Institute of Magic (Dragon's Gift: The Druid Book 1)

by Linsey Hall

  “Ana?” Hedy’s voice echoed out of the comms charm. “I see some activity in the northwest corner. Can’t say for certain what it is.”

  “Thanks, Hedy.” I turned left, having a vague instinct where the northwest corner was located. “Caro?”

  “On it.” She pulled out her phone and began to give directions.

  The atmosphere in the buggy was tense as we prowled through the alleys created by the shipping containers. They loomed tall overhead, blocking out what little light there was.

  “On your tail!” a voice sounded from my comms charm. “Coming up strong. Look out!”

  It was Jude. She must be above us, sitting on one of the cranes.

  I didn’t dare look back. “Hear that, guys?”

  “Aye,” Lachlan said.

  The sound of a low growl sounded, making my skin go cold. On the front platform, Bree turned around. All the blood rushed from her face.

  Ah, hell.

  I caved, glancing in the rearview mirror.

  I nearly screamed.

  12

  A massive monster ran behind us, gaining speed as it approached. Fangs the size of steak knives filled the beast’s mouth. It was shaped roughly like a mutant dog, but the similarities ended there. Scales covered the creature’s body, and its eyes burned like hellfire.

  “What is it?” Fear shivered in Caro’s voice.

  “No idea.” My heart thundered as the footsteps pounded behind us. “But we’re definitely in the right place, because he’s a guard dog if I ever saw one.”

  “Potion time,” Ali said.

  I divided my attention between the road ahead and the rearview mirror.

  Ali and Haris climbed onto the back platform, handing out potion bombs to Lachlan and Cade, who had sheathed their swords. The beast was only twenty feet off now. They hurled their bombs. The colorful glass spheres flew through the air and exploded against the beast’s hide.

  It stumbled, then righted itself, plowing after us. Its footfalls shook the ground. I could feel it, even through the buggy.

  “I knew I should have put spikes on the back of the buggy,” I muttered. Coated with ravener poison, they’d have paralyzed the beast.

  “Next time,” Bree said as she climbed onto my seat, then scrambled into the back. Rowan followed, her face pale but determined.

  My gaze darted between the road and the fight. The guys were hurling bombs, but the monster kept coming!

  Crap.

  I pressed on the gas, driving as fast as I dared through the narrow passages.

  “Turn left!” Caro said.

  “Hang on, guys!” I veered left, driving along the massive dock. A huge tanker was tied up next to us, looming ten stories overhead. The scent of dark magic rolled over me.

  We were on the right track.

  I swerved around a massive pile of ropes, sparing a second to glance back at my friends.

  The monster was so close that its face filled my rearview mirror. My friends were hurling potion bombs as fast as they could, but they clearly weren’t penetrating the hide of the massive beast.

  Then it happened, so quickly that I almost didn’t realize what was going on. Lachlan unsnapped his harness, then leapt off the back of the truck, right onto the monster’s head. He barely avoided its jaws, grabbing onto the horns and pulling himself onto the top of the creature’s skull.

  He wrapped his strong legs around its neck, then called his sword from the ether and plunged his blade into the back of the creature.

  Holy fates!

  I glanced forward just in time to see another huge pile of rope. I swerved, barely avoiding it, my heart thundering in my ears.

  “A little warning!” Bree cried.

  I looked back in the mirror in time to see the monster stumble and fall, the scent of dark magic exploding out from it. The reek of garbage made my eyes water.

  Lachlan jumped off the creature just as it exploded in a poof of black dust.

  I slowed the buggy briefly, giving him enough time to race back to it and jump on.

  My mind spun as my friends congratulated him.

  Lachlan had had no magic and no backup, and still he’d jumped right at the jaws of that great monster. If the beast had had quicker reflexes, it could have jumped up and bit him straight through the middle.

  “That’s one crazy guy.” Jude’s voice echoed through my comms charm.

  “No kidding. Any more of those beasts coming up?”

