“If you get into trouble, find the nearest mirror,” Tasha advised.
“Shouldn’t be a problem for Kara, but what about us?” Adriane asked sarcastically.
Tweek twirled around happily. “I’m programmed with MapQuest. Tasha and I will guide you.”
“Okay, I guess we’re ready,” Emily said. “Get whatever supplies you need and meet at the Ravenswood portal in thirty minutes.”
“Everybody ready to save the universe?” Kara asked, holding her hand out.
Adriane hesitated, then placed her hand on top of Kara’s.
Mages, goblin, and assorted magical beings extended hands, paws, wings and twigs, knowing the fate of the magic web and Avalon now depended on them.
THE ENCHANTED SKY glowed fire red as the teenagers stood within the ancient circle, their bonded animals beside them. Nine glittering crystals spun in a wash of color, binding together like pieces of a puzzle. In their center, a brilliant portal shimmered, its jewel-like surface reflecting only hints of what lay waiting on the other side.
Dark mist coiled from the portal like curling snakes ready to strike.
But this was not the familiar magic they had used to become powerful mages. She had suspected it for some time now. Avalon would only open for one who could use the twisted power within—and she was ready to become the dark mage.
The warrior stepped forward, gem on her wrist blazing.
“What are you doing?” the blazing star demanded.
“Taking what’s mine.” The warrior raised her hands as the dark magic swirled around her.
Through the haze, a vision of hope appeared—her bonded animal, fiercely determined to save her. “This is not the way. If you need magic, take mine.”
“I was planning to.” Sickly green shot from her black jewel and wrapped around the creature.
In the blink of her bonded’s shocked eyes, the dark mage did the unthinkable. In a single moment all was gone, all they had been, all they would become, wiped clean, as cold and empty as her heart.
“Why are you doing this?” the blazing star cried, horror reflected in her eyes.
“It is the only way for me now.”
Before the others could stop her, the dark mage unleashed the power of Avalon.
The healer screamed as the magic ripped through her body. Even as she changed, mutated beyond recognition, her twisted fingers tried to weave the warped magic.
Desperate to save the other animals, the blazing star struck the warrior head on as chosen fought against chosen. But she was no match for the terrible power of the dark mage.
Blinding lights exploded as the crystals flew apart, tearing across the sky in jagged streaks of lightning. The Gates of Avalon vanished like a ghost.
The dark mage stood transfixed. Their quest had failed, but she had completed her path. To become a dark mage, she had committed the ultimate act of betrayal—she had killed a bonded animal.
And in the aftermath of destruction, what remained were nine crystals, forever tainted, gleaming with dark power.
Oily water sloshed over the seeing pool and onto the marble floor. The Dark Sorceress gasped and stepped back. For a fleeting moment, she had seen her old friends. They had been the chosen ones—mages destined to save Avalon. She had been the warrior, her sister Lucinda, the blazing star, and Silvan, the healer. But the Dark Sorceress had betrayed them all.
The images reflected in her slitted green eyes warped and vanished. Metallic nails glinted as the sorceress ran a hand through her silver, lightning-streaked hair. That had not been what she wished to see.
She had been trying to pierce the dreamcatcher guarding the portal in Ravenswood to locate the blazing star. Instead, her own hated memories had come alive in the seeing pool. How naïve they had all been to believe they could just walk right in and claim what they desired most: Avalon, the home of all magic.
Only she had possessed the foresight to recognize the real power of Avalon. Power she had coveted for so long now. It seemed like an eternity.
She passed her hand over the seeing pool, stilling the rippling waters. Once a simple exercise, using the pool had become exhausting. Constructing her new lair, maintaining its protective shield, controlling her servants—it was all taking a heavy toll. Unless she secured the magic of Avalon, she would not survive. Worse, she would never complete her transformation to the next level of magic.
The haunting visions were proof the time was at hand. The quest for the magic of Avalon was nearing completion.
This time she would be ready.
Striding from the scrying chamber, she glided down the cavernous black marble hallway. The tall lizard-guards turned, keenly observing their mistress.
