CHAPTER 1

Questions Unanswered

Running. That's what I was doing, with a fire wind on myneck. I didn't know where I was going, but I knew I had toget away. If I looked behind me, I could lose ground. I felt myarms pumping along my sides, as though that would helpme go faster. If only I could fly. With that thought, I jumped,leaping over a lump of grass buried along a fence. Faster.Faster. I had to get away.

The air moved through my lungs giving me strength. Iwasn't good at running, but the jumping I could do thanks toall my gymnastics classes. I came to what looked like a deadend of the dirt trail I'd been following. I started to examine mysurroundings for an exit. A large stone fence seemed to linethe edges of my path. At the end was a tunnel. This had to bemy escape.

That's when I heard the roar. I didn't want to look back,but sometimes you can't help it. Slowly I turned, feeling likea character in a horror movie as the camera sweeps behind.There it was. A large, scaled creature, teeth bared, with asinuous neck like a dragon with sweeping Pterodactyl wings.It looked more like a dinosaur from a textbook than a realliving thing. It gave another bellow and snorted fire. That can'tbe good.

* * *

My eyes opened. I'd woken up from another of thosenightmares. I was glad. This time I thought he might catchme. It's good to wake up just in time, especially when beingchased by a dragon. Luckily, it was still only a dream. But ithad felt so real. I gave myself a shake to help wake up andfocus.

In my line of business, what seems like fantasy can bereal. I'm a Crystal Keeper, and between my Fairy Helpers,my talking cat that happens to be a sorcerer too, my unicornguide, and friends in high places (like the Green Man),dragons could just be around the corner. If these dreams keepcoming like this, I won't be surprised if a dragon shows up atthe window.

But that's the least of my worries. I still don't know whereEdina, my best friend and fellow Crystal Keeper, has beentaken. Dark Sorcerer Balkazaar kidnapped her after we fooledhim by wishing the Pillywiggin fairies free. I don't think hewas too happy about that.

The last time I saw her, Eddie (my nickname for Edina)was grabbed by Balkazaar and taken through a fairy pathvortex to who knows where. That's what I've been working onthe last few days since I've been back from the fairy paths inIreland. I've been trying to find her. I have no idea how, but Iam going to try.

Since that day, she hasn't been in school. I've called herhouse, but get no answer. I figured, maybe, in a couple daysthere would be a big search or something. A newscast wouldcome up with her picture saying she was missing and the girlhunt would be on. But nothing. Absolute nothing. I have noclue what is going on.

Meow.

There was a thump, and I could feel the walking of my cat,Brewford, as he made his way along the bed.

Was it the dream again?

"Yes, Brew, this time he cornered me, and I didn't have anexit. Each time it seems to get worse."

It could be just a symbolic dream. I'm sure you are feeling a bittrapped in your options on where Edina might be. The creature thatseeks you could represent your frustrations.

"Maybe, Brew, but somehow I think it's more than that."

Dreams can be messages from other realms. Or sometimes aportent of foreboding. The creature, how would you describe it?

"Scary, big, scaly, and kind of thinking of it, a lot like adragon."

Dragons are interesting. They can be very helpful sometimes.Did you consider that maybe it's not the dragon going after you, butmaybe something else? What do you think you're running from?

"I don't know. I can't see. But maybe I'm not running fromthe danger, but toward it. Wouldn't be the first time." I gaveBrewford a wink.

He gave me a half stare. This seemed to make him lookmore like Garfield in my mind. With Brewford's striped tail,tabby fur, and Abyssinian eyes, I half expected Odie, Garfield'ssidekick, to jump up on the bed next. Of course, Brewford isalso a powerful cat sorcerer, not to mention several centuriesold, which he never lets me forget. Yoda with fur comes tomind.

Are you ready to feed me? Your mother isn't up yet. I think thesecond job is making her extra tired.