  “No, that’s the only one I saw. But you’re getting pretty close. I imagine they’ll have set up guards around the periphery, just in case—”

  A flash of movement flying through the air ahead made me lose track of Jude’s words. A figure leapt from the top of the barge and landed in front of the buggy with a thud.

  A demon, at least ten feet tall and built like a Mack Truck stood in front of us.

  “Crap!” Caro said. “I don’t have my magic, and I can’t throw to save my life.”

  And everyone else was in the back. “Grab the wheel!”

  She took it, and I scrambled onto the front platform and drew my blades from the ether. I hurled the first one, nailing the demon in the chest. No blood sprayed, and somehow, he kept standing.

  Then he started running, pounding toward me on massive feet. He wore heavy armor that glinted in the light of the moon. My blade stuck out of his chest, but he didn’t seem to feel it.

  He was twenty yards off and gaining.

  I threw another dagger, hitting him just under the throat. He stumbled, then threw out his hand. A blast of flame hurtled toward us.

  “Swerve!” I screamed, holding on.

  Caro jerked the wheel, and the buggy veered right. But it wasn’t far enough. I called upon the dregs of my magic, envisioning a shield. It sputtered to life, deflecting the worst of the flame. Then it died.

  But I was ready.

  I chucked another blade, hitting him square in the middle of the throat. He was so close to the buggy that the spraying blood hit me in the chest. Caro jerked the wheel again, barely avoiding running him over.

  “We have to be close!” Bree said.

  “There’s activity up ahead!” Jude’s voice sounded from my comms charm. “A lot of magic just lit up the night!”

  Rowan climbed onto the front platform with me, her dark hair whipping in the wind. I glanced back to see that Bree had taken the wheel, then turned to face whatever was coming.

  “Right!” Caro called.

  Bree turned, driving away from the dock. We weaved through towers of shipping containers. When demons began to jump off the towers, I knew we were close.

  I drew my dagger and threw, aiming for a demon in front of us. It sliced him through the eye, and bile rose in my throat. That was my weak spot. I hated an eye shot.

  My friends hurled daggers and potion bombs, taking out the demons who leapt down at us. One landed on the platform between Rowan and me. She was fast, stabbing it through the back, then grabbing it by the collar and heaving it over the side of the platform. The motion was practiced and smooth.

  “Holy fates, you’re fast!” I said.

  She looked at me, eyes bright. “I’ve been practicing.”

  I knew she’d been obsessed with weapons training lately—she’d been living without her magic for longer than me—but she was seriously badass.

  We took out a dozen more demons, then they stopped entirely. Up ahead, the piles of shipping containers stopped, too. It was like looking down a narrow alley that opened up to a large street. There was a clearing at the end, and it stank of dark magic. I breathed shallowly, nearly vomiting from the stench.

  Magic glowed from the clearing. “Jude, I think we’ve found it.”

  “I’m sending in backup.”

  Bree slowed the car to a prowl. I turned around, and Caro handed me one of the shields we’d loaded into the truck. Everyone else grabbed one, and I turned to face forward, bracing myself.

  “Backup will be there in two minutes,” Jud
e said. “But you’d better get in there. The magic is growing.”

  “On it.” Bree stepped on the gas.

  I braced myself against the stench.

  When the buggy rolled out into the clearing, I got my first good look at what we were up against.

  Eight mages stood in a circle, each guarded by two or three demons. They were facing the center of the clearing, where the rubble of an ancient site stood derelict. Fallen columns surrounded piles of stone. Magic radiated out from the place, old and powerful. The mages directed their magic at the ruins—trying to create a portal?

  I’d put money on it.

  This was why they were here. Something about the ruins made it possible to create the portal they needed.

  The women that I’d seen in the baths were here as well, guarded by a half dozen demons. One had a satchel over her shoulder. It glowed with power. I glanced back at Lachlan. His gaze was glued to it.

  “That’s the spell?” I asked.

  “Aye.”

