by Julie Sykes
“I bet you’re right, Matilda!” Freya said excitedly. “And you know what? I think she’s been in here since I was last here! Those jars of herbs on the shelves were full before, but now they’re more than half empty. And those are new.” Freya marched over to the desk and pointed to some wiggly black marks scorched into the surface. “There was only one scorch mark before. I’m sure of it.”
Ariana squeaked. “And look at that, everyone!” She pointed to a faint diamond-patterned footprint in the dust by the fireplace. “It’s the same as the footprints we found down in the tunnels!”
“The cloaked figure must have been using this room,” said Rosa in excitement.
“Wait!” Violet didn’t like disagreeing with her friends, but she’d had an important thought. “What about the spells the teachers put on the entrances to the tunnels? The cloaked figure shouldn’t be able to use them to come up here anymore.”
There was a moment’s silence as they all thought about it.
“True—” Freya began.
“Unless,” interrupted Rosa. “The cloaked figure is someone who’s part of the school, so the spells don’t work on her!”
“A teacher?” breathed Matilda.
“But we’ve already said none of the teachers’ unicorns look like Prancer,” Violet pointed out.
“So, maybe it’s a student?” Freya gasped. “Quite a few of the students’ unicorns have golden manes. Golden Briar does – Valentina’s unicorn.”
“I don’t know,” said Rosa. “But I think we need to do some serious investigating.”
“I think what we need to do is tell Ms Nettles what we’ve found,” said Ariana.
“Me too,” said Violet.
“Not yet,” said Rosa quickly. “I think we should wait and see if we can find out anything more.”
“I’m with Rosa,” said Matilda, her eyes shining. “Let’s try to solve the mystery ourselves. Freya, you agree with us, don’t you?”
Freya hesitated, but then nodded. “I guess so. If we all stick together, we should be safe. We may be able to find out more than the teachers, because the cloaked figure won’t be expecting us to be looking for her.”
“It’ll be fun,” Rosa declared. “Come on, Violet. You know you want to solve the mystery!”
Ariana glanced at Violet as if to say, if you don’t give in, then I won’t either. Violet felt torn. She wanted to tell Ms Nettles, but she didn’t want to upset the others or make them cross with her. Sending Ariana an apologetic smile, Violet caved in.
“OK,” she said reluctantly.
“Yay!” Rosa shot Ariana a triumphant grin. “That’s four against one.”
Ariana sighed. “All right then, we don’t tell Ms Nettles yet. But we have to be really careful.”
“We will be!” Rosa promised her.
As they all fist-bumped, the pencil that Matilda usually carried behind her ear fell to the ground and rolled under the desk. Crouching down to pick it up, she frowned. “What’s this?” She held up a scrap of silvery-grey fabric with burnt edges.
“It’s just an old piece of material,” said Freya, examining it.
“It might be a clue,” said Violet, peering over Freya’s shoulder. The fabric was shimmery and very soft.
The sound of a bell ringing faintly in the distance made them all jump.
“It’s dinner time,” said Ariana. “We’d better go downstairs.”
Rosa grinned. “Then after dinner we can think of a plan. We’re going to solve this mystery – I just know we are!”
“Planning time!” announced Rosa happily, when they all gathered in Diamond Dorm after dinner.
Violet longed to stay, but she had to keep her promise to Twinkle. “I’m sorry, but I’ve got to go to the stables.”
“Why?” Matilda asked.
“Twinkle wants us to spend time together – he thinks it might help us bond,” she explained.
Her friends nodded. “Then you should go,” said Freya.
“Definitely,” said Matilda.
Violet put on her coat and gloves and slipped out of the dorm. It was very cold outside. Her feet crunched on the frosty grass. Glancing up at the sky, she hoped it wouldn’t snow.
There was a rustle in some nearby bushes. A shiver ran down her spine. What if the cloaked figure was also out in the garden? Feeling uneasy, she broke into a run and sprinted to the stable block. It was a relief to dive inside. As she stood breathing in the sweet smell of hay and letting her heart slow down, she heard a murmur of voices from Twinkle’s stall. Who was he talking to? Violet went closer and listened.
