Ascension: The Affiliate Part 39

A tear fell down Cyrene's cheek. She grasped her friend in a tight hug, ignoring her side. She hadn't wanted to let Rhea go that afternoon in the pouring rain when she had made Second Cla.s.s, and she didn't want to now. It seemed so unfair that she would have to leave her best friend behind twice.

"You're going to do great things, Cyrene," Rhea said. She hiccupped and covered her mouth as she struggled to hold back tears. "Know that I'll always be here. I'll always be looking out. I'll always be your best friend. I love you."

"I love you, too," Cyrene gasped out.

"Just be safe, all right?" Rhea squeezed her hand.

"I'll do my best."

"Good-bye, Cyrene."

"Just until next time," she amended.

"Next time," Rhea agreed with a smile.

Cyrene wiped her eyes and then nodded. She placed the book back in her bag and then started out. She glanced back once at Rhea and gave her a faint smile before new tears fell.

After she had walked a distance away from the castle, she pulled out the small map Orden had sketched for her-a direct underground route to their checkpoint-and followed it as it was written. Her side kept troubling her, and she had to take frequent breaks. She didn't know how far she was going, but it felt like leagues and leagues underground with no light source other than the torch and no way to tell time.

When she took the final bend, she was anxious to be above ground. There, before her, was a door. She hooked the torch back up, rushed the door, and pulled on the handle. It wouldn't budge. She grunted in frustration as she tried to open it, but it seemed to be locked.

She ran her hands along the seam of the door. There was a hole at one point that looked like it fit a key, and she had to a.s.sume that it was locked. She kicked out at the door. She was so close. She just needed to be on the other side of that door. There were no alternative routes in the tunnels, and she felt completely trapped.

In an act of desperation, she placed her right hand on the wall near the hole and closed her eyes like the person in her dream of Serafina had done to open the door. That dream had allowed her to be able to read the book, so she might as well see if anything else in there had been useful.

Cyrene waited for a few seconds, and seconds turned into a few minutes. She concentrated so hard that sweat was bursting out on her forehead, and her cheeks were flushed. And then, when she thought she was about to give up, something clicked into place, and the door swung wide.

Her mouth fell open, and she stared down at the door in surprise. By the Creator! How did I do that?

She accepted it, albeit begrudgingly, that she had just done it. And it would take a while for her to understand how she had done it. It was her whole purpose in leaving. It was her whole purpose in going to Eleysia. It was her whole purpose in seeking out Matilde and Vera when they should have died two thousand years ago.

As she ascended the stairs, the early morning light greeted her in a small green field on the very edge of Albion borders. Ahlvie and Maelia were pacing a track into the gra.s.s between four horses. Orden was a distance off, looking out away from the city, standing next to a ma.s.sive brown horse and a smaller packhorse with their bags and supplies loaded on it.

"I made it," Cyrene said.

Ahlvie and Maelia jumped and rushed over to her. Ahlvie sagged in relief, and Cyrene could see the worry line across Maelia's forehead.

"We thought you were done for," Maelia admitted.

"Such faith," she whispered, not wanting them to know how close she had been.

"We're glad you're safe," Ahlvie told her. "Where's Rhea?"

Cyrene pushed back tears and shook her head. "She's not coming."

"I see," Ahlvie said.

Maelia gave her a hug. "I'm sorry."

"Right then. We have a long road ahead of us," Orden interrupted, wearing his big brown hat again. "Let's be on our way."

Maelia gave her a wistful smile and then followed Ahlvie to their mounts. Cyrene followed, brushed her hand against Ceffy's nose, and smiled at her dear friend. She placed the contents of her leather bag into her saddlebag where it belonged, close to her. Her foot hooked into the stirrup, and she pulled herself into the saddle, adjusting to the seating.

Cyrene looked behind her at what she was leaving behind-her city, her Affiliate position, her best friend, and Edric. She said a silent good-bye for now and promised to see them all again one day.

Then, they set out, riding through the open field to the dirt road leading out of Albion to Aurum and beyond.

And she hoped she would find all her answers.

