She jerked her eyes away from the grayed spot, and her stomach lurched. She was intrigued by it, but it also upset her.
Cassie refocused on the embossed symbol, trying to remember where else she’d seen that design. And then she remembered: It was identical to the inscription on Black John’s lodestone ring, the one used to identify him as John Blake, and later as John Brunswick.
Having this book in her hands was the closest thing now to having Black John there in the room with her. It felt like all the darkness in the world might begin to pour forth from its pages at any moment.
Cassie’s mother watched her handle the book apprehensively. “I know it feels alive to you,” she said. “But it’s just a book, I promise. And you are strong enough to handle it.” There was a candidness in her eyes that Cassie had never seen before.
The book shivered in Cassie’s hands as she tried to calm herself. It was just paper and words, that’s all it was. And its words contained the key to defeating Scarlett, saving the Circle, and getting the Master Tools back. She didn’t have the luxury of pretending this book didn’t exist, as evil and frightening as it felt to her. She couldn’t simply put it back into its hiding place. It was her responsibility to read it, study it, and ingest its secrets until they became part of who she was. Only then would she be strong enough against Scarlett.
Her mother silently observed her mental struggle and seemed to know exactly what she was thinking.
“Remember, Cassie,” she said. “There’s so much goodness in you. There’s much more light in your soul than dark. Do you recognize that?”
Cassie nodded. “I think so.”
“But there are things in this book that won’t be easy for you to read. Do you understand what I mean by that?”
“Yes,” Cassie said.
“If you open it,” her mother warned, “there’s no going back.”
About the Author
L. J. SMITH has written over two dozen books for young adults, including The Vampire Diaries and The Secret Circle, both of which are now hit TV shows. She has also written the bestselling Night World series and The Forbidden Game, as well as the #1 New York Times bestselling Dark Visions. She loves to walk the trails and beaches in Point Reyes, California, daydreaming about her latest book. She also loves to hear from readers (info@ljanesmith.net), and hopes they will visit her continually updated website at www.ljanesmith.net, where information, new stories, and contests can be found.
Visit www.AuthorTracker.com for exclusive information on your favorite HarperCollins authors.
Other Books from L. J. Smith
The Vampire Diaries novels
VOL. I: THE AWAKENING
VOL. II: THE STRUGGLE
VOL. III: THE FURY
VOL. IV: DARK REUNION
THE RETURN VOL. 1: NIGHTFALL
THE RETURN VOL. 3: MIDNIGHT
THE HUNTERS VOL. 1: PHANTOM
THE HUNTERS VOL. 2: MOONRISE
The Stefan’s Diaries novels
VOL. 1: ORIGINS
VOL. 2: BLOODLUST
VOL. 3: THE CRAVING
VOL. 4: THE RIPPER
VOL. 5: THE ASYLUM
VOL. 6: THE COMPELLED
The Secret Circle novels
THE INITIATION AND THE CAPTIVE PART I
THE CAPTIVE PART II AND THE POWER
Credits
JACKET ART © MICHAEL FROST
JACKET DESIGN BY SARAH NICHOLE KAUFMAN
Copyright
HarperTeen is an imprint of HarperCollins Publishers.
The Secret Circle: The Divide
Copyright © 2012 by Alloy Entertainment and L. J. Smith
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ISBN 978-0-06-213039-6
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FIRST EDITION
EPub Edition © FEBRUARY 2012 ISBN: 978-0-06-213040-2
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