Page 1

W ho knew that all those years with my nose stuck in a fantasy book would prepare me for saving the world?

Fantasy books had things like this, mentally preparing me for a horde of goblins descending on the lone hero.

Or, at least, not immediately losing my guts to the Wrath Monsters descending on my poorly defended position with Kai. Because I wasn’t actually alone like the heroes in the books I enjoyed reading.

And my preparations weren’t limited to books, either. All my training at Dragonrider Academy had prepared me to survive unprecedented circumstances, even without my dragon in the event we were separated.

Minus the useless wings part.

“Fluffing useless appendages,” I hissed as I swatted one of the frail wings out of my face.

I understood the general idea of what Violet had done to me.

I had found her in the Shadow Realm and she had misunderstood my intentions.

She thought that I had woken her after a long slumber during her rebirth cycle.

She and her sisters were likely ancient and had been waiting for the fated day someone would awaken them.

Except, I hadn’t woken her.

My father had.

Still looking out for me, I thought as I ducked a passing claw. Too bad you never taught me how to fight, especially while dragged down by wings!

Kai’s flute released a piercing sound, one that made me cover my ears as a shimmering ball of energy spread out like a shockwave, sending my hair flinging over my shoulders and my flimsy wings finally shrinking to my back.

“Kai!” I shouted over the ringing in my ears.

“Sorry!” he yelled back, having already apologized once for his fighting style that left allies out to dry. He was the lone fighter I usually read about in fantasy tales.

But this wasn’t fiction. This was real, and Kai needed my help.

Wrath Monsters flooded the valley of ruins we had wandered into—or rather, Kai had wandered into. I’d just been following him hoping he’d lead me to Killian or a way out.

Better yet, I was pretty sure he’d led me to one of the Violet’s sisters. I caught a glimpse of the vibrant pink gem now filling one of the empty slots in my magicked bracelet.

I had a Diamond Queen’s soul—but where was her body?

The egg had vanished not because the dragon had hatched, or the egg had been taken.

What we’d seen had been a spiritual manifestation. We’d come across her soul that had been separated from her body.

Meaning this Dragon Queen was in quite a bit of trouble and had been desperately seeking our help.

I’m not going to let you down, I thought.

Solstice mirrored my determination and lit up the sky, banishing the darkness with a burst of fire that drove back the goblins.

The creatures hissed as they skittered back into the shadows, but the goblins didn’t seem like they could close in on us. The power of the Diamond Royal soul within my bracelet was keeping them at bay.

So why were they keeping us here?

“Vivi!” Kai shouted, then released a sharp whistle. His power activated the compass now tucked in his satchel, but its glittery power turned red as it sought a new target.

What is that? I thought as the ground shook with rhythmic thunder, betraying the arrival of a new predator.

This was what the goblins had been up to. They’d just been stalling for time while their buddy arrived.

Solstice roared, sensing the danger before a beast’s red eyes emerged through the darkness.

Uh oh.