That's another thing. Mom got a new job that started thisweek. It's only part time in the evenings, but it's going to makeit hard for her to do all the Mom things. You know, helpingwith homework, cooking dinner, and feeding the cat. So thenews went something like this:

"Honey, I'm going to have to rely on you to be moreresponsible now that I'm working at night too. We need themoney, and I know you can do it. `Kay?"

I simply nodded. I mean what else could I say? I couldn'treally tell her the truth. I could see me trying something likethis, "Hey Mom, I help the fairies and have saved the worldtwice now. I can totally handle a night or two a week on myown. I'm a big, sixth grader now, and a Crystal Keeper." Butthis was a secret I couldn't tell her. No one could know butanother Keeper.

But then, being a Crystal Keeper is like that. I have foundthat saving the day is part of the job. Luckily, I have elvesto help with my homework too. One of the perks of being aCrystal Keeper. The elves and other fairies of the realms relyon us to help guard their entrances and assist with magicaldefense. But that comes later in the story.

Right now, I am just trying to just figure out where Eddieis. It's tough not knowing what happened. I figured, with itbeing Monday, I could maybe talk to some of her friends I meta few days ago. Maybe they've seen her since last week.

"Okay, hold on, cat." I eased myself off the side of the bedand heard another thump. I felt the rubbing against my legs.

I thought-talk back, Think that sounded authentic? Gotta keepup appearance, right, Brew. "After you, Fat Cat," I say out loud. Imotion through the doorway as he scuttles through.

Must you use that term with me? I really do think I am quite fit.

"Brewford, you weigh a ton." I keep walking down thehallway until I turn right into the front hall, and then a quickleft into the kitchen. "I break my back just trying to pick youup to put you on the couch."

I thought I lost a few pounds trekking though the caves inIreland.

"No, Brew. You're fat. Just admit it. It's time to get you on akitty diet. Do they have diet cat food?"

I hear another voice answer my question. It's Mom. "Yes,I think they do. And you're right, dear. I think Brewford hasput on a few pounds." Mom turned into the kitchen and wentstraight to the coffee pot, her morning ritual. "We'll have tolook into some weight control dry food at the least."

"Meow!"

Brewford's loud protest made Mom laugh. She lookeddown and gave Brew a stroke and then returned to pouringwater into the coffee maker. "Strange. It's almost like he knowswe're talking about him." She gave a big yawn as she pointedto the cupboard. "I put more of his food in the cupboard. Igave him the last can from the fridge last night. You probablyneed to open a new one." She yawned again. "If you needanything, I'll be in the shower. `Kay?"

"'Kay, Mom."

She dashed back through the kitchen doorway, and I wasleft to feed the hungry cat.

"Meow. Meow." I have to admit that the tuna is quite nice. CanI have some of that?

Click. "Oops. I already opened the chicken. Sorry, too lateon that order."

Oh well, do remember for next time.

Brew's guzzling sounds told me the conversation was at anend for now. Time for my breakfast. Why does the cat alwaysget fed first? Oh well, better figure out which cereal I wanttoday. Mom had been switching from name brands to thegeneric cheap cereal sold at the co-op grocery club. It was likeCheerios or Fruit Loops on steroids. Way too much sugar forjust one kid. Ah, about just right for me.

The kitchen was filled with happy cat guzzling and cerealchomping sounds. I liked this state of mind—when there isnothing to think about in the morning but eating. I couldforget for a while that, so far, I'd failed to find my friend.

Maybe if I headed to the Crystal Store again today, I couldfind some more clues in the myths and legends section. TheGreen Man, whom I'd recently visited in the Fairy Realm ofEire, had told me that a lot of truth and wisdom was hiddenamong the myths and legends of the past. All I had to dowas find a clue, something, to find where Eddie might be. Itdid give me a little hope. I knew I would find her, no matterwhat.

