves and others.
TURTLE: Turtle represents perseverance, determination, and longevity. Turtle teaches us self-protection through nonviolent defenses. A shore creature relying on both land and water, Turtle prompts us to protect the earth so that she can continue to nurture us and provide abundance. One of the oldest reptiles on our planet, the spirit of the Turtle instructs us to get in touch with our primal essence, to retreat inward, slow down, and express our ideas only when they are ready. With its keen ability to sense vibration through its skin and shell, Turtle encourages us to awaken our sense
s, both physically and spiritually.
BOBCAT: Bobcat represents patience, insight, and solitude. Bobcat teaches us to be alone with ourselves without being lonely. An accomplished hunter that relies on strategy, stealth, and patience, Bobcat reminds us that to achieve our desires we must plan well, be agile, and above all be patient. With its sensitive tufted ears and acute eyesight, the spirit of the Bobcat encourages us to tap into the unseen world and seek out hidden meanings to better understand the spiritual path we are traveling. Its short bobbed tail, black on the tip and white underneath, is symbolic of Bobcat’s power to turn the creative forces of life on and off as needed.
First published in the US 2013 by St. Martin’s Press
This electronic edition published in the UK 2013 by Macmillan Children’s Books
an imprint of Pan Macmillan, a division of Macmillan Publishers Limited
Basingstoke and Oxford
Associated companies throughout the world
www.panmacmillan.com
ISBN 978-1-4472-1788-6
HORIZON by Alyson Noël. Copyright © 2013 by Alyson Noël, LLC.
By arrangement with Alyson Noël, LLC. All rights reserved.
The right of Alyson Noël to be identified as the author of this work has been asserted by her in accordance with the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988.
You may not copy, store, distribute, transmit, reproduce or otherwise make available this publication (or any part of it) in any form, or by any means (electronic, digital, optical, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise), without the prior written permission of the publisher. Any person who does any unauthorized act in relation to this publication may be liable to criminal prosecution and civil claims for damages.
A CIP catalogue record for this book is available from the British Library.
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Alyson Noel, Horizon
(Series: The Soul Seekers # 4)
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