Adriane saw a sparkling orb dangling from the black wolf’s neck. It was Moonshadow.
The manticore writhed and struggled, pulling at the wolf with massive hands. It ripped the wolf free and threw him to the ground. The monster twisted to its knees and raised a giant fist, but Zach was much faster. He lunged forward, plunging the sword deep into the manticore’s side.
The monster screamed as green blood burst from the wound.
Wolf and boy stood side by side, watching the monster stagger to its feet, open its wings, and lift into the sky, trying to stem its lifeblood from spilling out into the sands.
Zach stepped forward, eager to finish the monster, but Moonshadow stopped him.
“Another time, brother,” the wolf said. “We must protect the others.”
Zach looked at his wolf brother, sheathed his sword, and gave a short nod. Together they ran toward Adriane and the animals and entered the cloud of mist.
“Move. Now!” Moonshadow commanded.
Once again, the group started walking into the desert.
Zach ran to Adriane’s side, his face full of concern. “Adriane, are you all right?”
“Yes.” She smiled. “You rescued me again.”
He smiled back, and his face blushed bright red. Then his eyes opened wide as he looked past her.
A wolf stepped forward from the group of animals. Silver Eyes.
Zach and Moonshadow started toward her at the same time, then the pack leader nodded his head, and the boy ran to embrace his wolf mother.
“I thought I’d never see you again,” he cried into her fur.
“And I, too, Little Wolf, my son.”
They raised their heads and looked to Moonshadow. The great black wolf stepped close and touched his nose to Silver Eyes’ cheek.
“My heart soars with happiness, my wolf mother.”
“As does mine, Moonshadow, my son.”
Adriane looked on happily, Storm on one side of her, Drake on the other.
Moonshadow and Zach, Silver Eyes between them, stepped forward to lead the group. Everyone followed, moving quickly between the dunes.
“How do we find our way?” Adriane asked.
“The gift from the Fairimentals will show us,” Moonshadow told her.
Adriane saw the sparkling lights of the orb that hung from the pack leader’s neck. He led the entire group into a shallow ravine beyond the far side of the dunes. The mist-covered group entered the hidden portal and vanished in a blinding white light.
“HOLD STILL!” ADRIANE said, tying a vine under the wolf’s chin. She adjusted the big, bright blue leaf in place atop Storm’s head.
“Why do I have to wear this silly thing?” the wolf complained.
“Because it’s a party. We all wear them.” She grinned at the thought of the lovely lavender leaf draped over her head at a rakish angle. Even Kara would be impressed by this Fairy Glen fashion statement.
Adriane and Storm sat together by the shores of the sparkling blue lake. It was a beautiful morning and Adriane felt clean and refreshed, having spent practically two hours scrubbing every inch of her body in the cool, clean waters.
“Storm…”
“Yes.”
“I was hurt when you left…” Glints of sunlight played across the crystal waters. “But I understand why you had to come here.” She gazed at her friend. “What the mistwolves can do here, helping the Fairimentals and everyone in Aldenmor, is so much more important than… well, what I’m trying to say is… ” She cast her eyes down and tried to be strong. “If you want to stay here, I want you to, also.”
Storm nudged Adriane’s cheek with her nose and licked the girl’s face. “Warrior,” the wolf said. “Thank you. Let us see what the pack decides.”
“Okay.” Adriane smiled. Grabbing an armful of leaves, she got to her feet. “Come on.”
The sun shone brightly through the trees as they walked down a path to a lush meadow.
Rainbow sparkles spiraled in the air. Adriane watched Drake open his beautiful red wings. They shimmered in colors. With a great flap, the dragon lifted himself off the ground for a few seconds, then crashed, playfully rolling in the heather. A moment later, he popped up again like a giant red kitten, trying to grab a gleefully singing breeze that hovered just out of reach. The Air Fairimental giggled as she danced around the dragon.
“Yeah! Stretch your wings. That’s it.” Zach circled, watching Drake intently. “That’s really good.”