“Try not to worry about it,” Daffodil was saying in a kindly voice. “You will find your magic soon and bond with Violet, I know it.”
Violet smiled at Daffodil’s words of encouragement. The little unicorn was just like Ms Willow, so kind.
“It’s hard not to worry,” Twinkle admitted. “I don’t want to let Violet down, Daffodil.”
Violet felt a rush of surprise. She hadn’t thought Twinkle worried about things like that.
“You won’t let her down,” said Daffodil. “You’ll bond soon and then you’ll be together forever.”
Violet caught a note of wistfulness in her voice but Twinkle didn’t seem to notice.
“I wish I could do something to make it happen.”
“This starlight ride is an excellent idea. The more time you spend together the better,” said Daffodil. “Have fun. You only get one special partner, Twinkle. Make the most of her.” She left his stall and went slowly back to her own. Violet watched her with a frown. Daffodil looked upset. But why?
She waited until Daffodil went into her stall and then she stepped out of the shadows, pretending that she’d just arrived. “Hi, Twinkle. What’s been happening?”
“Nothing much,” said Twinkle quickly.
Violet was a little surprised that he didn’t mention his talk with Daffodil.
“Let’s get going,” he said. “It’s a cold night. It might even snow!”
They left the stable and rode over to the stream at the bottom of the meadow, where they stopped and watched the dark water flowing by. The starlight made the water glitter. In a nearby tree, an owl hooted softly. Twinkle sighed happily. “I love night-time, when the stars are shining,” he said. “It makes me feel all tingly. Do you like it too?”
“Oh, yes,” agreed Violet.
It was lovely being there with Twinkle in the starlight, but she could feel the cold seeping into her fingers and toes despite her thick gloves and socks. She also kept thinking about his conversation with Daffodil. Why hadn’t he mentioned it?
“Twinkle…”
“You’re shivering!”
They had spoken at the same time.
“You first,” said Violet.
“I can feel you’re cold,” he said, sounding concerned. “Put your hands in my mane to warm up.”
Violet sunk her hands into Twinkle’s long mane and immediately felt warmer, both inside and out. “That’s better,” she said, gazing up at the sparkling sky.
“Look, a shooting star!” said Twinkle. “Make a wish, Violet!”
They both watched the star arching over them.
“Do you think we wished the same thing?” Twinkle asked.
Violet smiled. “I think we might have done.”
“Now, what were you going to say?” asked Twinkle.
Violet had wanted to ask about Daffodil’s visit, but she didn’t feel like spoiling the special moment. “It was nothing important. This is so nice – just being here with you. The two of us together.”
Twinkle stamped a hoof. “It really is, but even I’m getting cold now.”
A pink spark caught Violet’s eye. Had that just flown up from Twinkle’s hoof? Hope bubbled inside her as she breathed in a faint scent of burnt sugar – the smell of magic. “Twinkle, did you see that?”
“See what?” he asked.
Violet hesitated. The spark had vanished now and she didn’t
want to get his hopes up just in case she’d imagined it. “Nothing. Should we walk on a little way and try to warm up?”
“Cantering will do that better than walking!” said Twinkle.
They cantered on, leaving the meadow behind them and entering the copse of trees beyond it. A chill wind picked up and Violet pulled her hood over her head, grateful for its softness and warmth. She stroked Twinkle’s neck and let him pick his way through the trees, slowing to watch a family of storm raccoons frolicking in a clearing. Violet was enjoying herself so much that she hardly noticed the first few flakes of snow. It was only when they came out of the trees that she realised it was snowing quite heavily. “It’s a blizzard, Twinkle!” It was falling so thickly, she couldn’t even see the school.
“Should we go back?” Twinkle asked.
Violet shivered as the flakes landed on her coat. “I think we’d better.”
Twinkle set off into the snow storm. The flakes swirled heavily, covering them both with a cold white layer. Anxiety spiralled through Violet. What if they got lost? What if they froze out here? She squeaked, her hands clutching at Twinkle’s neck as he stumbled over a stone.
