Welcome to Crystal Crawford's official author blog!

Pops and I re-entered Rake’s med room, with Chairman Hart directly behind us. The door slid shut, closing us in.

The trees snapped under the weight of the red dragon’s body as it plummeted, writhing and flailing. It almost looked like it was wrestling with something.

Aeldyn continued, her voice breaking. “I never saw her, but… my mom’s energy was there. After that, I just kept going back to Aeden and opening it, hoping…” She sighed. “But she was gone.”

Only once I was back inside the med room, with Rake still unconscious on the table in the blood-stained robe, did I realize the nurse’s summons could’ve been a trap.

Fiska led us briskly through narrow paths between the trees, cutting a deliberate trail through the woods to where they curved around a bend of rocky foothills.

I dropped the postcard through the tiny rift Aeldyn had opened, catching a glimpse of Striker as he finished off a Shadowhound and turned around toward the Gate.

“She was heir to the House of Ordas.” Chairman Hart smiled patiently, the kind of smile kindergarten teachers give to that one kid who just isn’t quite getting it. “The LeyGuard is comprised of four Houses, descended from each of the original founders. The magic of each House is distinct, aligned with a specific element—Earth, Fire, Water, Air—though the way the gift manifests is unique to each individual. Some become Runists, some Wielders, some Arcanists, but the specific e

I stiffened. “Fiska?” I knew that voice anywhere, but I still gaped in shock as she stepped out of the trees. “What are you doing here? You’re supposed to be with Mother!”

Brone My runed bullet hit its mark.

The woman stepped further into the med room, holding an ornate metal box in her hands that looked almost like a jewelry box. She turned to Dove and Quinn. “Please report to the conference room downstairs. Mrs. Chen has some questions for both of you.”

I caught up to the others just as we reached the brook. It was shallow and shaded by trees, but besides the dead leaves dancing in the current, the water streaming over the rocks seemed clear and smelled crisp.

I braced for impact as Aeldyn and I sped toward the image of Mavelor, but as before, the landing was gentler than I expected.

Pops had been quietly watching my exchange with Quinn, but now he stepped forward and held out his hand. “I’m Lena’s father, Arlan Hall. And this is Lena, of course.” He gestured to the examination table. “And this young man is Rake.”

I shut my eyes as the rocks did their work, slamming into the creature with one loud, chorused thunk. The road fell still and silent.

Todd sank to the ground, cradling Aeldyn’s limp body.

Doctor Harlowe glanced back at Roinan as the door slid open. “You. Don’t move from that cot until I get back. You need to rest.” He slipped out into the hall before giving any of us a chance to respond.

Faolan stood, planted in the path, as the creature galloped toward him.

Striker peeled out onto the main road and gunned it. We were speeding down the highway toward that empty field with the LeyGate as fast as my poor truck could go.

The door to the room slid open suddenly, causing me to jump. The stern, honey-haired woman from earlier stood in the doorway, hands crossed in front of her waist. She looked at Pops and me. “I still need to speak with you both about how you got here, but unfortunately, something has come up. Our conversation will need to wait a bit.” She didn’t wait for our response before turning to Doctor Harlowe. “I need to bring in another patient. Dr. Garic is tied up with some wounded

We left Veylden just before daybreak, sneaking up the stone ramp in the still-quiet city to the entrance Faolan had first used to bring Fiska, Mother, and me to his refuge. Faolan pressed his hand to the stone wall at the end of the corridor, and as the hidden door hinged open under the force of his magic, the first rays of dawn spread across the hills outside.