For worse.

And for better.

It wasn’t easy. The world was complicated. Life was hard. And so often, living hurt.

So make it worth the pain.

Kate’s voice whispered through him, sudden and welcome, and he drew a deep breath. Darkness was sweeping over the city, and there was still so much work to be done.

“Are you ready, brother?” asked Soro.

And August lifted his violin and stepped to the edge of the roof.

“I am.”

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

This book nearly killed me.

I always say that, but I swear, this time I mean it. It’s not a sign I didn’t love the work—after all, books can’t hurt you unless you care about them.

That’s how they get in—through the cracks that caring makes in us.

This book nearly killed me because I cared. I cared so much about Kate and August, and telling their story. I knew from the start it wouldn’t be a happy one. Hopeful, yes, but in a world with places like Verity, even hopeful endings come at a cost.

This book cost me something, but it didn’t kill me, because of those I had at my side.

My agent, Holly Root, who reminded me to breathe.

My editor, Martha Mihalick, who helped me up every time I fell (and then kept me on my feet).

My team at Greenwillow, who never lost faith.

My mother and father, who assured me I’d been down this road before.

My friends, who had the emails and texts and memories to prove it.

We say it takes a village, and never has it been more true.

Thank you.