Aerenden

Seventeen-year-old Meaghan has no idea her perfect life has been a lie - until she witnesses her parents' brutal murders at the hands of red-eyed creatures. After nearly sharing their fate, she escapes with her best friend, Nick, who tells her the creatures are called Mardroch. They come from another world, and so does she. Now that the Mardroch have found her, she must return to her homeland of Aerenden or face death.

Book 2 of the Ærenden series. Several months after Meaghan's return to Ærenden, the kingdom's war has taken a turn for the worse. The Mardroch army hunts the new King and Queen, destroying villages in its wake. And Meaghan and Nick, training for battle in their remote section of wilderness, are far from safe. Danger hides in shadows and behind innocent faces. Allies become foes. Each day is a fight to survive. But in the end, only one threat matters. And it's a threat they never see coming.

Separated and on opposite sides of the kingdom, Nick and Meaghan face different pursuits which could change the balance of power in Aerenden forever. While Nick trains the villagers to be soldiers, Meaghan and a small rescue party venture into Zeiihbu to find Faillen's young son, before Garon can use the boy's power to destroy those still fighting against his rule.