SYDLYNN HAYLE IS BACK in an all-new series! Enters the Phoenix A burst of fire blazed in the corner of my eye, jerking me around toward the back door. I barely remembered moving, feet flying over the hardwood, hands slamming against the glass and throwing it open, hurtling out into the dew-wet grass. Fire climbed from a curled up ball of humanity, near the edge of the hedge row leading to the park on the other side of our property. I staggered to a halt, power reflexively tightening around me, ready to attack, when the figure unbent, half sitting, half lying on the ground, her face turned up toward me. “RUN!” Her scream pierced me to my soul, froze my magic in place before it could harm her. Flames burned her, devoured her, dark hair and eyes on fire, but she managed to stagger to her feet, eyes pure gold as she gestured toward me. “Sydlynn Hayle, if you love your family, run and don’t look back!” Things have never been better for Sydlynn Hayle and her family, living out their lives in Wilding Springs, Pennsylvania. Her battles and struggles have come to a halt, her two young children happy and well-adjusted, marriage to her beloved Quaid all she could ever ask for. But when a woman of flame appears to her and warns her of impending danger, Syd understands at last the quiet she’s enjoyed has all been a smoke screen, hiding the truth. Her old enemies have returned to destroy her and everything her family has fought for, with repercussions that could threaten the very Universe. So much for happily ever after.

Shadow Council Dagney Rhodes pushed her blonde hair behind one ear, round cheeks pink with a flush of emotion. “We know discord is the last thing we need right now.” At least someone understood it. We had to work together, to trust each other. Our separate ways, the privacy witches clung to, the secrecy, had to stop. At least, to the point we could go to each other with problems and ask for help without losing face. “But our numbers are so reduced.” The Rhodes coven had once been over two hundred witches, now down to just over twenty. I knew personally. I saved them from the Brotherhood the same day their beloved leader, Violet, was killed. “And we are helpless if the Brotherhood returns to finish us off.” “We’re proposing a second layer of connection,” Karyn Barrett said. “A shadow council to watchdog the NAWC. And we want you to lead it.” It’s been six weeks since the near-destruction of North American witches, six weeks since the Brotherhood stripped the territory of its Council magic. Nervous times are only intensified as the other paranormal races begin their own power struggles, drawing Syd and her friends into a seemingly endless spiral of complications. Add to that her frustrating search for the next piece of Creator, and Syd has her hands full. Too bad she’s about to discover not everyone she trusts has earned her faith…

Brothers in Mischief “We’re working on a plan to track Belaisle.” Apollo said. “But we still haven’t hammered out all the details.” “Please,” I said, “at least tell me you’ll read me in before you run off and get yourself killed.” Apollo grinned. “Oh, Syd,” he said. “I knew you cared. Don’t worry, princess. Your knight in shining armor will make it all better.” I laughed out loud and punched his arm. He winced, rubbing the spot. “I mean it.” I jabbed a finger at Owen. “You, too. I’m counting on you to keep Mr. Mysterious here from making a mess.” Owen saluted. “Aye, aye, captain.” Boys. Unable to track the pieces of Creator without the assistance of her son, Gabriel, and the gates he’s able to open to the veil, Syd instead uses every resource to discover how the Brotherhood leader, Liander Belaisle, is tracking her. When her friend, Charlotte, approaches Syd about the wereking and his enduring hatred for all vampires, Syd uncovers a dangerous alliance that could mean the disastrous exposure of all paranormals to humankind.

The Times They Are A-Changin' _"My people," Mom said, rich voice vibrating with emotion, "as your chosen Council Leader, I propose a vast and sweeping change to the way we care for each other. That we embrace all covens, all voices. That we rule, not by the dictates of a few, but with the voices of many." She rose to her feet, arms wide as though to embrace everyone in the room. I felt the soft, kind touch of her power and fed it with my own, the light, sweet caress of each and every witch in the room joining mine until Mom glowed like a pale, blue star. "From this day forward," she said, "this Council is comprised of all coven leaders of all duly registered covens in this territory. And every coven, small or large, shall have an equal vote. So mote it be."_ Cautious optimism is the rule of the day as paranormals come together as never before. But, Syd's worry about her missing friend, Femke, and the constant strain on her family over her absence makes it hard for her to appreciate what's going on around her. When the drach are successful in their plan to capture an old enemy, Syd's hope for a quick resolution to the recreation of Creator's statue is shattered by the realization change is—and always will be—inevitable.

Unwelcome Fate The air of the chamber whispered behind me and an accustomed power touched mine. Anger rose against her as I felt my jaw tighten on its own in response to her arrival. The last time I’d seen her she’d betrayed me. I didn’t get up, didn’t even look at her as Fate waited for my attention. “Zoe,” I said, voice rough. “I was wondering when you’d show up.” Syd’s back home and it’s business as usual as she, her son and the drach leader do their best to track down the rest of Creator’s statue before it’s too late. But, when Max reveals to Syd doing so might not be in the Universe’s best interest after all, she’s confronted with a choice: quit now or become the Doombringer everyone believes she is. Like she has a choice. The only problem? In order to proceed with her task she must finally face the terror that haunts her—Dark Brother and his powerful army.

Last Ride We soar into the barest crack that remains, the bellow of my companion the trigger for the power bursting from us, the sword over my head erupting into a massive outward explosion of white sorcery that devours everything. I revel in it even as I accept my true destiny. Doombringer. Light One. Wild Card of Creator. Peace engulfs me while we die in the crushing press of the violent clash of their magic and ours. Syd’s had to say goodbye to her beloved sweets, giving him up to be the new Creator. Depression weighs on her, the fact no one else seems to remember him. And the combination of the two Universes has changed history enough she struggles with memories that only she carries. Her family’s worries about her only make things worse. But, when Oliver comes to her and shares his fears that things aren’t over, she hunts for the final threat, knowing, as she does, her success means the end of everything.