Shadowland: The Immortals Read online

  Shadowland: The Immortals

  Book Jacket

  Series: Immortals [3]

  SUMMARY: Ever and Damen have traveled through countless past lives and fought off the world's darkest enemies to be together forever, but just as their long-awaited destiny is finally within reach, a powerful curse threatens them.

  Praise for The Immortals Series

  by Alyson Noël

  “Alyson Noël surpassed all my expectations. Not only is Blue Moon an amazing sequel, it sets the bar for the rest of this series very, very high! When I reached the last page of this one, all I could say was ‘wow!’ ”

  —Teens Read Too

  “It is the mark of a daring writer to defy expectations and Alyson Noël does that to the power of ten in Blue Moon. I guarantee you will have no idea what’s coming in the second book of the series while Alyson Noël surprises you with a big, fat twist and leaves you wanting more, more, more.”

  —The Book Chick

  “A mesmerizing tale of teenage angst, love, and sacrifice with plenty of crossover appeal. . . . The startling but satisfying ending shows that Noël knows how to keep her audience hooked. Ever’s supernatural struggles are a captivating metaphor for teenage fears about love, relationships, and growing up.”

  —Publishers Weekly (starred review)

  “One of the best books I’ve read this year. . . . With immortal lovers, trustworthy friends, betraying fortune-tellers, and freaky identical twins, what more could you ask for? Blue Moon has me begging for Shadowland! I can’t wait for the next in the series.”

  —The YA Book Blogger

  “Alyson Noël has many talents to share as a writer, and she proves it again and again with her amazing Immortals series. She writes with an intensity and a passion, her words weaving perfectly together to create an overwhelming experience for the senses and the heart.”

  —Teen Reads

  “Blue Moon was incredible. If you thought Evermore was full of suspense and unknowns, just wait until you read Blue Moon. . . . The plot was insane, and I mean that in a good way. Noël took this novel in a direction I was never expecting, resulting in an emotional roller-coaster ride that I never wanted to end. Fabulous.”

  —The Story Siren

  “The Immortals series is so unique; it’s like a breath of fresh air. . . . Noël knows how to pull you into her world with beautiful imagery and mesmerizing words. Blue Moon is a page-turner that will keep you reading until the last page. Just when you think you have the plot figured out, Alyson throws in another twist making it impossible to put this book down.”

  —Fantastic Book Reviews (5 stars!)

  “Ever is a great character, and this is a highly entertaining series for young adult fans. It’s a quick read that is hard to put down. Vivid and intense, Blue Moon was a thrilling sequel.”

  —SciFiChick.com

  “I really got into the book—I felt like I was in it, which is probably why I read it in a few hours. I would get so into Blue Moon that I would scream at it. Seriously. My family looked at me like I was nuts. When I finished the book, I almost cried. Not because someone died, but because . . . I love, love, loved this book. I don’t know how I’m going to make it until the next one comes out.”

  —Shooting Stars Mag

  “Teen angst and the paranormal make a combustible mix . . . Getting hooked on this new series, the Immortals, is guaranteed.”

  —RT Book Reviews (4 stars!)

  “Evermore will thrill many teen fantasy-suspense readers, especially fans of Stephenie Meyer’s Twilight series. . . . Noël creates a cast of recognizably diverse teens in a realistic high-school setting, along with just the right tension to make Ever’s discovery of her own immortality—should she choose it—exciting and credible.”

  —Booklist

  “Beautiful main characters, tense budding romance, a dark secret, mysterious immortals—what more could you ask from this modern gothic romance?”

  —Justine Magazine

  “When I got a copy of Evermore, I sat down to read it, intending to only read a chapter or two. Instead, I blazed through the first hundred pages before I knew it . . . and then I didn’t want to put the book down. Except I couldn’t keep my eyes open any longer. So I picked it up the next morning and finished it. Now I can’t wait . . . for the second book to see what happens next.”

  —Blog Critics Magazine

  “Get ready for a wild ride that is filled with twisting paths and mystery, love and fantasy. . . . The writing style, story, and characters are a bit like those of Meyer’s and Marr’s popular books, but written with a new twist and voice. And after reading the book, you too will probably want your own Damen, even if it means making the ultimate sacrifice.”

  —The Book Queen (5/5 stars!)

  “Readers who enjoy the works of P. C. Cast and Stephenie Meyer will love this outstanding paranormal teen-lit thriller.”

  —Midwest Book Review

  “I found myself unwilling to put the book down, even though I had to at some points, because I wanted to know what was going to happen. . . . Ever was so real and her emotions were so believable that it was a little creepy. It’s like Alyson Noël is actually a grieving, lovestruck teenager. She got Ever completely perfect. And by perfect, I mean delightfully flawed and deep.”

