But when they stumble across a mysterious portal, figments of their imagination are inexplicably turned into reality.
The first book of the series,The Darkdeep, finds the group discovering a hidden island.
The authors have exclusively shared with EW the cover forThe Darkdeep, as well as an exclusive excerpt.
Credit: Courtesy of Brendan Reichs and Ally Condie
Read on below, and pre-order the book ahead of its Oct. 2 releasehere.
Excerpt fromThe Darkdeep, by Ally Condie and Brendan Reichs
Get out.
Nico took a step toward Logan and pointed at the curtain.
Bloomsbury Children’s
Nico took a step toward Logan and pointed at the curtain.
I dont want to, and you cant make me.
Logan lifted a book from the Maybe stack and flipped the pages roughly.
What is this place, anyway?
Whats with all the junk?
Give me that, Logan.
Opal stepped in front of him and held out her hand.
He snorted and pushed past her.
Nico hurried to Opals side.
Did you tell him?
She felt Tyler and Emma watching.
Opal folded her arms.
Put the book down.
Dear Diary, Logan whined, pretending to read.
My name is Nico.
All my friends are weird and wimpy.
Also, Im inloooovewith Opal Walsh.
How can I get her to like me?
Maybe if I take her to a secret trash barge, shell
Shut up, Opal spat.
Any sympathy shed felt for Logan vaporized.
Logan closed the book.
Opal nearly sighed in relief as he set it back where hed found it.
But his words had been a slap to all of them.
The tension in the room was choking.
Logans eyebrows rose as he peered past Opal.
She followed his gaze.
In its jar atop the pedestal, the strange green thing was floating upright.
Two dark spots had appeared.
They looked like eyes.
Logan strode over and tapped the glass.
You guys steal this from a bio lab?
Opal stormed over and grabbed his arm.
Logan gave her an icy glare.
Hands off, Walsh.
Hes using my last name now, too.
Opal tightened her grip.
You dont belong here.
Emma and Tyler hurried around the pedestal, blocking Logans view of the back wall.
But Tyler kept glancing over his shoulder.
Just stay … stay where you are!
Logan pulled free of Opals grasp.
He pushed past Tyler and Emma.
A hidden vault full of gold doubloons?
He rapped a fist against the wall.
The panel popped open, revealing the staircase.
Logan stepped back in surprise.
Its just the hold.
Emma shrugged, feigning nonchalance.
Go ahead if you want, but Im not coming with you.
She made a scurrying motion with her fingers.
The ploy almost worked.
Logan squinted into the darkness as if having second thoughts.
Then he clicked his tongue.
His shoes rang on the stairs like warning chimes as he headed for the basement.
Opal raced after him, the others trailing behind.
Its not safe down there!
he whispered, ignoring the collision.
Nothing, Tyler said reflexively.
A well, Emma answered at the same time.
Something that can hurt you.
Nico was the last to reach the bottom.
Trust me, Logan.
That water is dangerous.
Logan began to circle the pool.
Why is it moving like that?
Opal stood statue-still, not daring to answer.What if he touches the water?
This is your fault, Nico hissed at her.
I didnt invite him!
Opals hands were shaking.
Logan stared into the Darkdeep with a predatory gleam.
Emotions warred on Tylers face, but he didnt say anything.
Opal couldnt breathe with the unfairness of it all.
They were holding her responsible for Logans actions.
Why wassheguilty for what he did?
She answered for herself and no one else.
I amtiredof you doing this to me, Opal spat through gritted teeth.
Logan had come full circle.
Are yourfriendsbeing mean, Opal?
Hed said her first name this time, but that meant nothing.
Not with that taunt in his voice.
Not after hed stalked her across Timbers and ruined everything.
Get out of here, Logan, Opal said.
He pointed at the churning water.
I want to know what this pool is, and why youre being so weird about it.
His tone became mocking.
Will it turn me into Spiderman or something?
Nico raised a palm.
I promise you, that well is toxic.
you should probably stay away from it.
Ialmostbelieve you, Holland.
The problem is youre a wimp.
He knelt and reached toward the water.
Opal rushed at Logan.
She had to stop him.
Nico got there first.
He grabbed Logans arm and yanked it back.
Logan tried to shove him away, but Nico held on, and the motion knocked them both off-balance.
Locked arm-in-arm, the two boys tipped, toppled, fell.
Logan touched the surface first.
For a moment, the dark water stilled.
Then it swallowed them whole.
Nico felt the cold of the Darkdeep envelop him.
His body seized as he was dragged down into the bottomless black.
A pulse of energy ran over him,throughhim.
He wanted to scream but suffocating liquid pressed in from all sides.
Then it all vanished.
He floated in a void.
Like the times before, but also … different.
He felt another presence struggling with him.
Currents of pure emptiness scattered Nicos thoughts.
Beneath them, Nico sensed a deeper awareness.
His mind blanked, and he felt nothing more.