“Don’t worry, Violet. We’re going to be fine. I’ll look after you, I promise,” declared Twinkle, stamping his feet as he strode through the snow.
Violet felt her panic start to fade and a feeling of confidence fill her. Nothing bad was going to happen, not when Twinkle was with her. She sat up a bit taller and blinked. Weird. It was still snowing, only not on them any more. It was almost like they had a huge umbrella overhead, protecting them. Violet caught a whiff of burnt sugar, and Twinkle gave a surprised snort. “What’s going on?” she said. “Twinkle–”
She broke off as a flurry of snowflakes landed on her head, making her gasp out loud. She must have imagined it. Snowflakes were certainly landing on her again now! But, she realised, she could see the lights of the school ahead. “We’re almost back, Twinkle!” she said in relief.
“I’ll have us back safe and sound in no time at all,” he said, breaking into a canter.
“Where are you going? This isn’t the way to the stables,” Violet said, as Twinkle veered away from the stable block and headed towards the school.
“I’m going to take you back first.” Twinkle cantered up to the academy and stopped at the door. “You go in and get warm.”
“No,” said Violet, through chattering teeth. “Take me back to the stables so I can brush the snow from your coat. You’ll catch a chill if you sleep when you’re wet.”
Twinkle chuckled. “I’ll be fine. I’ll roll in my straw bed to get dry. Now stop arguing or I’ll carry you all the way up to your dorm!”
“Twinkle!” Violet groaned, but she had to admit that for once she didn’t mind him taking control. “Are you sure?”
“Absolutely,” he said. “You mean everything to me, Violet. Keeping you safe is the most important thing in the world.”
“Really?” Violet slid from his back and threw her arms round him.
Twinkle let her hug him for once. “Yes, really,” he said, nuzzling her. “Now go!”
“But how will I know you get back safely?” she said anxiously. “That’s just as important to me.”
“Watch me from inside, and don’t worry, I’ll be back in my warm stable in two shakes of a unicorn’s tail.”
Violet kissed him. “All right then. Night, Twinkle.”
She ran inside and watched from a window as he cantered back to the stable block. The starlight ride had been far more adventurous than she had expected! Suddenly she remembered the pink spark she’d seen when they’d been standing in the meadow, looking at the stars – she was sure she had seen it. Had that been a hint that Twinkle’s magic was going to appear soon? Feeling a flutter of excitement and hope, she ran upstairs to the dorm.
Violet’s friends were all very relieved to see her. “We’ve been worried about you,” said Ariana, hurrying over. “We thought you might be lost in the snow.”
“We were, but Twinkle was amazing.” Violet sat on her bed and pulled her thick duvet around her. She told the others how Twinkle had brought them safely back through the snow. She decided not to tell them about the pink spark, just in case she’d imagined it.
Matilda hugged her. “Well, I’m very glad you’re back.”
Violet smiled. Her friends were the best!
“So, do you want to hear what we’ve decided to do about the cloaked figure?” said Rosa, her eyes shining. She jumped on to Violet’s bed. “Tomorrow night, we’re going to sneak into the teachers’ quarters and spy on them!”
Matilda grinned, but Freya frowned. “I really don’t think it’s a good idea.”
“Freya and Ariana have said they won’t come, but you will, won’t you, Violet?” said Rosa.
“Um…”
“Pleeeeeeease!” said Matilda.
Violet really didn’t want to. “Well…”
“We won’t take no for an answer,” said Rosa firmly.
“Oh, all right then,” said Violet, giving in. Rosa and Matilda beamed.
“Awesome! So, tomorrow night, our spying mission begins!” Rosa declared.
Violet was tired the next day. In the Healing with Herbs lesson, grumpy Ms Bramble shouted at her twice for yawning. Violet was extremely relieved when Ms Bramble ended the lesson early and sent them for lunch. After a warming bowl of soup with hot crusty bread, Violet and the other Diamond dorm girls went to the stables to visit their unicorns. Shouts of laughter greeted them across the yard. They hurried inside and found Miki, Himmat and the boys from Topaz dorm pretending to duel with hockey sticks.