I finished the last of my cereal as the kitchen filled with thesmell of freshly brewed coffee. I could hear the shower stillgoing in the other room. Mom would be a while. I grabbed aclean outfit out of the hall closet and dashed back to my room.For her to make it to work on time, I needed to be ready toleave. Dropping me off at school was one thing that didn'tchange with her new job.

I was brushing my hair when Brew came in pushing thebedroom door open. I've been thinking more upon your dream,Wanda. It gives me pause. There is something there. A message, Ishould think. Only you can decipher it though. Maybe if you try toremember more, you can solve the mystery.

I kept up with my morning routine. I managed to have myfavorite power colors of burgundy and black already pickedout in a pair of pants and knit top. My shoes were my plainblack, leather tennis shoes. I was thinking it would make memore Goth if I got a steampunk-style pair of shoes. But I stillwasn't sure if I could convince Mom yet.

I did a couple more strokes to my boring, brown hair. Ilooked in the mirror. My glasses were perched on my face.My brown eyes stared back. I couldn't look plainer. You wouldthink that a Crystal Keeper would look more fabulous. Likesome hero from some adventure fantasy book. But we lookjust as plain and normal as everyone else.

"You think there is something to my dreams, Brewford?"I looked down to see him staring in the distance. Cats arenotorious for this. But for some reason, I think Brewford isactually looking somewhere else.

He looked back at me, breaking his staring trance. Mostcertainly. He gave his tail a swish to emphasize. Crystal Keepersmust pay attention to their dreams as much as to their studies withmagic. Dreams are powerful focusing tools. Your subconscious mindmight be picking up on other forces your conscious mind isn't yetaware of. Or it could be a play out of your frustration of not findingEddie.

"You really think it is a clue where she could be?"

Possibly. Or a clue for the path you may need to follow. Dreamsare a powerful tool for magic. He walked to the other side of theroom and jumped on the bed. His eyes were more level withmine as he continued. What were you planning to do today to findher?

"I think I'll try asking some of her friends that I met thefirst day of school. We've been hanging out now and then,especially at lunch. They might have seen her. And maybevisit Mrs. Lawrence at the Crystal Store. Maybe she mighthave an idea of where Balkazaar would take Eddie, especiallysince she used to be a Crystal Keeper when she was a kid."

It's a starting point.

We were cut off by Mom's voice coming down the hallway."Wanda, if you hurry, I can give you a ride to school. It's time,and I'm running a little late. You ready yet?"

"Okay, Mom, I'm almost ready. Be there in a sec," Ianswered as I was pulling my hair back, into my simpleponytail style. It got my hair out of my face. I wasn't trying tobe too fashionable these days, just practical. I didn't have timeto be trendy.

I grabbed my backpack and started to go down the hall.Shouting back, I waved to the Brew. "See you after school."

As always. He eased himself into the hallway to watch mego. Give me a full report when you return.

"Don't I always," I yelled back as I struggled to strap onthe backpack.

"Don't you always what?" said Mom as she opened thefront door.

Realizing my mistake, I covered quickly. "Don't I always,ah, do my homework? Should be all ready for another week ofschool." I flashed a quick smile as my mom shook her head.We headed to the car.

CHAPTER 2

Discovery

Drexel Middle School, home to the slavery of education.Well, at least it feels like slavery when you're eleven and haveno choices. The school hadn't changed much since my parents'generation had gone here. The drab, stark building structuresin box frames connected by corridors were never that inviting.But school isn't ever inviting. It's just another necessity oflife that has to be endured. Sort of like vegetables or doingexercises. There was one smell that gave me hope.

Outside the front of the school were these amazingrosebushes. Their perfume wafted. The scent beckoned meforward. They must be twenty years old. The roses climbedthe side wall on a trellis in front of the office. It was somethingthat brightened my morning.

But I didn't have time to enjoy the roses this morning.Mom dropped me in front of the passenger drop-off lane. Igot out with my backpack, escaping with a quick wave. I hadto find one or two of Eddie's friends before the first bell. I washoping they might know something.

