Firstlife. Gena Showalter
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I’ve been told history is written by survivors. But I know that isn’t always true. My name is Tenley Lockwood, and very soon, I’ll be dead. This is my story—but the end is only the beginning.
Tenley “Ten” Lockwood is an average seventeen-year-old girl...who has spent the past thirteen months locked inside the Prynne Asylum. The reason? Not her obsession with numbers, but her refusal to let her parents choose where she’ll live—after she dies.
There is an eternal truth most of the world has come to accept: Firstlife is merely a dress rehearsal, and real life begins after death.
In the Everlife, two realms are in power: Troika and Myriad, longtime enemies and deadly rivals. Both will do anything to recruit Ten, including sending their top Laborers to lure her to their side. Soon, Ten finds herself on the run, caught in a wild tug-of-war between the two realms that will do anything to win the right to her soul. Who can she trust? And what if the realm she’s drawn to isn’t home to the boy she’s falling for? She just has to stay alive long enough to make a decision...
Firstlife
Gena Showalter
To God and His dear Son, for inspiration (Luke 10:2, Mark 3:24) and boundless love (John 3:16).
To Pennye Edwards, for being one of the great loves of my life.
To Wendy Higgins, for the beta read and awesome feedback.
To Katie McGarry, for the perfect email at the perfect time.
To Roxanne St. Claire, my sister, my friend, my love, for the encouragement and support.
To Jill Monroe, the bestest best friend a girl could have, for just about everything. You make life better. (PS: I hid your name in the middle to ensure you’d have to search for it because I’m the nerdiest best friend, hahaha.)
To Kresley Cole, P.C. and Kristin Cast and Sarah Maas, for being the most fun people on the planet.
To Mike and Vicki Tolbert, Shane Tolbert, Shonna Hurt and Michelle Quine, for putting up with me. God really blessed you when He gifted you with me. Fine. He blessed me when He gifted me with you.
To Max, Riley and Victoria, for being you. I love you, always and forever.
To Deirde Knight, my agent, for believing in this series as strongly as I do.
To Lauren Smulski, for the read and amazing feedback.
To Natashya Wilson, my editor, for seeing a diamond in the lump of coal I originally sent you. Your guidance has been invaluable, and your love for the book/series a true treasure. You helped me in so many ways I’d need to write a new book just to list them all. You’ve always worked hard for me and always offered the most amazing suggestions, but this time, you surpassed yourself. Thank you!
Contents
chapter six
chapter seven
chapter eight
chapter nine
chapter ten
chapter eleven
chapter twelve
chapter thirteen
chapter fourteen
chapter fifteen
chapter sixteen
chapter seventeen
chapter eighteen
chapter nineteen
chapter twenty
chapter twenty-one
chapter twenty-two
chapter twenty-three
chapter twenty-four
chapter twenty-five
chapter twenty-six
chapter twenty-seven
chapter twenty-eight
A CHAT WITH GENA SHOWALTER: Q & A
QUESTIONS FOR DISCUSSION
It was the best of times, it was the worst of times, it was the age of wisdom, it was the age of foolishness, it was the epoch of belief, it was the epoch of incredulity, it was the season of Light, it was the season of Darkness, it was the spring of hope, it was the winter of despair.
—CHARLES DICKENS, A TALE OF TWO CITIES
TROIKA
From: A_P_5/23.43.2
To: L_N_3/19.1.1
Subject: Tenley Lockwood
Duuude. A heads-up would have been nice. Can you say whack shack?
If you failed to read my dossier, Nanne, I’m happy to bring you up to date on the highlights. I’m a well-trained and vastly decorated Laborer. Victory might as well be my middle name. What I’m not: a babysitter. Watching Tenley Lockwood is a waste of my many talents.
Oh, AND DID I FORGET TO MENTION SHE’S IN A WHACK SHACK??
With all due respect, I’d rather fish out my internal organs with a coat hanger than stay here. I’m officially requesting a transfer.
Light Brings Sight!
Archer Prince
TROIKA
From: L_N_3/19.1.1
To: A_P_5/23.43.2