I glanced at Agent Sterling. That wasn’t just an indictment of the program—it was an indictment of what she’d allowed us to do.
What if they’re letting us stay, but won’t let us near real cases? Before I’d come here, training to profile people might have been enough, but it wasn’t, not now. I needed what I had been through to mean something, I needed a purpose. I needed to help.
“Based on Agent Sterling’s assessment of the risks inherent in this program,” the director of National Intelligence continued, “it is her recommendation that this program be restructured, that one Judd Hawkins be appointed as an advocate in your stead, and that any and all deviations from protocol be approved by said advocate, irrespective of the potential benefit to the case.”
Restructured. I processed that word. Across from me, Director Sterling’s jaw clenched slightly, but the rest of his face remained impassive. If his daughter’s recommendation was accepted, that would make Judd the final authority on what we could and could not do.
Judd, not Director Sterling.
“You’ll all turn eighteen within the year?” the man who’d come here to decide our future asked. Coming from someone who reported directly to the president, it sounded more like an order than a question.
“Two hundred and forty-three days to go,” Sloane confirmed. The rest of us settled for nods.
“They stay behind the scenes.” He fixed his casually weighty stare on the director. “Those are the rules.”
“Agreed.”
“Agents Sterling and Briggs will supervise their participation on all cases, subject to the approval of Major Hawkins. When it comes to what does and does not fall within the purview of this program, his word is final—even for you.”
The director stiffened, but didn’t hesitate in his reply. “Agreed.”
“And the next time you decide to fund an innovative program off the books—don’t.”
The director of National Intelligence didn’t give Director Sterling the chance to respond. He just nodded once at us and left.
“I believe I speak for everyone,” Michael said, “when I ask what just happened here?”
The rules just changed, I thought.
“The Naturals program just got some oversight,” Agent Sterling replied. “There are going to be some new regulations. New protocols. And they’ll mean something. No more special exceptions—not even from me.” Her expression was stern, but Michael must have seen something I didn’t, because he broke into a grin. Agent Sterling smiled, too—directly at me.
“We’re going to need those regulations,” she added, “because as of tomorrow, the five of you are cleared to consult on active cases.”
They weren’t shutting us out. They were letting us in. Instead of taking away my purpose, they’d given it new life.
This was a whole new world.
Much like catching a killer, writing a book is a team effort, and I feel incredibly lucky to work with such wonderful people. Thanks go first and foremost to the two lovely editors who shepherded this book from its first stages to its last: Catherine Onder and Lisa Yoskowitz. I cannot begin to express how fortunate I feel to be in such good hands or how much better this book is because of their insights and dedication. I would also like to thank Niamh Mulvey, who has been my Naturals champion in the UK, as well as the wonderful teams at Hyperion and Quercus, for helping this series find its readers. So much of what goes into a book is done behind the scenes, and I am grateful for all of the work that has gone into this one!
Thanks, too, go to Elizabeth Harding, Ginger Clark, Holly Frederick, and Jonathan Lyons—incredible agents, all! Much like the Naturals’ knacks, their abilities border on the uncanny. As with the first book, thanks also go out to everyone at the Dino De Laurentiis Company, especially Martha De Laurentiis and Lorenzo De Maio (who once asked me what case haunted Briggs as “the one that got away”).
Finally, I owe a major debt to all of the people in my life who keep me sane when writing is crazy: my wonderful family, NLPT & Ti30, everyone at the University of Oklahoma, and the wonderful and supportive YA writing community. Thanks to Rachel Vincent for writing company and sharing my id, and to Ally Carter, who not only helps me brainstorm, but also locks me in her closet when I am on deadline, which is the sign of a true and wonderful friend. I’m also grateful to Melissa de la Cruz, Carrie Ryan, and Rose Brock, for writing vacations, Rose Fest, and adventure! This book was revised in Cornwall, where Sarah Rees Brennan, Maureen Johnson, Cassandra Clare, Joshua Lewis, and Kelly Link provided both moral and creative support—not to mention a whole lot of fun. I am so grateful both to and for you all.
Finally, I would like to thank all of the readers who have championed the first book—and looked forward to the second. I can’t wait for you all to see what’s in store for Cassie and the others next.