“We should have,” Adriane said firmly. “And we should have been there for you.”
“It’s our fault,” Kara said.
Emily looked away. It wasn’t like she hadn’t heard it all before.
Adriane and Kara exchanged a worried glance. Their friend was lost in her own world of grief and guilt. It seemed as if nothing could reach Emily.
“I know what it feels like to lose a bonded,” Adriane began.
“I didn’t lose a bonded, okay? I killed my best friend!” Emily wailed, cutting her off.
Chastised, Adriane and Kara sat quietly.
“You heard what the sorceress said,” Emily continued coldly. “The prophecy is a dark prophecy. One mage always goes dark, and I’m the winner of this reality show.”
“You’re not dark anymore,” Kara reminded her.
“Don’t you get it?” Emily demanded. “I killed Ozzie. That darkness is inside me! It will never go away.” Tears streaked down her cheeks. “Ever!”
Adriane smiled sadly. “What do you think Ozzie would want you to do?”
“Well, I can’t very well ask him, can I?” Emily retorted.
Emily stared at Adriane and Kara for a long time. The breeze lifted her curls, framing her stony eyes. In the distance, children were playing, birds were chirping, dogs were barking. Life seemed so normal. She wished she could go back and forget everything. Just be normal again.
“Do you know what it feels like to be a dark mage?” Emily asked carefully.
Kara took a breath, but Adriane silenced her with a glance.
“It feels… good.” Emily shocked her friends. “It’s like being cut off from all emotion. You don’t have to feel anything. No pain, no sadness—I only cared about getting more magic.”
Kara understood that too well. “All I wanted was magic.”
“We all did,” Adriane admitted. “The dark crystals affected all of us.”
“So what happens next time?” Emily asked grimly. “What if I kill someone else that I love? What if Phel isn’t around to help me?” She rushed on before the others could interrupt. “You know I’m right. I’ll become everything we’ve been fighting against. I’ll be just like the Spider Witch and the Dark Sorceress. And next time you’ll have no choice but to—”
She stared hard at her friends. “The prophecy came true. I am the dark mage.”
“No! You still have a choice,” Adriane insisted.
“You’re right,” Emily said decisively. “There is one thing I can do. I won’t ever use magic again.”
“How can you say that?” Kara gasped.
“The only way not to be the dark mage is not to be a mage at all.”
“You still have the magic, even if you don’t use it.” Adriane pointed at the green and blue heart-shaped gem on Emily’s wrist. “You are the healer.”
Emily shook her head. “If I go dark again, I won’t care anymore that I killed Ozzie. Not caring would be so much worse. It would mean I would truly lose Ozzie forever… even his memory.”
Tears shone in Kara and Adriane’s eyes.
“It’s up to you two now.” Emily swallowed hard. “This quest is over for me.”
IT WAS ALL unraveling right before her eyes.
Spiders flung themselves at the tapestry, driven mad by the scent of rage radiating from their mistress. Remnants of the giant weaving hung by thick silken ropes in the enormous stone chamber. The details were perfect, every strand a pipeline that would have carried magic wherever the Spider Witch commanded—until the Dark Sorceress had shut the Gates of Avalon and released her shadow army.
The web could not hold magic while the sorceress’s shadow creatures were loose. They devoured everything the healer mage and her dark unicorns had put in place. And without Avalon, the witch did not have enough magic to complete her masterpiece.
Her insect eyes roved wildly along the weaving, until she found a bright spot of green and blue.
The healer had taken the unicorns to Ravenswood. And for a few explosive moments, the girl had gathered up the magic of the preserve, sending its power to the Spider Witch. But just as suddenly, her beautiful spell, woven tight around the healer, had been ripped away. Something, or someone, had unraveled it, stealing the healer from her grasp.
Years of work spinning the perfect trap, and it had all slipped right through her fingers at the last moment.
Anger surged through her. It was always the Dark Sorceress who ruined everything. If not for her, Sylvan would never have become the Spider Witch. They could have entered Avalon long ago, together with Lucinda, and none of this would have happened. They had worked for years to build the key to Avalon, creating the power crystals with the help of Henry Gardener. Together they had stood at the Gates of Avalon with their bonded animals, ready to discover what lay inside the mysterious home of magic.