  —The Frenetic Reader

  “Evermore is a wonderful book that I believe would be a lovely addition to any library. . . . Definitely a book that fans of Stephenie Meyer and Melissa Marr should add to their collections. Definitely engaging and will catch your attention the minute you open to the first page!”

  —Mind of a Bibliophile

  “Alyson Noël creates a great picture of each and every character in the book. I am a fan of the Twilight series and I recommend this book to those who like the series as well. It is a very quick read, with all the interesting twists and turns.”

  —Flamingnet Book Reviews

  “I loved this book. It really keeps your attention throughout the story, because the puzzle gets pieced together bit by bit, but you don’t know exactly what happened until the end. The only thing that disappoints me is that the second book won’t be published for a while. I would definitely recommend this to my friends.”

  —Portsmouth Teen Book Review

  “Evermore’s suspense, eerie mystery, and strange magic were interestingly entertaining. . . . I found Ever to be a character I could really respect. . . . Recommended.”

  —The Bookworm

  “Evermore was a great way to lighten my reading load this winter and provided me with a creative, magical story that I really enjoyed. This is the first in a series for Noël and I think she may have a hit on her hands. . . . Evermore has good and evil, likable characters, vivid descriptions, and a good story.”

  —Planet Books

  “I fell into it easily, and loved the world Noël created. . . . The fact that Ever had psychic powers was truly interesting. They flowed neatly through the book and I felt Ever’s pain. . . . Trust me, this book was really good. I couldn’t put it down. Alyson Noël created an amazing new world, and after this book I am so curious to see where it heads because honestly, I have no idea.”

  —Reading Keeps You Sane

  “Ever is an easy character to like. I really felt for her because of all she lost and what she struggled with daily. . . . Evermore was a really fast, engaging read with some great characters. It is the first in a series, so I’m eager to see if we will learn more about Ever, Damen, and friends in the next one . . . it’s sure to be a great read.”

  —Ninja Reviews

  “The writing here is clear, the story well-defined, and narrator Ever has an engaging voice that teens should enjoy.”

&n
bsp; —January Magazine

  “Alyson Noël created a well-detailed story that makes it easy for the reader to visualize both the characters and the world around them. Evermore has a familiar theme that attracts readers, but inside this book you’ll find that the author has added some unique details that set it apart and will surprise you.”

  —The Ravenous Reader

  “This young adult novel ponders immortal love and the knowledge that ‘revenge weakens and love strengthens.’ Fans of the Twilight series should love it.”

  —Orange Coast Magazine

  “Noël writes an emotional, thoughtful book that made me cry in a couple of places. Evermore was an easy novel to get sucked into, and I wanted to get back to it as soon as possible. If you love Stephenie Meyer, you will LOVE this book.”

  —Night Owl Romance

  “Evermore is a fresh and original work that . . . branches out and explores new ground. Definitely recommended.”

  —Cool Moms Rule!

  “I totally LOVE Alyson Noël’s Evermore. . . . Noël has delivered a deliciously fresh new series that will be the next new thing that has every teen and even adults everywhere hooked and waiting for more. . . . This is a keeper and a book that you have to go out and buy right now because if you don’t you will be missing out. People will be asking if you have been living under a rock if you don’t give Evermore a try, and that is just not acceptable.”

  —Talk About My Favorite Authors

  Also by Alyson Noël

  Blue Moon

  Evermore

  Cruel Summer

  Saving Zoë

  Kiss & Blog

  Laguna Cove

  Fly Me to the Moon

  Art Geeks and Prom Queens

  Faking 19

  alyson noël

  st. martin’s griffin new york

  This is a work of fiction. All of the characters, organizations, and events portrayed in this novel are either products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously.

  SHADOWLAND. Copyright © 2009 by Alyson Noël. All rights reserved. Printed in the United States of America. For information, address St. Martin’s Press, 175 Fifth Avenue, New York, N.Y. 10010.

  www.stmartins.com

  ISBN 978-0-312-59044-4

  First Edition: November 2009

  10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1

  In memory of Blake Snyder, 1957–2009:

  An inspiring teacher, whose generosity, enthusiasm,

  and genuine passion for helping others is unsurpassed.

  May his spirit live on in his books and his teachings.

  acknowledgments

  It takes a whole team of people to make a book happen, and I’m incredibly lucky to work with such a great one!

  Big, huge, sparkly thanks go to:

  Bill Contardi—the perfect blend of brains, heart, and sly sense of humor—the best dang agent an author could ask for!

  Matthew Shear and Rose Hilliard—publisher and editor extra-ordinaire—I couldn’t have done it without them!

  Anne Marie Tallberg and Brittany Kleinfelter—the brilliant brains behind the immortalsseries.com Web site—thanks for your creative ideas and much-needed tech support!

  Katy Hershberger, who not only has great taste in music but happens to be a great publicist too!

