Cordelia yanked herself free and stumbled back, gasping and rubbing at her bruised skin … and was caught in a chilling, all-enveloping embrace.

White mist surged from the magical shield behind her to scoop all three children safely from the ground just as a deep and narrow chasm suddenly opened beneath their feet. Lady Elianora’s voice rose in a cry of shock. For one impossibly long moment, Cordelia watched her teeter on the chasm’s edge, arms pinwheeling wildly through the mist.

Then the ground beneath Lady Elianora gave one last, impatient surge. It shoved her forward, into midair, and she fell into the endless darkness, shrieking with furious despair.

Dirt sealed shut above her outstretched fingertips. Grass cut off her distant cries.

All three children had been left untouched by the sudden, violent breach …

But Cordelia and her triplets were all moving by then, too, still embraced by the mist and shooting up the mountainside at a terrifying, breakneck pace.

Knotted branches blurred past them on all sides, as faint and untouchable as ghosts. Cordelia twisted desperately within the thick, damp white air, flailing with both hands to find her triplets. All she could see were their hazy silhouettes. Finally, finally, their hands closed around hers and held on tight …

But she lost sight even of their dim outlines as they neared the top of the mountain and the hook inside her chest found its anchor at last.

At last.

We have you.

We’ve been waiting for so long!

Ancient, inhuman voices boomed around her, deafening her.

Visions swarmed in upon all her senses.

… And Cordelia lost herself entirely to the spirits of Raven’s Nest.

Chapter Twenty

Chapter Twenty

She saw it all …

Ravens. Badgers. Bears. Wolves. Rabbits. Falcons. All the green, growing things, all filled with spirit. All the different patchwork pieces of the land fitting together in perfect harmony.

Then humans. Wars.

Spirits rising from the earth, taking shape in the land’s defense.

Bloodshed. Battles. Disharmony everywhere …

Finally, a hard-won agreement among all.

The spirits—those powerful few that survived—retreating to Raven’s Nest, the center of their strength. Their magic spreading throughout the land, keeping borders strong and human rulers safe. Rulers’ connection to the land keeping harvests thriving and weather kind.

In return, human sorcerers working with the spirits to forge the Raven Crown on the slopes of Mount Corve. Both sides blending their greatest magics. Each side making true sacrifices to seal the great promise, to be held true for all of their sakes:

Harmony. Unity. Peace.

For everyone.

Heart and spirit and fierce protection combining in perfect unison for centuries, binding land and people together …

Until human rulers forget the ancient promises forged into their magical crown. All they see is the power that it carries—and the opportunities for more. They turn against the land they’ve sworn to protect. They break the old contracts for the sake of their greed.