The Dark Sorceress had betrayed them all.
The witch’s bony hands clenched into fists. Her sharp nails dug into her palms. As if any pain would cut as deeply as the loss of the blazing star.
She remembered Lucinda’s coronation in the Fairy Realms. Lucinda was the youngest ever to get the honor, made even more incredible by the fact she was a halfling, half fairy, half human. Many in the realms protested, but she won them all over with her pure heart and golden magic.
Sylvan swore her allegiance to the Fairy Queen. Lucinda instantly trusted Sylvan. The shining queen never doubted for an instant that Sylvan was the healer mage needed to complete the quest for Avalon.
But now Lucinda was dead, killed in the explosion that had transformed Sylvan into a spidery monster. Sylvan had tried to protect Lucinda, absorbing the dark magic. But she had not been strong enough.
It was better that way. Sylvan could never bear to see the beautiful Fairy Queen so horribly mutated.
Lucinda’s death had killed Sylvan’s last glimmer of hope. She never had a true friend before, and she’d loved Lucinda like a sister.
Everything would have been different if Lucinda’s real sister had felt the same way.
Miranda had always tried to come between Sylvan and Lucinda, insisting the only way to be powerful was to be a dark mage. Sylvan had never believed that, until the magic of Avalon had turned her into the Spider Witch. Then she was alone, filled with a dark magic that twisted her healing powers beyond recognition. Since that day there had only been one path for her. Only Avalon’s magic could free her from the prison of her mutated body. She had come so close, tasting once more the incredible power beyond the Gates of Avalon. But it was all happening just as it had before.
Now she was backed into a corner, trapped in her own web, outsmarted once again by Miranda.
Spiders swarmed over their mistress, sensing her distress. The skittering sounds of their legs calmed her. She focused on the center of the tapestry: Avalon. Instead of her own aura filling the home of all magic, it gleamed with the glowing green and black power of the Dark Sorceress.
Suddenly, dark clouds erupted along the weaving, a storm of creatures headed directly for her lair.
In minutes the army of shadow creatures would be on her.
The Spider Witch’s legs scratched the stone floor as she scuttled back. Without the dark mage to do her bidding, the sorceress would have need of her old friend. The witch could not stand the thought of helping her enemy, but her survival depended on it. Perhaps the sorceress would give her enough magic to complete her transformation. And even if she did not, resisting Miranda had done Sylvan no good before; it would be madness to try now. Whatever the Dark Sorceress’s plans, the Spider Witch had no choice but to acquiesce.
SHE BASKED IN the glorious magic. Red, yellow, orange, and green fairy dust swirled through a clearing of wildflowers.
Her sister, Lucinda, had told her to come here, promising to give her something that would enhance her magic tenfold. Lucinda was the blazing star. She knew all about enhancing magic. If she had something, Miranda was eager to get it.
Lucinda appeared in the glade like
a vision, magnificent golden magic emanating from her slender figure. One year younger than Miranda, yet she was the Fairy Queen, adored by all who laid eyes on this extraordinary young mage. Why should she have been chosen to lead the Fairy Kingdoms? Because she was always more beautiful, more powerful than Miranda, just by the magic of her blazing star goodness. No matter what Miranda did, Lucinda had always eclipsed her without even trying. A second figure trailed after Lucinda, the healer mage. Envy dug at Miranda as she saw the look of adoration Sylvan cast toward the blazing star.
Lucinda smiled, excitement making her blue eyes even brighter. “I know how you long to bond with an animal, sister.”
Miranda nodded. She lacked the connection her sister had with animals. It was her greatest wish to experience the real magic only a true bonded could provide.
Lucinda’s delicate hand reflexively touched her unicorn jewel. “I searched the magic web, and Sylvan agrees, this is the right match.”
“You will make great magic, warrior,” the healer murmured shyly. “Together you will be complete.”
