Crystal Keepers [Hardcover]

Trapped in a world where magic is powerful and dreams are real, Cole continues his quest in book three of a “fanciful, action-packed adventure” series (Publishers Weekly, starred review), from the #1New York Timesbestselling author of the Fablehaven and Beyonders series.

Cole Randolph ventures to a new kingdom as he continues his search for his friends—and also pursues his quest to mend what has gone awry with the magic in The Outskirts. Can he overcome the challenges ahead, or will he be stranded forever in a world between reality and imagination?Crystal Keepers

CHAPTER

1

BUTLER

The sky was getting bright, but the sun had yet to rise as Cole carried his saddle pad to his horse. He tossed it over Ranger’s back, but the quilted pad fell through the horse to the ground.

Cole whirled. “Dalton?”

His friend stood a short distance away, arms folded, leaning against a tree trunk. “Not bad?”

Cole picked up the saddle pad and shook off the dirt. “Really good, actually.” He swiped a hand through the horse, feeling only a vague, cobwebby sensation. “That looks perfect.”

“I moved Ranger last night after you conked out,” Dalton confessed. The illusionary horse disappeared.

“Couldn’t sleep again?” Cole asked.

“I tried,” Dalton said. “I couldn’t shut down my brain. It took some time.”

“Dalton!” another voice called. Taller than Cole and Dalton by a few inches, though not much older, Jace stormed over to them, his deeply tanned face flushed. “Where’s my saddle?”