the rest of the guardians are all checking out the explosion,” I realised. Pieces began coming together-including Lissa’s lack of surprise over the commotion. “Oh no. You had Christian blow up ancient Moroi artifacts.” “Of...

You know what we need?” “A new plan?” asked Lissa. “A miracle?” asked Eddie.I paused and glared at them both before responding. Since when had they become the comedians here? “No.

Eddie discovered one of his childhood’s great truths. Grownups are the real monsters, he thought.

For a moment he felt a wild hope: perhaps this really was a nightmare. Perhaps he would awake in his own bed, bathed in sweat, shaking, maybe even crying . . . but alive. Safe....