Megan trudged out of the house to get the others. She was exhausted. They had traveled almost nonstop for two days to get back to Creon then they had spent an entire day gathering Wayminders who would be willing to help them. Apparently, trying to open an experimental gateway wasn't high on people's bucket lists.

Warren basically had to carry Kendra into the house. They were all tired. It was late. Seth drug his feet the whole way. He didn't make it any farther than the couch before he collapsed and fell asleep.

"I guess that settles, who'll be sleeping on the couch." A cheery middle-aged woman with grey-streaked hair chuckled. "The rest of you can follow me."

Warren got his own room while Megan and Kendra had to share one.

"Get some rest." The woman urged. "We have a big day tomorrow."

Megan dropped face down onto one of the beds. She had barely pulled herself all the way onto the mattress before she drifted off to sleep.
                                      <>
Megan woke with the Sun. She sat by the window and leaned on the sill.

One of three Suns was cresting the tree tops. The morning dew wetted the grass and trees and made the air chill and damp.

"Good morning." Kendra's voice startled Megan and she turned.

Her body relaxed. "You're up early."

Kendra sat on the edge of her bed beside Megan. "So are you."

She shrugged. "I was never a deep sleeper. Too many near-death experiences I guess."

"Yeah." Kendra agreed sadly.

Megan sighed. "I'd say you're too young to be caught up in all of this, but I was younger."

"Really?" Kendra perked up with interest.

Megan nodded. "Yeah. I was about 12 or 13 when I went on my first mission. I was inducted into the Knights of the Dawn a year later. But, even before that, I grew up knowing about the magic in our world... and it's dangers." She stared out at the landscape, tinged orange by the rising Suns.

They sat in silence for a moment, watching the gorgeous sunrise.

Kendra finally broke the quiet atmosphere. "Why didn't Seth and I meet you when we first went to Fablehaven?"

Megan stared at the floor. "Because I wasn't there. I was trying to find a cure for Warren." She heaved a long breath. "That's all I was doing since it happened... until I ended up here."

"Did you ever find anything?" Kendra prodded.

Megan shook her head. "Just dead ends."

Warren opened the door with a creak. "They're ready for us."