“What’s going on?” asked Rosa.
“Jake’s fighting us! We tricked him. He’s never played unicorn hockey before so we told him the sticks were used to pull riders from their unicorns.” Miki could hardly speak for laughing.
Himmat doubled over. “And once you’d caught a rider, you used the stick to hook him up by his hoodie on a fence post.”
“I knew you were joking,” said Jake, waving his hockey stick.
“Did not!” yelled Miki and Himmat.
Rosa burst out laughing too. “That’s mean. Genius, but still mean!”
“We know!”
When everyone had eventually calmed down, Freya said, “Honey loves unicorn hockey. Who’s up for a game in the snow, Diamond dorm against Topaz?”
“I’m in,” said Ariana. “I’m hopeless at hockey, but Whisper loves anything like that.”
Twinkle looked out of his stable. “Hockey’s boring,” he said loudly.
Violet cringed at his rudeness, but Himmat just grinned. “Oh, hockey’s boring, is it? Obviously you’ve never played with us. Am I right, Miki?”
“Yeah,” said Miki. “No one gets bored the way we play! Come on, Violet. You’ll join in, won’t you?” He went to hand Violet a hockey stick, but Twinkle stepped out of the stable and stood in his way.
“Violet doesn’t want to play hockey.”
“Wow, Violet! You said that without even moving your mouth,” joked Miki. He wiggled a hockey stick at her, trying to pass it around Twinkle. “Go on, give it a try!”
“I… Um… Well…” Violet’s cheeks burned as everyone turned to look at her. She really wanted to play, but she didn’t want to fall out with Twinkle, especially after their closeness last night.
“Violet?” said Himmat.
Violet didn’t know what to do. “Sorry,” she gasped suddenly. “I’ve got a headache. I’m going back to the dorm.” She hurried away, sure that everyone would guess she was just chickening out of making a choice. Why couldn’t Twinkle just ask what she wanted to do for a change? Once she was outside the stables, she ran all the way to the academy. She yanked the door open and almost bumped into Isla, who was on her way out.
“Whoops! Sorry!” said Isla. She frowned. “Hey, are you OK, Violet? Has someone upset you?”
“I’m fine,” muttered Violet.
Isla looked
doubtful. “You don’t look fine.” She pulled Violet inside and over to a large window seat. “What’s up?”
Isla sounded so sincere that Violet couldn’t stop herself. She found herself blurting out what had happened and once she’d started, she couldn’t stop. Soon Isla knew all about her worries and concerns about Twinkle. “I don’t think he means to be rude,” Violet finished. “But I can’t help thinking that we’ll never bond if he doesn’t listen to me or think about what I want.”
Isla gave Violet’s arm a sympathetic squeeze. “Twinkle hasn’t always been this bad, has he?” she said thoughtfully.
“He’s the last unicorn in your dorm not to have found his magic or bonded. I bet he’s worried and that’s why he’s bossier than normal. Maybe you should try talking to him about what you want when he starts making decisions for both of you.”
Violet squirmed. “He’ll get upset. I’d rather just not say anything and make him happy.”
“But that isn’t making you happy,” Isla pointed out.
Violet swallowed and voiced her biggest fear. “Oh, Isla, what if we don’t ever bond?”
“Of course you will! I haven’t bonded with Buttercup yet, either, but it’ll happen. Remember what Ms Rosemary said in the lesson? It’s very rare for a rider and unicorn not to bond.” Isla took Violet’s hand. “We’ve got to keep believing that.”
Violet nodded and the two girls shared a hopeful smile.
To Violet’s relief, when everyone returned from unicorn hockey, rosy-cheeked and chattering happily, they didn’t mention the scene in the stables with Twinkle. “So, tonight!” Rosa said, bouncing up to Violet. “We’ll start snooping after dinner. OK?”
“OK,” said Violet reluctantly.
“You don’t have to go, Violet,” said Ariana. “You can stay with me and Freya.”