  The amazingly talented people in the art department, Angela Goddard and Jeanette Levy, who design the most beautiful, drool-worthy covers! Along with everyone else in sales and marketing and production and any other department I’m sure I’m forgetting—thank you for all that you do—you guys rock!

  Also, hugs and love to Sandy for being a constant source of inspiration, laughter, and fun—my very own Damen Auguste!

  And I’d be completely remiss not to mention you, the reader—your messages, e-mails, letters, and artwork never fail to make my day. Thanks for being so incredibly awesome!

  shadowland

  Fate is nothing but the deeds committed

  in a prior state of existence.

  —Ralph Waldo Emerson

  one

  “Everything is energy.”

  Damen’s dark eyes focus on mine, urging me to listen, really listen this time. “Everything around us—” His arm sweeps before him, tracing a fading horizon that’ll soon fade to black. “Everything in this seemingly solid universe of ours isn’t solid at all—it’s energy—pure vibrating energy. And while our perception may convince us that things are either solid or liquid or gaseous—on the quantum level it’s all just particles within particles—it’s all just energy.”

  I press my lips together and nod, his voice overpowered by the one in my head urging: Tell him! Tell him now! Quit stalling, and just get it over with! Hurry, before he starts talking again!

  But I don’t. I don’t say a word. I just wait for him to continue so I can delay even further.

  “Raise your hand.” He nods, palm out, moving toward mine. Lifting my arm slowly, cautiously, determined to avoid any and all physical contact when he says, “Now tell me, what do you see?”

  I squint, unsure what he’s after, then shrugging I say, “Well, I see pale skin, long fingers, a freckle or two, nails in serious need of a manicure . . .”

  “Exactly.” He smiles, as though I just passed the world’s easiest test. “But if you could see it as it really is, you wouldn’t see that at all. Instead you’d see a swarm of molecules containing protons, neutrons, electrons, and quarks. And within those tiny quarks, down to the most minuscule point, you’d see nothing but pure vibrating energy moving at a speed slow enough that it appears solid and dense, and yet quickly enough that it can’t be observed for what it truly is.”

  I narrow my eyes, not sure I believe it. Never mind the fact that he’s been studying this stuff for hundreds of years.

  “Seriously, Ever. Nothing is separate.” He leans toward me, fully warmed up to his subject now. “Everything is one. Items that appear dense, like you and I, and this sand that we’re sitting on, are really just a mass of energy vibrating slowly enough to seem solid, while things like ghosts and spirits vibrate so quickly they’re nearly impossible for most humans to see.”

  “I see Riley,” I say, eager to remind him of all the time I used to spend with my ghostly sister. “Or at least I used to, you know, before she crossed the bridge and moved on.”

  “And that’s exactly why you can’t see her anymore.” He nods. “Her vibration is moving too fast. Though there are those who can see past all of that.”

  I gaze at the ocean before us, the swells rolling in, one after another. Endless, unceasing, immortal—like us.

  “Now raise your hand again and bring it so close to mine we just nearly touch.”

  I hesitate, filling my palm with sand, unwilling to do it. Unlike him, I know the price, the dire consequences the slightest skin-on-skin contact can bring. Which is why I’ve been avoiding his touch since last Friday. But when I peer at him again, his palm out, waiting for mine, I take a deep breath and lift my hand too—gasping when he draws so close the space that divides is razor thin.

  “Feel that?” He smiles. “That tingle and heat? That’s our energy connecting.” He moves his hand back and forth, manipulating the push and pull of the energy force field between us.

  “But if we’re all connected like you say, then why doesn’t it all feel the same?” I whisper, drawn by the undeniable magnetic stream that links us, causing the most wonderful warmth to course through my body.

  “We are all connected, all of us made of the same vibrating source. But while some energy leaves you cold and some leaves you lukewarm, the one that you’re destined for? It feels just like this.”

  I close my eyes and turn, allowing the tears to stream down my cheeks, no longer able to keep them in check. Knowing I’m barred from the feel of his skin, the touch of his lips, the solid warm comfort of his body on mine. This electric energy field that trembles between us is the closest I’ll get, thanks to the horrible decision I made.

  �
�Science is just now catching up with what metaphysicians and the great spiritual teachers have known for centuries. Everything is energy. Everything is one.”

  I can hear the smile in his voice as he draws closer, eager to entwine his fingers with mine. But I move away quickly, catching his eye just long enough to see the look of hurt that crosses his face—the same look he’s been giving me since I made him drink the antidote that returned him to life. Wondering why I’m acting so quiet, so distant, so remote—refusing to touch him when just a few weeks before I couldn’t get enough. Incorrectly assuming it’s because of his hurtful behavior—his flirting with Stacia, his cruelty toward me—when the truth is, it has nothing to do with that. He was under Roman’s spell, the entire school was. It wasn’t his fault.

  What he doesn’t know is that while the antidote returned him to life, the moment I added my blood to the mix it also ensured we could never be together.