Tack's grin faded. "Bloodbath. Toby's dopes gunned down a few more people trying to keep control, but they weren't ready for a full-scale riot. Then all the bodies disappeared. After Noah killed Ethan, they broke and ran, and the whole class scattered. I doubt anyone knows where anyone else is, though some of the bigger jerks bolted for the church. Ethan's gang will probably hole up in there, waiting for him to . . . to come back."
I didn't want to ask, but had to. "Noah?"
Loathing twisted Tack's features. "Ghosted. No idea where. Good riddance."
I thought for a second. "Which way did he go?"
"North."
Ski lodge. Rage flared inside me. Another day.
"What now, Min. What are we going to do?"
I rubbed the spot on my chest where Noah's bullet had exited. The wound was gone from my flesh, but not my soul. The fury returned, and this time I let it simmer.
I'm your Nemesis, Noah? Fine. I accept.
"I'll tell you what we're going to do." I met Tack's eye, saw my anger reflected there. "We're going to gather everyone who still has some decency left. Then we're going to find Noah. And Ethan. Sarah and Toby, and all the rest. Anyone who wants to rule by stepping on people's throats."
I gazed down at the glittering lake in the heart of the valley.
"We're going to fight them."
A bitter taste filled my mouth, but I choked it back.
Let the mountain breeze chill me.
"And we're going to win."
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
Nemesis is a dark, quirky, crazy book that took me years to finish. I have more people to thank than I could possibly remember, so if I leave you out, know that it's because I'm an idiot and not because I'm not eternally grateful for your help.
This book would not have been possible without the tireless efforts of my wonder-editor, Ari Lewin. Thank you for all the time you've put into this project, and for enduring all of my manic phone calls along the way. Thanks as always to the wonderful teams at Putnam and Penguin Young Readers. This book stands on your capable shoulders. And special thanks to Elyse Marshall for steering Nemesis to market with grace, wit, and hustle. Sorry for making you run through large convention centers.
More thanks to Jennifer Rudolph Walsh, Margaret Riley King, Anna DeRoy, Janine Kamouh, Simon Trewin, Eric Reid, and the whole team at William Morris Endeavor. You believed in Nemesis from the start and found my insane book wonderful homes. WME launched my career and helped me become the writer I am today. I will always be grateful.
Oh, and thanks, Mom. For all of it.
To my earliest readers, I owe you big-time. Limitless thanks to Carrie Ryan, Kami Garcia, and Margaret Stohl-you turned my somewhat-of-a-mountain-holiday-travelogue called Death Gates (awful) into a usable writing sample, and gave the whole concept much-needed focus. More thanks to Renée Ahdieh for helpful notes on the first draft (which you read while sitting in front of me on a flight to Dallas, in first class, while I languished back in coach-stupid upgrades).
My career has been incubated by the constant encouragement and support of my YALL-family. Love to Margie, Mel, Kami, Veronica, Sandy, Rafi, and Jonathan, as well as West Coasters Marie, Tahereh, Ransom, Leigh, Holly, and Richelle. And of course, Emily, Tori, and Shane. YALLFEST and YALLWEST are the best two weekends of my year. You guys make me feel like a real writer who can do this for a living. Priceless.
More thanks to my later readers, many of whose names grace this book with their gracious praise. I won't list you all here, but you know who you are, and I'm forever in your debt. Thanks to Jodi for fighting for me based on nothing but belief. Special thanks to Todd Humphreys and Paul and Jennifer Hudson, who helped me out with some tricky mathematical calculations I still don't understand. Sadly, I decide not to go with Paul's character suggestion of Dr. Spacey McHudson. And I could never forget the wonderful support of my VCFA family, who allowed me to read and workshop portions of Nemesis in a safe environment and were kind enough not to throw rocks at me. Special shouts to my classmates for their nonstop encouragement. I name you all my dear friends.
I need to specifically and individually thank my good friend, classmate, and colleague Ally Condie, whose name could've appeared in almost all of the above paragraphs. Your support and relentless enthusiasm for Nemesis kept my spirits up when they were down and helped calm my publishing neuroses. Thanks for always being in my corner. Go, Lake Monsters. Always be NeCaPPing.
Most important, thank you to my beautiful wife, Emily, to whom this book is dedicated. It never would've happened without your unconditional support and occasional brutal insults. Because of you, our kids are alive and well adjusted to this day, despite my frequent absences from home. I love you and the little ones very much and can't wait until they are old enough to read this book.
Finally, to my readers, know that you are the point of all of this. Your support has given me a career that I love and a happy, exciting, fulfilling life. I hope I have served you well in turn. Thanks upon thanks until the end of time.
What's next on
your reading list?
Discover your next
great read!
* * *
Get personalized book picks and up-to-date news about this author.
Sign up now.