Lucinda gestured, and a large black cat padded from the forest.
Deep green eyes shone from the panther’s face, powerful muscles gleamed under lustrous black fur.
“My name is Faylinn,” the cat spoke.
Miranda gasped, she had never seen a creature so incredibly beautiful. The sound of Faylinn’s voice was an echo of her own. They were like two hearts living in separate worlds. Until this moment.
She knelt to touch her forehead to her bonded. The emerald on her bracelet blossomed with light as the large cat’s wings spread in a deep purple fan.
Colors melted around her as the chirping songs of birds warped to a mournful dirge—
They stood in the ancient circle of the island, the Gates of Avalon before them.
The mages were about to complete their quest.
Nine jewels of amazing power floated in a circle.
Lucinda stood on her left, unicorn jewel of the blazing star radiant upon her necklace. Sylvan took position on Miranda’s right, pearly blue healing jewel glowing on her silver ring.
Lucinda’s luminous light pricked at Miranda’s eyes. Lucinda, pure of heart, worthy of Avalon’s magic, basking in the adoration of the blond boy standing behind them. Miranda’s heart wrenched as Lucinda reached for his hand. Henry Gardener’s kind blue eyes would never look at the blazing star’s less beautiful sister.
No matter. They would all serve her.
She had learned that the Prophecy of Three was really a Prophecy of One. It existed for one purpose only: to create the dark mage who would rule Avalon. Her journey down the dark path would begin here, now.
None of them suspected a thing; not Lucinda, not Henry, not even clever Sylvan. Least of all Faylinn. Miranda had learned long ago how to hide her true feelings.
Clenching her fist, Miranda released a torrent of deep red fire into the nine crystals as she tore open the portal to Avalon. Her bonded saw what she was doing and jumped to stop her.
Without remorse, Miranda fired.
The look in Faylinn’s confused eyes ripped through the warrior. Cries of betrayal echoed across the circle, washed away like tears in the rain.
A cold steel cloak locked over her heart and she felt nothing. In that moment, Miranda was no more.
Avalon’s dark magic exploded from the portal as Miranda turned on her sister, ensnaring Lucinda in a gleaming cage. The shining one who had everything would now see what it felt like to live in the shadows. The full force of Avalon’s dark power crashed into Sylvan. The healer fell to the ground, screaming as her body twisted and changed.
Miranda’s blood-red lips parted as she hissed through gleaming vampire teeth. Silver nails sliced through her mutating skin to form dagger claws.
And then in an instant, the nine crystals vanished, along with the portal to Avalon.
She had been shut out, her bonded destroyed by her own hand. Her love for the animals had been twisted into a cold and brutal need for magic, a hunger that could never be sated.
Now she was doomed to wander alone, craving more magic to complete the transformation only half finished. Nothing mattered now, not friends, not animals—
Streaks of red, green, and black lashed away the nightmare images. Her eyes flew open, snapping the Dark Sorceress back to the present.
Power raged through her. She would never have to worry about animals again. They were good for one thing and one thing only: magic. And she would have it all.
She knew the mages would return to stop her.
Let them try. They were no match for her.
Her sister may have been the Fairy Queen, but now Miranda had become the Dark Queen of Avalon.
“IT’S THE END of the world!” Heather wailed.
“The worst thing ever!” Tiffany and Molly, right behind her, echoed.
Kara’s three friends stood on the Great Lawn behind Ravenswood Manor watching dozens of teens dart around with decorations, equipment, hammers, and lights, preparing for the big Junior High graduation dance.
Kara had even convinced her older brother, Kyle, to bring his crew over to help. Marcus had just unfurled a giant banner in front of the makeshift stage, a wooden platform extending from the rear of the manor house. The twenty-foot banner read “Good Bye Graduating Class!”
Ducking a whizzing Frisbee, Kara marched toward her distraught friends, pink clipboard in hand. “What’s the matter now?” she asked briskly.
“Yeah, what’s wrong with it?” Marcus asked, frowning.
Molly scowled at the banner. “Where are we going?”