The sea of students was moving in the direction of themain quad. I blended in with the rest, keeping my eyes peeledfor anyone that I might have seen in the last few weeks. Mostof Eddie's friends I'd only seen a few times at lunch. They werestarting to feel like a regular posse. It's so awesome to finallybe part of a group.

I went around the corner and bumped right into Pam. Shewas wearing her typical all black. She was still chowing downon a breakfast bar, licking her fingers, her nail polish whatelse ... black. She looked startled and said a quick, "Sorry."Then she tried to navigate around me. But I turned with ashout, "Hey, Pam, wait up."

"Excuse me." She turned to stare strangely.

"Pam, it's me, Wanda. I'm Eddie's new friend. We met afew weeks ago and were hanging out at lunch. I haven't seenyou guys in a few days."

She still looked at me with this weird look. "I don't knowyou. If you know Eddie, maybe you can't be too bad. But we'vehaven't met or hung out. You sure you got the right person?"

I was a little stunned. "Well, yeah, we've been eatinglunch together a few times a week. Like I think I saw youlast Monday. But Eddie and I were busy." I didn't know howto explain saving the world, trying to figure how bees weredying, and fighting an evil dark sorcerer. Fairies rarely worktheir way into the conversation. "Eddie and I have been out oftouch the last few days." I really didn't know how to explainthat an evil sorcerer had kidnapped her either. The picture ofher being swept away into the light portal will be etched inmy mind forever. I shiver. "Studying. We've been doing a lotof research for social studies."

"Well, that's good for you. But I've got to get going." Pamturned to go, her black short hair swung away.

I grabbed onto her sleeve. "Have you seen Eddie in the lastweek?"

She shook her head. "No, and if I had, I wouldn't tellanyone I didn't know well." She looked at my hand. "So, couldyou let go. You're kinda weird."

She left quickly after I released my hold on her arm. Thiswasn't making sense. I knew that we'd been busy researchingto solve the mystery of the bees, but we'd been doing lunchwith her friends off and on the last few weeks. How come Pamdidn't seem to know me now? Something weird is definitelygoing on.

The first bell rang interrupting my thoughts. I watchedPam, now at the far end of the hall, stop to talk to another girl.The girl turned toward me, and Pam said something to her.They both started to laugh together. The new girl, with herstrawberry blonde hair, cut short in a bob looked at me. Herblack jeans and burgundy tank top were all too familiar. I'dseen her wear the same outfit when we went researching onceat the Crystal Store. It was Eddie.

* * *

They sped off laughing and looking back at me. Just then,the second bell rang. I must have stood staring for a while,because a teacher went past me and said, "Shouldn't you begetting to class?" That broke the spell. I hurried to the F-blockbuilding. Each building is labeled with a letter. Building F is atthe back end of the school.

Luckily, my first class was Literature. I had it with Eddie.Was she going to be there? Or had I just imagined her goingoff with Pam.

I entered the room looking for her in the corner where weusually sat. There she was. Her familiar strawberry blondebob leaning over talking to a girl who was the last personI'd have expected. She was talking to Jessica Newark. Jessica.The one girl who had been picking on me for at least a year.Really? Why would Eddie be talking to her? The last time weran into her, Eddie told off Jessica pretty good for giving me abad time.

I slowly lowered myself into the seat next to her. Jessicaraised an eyebrow. "So, what you looking at, WandaWeirdo?"

I looked away, and just stared forward. I wasn't going tolook back and see if Eddie was looking. I heard whisperingbeside me. I caught the words "quirky isn't cool" again,followed by "creepy." I tried to sink lower in my seat, willingmyself to turn invisible like a fairy. Fairies blend with theirsurroundings; it was a form of invisibility. I wished I could doit right now. Instead, I sank lower in my seat. I tried to blendwith the floor. Then, I heard another laugh.