  I turned to face them again. They’d all noticed us but hadn’t moved. Sweat rolled down the mages’ faces as they fed their magic to the ruins, frantically trying to create the portal. The demons guarding them crouched low, some drawing weapons. The others raised their hands to throw magic at us.

  “Evacuate!” I called.

  The buggy was too big a target, and we had no super shields. If they hit us with a huge fireball or lightning blast, we’d all be toast, and the mission would fail.

  Everyone bailed out of the buggy and rolled away just as a massive fireball plowed toward it. It smashed into the front of the truck, the heat blazing out to the side and singeing my skin. I sprinted away, cursing.

  The reinforced bumper and hood kept the buggy from exploding in a fireball, but the front looked seriously damaged.

  No time to worry about that.

  I scrambled upright and chose my target. Lachlan was already headed toward the two women with the spell. He ran like a man possessed, sure strides carrying him across the clearing. I darted after him, while my friends split up and headed for the mages.

  If we could take some of them out, they couldn’t make the portal, and the spell could never leave.

  Bree and Rowan joined me, their shields raised.

  We hadn’t even reached the line of demon guards before two of them hurled fireballs at us. I knelt and raised my metal and rubber shield, huddling behind it and wishing my magic were more reliable.

  The fireball smashed into my shield and sent me skidding back in the dirt. I barely stayed upright on my knees, though the rubber-like lining on the inside of the shield protected me from the heated metal.

  “Are you all right?” Bree cried.

  “Yeah!” As soon as the flame died, I peered around the shield and caught sight of a fire demon. His burnished red skin glowed with an unholy light.

  He was powering up his flame, which bought me a second.

  I hurled my dagger at him. He glanced up, his eyes widening, and flung out his hand, then jerked it to the side. The blade deflected at the last minute, flying left. It sliced him across the arm, then flew harmlessly away.

  “Fire and telekinesis.” That was bad news.

  Ahead of us, Lachlan slammed his shield against one of the mage’s heads. He’d gone the brute-force route and plowed straight through the fireballs, his insane strength keeping him on his feet.

  All around us, my friends fought the demons who guarded the mages. Ali and Haris fought in a team, as usual, while Caro was a whirlwind with her sword, platinum hair flying.

  Reinforcements arrived, joining them, but the demons were strong.

  I drew another dagger from the ether and hurled it at a pale blue demon who was about to throw an icicle toward Lachlan. It pierced the demon in the chest, and he staggered backward.

  “Incoming!” Rowan called.

  Another fireball flew my way, and I raised my shield again. The force of the blast nearly sent me off my feet. As soon as it dissipated, I got up and charged, drawing my sword from the ether.

  I couldn’t give him time to recoup his power. As I neared, his skin glowed brighter.

  Crap! He was almost powered up.

  He raised a hand to hurl a fireball, but I dived low, swiping out with my blade.

  I barely reached him, slicing a thin line across his shins. He howled, stumbling, and I jumped to my feet. He swung out with one big fist. I raised my shield, but I was too slow. He nailed me in the arm, and my grip slackened. The shield dropped to my feet.

  I ignored the pain as I swung my sword, aiming for his neck.

  He dodged, fast for such a big demon.

  I followed, stabbing with my blade. The steel sank into his side. He howled and tried to jerk backward, but his leg wounds made him awkward.

  I twisted the blade, then kicked him in the stomach, dislodging him from my sword.

  Bree and Rowan had each taken out a demon, and Lachlan had taken out two. There were still five more to go, though.

  All around, demons had fallen. Even some of my friends. But the mages were still working.

  Magic filled the air, dark and powerful. I stole a glance at the portal.

  It shimmered with a silver light, then a figure appeared. Panic flared in my chest, making my heart race.

  The figure was draped in a heavy, hooded cloak that seemed to absorb all light. Dark magic flowed out from it, sending a streak of cold fear right through my middle.

  Oh no.

  The demons who protected the two women charged us. Two collided with Bree and Rowan, and three of them leapt on Lachlan. One lunged for me, but I ducked, avoiding his blow.

