There are two identical Earths: the fae live in one, humans in the other. Within each realm there are portals of passage, to be traversed only on magical occasions.

            In the fae kingdom, souls of fairies who die end up in vessels in the Vault of Souls under the castle. The vessels of the royals also hold the powers they are blessed with on the day they receive their wings—the 16th birthday. If a vessels is opened prior to a death, the magic of the power is stolen and absorbed by the thief.

            Two days before Jewel’s 16th birthday, the sacred key on its golden chain is stolen from the king’s neck. Jewel’s birthday celebration is thrown into chaos. After getting her wings and her special power (communication with trees), Jewel attends a party to open gifts. The gift from her uncle is a pair of Pulchra avum, bird-like creatures known to be fierce warriors, named Miranda and Beecher. These intelligent creatures are Jewel’s constant companions; they hide in her clothes to protect her.

            After the party, Jewel meets her best friend Ember in their secret hiding place in an ancient oak tree. Unbeknownst to either girl, it is a portal and Jewel, Beecher and Miranda disappear into the world of humans. Everything looks the same, yet different. The human world’s tree whispers to her, gives her the ability to speak the human language and tells her that the key thief is also in the human world. She also learns that only she can pass through this tree because of her special powers.

            Jewel meets Samantha, who takes her in and brings her to school where Ethan becomes her first love. Jewel feels responsible for finding the key, so this fact, and love for Ethan keep her from returning to her worried family and Ember. After a series of unusual events that include kidnapping, outrageous driving, danger to Beecher and Miranda, and, a father who beats his son, Jewel arrives back at the portal. 

            Will the portal be closed forever or will Jewel go back to save Ethan?

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Prologue

Chapter 1: Wing Dream

Chapter 2: Vault Visit

Chapter 3: Serious Crime

Chapter 4: Beetle’s Mother

Chapter 5: Cordelia’s Chamber

Chapter 6: Dinner Conversation

Chapter 7: Ember’s Note

Chapter 8: Rose’s Stories

Chapter 9: Birth Day

Chapter 10: Timber Truth

Chapter 11: Miranda, Beecher

Chapter 12: Ember’s Gift

Chapter 13: Private Moments

Chapter 14: Tree Meeting

Chapter 15: Malick’s World

Chapter 16: Jewel Through

Chapter 17: Ember Alone

Chapter 18: Martin’s Malick

Chapter 19: Samantha Saves

Chapter 20: Transylvania Name

Chapter 21: Ember’s Interview

Chapter 22: Sam’s Home

Chapter 23: Water Maiden

Chapter 24:  School Days

Chapter 25: School Pool

Chapter 26: King’s Library

Chapter 27: Written Destiny?

Chapter 28: Ember’s Walk

Chapter 29: Friday Night

Chapter 30: Michael’s Dream

Chapter 31: The Mall

Chapter 32: “The Vanishings”

Chapter 33: Jewel + Ethan

Chapter 34: The Party

Chapter 35: Ember, Disguised

Chapter 36: Blackout Revelation

Chapter 37: The Find

Chapter 38: The Truth

Chapter 39: Thor’s Report

Chapter 40: Power Bond

Chapter 41: Project Ethan

Chapter 42: Sally’s Son

Chapter 43: Queen’s Tears

Chapter 44: Evil Michael

Chapter 45: Beecher’s Thoughts

Chapter 46: Message Sent

Chapter 47: Morning After

Chapter 48: Visiting Ethan

Chapter 49: Further Investigation

Chapter 50: Slip Shine

Chapter 51: In Wait

Chapter 52: Phan’s Duty

Chapter 53: Take Off

Chapter 54: Ancient One

Chapter 55: Hemson, Pip

Chapter 56: After Shirt

Chapter 57: Lost Jewel

Chapter 58: Sam Alert

Chapter 59: Wise Welcome

Chapter 60: Between Us?

Chapter 61: Root Cellar

Chapter 62: Scribe Sandella

Chapter 63: Fairy Father

Chapter 64: Curiosity Control

Chapter 65: Artist’s Runes

Chapter 66: No Judgment

Chapter 67: Alarm Problem

Chapter 68: Wind Search

Chapter 69: Party Favors

Chapter 70: Pink String

Chapter 71: Pink Skin

Chapter 72: Realty Returns

Chapter 73: Buzz, Click

Chapter 74: Sealed Portal