by Sarah Noffke
“Manx!” Azure scolded, picking up the bird, who morphed into a giant black dog, whom she dropped. She fell backward and landed hard on her injured arm as Manx bounded off barking.
“He never gets tired of that joke,” Ever said, helping Azure up.
“The page, though. Is it…” Azure stood to find Gillian holding the page in the air. It was free from any punctures.
The gnome smoothed his stubby hand over the page after laying it back down. “The pooka is indeed correct, which is why the original founder vampires stole the pages and scattered them. They couldn’t destroy the book, but they could keep the relevant information from those who wanted to end vampirism.”
Gran, who looked more refreshed than she had in the last ten years, strode over smiling broadly. She spread her arms wide. “Oh, my dear Azure. When all this is yours, I’m moving in with you.”
“Azure’s?” Gillian asked. Reynolds and Laurel had just joined them, and were grabbing various breakfast foods from bowls.
Gran wrapped an arm around Azure’s shoulder and squeezed her. It wasn’t just a rare thing for Gran to do but awkward, since she was a head taller than the old woman. “The queen of Virgo will be the next protector of the Howling Willow. Won’t you, my dear?”
Gillian startled to a standing position, lost his balance on the bench where he stood and toppled over. Reynolds dropped his blueberry muffin onto his plate, of which it bounced and rolled to the ground to join Gillian. Manx, in dog form, darted after it, and Laurel let out a sudden shriek that sounded like a muffled meow.
From the ground, Gillian emerged, his hands and head peeking up around the bench. “Please, Queen Mother, don’t make such jokes.”
Gran laughed. “I’d never joke about such a thing. I knew it since the first time you had that dream, my child. I told your mother then that it was a sign you were on the list.”
“You knew,” Azure said in disbelief.
“She knows everything, apparently,” Reynolds said, picking up another muffin.
“This makes you the most powerful witch on all of Oriceran,” Laurel said, her paws on her face.
“Not yet it doesn’t,” Azure stated. “Right now we have a vampire problem which could ruin all magic if we don’t stop it.”
“That was why Mage Lenore had Myrtle give you the necklace,” Ever said in a hushed voice.
Azure turned to him. “You’re right—that makes more sense now.”
“Speaking of the crazy old loon, where is she?” Monet asked, looking around.
“She’s delivering wands,” Azure stated. “She said I could harvest before taking the position formally, but not deliver the wands since I’m not fused enough with the power to know which one goes to which person.”
Gran pointed at the table, conjuring a magnum of champagne. “Glory be to Merlin! This is the best day of my life.” The old witch bounced over and filled a champagne flute—which she also conjured—to the brim before drinking it merrily.
Azure wanted to laugh, but the weight of her new role and how it would affect her life weighed too much on her. Instead she turned to Gillian, who was regarding her like she was the Howling Willow itself. “You said you needed more pages, is that right?”
He seemed to wake from his daze and brought his eyes to the page from the Book of the Dead. “Yes, that’s right. This cuts off at a crucial part, so it really doesn’t give me much to work with.”
Gran and Monet were already on their second glass of champagne and were giggling like clowns. “We can make her enchant the house to be a rollercoaster! We’ll ride it continuously, and I’ll bet you puke first,” Gran said.
“Game on, old woman,” Monet replied, taking another sip before belching loudly.
“Focus, people. Vampires. Book of the Dead. We need more pages,” Azure snapped at the pair.
Gran swiveled her gaze to Azure and smiled. “No problem. I’ll go to New Egypt and find them.”
“Sari!” Reynolds said, shocked.
“What?” Gran hiccupped. “We need more pages. Someone needs to find them. Azure has her hands full going to Lancothy to get bats…oh, and being the new protector of the Howling Willow!” She caroled the last part gleefully.
“But there are vampires in New Egypt. I can’t risk you getting bitten,” Reynolds argued.
“Too bad,” Gran said, draining her glass. “What’s life without a bit of danger?”
“This is too dangerous!” Reynolds insisted.