The dragon hopped up and down excitedly and promptly rolled over on his back. Zach plopped down and rubbed his round belly. The dragon crooned happily, his big legs running in the air.
Adriane had her hand over her mouth, trying to hold back her laughter.
Zach looked up at her. “What? He likes his tummy rubbed.”
Adriane smiled. “You two were meant for each other, you know that?”
Zach smiled back. “He belches louder than I do.”
Adriane sighed as she and Storm walked over. “Here, put this on.” She carefully tied a big, floppy yellow leaf onto Zach’s head.
“Do I have to?”
“Yes!” She wagged a finger at him. “Don’t make me mad, now!”
Drake gazed hopefully at her with his big, puppy-dog eyes.
“One for you, too.” She tied a purple leaf between his horns.
A wet forked tongue licked her forehead.
She stepped back and admired the three of them, Storm, Zach, and Drake. “Perfect. C’mon, let’s go.”
As they headed down the path, Adriane moved up behind Zach and covered his eyes.
“Hey!”
“Shhh, it’s a surprise party.” She giggled.
Only when they entered Okawa’s meadow did she take her hands away.
Under the giant branches of the huge tree, all the animals had gathered. Cats, quiffles, pegasi, even two small wilderbeasts. They cheered as Zach stood, his mouth open in surprise. Ambia hovered next to Gwigg beside a wooden platform piled high with fruits, coconuts, and a tall layer cake that sparkled with tiny, sugary lights.
A pegasus pony with blue-and-white wings stepped forward. “It was the most daring rescue ever in the history of Aldenmor!” it exclaimed.
“This day will be remembered always,” a hamster-sized dog said.
“We will compose many songs for you, warrior,” a rubbery-beaked quiffle said to Adriane.
Adriane smiled. “Well, in the meantime, do you remember the one I taught you?”
“Sort of.”
“Okay, then, all together now… ” She raised her arms to conduct the animal chorus. They all sang as best they could, a cacophony of animal voices, hoots and neighs, growls and chirps, hollers and hums.
“Happy birth today you, happy you to birth, too, happy day haay, hey you hoot, happy birthday to you, too!”
The animals stopped and waited expectantly. Zach looked happily bemused.
Adriane clapped, laughing. “Wonderful!”
Cheers filled the meadow.
Zach bowed graciously. “Thank you, all.”
Adriane stood in front of him and held out a bright package wrapped in yellow and pink leaves.
“What’s that?” he asked.
“It’s your birthday present.”
“Say, how do you know it’s really my birthday?”
“Because I said so. Here, open it.”
Zach took the small package and studied it. He held it to his ear and shook it.
Adriane rolled her eyes.
He smiled and unwrapped the carefully folded leaves. His eyes widened as he took out a red stone. It was round and rough-edged, but the tiny, faceted crystals in the center flowed with red fire. “It’s… it’s… ”
“I found it in Drake’s egg. The Fairimentals confirmed it. It’s a dragon stone.”
“I can’t take this!” he whispered in wonder and sudden fear.
“Yes you can, Zach.” She put her hands on his and closed them over the dragon stone. It puls
ed with red light. At her wrist, the wolf stone sparkled in response. “Make it yours,” she smiled.
Zach broke out in a wide grin. He held the stone up high so everyone could see. “It’s a dragon stone!”
Everyone cheered.
“Tummy rubb!”
“Huh?” Zach stared at Drake in amazement. The dragon was lying on his back, gazing at Zach expectantly. “What did you say?”
“Tickle, Zaaakk!”
“Hey, I can hear him!” He grinned at Adriane. “This is the best present ever!”
She looked past him. “Zach…”
He turned around and saw Moonshadow and Silver Eyes standing with Ambia and Gwigg. He walked over to join them.
“You have a leaf on your head,” Moonshadow observed.
Zach blushed. “It’s my birthday.”
The black wolf cocked his head curiously.
“Happy birthday, son,” Silver Eyes said.
Adriane and Storm joined them.
Moonshadow lightly pawed the ground and then spoke. “It has been decided.” The black wolf’s keen eyes moved from the Fairimentals to the animals.
