Thank you to Annie Berger, my incredible editor. You saw the magic in this story before it was even on the page and helped me find it when I lost the thread. Thank you for loving this book and helping me turn it into the best version of itself. I am so lucky to work with you.
To the entire Sourcebooks Fire team, thank you for the amazing work you do to get my stories out into the world. Karen Masnica, Madison Nankervis, and Rebecca Atkinson, thank you for making readers aware of this book in the coolest, most exciting of ways. Thank you to Liz Dresner for designing the most striking cover of all time, Elena Masci for bringing it to life so beautifully, and Tara Jaggers for the gorgeous internal design. Thank you to Erin Fitzsimmons for the case and end papers of my dreams and to Sveta Dorosheva for the most stunning map I’ve ever seen. Thea Voutiritsas, Alison Cherry, and Carolyn Lesnick, thank you for putting the finishing touches on this book and for polishing it until it shined. Gabbi Calabrese, thank you for your help in making this process smooth and seamless. Margaret Coffee, Valerie Pierce, and Caitlin Lawler, thank you for your tireless work to put my books on the radar of as many booksellers, educators, and librarians as possible. Ashlyn Keil, you are an events rockstar. Thank you for everything you do to connect me with readers. Sean Murray, I have seen my book on so many shelves because of the work you do—thank you. And finally, thank you to my publisher, Dominique Raccah. I love being a Sourcebooks author.
To the entire Park & Fine team, I am so grateful to have your collective brilliance behind me and my books. Andrea Mai and Emily Sweet, thank you for the strategy and enthusiasm you bring. Stuti Telidevara, thank you for keeping me organized amidst the chaos. Kat Toolan and Ben Kaslow-Zieve, thank you for your work to get my books into the hands of readers all around the world.
To Debbie Deuble Hill and Alec Frankel, thank you for being such excellent guides on all things television and film.
To Marta Courtenay, thank you for your creativity, enthusiasm, and for the hours of work you save me.
To Elana Roth Parker, thank you for helping make this book happen.
To the authors who so generously read this book early and sent along such wonderful blurbs—thank you. Your enthusiasm makes me so excited to send this book out into the world.
Adalyn Grace, thank you for the hours you spent on the other side of my screen, drafting with me. May our schedules forever align. Diya Mishra, you read this book first, and your enthusiasm and excessive use of the f-word fueled my love for it from the very start. Thank you. Julia Ember, Miranda Santee, Tyler Griffin, Heather Ezell, Kristin Dwyer, and Rosiee Thor, thank you for not only being some of my very favorite people, but for also reading this book early and providing such invaluable insight. Rachel Lynn Solomon, Adrienne Young, Isabel Iba?ez, and Tara Tsai, I wouldn’t want to be on this journey without you.
Angela Davis, you gave me permission to imagine a path for myself that was truly mine. Thank you for helping me find my happiness.
To my dog, Doppler, who keeps me company day after day as I write these stories and who gets me out of my office when I might not otherwise leave.
Chip, I can’t really describe the peace that settled over me when you came into our family. Thank you for your heart.
Mom, thank you for your constant encouragement and support as I navigate this career. You have always believed in my writing, and I’m so thankful. Dad, you have never once made me doubt your love, and in the hardest moments of my life, you have been my safe haven and harbor during the storm. I love you both so much.
Mir, I am only able to do this because of you. The way you support me, encourage me, and love me completely blows me away, and I could not ask for a more perfect person to be totally dependent on. The truth is that I’m in awe of you. I love you to the ends of the earth.
Ty, you are my one and only, my epic love, my very best friend. I would go on any journey, no matter how difficult, if it meant finding you at the end. Thank you for believing in me and supporting me as I pursue dream after dream; I hope you know that out of them all, you are my greatest dream come true. I love you so much.
And finally, to Jesus. Thank for loving me through all my questions and doubts—especially then.
about the author
Rachel Griffin is the New York Times bestselling author of The Nature of Witches and Wild is the Witch. Born and raised in the Pacific Northwest, she has a deep love of nature and hopes more vampires settle down in her beloved state of Washington. When she isn’t writing, you can find her wandering in the woods, reading by the fire, or drinking copious amounts of coffee and tea. She lives with her husband, small dog, and growing collection of houseplants. Visit her on Instagram @TimesNewRachel or online at rachelgriffinbooks.com.