Teen and Young Adult
Date Published: 9/26/16 (Print) 10/18/16 (eBook)
Publisher: Dragon Tree Books
When fifteen-year-old Ciarán Morrigan eavesdrops on a conversation between his father and two mysterious strangers, his life—and the life of his little sister, Remiel—is changed forever. After their father makes a startling decision, the Morrigan siblings are forced to flee the only life they've ever known and embark on a dangerous adventure across the nation of Empirya. With the enlisted help of a disinherited vagabond, a cynical violinist, a fire-juggler with a fierce temper, an aspiring mechanic, and a cheerful librarian, Ciarán and Remiel must fight to escape the clutches of lethal pursuers. Their journey carries them through smog-filled cities, dark forests, humble towns, and perilous mountains, but will Remiel's dark secret and ghosts from the past prevent the Morrigan children from finding a place they can truly call home?
Winner – Indie Genius Award from Dragon Tree Books
Winner – Literary Titan Book Award (Gold) June 2017
About the Author
Allie Frost was born in 1992 and has spent most of her life in rural Pennsylvania. She attended Western New England University and graduated in 2013 with a degree in English Literature and Film Studies. During her college years, she studied in England and began working on the story that would become her debut novel, I’m With You. When she isn’t writing, she enjoys playing video games, reading, traveling, and going to the movies, and she only likes dark roast coffee or very sugary lattes, but nothing in between. More information is available at thealliefrost.com.
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Excerpt
The man in the chair fidgeted. I still couldn’t see his face, but his voice was deep and
rich. “You mean to tell me that your twelve-year- old daughter is responsible for the death of
your wife? Forgive me, Ernest, but this sounds a little… far-fetched.”
My father ran a hand through his tangled, graying hair. “I assure you, Maverick,
Dahlia…” He looked at them in turn. “This is no deception. I curse the day that child was born!”
“Ernest,” the woman—Dahlia—said, “I know the papers didn’t go into detail about your
wife’s death, but I find it hard to believe that your daughter—”
“She is at fault!” Father insisted. “My wife was not the first victim. There have been
others. That demon must be stopped before she kills anyone else!”
Others. I knew what Father meant, but none of it had been Remiel’s fault.
The man in the chair chuckled. “I must say, Ernest, from what I’ve seen in pictures, the
girl greatly resembles—”
“I know!” Father slammed a fist on his desk. “I know what she looks like! But she
deserves this, for killing my wife! For killing her own mother!”
Anger stewed in my chest. I wanted to storm into the room and defend my little sister, but
the next snippet of conversation rooted my feet to the carpet.
“And your son?” the man asked. “What has he to do with this?”
Father buried his face in his hands, and his voice was muffled by his fingers.
“I don’t want Ciarán involved.”
His words provided no consolation. If Father wished harm on Remiel, he was
condemning me along with her.
“This is an unusual proposition, Ernest,” Dahlia purred, “but for the right price, I’m sure
we can arrange something. I have the perfect associate in mind to give the job to. She specializes
in quieter methods of her trade.” She smoothed one hand over the man’s shoulder. “Wouldn’t
you agree, darling?”
The man in the chair—Maverick—drummed his fingers on the armrest. After an
agonizing pause, he drew himself up to his full, towering height, and I saw a man whose image I
would never forget.
“You have a deal, Ernest.”
He reached a hand toward Father, who grasped it in a desperate handshake.
“We will kill your daughter for you.”