Everyone waited.
“With the safe return of our pack mother to guide us, we will put aside our differences. The mistwolves will stay and work with the Fairimentals.”
The animals gave a resounding cheer.
“What about Storm?” Adriane asked, her heart suddenly beating faster.
“The choice is hers.” Moonshadow’s gaze settled on Storm.
Storm stepped forward and addressed the wolves. “Since I was a pup I have dreamed of running with the pack. But the bond I made with my human packmate makes me who I am. My heart beats with hers.” The wolf stepped to Adriane’s side. “I belong with her.”
Joy filled Adriane’s heart.
“You are always welcome here, packmate,” Silver Eyes said to Storm, and then addressed Adriane. “As are you… wolf sister.”
Silver Eyes turned to Moonshadow. The black wolf pawed the ground then lifted his head to Adriane. “You honor us, warrior.”
Adriane smiled and bowed to the pack leader. “The honor is mine.”
“There is much to be done.” Ambia hovered by Adriane’s side. “You must continue your work with your friends. The magic web is full of mysteries and the search for Avalon must continue.”
“We will continue our work to protect Aldenmor,” Gwigg said. “Together.”
Moonshadow nodded at Zach. “My brother’s fight is my fight.”
“Good, then you’ll need this.” Zach quickly pulled a giant pink leaf hat over Moonshadow’s head.
The black wolf snarled, shaking his head. “I am not wearing that!”
“Oh, yes you are!”
The boy tussled with the wolf, trying to pull the hat onto his head.
“Oh, no, I am not!”
Moonshadow pulled the boy down and they rolled around in the grass, struggling with the leaf.
Silver Eyes watched with a twinkle in her eyes. “Boys, what can you do?”
“Adriane,” Ambia said, her fresh voice cool and breezy. “You have proved yourself far beyond what we could have hoped for.”
“Close your eyes and picture what you want most,” Gwigg rumbled.
Adriane closed her eyes.
A gust of wind blew across the meadow, filling it with soft, twinkly lights. The lights swirled into a glowing circle that expanded before them. Everyone gazed in wonder as a picture formed inside. It was a grassy field. Two girls, a large cat, and a small furry creature stood there waiting.
“Emily, Kara, Ozzie, Lyra!” Adriane called out, waving.
“Adriane!” Emily yelled, looking back through the portal.
“Gahhh! It’s the Fairy Glen!” Ozzie started hopping about excitedly.
Zach peered into the portal curiously.
“Who’s that?” Kara asked, tilting her blond head forward to get a better look.
“Are you all right?” Emily asked.
“Who is that?” Kara persisted.
“This is my friend, Zach,” Adriane said.
“Hello.”
“Helllooo,” Kara called out. “Nice souvenir, girl!”
Adriane turned to Zach. “You could come with me…” she said.
“No, I belong here. This is my home.” He hugged her. “Thank you, Adriane.”
“Hey, remember me?” Ozzie was jumping up and down.
“Ozymandius,” Ambia called to him. “The things you do for us do not go unnoticed.”
“Well, that’s nice, but I itch!”
Ambia fluttered over Adriane. “Adriane, what is it you most desire?”
With one hand on Storm, she turned to her friends at Ravenswood. “I just want to go home.”
Together, Adriane and Storm stepped through the portal and went over the rainbow.
Dragons are an ancient, winged reptilian race known and feared for their size, physical prowess, and powerful magic. Fast and sleek, there are few creatures that can keep up with a dragon in flight. Dragons usually only associate with other dragons, but the lucky mage that bonds with one finds exceptional empathic understanding and fierce loyalty.
Drake is a rare red crystal dragon (crystal refers to the Dragonstone jewel that formed from his shell). Imprinted on Adriane and bonded to Zach, Drake shares the love of two humans making his magic particularly powerful.
Half-lion, half-eagle, griffins are ferocious avian carnivores. Though not as fast or sleek as other flyers, a griffin’s muscled lion’s body allows exceptional endurance and stamina for long distances. Keen eagle eyesight and sense of smell make griffins excellent trackers. Griffins are brave and very loyal to those mages lucky enough to bond with one.