She smoothed her hair and steeled her face. It was time to set the final pieces of her plan into motion. A smile stretched her blood-red lips. She no longer had any use for friends, but she understood better than anyone the advantages of using others to get what she wanted.
Stepping into the formal dining room, she spread her hands in a gesture of greeting. “Welcome to my humble keep, old friend.”
A white-haired man sat at the head of a mahogany table laden with steaming dishes. On his plate were the scattered remains of a rich meal. Though age creased his rugged face, his bright blue eyes were alert. She could still see traces of the hopeful, blond boy he had been all those years ago.
“I take it the accommodations are to your liking.” She swept into a seat opposite her guest.
Henry Gardener picked up his golden goblet, raising it in salute before he sipped. “Sparkling apple ale from Farthingdale. My favorite.”
Still charming, still handsome. She ignored the flare of emotion in her chest. The time had long passed when such things could affect her.
Gardener set down his goblet as a shadow passed over his eyes. “Oh, there is, however, one thing,” he said, touching the collar of his elegant white shirt. “When I awoke in my luxurious suite, I realized I was not alone.”
He leaned forward and loosened his collar. Along his back lay a dark, oily splotch. Spidery tentacles pierced his skin and snaked into his flesh like thick, black veins. At his touch, the black splotch moved, breathing and pulsing.
The Dark Sorceress smiled. “A shadow creature. You’ll be quite comfortable as long as you refrain from using any of your tricks.”
“No matter. I’ll be dead in a few days unless it’s removed.”
“Well, you’ve had a very long life.”
“Indeed. Haven’t we all.” He raised his goblet again and took a deep drink.
The sorceress sneered as long claws extended from her fingertips. “Age may agree with you, but I have no intention of feeling the years.”
A sad smile formed on Gardener’s lips. “All things must end, Miranda.”
The sorceress laughed. “I’m sorry. You’ve been away. Our old friend Silvan, or should I say the Spider Witch, has been very busy weaving a web of her own. Even as we speak it is attracting the power crystals.”
His look turned stone cold. Any fleeting resemblance to the wide-eyed boy vanished. “You’re both mad. Our quest is long over.”
“Why? Because the Fairimentals said so?” the sorceress asked indignantly. “I would have entered the gates if they hadn’t stolen our crystals.”
“You betrayed us,” Gardener said calmly. “You twisted the prophecy with lies.”
“Even now you refuse to believe the truth. I know what you were doing when I captured you. You were searching for the crystals yourself.”
“They belong to the mages. What makes you think any still hold dark power?” Gardener challenged.
She chuckled, amused. “I have already tested one. I turned the water Fairimental, Marina.”
“It wasn’t enough you poisoned Aldenmor!”
“The blazing star released magic to heal Aldenmor. That is how the crystals were freed.”
Gardener’s expression became a mixture of pride and fear.
“Your protégés
have done quite well, even without you to mentor them. They have already found four power crystals. But you know as well as I do what will happen. The Fairimentals always choose three mages. And one mage always goes dark. These girls are no different. One will betray the others. That is the real prophecy—the prophecy of the dark mage.”
Pain and worry creased Gardener’s brow.
The sorceress continued, “They seek the other four crystals as we sit enjoying this lovely meal.”
Gardener paused. “That’s only eight. What happened to the ninth?”
“The blazing star destroyed it.”
The old man flinched, watching her like a mouse caught in the serpent’s stare. “What do you want from me?”
“The blazing star needs to make a replacement crystal.”
“It would take years to gather the magic required to make another crystal.”
“You know there is another way.”
Comprehension slowly dawned upon his face. “You can’t be serious.”
The Dark Sorceress shrugged. “One mage will turn dark anyway. Of course, the healer or warrior could surprise us, but we both know how emotional blazing stars can be.”
The blood drained from Gardener’s face as the creature on his back heaved and glistened. He pushed his plate away, a sick look passing over his face.
“Keep your energy up. You’re eating for two now.”