Gran set down her glass and stuck her fists on her hips. “If Azure is willing to give up her life to protect the biggest source of magic on Oriceran, I think I can muster enough courage to enter New Egypt and hunt for some dusty old pages.” Gran turned around, seeking Gillian. “Will you accompany me—if you’re not too scared?”
Gillian straightened, his face falling into a neutral expression. “Absolutely. That’s the job that needs to be done, and I think I know exactly where to look first, based on where this one was found.”
Gran nodded curtly before turning around. “There you go. We’re going to New Egypt. Now, Reynolds, you came on this expedition to protect me. Are you going to stay on your mission, or are you a coward who only came to pursue me without any risks?”
The color drained from Reynolds’ face, and he looked around the group. Everyone’s eyes were on him. “I-I-I-I’m here to protect you, no matter the risks. Pursuit is a secondary goal…if I prove myself worthy of such a thing.”
CHAPTER TWELVE
After Gran and the others left Azure had fewer distractions. She found it difficult to not look directly at Ever. From his tentative glances she guessed that he sensed she felt awkward. She was certain he didn’t know what she’d discovered about his feelings. Azure also assumed he’d been trying to find the right way to confess them, but when had there been time between saving Virgo and stopping vampires?
The door to Mage Lenore’s house slammed shut and the witch herself leaned against it, exhaustion making her face long.
“Mage Lenore, are you all right?” Azure hurried over and grabbed the old woman’s arm, sensing she was having a hard time holding herself up.
She looked up at Azure, her eyes brimming with stress. “That was my last harvest. This old body just can’t do it again. Just the deliveries nearly took me out!”
Ever arrived on the other side of Mage Lenore and helped Azure lead her over to the table, but before they could lower her into a seat she turned abruptly to Azure, waving them off.
“I’m fine. I’m fine, but we’re running out of time,” Mage Lenore said, her voice growing squeaky like that of a young child. “I get an extension on the nights I deliver wands, but soon I’ll change to my youngest form and then I won’t have access to my magic.”
“Access to your magic? Why do you need that?” Azure asked.
“You need to get to Lancothy, don’t you? And you’re running out of time.” Mage Lenore pulled her wand from her traveling robe and began swirling it.
“Wait, you haven’t answered any of my questions yet!” Azure said, holding up her hands.
Mage Lenore paused, a slight smile lighting her ancient face. Centuries of wisdom made the depths of her eyes feel endless. “I warned you how this was going to go.”
Monet, who had polished off a plate of bacon, wiped his mouth and rose from the table. “I was paying attention. You’re not answering any of our questions, and leaving us frustrated and completely unsatisfied.”
Mage Lenore turned to Monet. “Son of Zander Torrance, you’re just as astute as your father.”
Monet trotted over and draped his arm around Mage Lenore’s shoulder. “And you know that because he’s your cousin?”
Mage Lenore patted Monet on the cheek. “Wouldn’t you like to know.”
“But you are full of information and short on time. I know your game,” Monet said, looking at Azure. “Ready to blow this taco stand?”
Azure shook her head. “Mage Lenore, the vampires… Do you know how we
can eradicate them?”
Mage Lenore’s gaze fell on the ruby hanging from Azure’s neck. “I gave you a necklace that protects you from the virus. That’s all I can offer you. Your search for a cure is a part of your journey. Giving you that information would deprive you of the opportunity to find it on your own.”
Manx, who had eaten the centerpieces on the breakfast table while in goat form, hopped off and trotted over. “You’re a frustrating old witch.”
Mage Lenore peered affectionately down at the pooka. “Why, thank you very much!”
Laurel, with Finswick in her arms and Blisters trailing behind her, joined the group. “So we’re leaving now?”
“That you are,” Mage Lenore answered, swirling her wand and giving Azure one last look. “I’ll be seeing you very soon, Queen Azure, for the very last time.”
Azure choked on her tears as she fell into a spiral of wind and colors and the New Spanish street vanished.
