Alyson Noël - Radiance

Rileys, Buttercups, and Bodhis
adventures continue in
Shimmer

Go on, Buttercupgo get it, boy!

I cupped my hands around my mouth and squinted into a blanket of gooey, white haze still hours away from being burned off by the sun. Gazing upon a beach that was just the way I liked itfoggy, cold, a tiny bit spooky even. Reminding me of our old family visits to the Oregon Coastthe kind I sometimes tried to re-create on my own.

But despite the infinite manifesting possibilities of the Here & Now, something about it just wasnt the same. Sure you could replicate the same sensations, the way the tiny, pebbly grains wedged between your toes, the way the cool ocean spray felt upon your face, but still, it didnt quite cut it.

Couldnt quite live up to the real thing.

And clearly Buttercup agreed.

He sprinted after the stick, running headfirst into a dad enjoying an early morning stroll with his son, before emerging on their other side. Causing the kid to stop and stare and gaze all aroundsensing the disturbance, the sudden change in atmosphere, the burst of cold airthe usual signs a ghost is present.

The usual signs kids always tune into, and their parents always miss.

I shut my eyes tightly, concentrating on mingling my energy with my surroundings. Summoning the vibration of the sandthe seashellseven the hazelonging to experience it in the same way I used to, knowing Id have only a few moments of this before Buttercup returned, dropped the wet, slobbery stick at my feet, and we repeated the sequence again.

He was tireless. True to his breed, hed happily retrieve for hours on end. A nice, long game of fetch making the list of his top five favorite things, ranking right up there with dog biscuits, a warm patch of sun, bird chasing, and, of course, his newest loveflying.

Nudging my leg with his nose, letting me know he was back, he stared up at me with those big brown eyes, practically begging me to hurl the stick even farther this time.

So I did.

Watching as it soared high into the sky before it pierced the filmy, white veil and was gone. Buttercup dashing behind it, tongue lolling out the side of his mouth, tail wagging crazily from side to sidethe furry, yellow tip the last thing I saw before the mist swallowed him whole and he vanished from sight. Leaving only a faint echo of excited barks trailing behind.

I turned my attention to the small flock of seagulls circling overhead, swooping toward the water and filling their beaks with unsuspecting fish, before taking flight again. Vaguely aware of the minutes slipping past with still no sign of him, I called out his name, then chased it with a spot-on imitation of my dads special whistle that never failed to bring Buttercup home. My feet carving into the sand, leaving no trace of footprints, as I pushed through a fog so thick, so viscous, it reminded me of the time Id flown through a cloud storm for fun, only to realize it was anything but. And I was just about to venture into the freezing cold water, knowing of his fondness for swimming, when I heard a deep, unmistakable growl that immediately set me on edge.

Buttercup rarely growled.

He was far too good-natured for that.

So when he did, it was safe to assume hed stumbled upon something serious.

Something very, very bad.

I followed the sound of it. That low, gravelly rumble growing in intensity the closer I crept. Only to be replaced with something much worsea horrible snarl, a high-pitched yelp, and a sickening silence that made my gut dance.

Buttercup? I called, my voice so shaky, so unsteady I was forced to clear my throat and try again. Buttercupwhere are you? This isnt funny, you know! You better show yourself, now, or you will not be flying home!

The second the threat was out, I heard him. Paws beating against the hard, wet sand, his quick, panting breath getting louder and louder the closer he ran.

I sighed in relief and sank down to the ground. Readying myself for the big, slobbery, apology hug that soon would be mine, only to watch in absolute horror as the fog split wide-open and a large dog jumped out.

A dog that wasnt Buttercup.

It wassomething else entirely.

Bigthe size of a pony.

Blackits coat matted and gnarled.

With paws the size of hooves that came hurtling toward me, as I screamed long and loud, desperate to get out of its way.

But it was too late.

No matter how fast I movedit wasnt fast enough.

There was no escaping the chains of its sharply barbed collar that clanged ominously.

No escaping the menacing glow of those deep yellow eyes with the laser-hot gaze that burned right into mine, right into my soul...

Big, huge, glittery thanks to all the fabulous people at St. Martins Press and Macmillan Childrens who help bring my stories to life, including, but not limited to, Matthew Shear, Rose Hilliard, Anne Marie Tallberg, Katy Hershberger, Brittney Kleinfelter, Angela Goddard, Jean Feiwel, and Jennifer Doerr.

To Bill Contardiagent extraordinaire!

To Sandywho reads everything first!

And, of course, a very special thanks to my readers, for all of your warmth and humor and generous support. You make me feel like the luckiest author in the world!

Questions for the Author

In what ways are you similar (or different) to Riley Bloom?

Actually, Riley and I share a lot in common. I know what its like to be the baby of the family, and though I hate to admit it, Ive also been known to hog the microphone while playing Rock Band on the Wii!

How do you come up with your characters?

Honestly, Im not really sure! The story idea usually comes first, and then as Im busy working on all the ins and outs of the new world Im creating, the cast just sort of appears.

What was your inspiration for the Here & Now, the magical realm where Riley lives?

Back when I first started working on The Immortals series, I did quite a bit of research on metaphysics, quantum physics, ghosts, spirits, and the afterlife, etc, all of which sort of fed into the concept of the Here & Now. I guess, in a way, its how I hope the afterlife will be.

Do you believe in ghosts?

In a wordyes. Ive definitely experienced enough unexplainable phenomena to ever rule it out.

If a ghost tried to scare you with your own worst fears (the way the Radiant Boys try to scare Riley), what fears might they use against you?

I definitely drew upon all of my own worst fears while writing that scenea crazy snake-haired clown wielding dental instruments is about as bad as it gets for me! The only thing missing was a really high ledge with no railing (I have a major fear of heights), but I wasnt sure how to fit that into the context, so I spared Riley that.

Did you grow up with an older sister the way Riley did? How many brothers and sisters do you have?

I have two older sisters, both of whom I completely idolized. Theres a bit of an age gap between us, one is ten years older, and the other five years older, and trust me when I say that I did my best to emulate them. I listened to their music, watched their TV shows, and read their booksall of which was way more appealing than my own, more age-appropriate stuff. And like Riley, I used to try on their clothes and makeup when they were out with their friends, though I suspect that revelation will come as no surprise to them!