To Be Continued...

As a book several years in the making, the number of people who have helped this become a reality are numerous. This all started as a random idea right after I graduated with my master's with a small moleskin of notes, a long list of potential names, and a hastily sketched map. The iterations have been numerous, and I'm proud of the final project. Mostly, I'm thankful for all the people who stuck it out with me to this point. You guys are awesome!

First, of course, I have to thank my family. They have all read The Affiliate in some form or draft and helped make it a better book-from Brittany sending me names in the middle of the night, Shea reading up to the procession five-plus times because I kept changing things, Anmar reading for the guy's perspective on the fantasy bend, to Mom and Dad always believing in me. And, of course my husband, Joel, who knew Cyrene's story would be out in the world one day and encouraged me not to change her feistiness. Plus, Riker and Lucy who stayed up with me on countless nights while I was revising.

This book wouldn't be possible without a few people who helped bring a few characters to life. So, thank you, Meera and Kiran Bhardwaj, for acting like twins and letting me watch you together for months. Thank you to Brian Alvarez and Haven for your unique personalities and epic debates about who is more important.

My betas, early readers, and emotional support team! I know you have been on a long journey with me for this book. Thank you for sticking it out with me! Jessica Carnes, Bridget Peoples, Rebecca Kimmerling, Katie Miller, Tammi Ahmed, Shannon Stephens, and Christine Estevez.

A big thank you to Bethany Hagen and Susan Dennard for the amazing blurbs for this book. I cherish them! Sarah Hansen at Okay Creations for the stunning artwork on the cover. You took my vision and made it a thousand times better than I could have ever imagined. Nicole Zoltack for exceptional content editing on this baby when it was in its infancy. Jovana Shirley at Unforeseen Editing for the most amazing editing and formatting imaginable. You cleaned this book right up. Christy Peckham, who proofread this book for me and hopefully caught all the little errors I missed after reading it a million times! InkSlinger, especially Nazarea Andrews and KP Simmon, for the promotional support and all the incredible things you do to help books find their homes! Special shout-out to Donna from Book Pa.s.sion for Life for helping me in every way you could to make this release a success!

Since this book sprang up out of my personal love for fantasy and young adult fantasy, I thought I would thank the authors who inspire me to keep writing every day-Robert Jordan, Philippa Gregory, Sarah J. Maas, Eleanor Herman, Leigh Bardugo, Ca.s.sandra Clare, Alexandra Bracken, Marie Lu, and many, many more!

Most of all, I want to thank YOU! Thanks for giving this book a chance. It may not be your normal read, or it may be right up your alley. Either way, I appreciate you taking a chance on the book! And finally, my FictionPress loves! This book originated there, and many of you have been waiting a LONG time for its conclusion. Thanks for waiting it out, and I hope everyone enjoyed it! Look for the sequel, The Bound, out in 2016!

K.A. Linde grew up as a military brat, traveling the United States and even landing for a brief stint in Australia. She created fantastical stories based off of her love for Disney movies, fairy tales, and Star Wars. A former political campaign worker, K.A. is the USA Today bestselling author of the Avoiding Series. She now lives in Chapel Hill, North Carolina, with her husband and two super adorable puppies. In her spare time, she is an avid traveler, and she loves cruising, reading young adult novels, and bargain-hunting.

Additionally, K.A. has written thirteen adult novels and does not encourage anyone younger than eighteen to pick those up.

K.A. Linde loves to hear from her readers!

You can contact her at or visit her online at one of the following sites: www.kalinde.com.

Also by K.A. Linde.

ASCENSION SERIES.

The Affiliate.

ADULT ROMANCE SERIES.

AVOIDING SERIES.

Avoiding Commitment.

Avoiding Responsibility.

Avoiding Intimacy.

Avoiding Decisions Avoiding Temptation.

RECORD SERIES..

Off the Record On the Record.

For the Record.

ALL THAT GLITTERS SERIES.

Diamonds.

Gold.

TAKE ME SERIES.

Take Me for Granted.

Take Me with You.

Following Me.