~~~
The group found themselves on a green hill in the same positions they had been in at Mage Lenore’s house.
The carriage, Oak, and the dragons were beside them. The dragons tossed their heads, disoriented. “What happened? Where are we?” Oak asked.
Monet laughed. “Lancothy. Mage Lenore decided to send us using a relocating spell. Don’t eat any heavy carbs for eight hours, and it’s normal if your feet swell slightly.”
Azure turned to Monet. “I thought only members of the Torrance family could relocate.”
“It appears that Mage Lenore can make others relocate as well. And honestly, I don’t know if it’s just those from the Torrance family or what since that sneaky witch won’t tell me,” Monet said, turning in a circle to take in the land of Lancothy. It was his first time in the kingdom, and the awe on his face accurately expressed how incredible the scenery truly was.
“Far out,” Blisters said, leaning into Monet like he was having trouble standing upright.
Lancothy was located inside a mountain that the wereanimals who populated it had carved it out. Sunlight slipped through gaps in the mountain and from the giant hole at the top. Rolling hills spread across the vast land, which was dotted with cottages, farms, a city center, and a castle.
Azure spun around, getting her bearings. They were on the outskirts, just beside the exit through the mountain. A ladder led to the cave that took visitors in and out of the kingdom. That was where the bats would be found, according to Azure’s last visit. She was grateful Mage Lenore had put them directly into the kingdom so they didn’t have to brave the bats.
“Are we safe out here in the open?” Ever asked, on high alert.
“Yes, Gran cleared it with the Lancothy officials,” Azure explained. “She set it up under the pretense of the royal tour I was on before this vamp mess started.”
“Lorde still won’t like it,” Laurel warned, referring to the thug who had tried to kill Azure and Ever the last time they were here. “You need to be extra-careful. That werebear doesn’t play by the rules, and he might have been successful at overthrowing the government since I left.”
Laurel’s eyes skirted nervously over the city in the distance, and her claws slid in and out several times.
“Are you all right?” Azure asked.
“Yes,” Laurel said at once. “I mean no. Actually, I’m fine—it’s just that being back here in my homeland is strange.”
“Not to mention that you left without permission, and pretty much look like a deserter to a population of wereanimals who don’t like the outside world,” Monet said coolly.
“You’re rather tactless,” Azure said, reproving her best friend with a single look.
“Undeniably, I am,” Monet admitted. “And we could stand around not getting anything done or we could be straight with each other, which will make everything easier.”
“Okay, fine,” Azure said. “Laurel, you don’t have to go to the city center with us. Actually, it would be best if you, Manx, and Blisters went after the bats. Would you, please? It’s really too dangerous for Monet or Ever to be around them.”
Laurel nodded, looking relieved not to have to go to the city where judging eyes would dwell on her. “Yes, we’ll get them for you.”
“Good, and be sure to get inside before nightfall. Gran rented one of those cottages over there for us to stay in.” Azure pointed to a cluster of stone buildings on a hill in the distance. She turned to the group gathered around her. “That warning goes for everyone. We must all be inside before sunset.”
“The dragons hunt at night,” Oak said.
“Not in Lancothy they don’t,” Azure said. “Werewolves own the night here.”
Oak scoffed at this, leaning down to run his large hand over the head of one of his dragons. “Werewolves make a fantastic meal.”
“You can’t harm the werewolves,” Laurel explained. “The land of Lancothy was cursed long ago when my people shut us inside this mountain to get away from the world. The werewolves get the night, and if we harm them the mountain destroys itself.”
“Hmmm, well, then I guess we can be flexible,” Oak said, standing back from the dragons. He pointed to the sky that was visible through the hole in the top of the mountain and spoke in a strange language. Three of the dragons threw their heads up and unfolded their wings, then took off, soaring up to the top of the mountain.
“Why didn’t that one go?” Monet asked.
Oak looked down at the majestic dragon. “Micky says she wants to stay with the queen.”
Monet looked at Azure and from the corner of his mouth he said loudly, “I didn’t hear Micky say a damn thing.”