“Are we dead?” Tiffany challenged.
“It’s supposed to say ‘Good Luck’, not ‘Good Bye!’” Heather huffed.
“Well…” Kara tapped her finger to her chin. “You can add ‘Good Luck’ underneath.”
“And that lettering is supposed to be magenta, not fuchsia!” Molly griped. “It’s all ruined!”
“Chill, everyone,” Kara instructed. “The streamers and balloons still match and the lighter color will show up better at night anyway.”
“That’s true,” Molly agreed.
Kara, relieved, smiled at her friends. At least they weren’t angry with her anymore. Getting them involved in the dance prep was a great way to make up some time with her BFF’s. They’d been annoyed with her ever since she had to ditch them at the mall.
“How did everyone in Stonehill suddenly get on the Graduation Party Committee, anyway?” Tiffany demanded.
“’Cause it’s scheduled as a school project.” Marcus rolled up the banner just as Adriane and her crew marched across the stage, unwinding a large spool of cable.
“A little to the left,” the warrior instructed.
“Dude, your other left,” Joey told Adam.
“Those are crooked!” The blazing party planner pointed at her brother, perched high above on a ladder.
Kyle and a few other boys were stringing paper lantern lights from the Rose Gardens to the back of the manor near the edge of the stage. The lights circled the lawn, which would double as the dance floor.
“We spent two hours on those!” Kyle shot back, descending the ladder. “You want to change them, climb that ladder yourself.”
“Have you seen my shoes?” Kara stuck out her slick-soled silver sandals. “I don’t think so!” She checked her clipboard and walked onto the stage. “Okay, next…”
Several boys struggled behind her with a tall podium and microphone.
“We have to put the podium…” Kara consulted her detailed diagram, her finger hovering in the air “…right there.”
She pointed exactly where Adriane, Joey, and Adam were setting up a heavy table.
The two groups collided, sending the spool of cable rolling across the lawn.
“Hey! Watch where we’re going!” Adam complained.
Kara sauntered over. “This spot’s taken.”
“Yeah, by this.” Adriane set the table dow
n with a thud.
“This is where the podium goes for our speeches.” Molly stepped forward, arms crossed.
Tiffany studied Kara’s pink clipboard. “There’s no big, ugly table in the diagram.”
“The control panel for the concert lights has to go here.” Adriane gestured behind her. “This is the only outlet with enough wattage for the band.”
“Yeah, and we have to plug in your 150 strands of lights somewhere,” Joey added.
“175,” Kara corrected him. “And move that table.”
“It stays where it is,” Adriane insisted.
“Okay, Miss House and Gargoyle, just where am I supposed to put the punch bowl?” Kara demanded, waving her diagram.
“You really want to know?”
“Hey, Emily!” Joey waved at the red haired girl skirting the edge of the crowd.
She held a huge stack of leather-bound volumes, and her backpack was bursting with several more. She tried to keep on walking but was blocked by a barrage of kids.
“Emily, don’t you think the punch bowl should go here?” Kara called out.
“Tell them, Emily. This is the only place the lighting board can go,” Adriane retorted, holding her ground.
“And what about the banner?” Molly asked. “Magenta or fuchsia?”
“What do you think, Em?”
Everyone looked at her, waiting.
Emily shrugged. “Whatever, I’m not going to the dance anyway. I’m just returning these to the library.” She tried to skulk away but bumped right into Heather.
“You know,” Heather began, “I had three gerbils, a turtle, and six goldfish. I know what it’s like to lose a pet.” The auburn haired girl broke out in big tears.
Emily took a step back. “Um, yeah. Upsetting.”
“I stopped getting pets altogether.” Heather sniffled, then checked her nails. “Every time you dress them up, they die.”
Kara took Heather’s arm. “Heather, that’s very nice, but could you, like, go be sad over there?”
“All this fuss over a ferret,” Tiffany said.
Kara held up her finger. “Enough!”
“You get our emails?” Adriane asked Emily, leaving the guys to finish the wiring.
Full Circle (Avalon: Web of Magic #12) Page 3