Satisfaction welled inside her as Henry Gardener turned away, resignation in his pained blue eyes. The prophecy always came true.
“The mages will open the gates of Avalon, just as you planned, Henry.” The sorceress smiled evilly. “Not often we get a second chance.”
“Only the chosen ones can enter Avalon,” he reminded her faintly.
“We were chosen. I still am!” the Dark Sorceress’s voice cut like steel. “Avalon’s magic will be mine.”
“LOOK OUT!” LYRA pushed Kara aside as a huge duffle bag fell from the portal and thudded down beside them.
“Thanks.” Kara checked the bag for damage. Goldie peered over her shoulder. This was important cargo, three hundred tubes of styling gel. “Perfect, now all we need are some unicorns.”
Kara surveyed her new surroundings. She, Lyra, and Goldie stood in the center of an empty plaza where several twinkling gemstone paths converged. Behind them, a sign that read “Guest Portal” hovered above the luminous gateway.
An ornate plaque hung from a tree of gold and blue in the plaza’s center.
Welcome to the Unicorn Academy of Dalriada.
E Pluribus Hornum.
May Your Dreams Fly as High as the Sky.
The glittering paths curved out from the plaza and through a lush meadow, each leading to enormous trees set together in shady groves. Gloriously carved entranceways led into hollow trunks—classrooms. A thick forest sprawled beyond the manicured meadow, amber leaves rippling in the breeze like a sea of gold.
“Unicorn U sure beats Stonehill High’s campus,” Kara whistled.
“But your school has students,” Lyra observed, her green eyes scanning the deserted academy. There wasn’t a unicorn in sight.
“Let’s see if I can get anyone on the horn.” Kara squeezed her eyes shut and sent out a telepathic message to her unicorn friends. “Calliope, Pollo, Electra… Ralphie? Hello?”
No answer. Dalriada was way too quiet.
Goldie started beeping and flew to Kara’s shoulder.
“Base to Star One, do you copy?” Tasha’s voice magically transmitted through Goldie.
“This is Star One to Base, can you hear me?” Kara replied, speaking into the d-fly’s soft belly.
“Loud can clear, Prin—, um, Star One. What’s your status?”
“Arrived safely, nothing to report yet. It’s strange. No sign of anyone.”
“Keep us posted, Star One,” Tasha said.
“Roger. Star One out.” Kara gave Goldie a kiss, making the mini’s faceted eyes twinkle.
Scanning the pathways, Kara spotted a large bulletin board at the entrance to several connecting trees. She walked along a rose quartz path wide enough for two unicorns to pass each other on their way to classes.
“Hmm, let’s see, Hoof Care 101 has been moved to Tuesdays at ten a.m.,” Kara read, studying the jumble of fliers. “Horn blowing competition, Delta Phi Horn pledge week, magic web finals study group. Where’s the campus guide?”
“Here.” Goldie buzzed to another board, which displayed a map of the Academy. A small horn pointed to a spot that read “You are here.”
“Thanks, G-unit.” Kara scanned the list of facilities. “Student union, magical supply center, playhouse, dining pools, dorms, classrooms, training fields, moonbeam ponds…”
“Let’s split up and cover more ground,” Lyra suggested.
“Okay, Goldie, do a flyby of the classrooms. Lyra, check the dining pools, maybe they’re eating lunch. I’ll take the dorms.”
“Right.” Lyra padded away as the d-fly zipped into the air.
Kara followed a moonstone path lined with white freesias to a grove of golden trees. Strolling through one of the doorways, she found herself in a huge round room. The hollowed out tree arched high overhead with curving golden walls. Platforms that served as beds sat on the hay lined floor.
Kara made her way across the circular dorm, noting how each unicorn had decorated its bed with personal touches. Some of the platforms were draped with garlands of fragrant wood violets, while others had brightly painted designs. Beside each platform was a flat stone piled with an assortment of combs and snacks.