Azure didn’t know what to think about the dragon wanting to remain with her. That seemed strange. She’d kept her distance from the dragons so far, not that she wasn’t curious about them.
“What do you want us to do with the bats?” Laurel asked.
“Just find them and protect them the best you can,” Azure ordered. “I’m going to meet with the officials about putting guards on the caves. That would be the best option.”
“Mademoiselle,” Oak interrupted. “I must ask that you accompany me to the castle.”
“What? Why?” Azure asked.
“You want a weredragon scale. Well, I’m here to help you obtain it,” Oak replied.
“But you said you could get it and I couldn’t,” Azure said, confused. Shouldn’t she be working on finding the way to bottle the emotion of true love for Oak instead of accompanying him on his mission for her?”
“I did say that, but although the weredragons will give me a scale, they will know it’s not for me. I assume they will want to meet the person I’m giving the scale to,” Oak continued, “and I suspect there will be other benefits to your accompanying me.”
Monet leaned close to Azure. “Don’t you just love the mystery in his voice?”
In fact Azure didn’t appreciate that Oak, like Mage Lenore, was up to something but not being honest about it. Finally she nodded though, and turned to Monet and Ever. “Will you two go as diplomats and meet with the officials? We need them to set up fulltime guards on the bats.”
Ever agreed at once with a nod.
“And don’t,” Azure began, her eyes pinned on Monet. “I repeat, don’t insult any of the wereanimals. No name-calling.”
Monet’s shoulders dropped a bit. “You ruin everything.”
Azure turned to the group, scanning their faces. “Okay, we all have our missions. Stay safe, and we’ll meet at the cottage before sunset.”
Everyone nodded before moving off in different directions.
CHAPTER THIRTEEN
The zombie stood in the shadows of the cliff watching the group as they split up. He could smell his target. For miles he’d trekked across Oriceran, drawn to the person. The drive to get to her and bite her was all he could feel. Anyone who got in his way would be destroyed.
The zombie clawed at his skin, unable to control the nervous rage inside. It had exploded many times during
the journey, and he had left dead in his wake. Soon his mission would be complete so he could once again rest.
The target was walking in the direction of a castle, flanked by a man and a dragon.
~~~
“Do you want to tell me what this is about?” Azure asked Oak.
The wizard lit his long pipe as they walked. She was very interested in the dragon casually striding beside her. The Baltic Long-tooth dragons weren’t large when their wings were folded into their bodies—about the size of a pony—but definitely bigger than Blisters, who was more the size of a large poodle.
The ragged breathing of the dragon was loud, sounding like sandpaper rubbing on a surface. Her horn-studded tail gracefully swung behind her. She looked up at Azure, blinking her yellow eyes impassively.
Oak didn’t reply to Azure’s question, and she kept talking. “I really should be the one to meet with the Lancothy officials. They are expecting me, so I’m not sure how they will respond to Monet and Ever. We’re not wholeheartedly welcomed here.”
Laurel had told Azure when they had first met that the wereanimals thought the people of Oriceran held great prejudice against them. That was why the elders had built their kingdom inside of the mountain of Lancothy. They stayed away from the prejudice, afraid of the outside world. Lorde, the leader of a rebel group, wanted to fight the prejudice, retaliating against the world outside the mountain for perceived abuses. It was an extremely sensitive area, and one that Azure desperately wanted to help with.
“I suspect that Ever and Monet, whose advice you trust and whose protection you value, will do fine handling the officials,” Oak said, taking a long pull on the pipe.
The dragon kept looking over her shoulder at the cliff and cave in the distance.
“I do trust them, but I’m not sure why you insisted I accompany you. I’d prefer total honesty. Why did you say that Micky wanted to stay with me?” Azure asked.
Oak halted, swinging around to face the direction of the cave, his eyes narrowed. “You can’t see it, but Micky smells a beast. It’s stalking you, and Monet and Ever would not be successful in protecting you from it, I’m afraid.”