Gray Island
J.C. Aster
Evernight Teen/69k
Teen Romance/Paranormal/Shifters
Sage Murdock has always felt different from the other
students at his high school in Boston, and being bullied and ostracized has
become a way of life he accepts…but at the same time, he worries that the
whispers are true and that he is, in fact, mentally abnormal.
After a bullying incident at school
provokes Sage to violence, his mother and stepfather tell him he is being sent
to live with his biological father on Gray Island, a small weather-beaten
island off the coast of Maine. There, Sage encounters many strange people who
all seem to be hiding something.
A single bright spot is Cadi, a
free-spirited girl about his own age. Unfortunately, Cadi is a member of a
strange cult-like group that lives on the opposite side of Gray Island. Before
long, Sage learns that his relationship with Cadi must end or the consequences
will be catastrophic.
Excerpt:
“I was out
walking,” she answered, to his relief. She shook her head, sending a cascade of
glistening raindrops from her honey-brown hair. The droplets seemed to descend
in slow motion, twinkling like stardust.
“In the rain?”
“It isn’t
raining anymore. Besides, I don’t mind. Rain is part of nature. We’re part of
nature. It all fits, right?”
“I guess. I
prefer to stay dry.”
“Oh? I can’t
help but notice you’re out here, same as I am.”
“I…uh, yeah.
I couldn’t sleep. And then I spotted you from my window.” He paused, fumbling
for his next few words. “I…um…I saw Ivar tonight.”
Her rosy
lips thinned. “I heard. I’m sorry he tormented you.”
Sage
shrugged self-consciously. “It’s a public place. I guess he had a right to be
there, same as I did.”
“Stuff like
that happens because we have only one restaurant on the island. I know he goes
there with his friends once in a while.”
“Do you ever
go with him?” Sage asked hopefully.
“No. My
parents won’t let me go anywhere that serves alcohol… besides, that place is a
little noisy for my tastes.”
“I know what
you mean.”
They fell
into step together as they trudged through the sodden forest. The water
dripping on her skin didn’t seem to bother her at all, nor did the chilly air.
She was used to it, Sage supposed. Maybe he’d get used to it one day, too. But,
no—he had no idea of staying that long.
Cadi did
make it tempting to stick around a while, though.
“What’s the
deal with you and Ivar, anyway?” he finally asked, unable to keep a note of strain
from his voice. “You said once he wasn’t your boyfriend. But is he…I mean, are
you and he…?”
She didn’t
wait for him to finish. “I don’t like labels, personally. Do you?”
“I don’t
know. It’s kind of hard to tell what’s inside the can without one.”
She laughed,
a genuine and easy sort of laugh that banished the cold from his body. He
smiled too. They walked on, side by side, not touching but enjoying the moment.
At least, he was. And she seemed happy enough to stay beside him.
“I’m glad
you have a sense of humor,” Cadi said. “Not many people around here do.”
“The weather
makes them that way, maybe. No sun. I’ve been feeling kind of strange myself.”
“Not because
of the weather. Haven’t you figured that out yet?” She stopped and looked at
him intently.
“No. What do
you mean? Figured what out?”
“Sage…you
don’t know your father very well, do you? Or much about his life here?”
“Nah. Why
would I? My parents split up and he took off when I was less than a year old. I
haven’t had much contact with him since. Then, all of a sudden, my mother got
this bright idea to send me out here to live with him.”
“She didn’t
tell you why?” Cadi seemed genuinely concerned.
“Not in so
many words. I figure she couldn’t handle me anymore. You know, hormones, bad
temper, the usual teenage stuff.”
“No, Sage.
It wasn’t the normal teenaged stuff. Trust me.”
“What do you
mean?” He scowled and started walking again. “Are you trying to tell me my
father is a serial killer or something?”
“No! No,
Jeremy’s all right. I admit, my parents aren’t crazy about him, but they live
on the other side of the island, so that’s to be expected.”
Sage
scowled. “Don’t you come over to this side for school?”
“No. We have
private lessons in the compound. Ivar’s father, Laurent—he’s sort of like our
governor—appoints teachers for us. Sometimes he lectures to us, too. We can
study at our own pace. I kind of like it that way. I don’t think I’d do well in
your kind of school.”
“You’re
kidding. That sounds like something from another century!”
“No, it’s
modern enough. We have electricity and everything.” Her sardonic laugh ended in
a sigh. “There’s a lot about this place you don’t understand, Sage.”
“I’ll be the
first to admit that.”
She took his
hand. He squeezed back. “You’ll find out a lot, soon enough. Too soon, and I
hate thinking about it. I want to remember you like this: just a normal guy
from Boston, taking an innocent walk with me through the forest. I wish it
could stay like that.”
“What are
you talking about? What do you mean? I’m lost.” He looked around at the dark
trees that hemmed them in on all sides. Nothing looked familiar. “In more ways
than one.”
“Don’t
worry. You won’t be for long. Don’t try to answer these questions too soon. Let
some things be a mystery. Once you look for answers, everything gets
complicated.”
“I guess so.
But I’d still like to know the truth.”
“And I like
mystery. Maybe we’re not so compatible after all.”
“Don’t say
that.”
“Then let
some things stay unsaid. Don’t ask me things. Let’s just spend time together
and enjoy it.”
“Okay. If
that’s what you want.”
“I do, and I
want things between us to be special. Like magic.” She grasped his hand,
pulling him to a stop. Then she leaned up and kissed him on the mouth.
Startled, Sage responded awkwardly at first. Despite what he’d seen in movies
and TV shows, he wasn’t quite sure which way to tilt his lips, and at one point
his front teeth knocked against hers. When she didn’t move away, though, he
decided to let instinct guide him. That worked out better, as their mouths
began to slide together in a balanced and highly enjoyable rhythm.
Magic was an understatement.
About the Author:
J.C. Aster
is a teacher and freelance writer who is a huge fan of young adult fiction,
especially stories with a paranormal twist (they sure didn’t have cool books
like that when she was a kid or she might have had a more exciting
childhood!). GRAY ISLAND started as a National Novel Writing Month
(Nanowrimo) project and quickly took on a life of its own. She is
currently at work on new projects and hopes to visit the magical shores of Gray
Island again soon.
Giveaway: $10 Evernight Teen Gift Card
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