She scanned the empty dorm, worried. Calliope and her unicorn buds had described the bustling Dalriada campus to Kara in many jewel-to-horn calls. Shouldn’t they have seen someone by now? Something was definitely wrong here.
“Got something,” Lyra announced.
“On my way.” Kara sprinted across the meadow to the edge of campus.
“Look.” Lyra stood beside a swath of trampled grass. A mass of hoofprints led into the forest beyond.
“A clue!” Kara exclaimed.
Walking into the woods, they rounded a bend and came upon a circular field roughly the length of a football field. Bleachers made of golden wood lined the perimeter, wide enough for the unicorns to stand and watch.
“Wow!” Kara breathed.
Upon the field, smooth stones in every shade of the rainbow formed a detailed pattern of loops and swirls. Individual stones created dozens of distinct paths throughout the larger pattern. There was something very familiar about it.
“Lyra, Goldie, let’s get the aerial view,” Kara called out.
Lyra soared high into the air on her glittering golden wings, Goldie flapping beside her.
“It looks like the magic web,” the cat reported.
“Ah ha!” Kara nodded, her suspicions confirmed. She stepped onto a bright amethyst stone. “I wonder what kind of game they play.”
Zing!
A glowing pink beach ball was suddenly hovering in front of her nose.
“Pick up your hooves, let’s go!” the orb shouted in a loud, piercing voice. “Web practice is now in session.”
“Huh?” Kara stared as the mysterious floating thing circled her, a pink light beam scanning the unicorn pendant.
“What kind of unicorn are you?” the ball demanded.
“I’m not a unicorn.”
“You have unicorn magic,” it insisted.
“I’m a mage.”
“What?!” The ball sparked and whirled. “No bipeds allowed on the practice web!”
“Is that what this is?” Lyra asked, landing beside Kara.
“Ahhh!” the ball shrieked, scanning Lyra and Goldie. “No cats, no dragons, no mages, just unicorns!”
“Could you tell us where they are?” Kara asked.
“Why, is something wrong with them?”
“Can’t you see?” Kara swept an arm around the empty stadium.
“I’m a multiphasic, portal-equipped, magic web guidan
ce crystal. I can see perfectly.” It twirled in a blur of light and came to an abrupt stop. “Where are the unicorns?”
“Vamoosed,” Goldie informed the crystal.
“Eaten by a vamoose?!” The orb whizzed around like a wild bee.
“Zip it, blinky,” Kara ordered, sending a beam of diamond light over the agitated sphere. “When did you see them last?”
“Yesterday. We were doing exercises. Moving magic around the practice web.”
“And then?” Kara prompted.
“Well, I terminated my regeneration cycle, refilled the moonbeam pools, bobbed around a bit—”
“Not you. The unicorns.”
“Oh.” The orb blinked. “Hmmm, logs show they never checked out from the practice web… they must have left school grounds. Ohhhh, I’ll surely get demoted to stall sweeper for this,” it moaned.
“Every single one of them left?” Kara asked incredulously.
“It would appear so.”
“Don’t you think it’s odd they haven’t checked back in?”
“Extremely,” the blinky ball agreed.
Kara studied the practice web. Unicorns were training here to spread magic along the web. If something had happened to them, the web was in even greater danger than anyone knew.
“Does this thing connect to the real magic web?” she asked.
“Just locally of course.”
The sphere radiated with color. In response, the practice web lit up like an amusement park. Where pathways crossed, a flare of blue shimmered in the air. Kara gasped. She had never seen so many portals in one place!
“I know what you’re thinking but these portals are certainly not—” The sphere slid into the nearest portal and promptly vanished. A split second later, it appeared on the opposite side of the field, bouncing frantically. “Who left these portals open?!” it yelled.
Goldie on her shoulder, Kara paced back and forth, then suddenly whirled on the approaching ball accusingly. “Why would every unicorn in the school suddenly decide to jump a portal at once?”
“Synchronized popping is very popular—”
“Unless!” Kara held a finger up. “They were kidnapped.”
Dark Mage (Avalon: Web of Magic, Book 11) Page 4