PRAISE FOR SARA ELLA
“Unblemished may have set the stage, but Unraveling will forever bind you to this story like a Kiss of Accord. Sara Ella’s exquisite writing left me gasping at new revelations and rereading whole chapters just because. Unraveling is a sequel that outshines its already brilliant predecessor. Read it. Now. Then come fangirl with me.”
—NADINE BRANDES, AWARD-WINNING AUTHOR OF
THE OUT OF TIME TRILOGY AND FAWKES
“With plenty of YA crossover appeal, this engaging and suspenseful debut urban fantasy features superb world building and a tightly paced story line. Reading groups will find plenty to discuss concerning self-image, the nature of good vs. evil, and the power of the marginalized to change the world.”
—LIBRARY JOURNAL, STARRED REVIEW FOR UNBLEMISHED
“Sara Ella’s debut novel is a stunning journey into a fascinating new world of reflections. Intricately plotted, the story is complex, but not difficult to follow. Eliyana is a strong heroine, yet also has a vulnerable side that readers will definitely identify with. The other characters are also well-developed and have many hidden secrets revealed throughout the course of the tale . . . It will be fascinating to see where the author takes the characters next.”
—RT BOOK REVIEWS, 4½ STARS, TOP PICK! FOR UNBLEMISHED
“Ella has created a captivating, relatable protagonist and never hesitates as she keeps things moving briskly through the many twists and turns.”
—PUBLISHERS WEEKLY FOR UNBLEMISHED
“A breathtaking fantasy set in an extraordinary fairy-tale world, with deceptive twists and an addictively adorable cast who are illusory to the end. Just when I thought I’d figured each out, Sara Ella sent me for another ride. A wholly original story, Unblemished begins as a sweet melody and quickly becomes an anthem of the heart. And I’m singing my soul out. Fans of Once Upon a Time and Julie Kagawa, brace yourselves.”
—MARY WEBER, AWARD-WINNING AUTHOR OF THE STORM SIREN TRILOGY
“Lyrically written and achingly romantic—Unblemished will tug your heartstrings!”
—MELISSA LANDERS, AUTHOR OF ALIENATED, INVADED, AND STARFLIGHT
“Self-worth and destiny collide in this twisty-turny fantasy full of surprise and heart. Propelled into a world she knows nothing about, Eliyana learns that the birthmark she despises is not quite the superficial curse she thought it was—it’s worse, and the mark comes with a heavy responsibility. Can she face her reflection long enough to be the hero her new friends need? With charm and wit, author Sara Ella delivers Unblemished, a magical story with a compelling message and a unique take on the perils of Central Park.”
—SHANNON DITTEMORE, AUTHOR OF THE ANGEL EYES TRILOGY
“Unblemished is an enchanting, beautifully written adventure with a pitch-perfect blend of fantasy, realism, and romance. Move this one to the top of your TBR pile and clear your schedule—you won’t want to put it down!”
—LORIE LANGDON, AUTHOR OF THE AMAZON BESTSELLING DOON SERIES
“Unblemished had me from the first chapter—mystery, romance, and mind-blowing twists and turns that I so did not see coming! The worlds Sara Ella builds are complex and seamless; the characters she creates are beautifully flawed. Readers are sure to love this book and finish it, as I did, begging for more!”
—KRISTA MCGEE, AUTHOR OF THE ANOMALY TRILOGY
Sara Ella
Unbreakable
The dedication of this book is sevenfold (one for each Reflection):
For my unfailing readers, who never cease to
cheer me on and beg for the next story.
For my family, because blood or not, you love me for real.
For my dear girlfriends, who are always
there to listen, good days or bad.
For my publishing team—you give me grace when I need it most.
For my daughters, who show me every day
what it means to be truly beautiful.
For my husband, who sees past my blemishes, but
more importantly helps me see past them.
And for my Creator, who brought me out of
darkness and covered me with light.
Past poses a riddle.
What will come of the morrow?
Future stands untouched.
Who reaches forever?
Day offers a chance.
Will night prevail?
The answers are dreadful indeed,
And so my warning do heed.
Ne’er allow your heart to fall;
Its death remains the most tragic of all.
My only cure for this blight
Remains to find the girl with the light.
My curse will end with her final breath,
For a broken heart is its own kind of death.
Prelude
You can’t understand the beginning until you reach the end, so here it is . . .
After all this time it comes down to this?
I never wanted this to happen.
Somehow I always knew it would.
“It’s okay.” His rasp is little more than a final breath. “I’m ready.”
I’m not. “You idiot. Why would you do this? There had to be another way.”
But even as I speak the words, I know . . .
This is the only way.
My forehead meets his.
His eyes lock on mine. “Time for you to go.”
I kiss his knuckles, bating my sobs as I force myself to rise. Now it has to end. Here. For good. So I do the only thing left to do.
I. Die.
ACT I
In My Own Little Corner
ONE
Meek as a Mouse
What is that wretched odor? Am I dead? Because I smell dead or death or something close to it. I can’t open my eyes. Not yet. Opening my eyes makes it real. I just need a minute to collect myself. My thoughts. My memories . . .