C.J. Milbrandt

“The smaller girl hid her eyes with her hands, and Ewan smiled. Did she think that would make her invisible?”

“Have a little faith in your sons. This journey will be the making of them.”

“Ganix didn't need to make friends. Everyone was a friend!”

“With a slow wink, he set the book in Tamaqua’s hands. “One of my favorites.”

“Your name isn't Sniffles?" Ewan pretended to be surprised.”

“Zane was pretty sure that worries and bossing were related, like a pair of old aunties.”

“Oh. Sure. It makes perfect sense. Zane is a wolf because his father is an eagle.”

“They say that to live in the Wilds, you have to be half-wild yourself. Or at least very brave. And Zane is both.”

“Nightmares and secrets. Ewan wished he knew what had happened to these girls before he found them.”

“Excavating miracles was his calling.”

“Every day, they gave him new reasons to smile, laugh, worry, and wonder.”

“Zane sighed. Jovan and Mother were just the same. “Maybe later” meant no.”

“Don’t worry, Miss Brielle. To be honest, the ones with a little bit of crazy have always been my favorite.”

“We'll make the trip a race, and I'll get there first.”

“Face it, friends. For this journey, roads are optional.”

“Let your boys test their wings. They may not be eagles, but that doesn't mean they shouldn't soar free.”

“They were daughters of the sky. Luck belonged to them— never bad, often good, sometimes hard.”

“You know, I don’t think your brother dislikes you as much as you think. After all, he gave up a kingdom to stay with his family.”

“Do you mean that Zane is some kind of bird magnet?”

“Nice try, mister, but being cute won't save you.”