  The two women sprinted by me, headed for the portal. I lunged, trying to grab the glowing satchel, but she was too far away.

  They raced toward an escape, taking the spell with them.

  Oh, hell no.

  I sprinted after them.

  They were fast, nearly to the portal. The cloaked figure waited for them, his impatience obvious from the way he shifted. I pushed myself, running as fast as I ever had. My lungs burned and my breath heaved.

  All around, the battle raged, but our side was losing.

  Desperately.

  The women leapt into the portal.

  Then all three disappeared.

  No!

  I was only feet away. So close.

  The portal still glowed.

  I leapt into it.

  This was the most dangerous thing I could do. Stupid, really. It was common knowledge that jumping into unknown portals was basically a death sentence.

  But we had no way to track the spell from here.

  Right before the ether sucked me in, I heard Rowan scream. “Ana! No!”

  Then the ether sucked me up and spun me around, carrying me on a wild ride through space. It was worse than normal, way more chaotic, and my stomach heaved.

  When it spit me out into a dark forest, my head whirled. I fought the nausea as I frantically scrambled toward a pile of boulders, seeking a hiding space.

  They didn’t know that I’d followed them.

  If they found out, I was dead.

  I huddled in a small space between two rocks, holding my breath as I took in my surroundings. Twisted old trees surrounded a ruined Roman temple in front of me. The portal had arrived right in the middle of the fallen column. Maybe they used the magic of the temple to make the mega portal? Probably.

  I squeezed my eyes shut and focused on my hearing, but I couldn’t hear the three who had gone before me—just the rustle of the leaves and the hooting of an owl. The night was dark, illuminated by just a sliver of the moon that revealed twisted old trees and a few boulders scattered here and there.

  The portal glowed with a faint gray light, and I waited.

  No one else came through, and it faded.

  I swallowed hard.

  Holy crap, I was alone.

  Adrenaline made my muscles tremble as I rose slowly, peeking over the tops of the boulders to
find my targets.

  I peered through the woods, finally catching sight of three figures walking toward the moon.

  “Ana! Where the hell are you?” Rowan’s voice sounded loud and clear.

  I slapped a hand over the comms charm and crouched down. “Shhhh!”

  “Damn it, Ana! It’s too dangerous.” Lachlan’s voice hissed out of the comms, but it was quiet, at least.

  “You can’t—” Bree’s voice was cut off by a scream, then a curse.

  Panic flared inside me—for Bree and myself. I touched the charm, killing the connection briefly. I popped up, peeking over the top of the boulder to see if the three figures had heard me.

  They kept walking, farther away. Thank fates.

  I ducked back down again and touched the charm. “Bree! Rowan!” I whispered.” Are you okay?”

  There was nothing.

  They always answered. Even if it was just to tell me to buzz off if they were busy.

  The fight must still be raging, and we’d been losing when I left.

  Fear like I’d never known froze my muscles. Not my sisters.

  I couldn’t lose my sisters.

  I sucked in a ragged breath. Get ahold of yourself.

  As quietly and quickly as I could, I left the shelter of the boulders and followed the three figures. I couldn’t lose this spell. Especially if the Protectorate lost this battle. Maybe I could even use it to save my sisters, somehow.

  I shook the thought away.

  They’d be okay. I wouldn’t need to save them.

  They were great fighters. Lachlan was a great fighter. And so were all my friends at the Protectorate. They would make it out. Then they could come find me. Bree and Rowan had the tracking charms that linked the three of us. We’d had them for years, a safety precaution due to our lifestyle.

  I ignored the fact that they didn’t always work and set off after my targets.

  As I hurried silently through the forest, I tried to take stock of my magic. It was inside me, faint as usual, but I had at least a little bit. I gave my targets a good lead, hanging back far enough that I hoped they couldn’t hear me. The trees and boulders provided some cover, but when we reached an open field, I faltered.

  Crap.

  There was no way to sneak across that.