Diminutive members of the Demon class, imps are formed by twisted, electrical magical currents that hold their oily jet black forms together. If injured, they can re-form themselves or merge together into larger forms. Imps have no individual thought, they act as a unit and follow one group prerogative.
Winged medium size member of the Demon class, gargoyles are vicious monster predators. Unlike imps, gargoyles are cunning and ruthless hunters, using their terrifying and nightmarish looks to their advantage.
EMILY TRIED TO explain how important this was. “The whole magic web is at stake,” she told them, her voice thick with tension and fear. “Lorelei is supposed to protect the web. If she can’t repair it quickly, it’s going to keep falling apart!”
“But going into the portal—it’s too dangerous,” Ozzie said.
“I’m going through!” Emily said defiantly.
“How will we find Lorelei even if we do go through?” Kara asked.
“I can find her,” Emily stated. “I have to.”
Ghyll stepped forward. “I am a fairy creature, a magic tracker. If we go right now, I can help find the unicorn on the web.”
“I don’t know,” Ozzie said. “It sounds risky.”
“I went through once before,” Adriane reminded the others. “My wolfstone protected me.”
“What will happen to the web, to Aldenmor and the Fairimentals, if we don’t help Lorelei?” Emily asked. “We have to decide now!”
She glanced at the portal. In a few moments it would be gone.
“One jumps, we all jump!” Adriane announced.
“Why I listen to you two is beyond me,” Kara said.
“Storm, you and Lyra stay here and take care of the others,” Adriane ordered.
“I will contact you if I do not hear from you,” Storm told her.
“Hold onto me,” Gyhll said.
The three girls grabbed hold of Ghyll as he took a mighty hop.
“Wait for me!” Ozzie yelled.
Emily reached out. Ozzie leaped and grabbed hold as they jumped through the misty veil and fell into the portal.
The flobbin drifted in space. Kara, Emily, Adriane, and Ozzie floated alongside. They seemed to be encased in a gold-and-blue bubble. The amber glow of the wolf stone an
d the blue-green glow of the rainbow jewel filled the bubble. Outside, streaks of light swept by as the bubble flew across an endless ribbon of stars.
Ghyll was concentrating on the rows of blazing lights that flew towards them. “To the left,” he called.
Adriane and Emily shifted their stones to the left, and the bubble turned, careening into a connecting path of starlight.
Emily’s eyes were wide with astonishment. Long, wide swaths of glowing light, like highways, spiraled and stretched, searing past them at enormous speed.
“Right!” Ghyll ordered.
The girls shifted their stones, banking the bubble right, where it soared onto another streaming path, flying out over the vast web.
“This is amazing!” Emily exclaimed.
“I remember actually riding on the strands of the web,” Kara said, referring to her wild unicorn ride. “But this is intense!”
“Are we there yet?” Ozzie covered his eyes as the bubble dipped, then dropped down a vertical well of looping strands, spinning upside down and jumping forward once again. “GarG!” The ferret was jolted into the air. “Doesn’t this thing come with seatbelts?”
“Hurry, Ghyll,” Emily cried.
“I can only track the unicorn,” said the flobbin. “You can increase the speed with your magic.”
“Hold on!” Kara touched her fingers to each of the jewels, and the bubble shot forward like a rocket.
“Ahhhh!” Ozzie cried out.
The bubble sped across the web like a shooting star, arcing towards an intersection of pathways. A wide platform of light floated where the highways met.
“There!” Ghyll called out.
“Where? Which one?” Adriane asked.
“All of them.” He pointed.
Emily and Adriane moved their jewels, and the bubble slid into an approaching pathway. Bouncing slightly, they came to a halt on the edge of the platform. The bubble flared and disappeared.
Splashes of light danced behind Emily’s eyes, inside her head. Music filled the air—bright, brilliant, enormous, as if the universe itself were singing.
Cry of the Wolf (Avalon: Web of Magic #3) Page 12