Soul Stone Mage Complete Collection Boxed Set

by Sarah Noffke

  “Yes. Did you know it would be Ever?”

  Oak nodded, his black hat pitching forward a bit. “Let’s just say I had a hunch. Hence the reason I put the piano in the carriage; I thought you all could use a push.”

  “So you’ve been orchestrating this whole thing?” she asked. Then she held up the box. “Did you actually even need this?”

  He plucked it from her hand, opening it with ease. A gold light sparkled from the center. “Yes, very much. My deepest gratitude, Queen Azure.” Oak bent his head in respect.

  “What are you going to do with it?”

  “I’m going to use it on someone,” he admitted, a sneaky look in his wise eyes.

  “Do you mean you’re going to make them fall in love with you?”

  He shook his head. “That wouldn’t work. You can’t make someone fall in love with you—not with magic, anyway. You can with good looks, a clever wit and a brilliant imagination. That’s the only love spell that I know of.”

  Azure smiled. There were potions and spells for youth, immortality, riches and everything else, but there was no way to magic love. The reminder suddenly made her more protective of what she and Ever had. It was priceless.

  “So what will the essence of true love do to this person?” she wanted to know.

  Oak cut his eyes at her, veering the dragons to the right. “What if I promise to show you when I use it? That way you can see firsthand.”

  “I would love that. Thank you!” Azure exclaimed. “When?”

  “Once the threat of vampires is minimized, I’ll be ready.”

  In the distance, Azure spied a familiar landscape.

  From the sky, Virgo appeared to be a pristine kingdom where all things were possible. The various colors of the houses and buildings nestled together created a rainbow that stretched until it met the House of Enchanted, which stood nobly at the top of the highest hill.

  A lump rose in Azure’s throat as they neared the land where she’d been born, and that she had sorely missed while on her adventures.

  “Returning home always brings a mix of emotions,” Oak ventured, staring out at the village with a serene smile on his face.

  “Where do you call home?” Azure asked, knowing that he was not from Virgo originally.

  Oak nodded at the four magnificent beasts that were pulling the carriage with a strange grace. “Wherever my dragons are is home.”

  The queen thought of Monet and Ever and all the crazy animals in the carriage. They are my home. She’d worried about how her life would change when she took over for Mage Lenore. Leaving Virgo would be strange, but as long as she had her friends, she’d manage just fine.

  However, what would happen to Virgo, she couldn’t say just yet.

  Oak dug into his robe pocket and withdrew a small, black bag bound by drawstrings. “A deal is a deal. You’ve delivered me what I asked for, therefore, the weredragon scale is yours.”

  Azure reached out and took the bag, not expecting it to be as heavy as it was. “Thank you. What do you think Myrtle will want with it?”

  The old wizard thought on this for a moment and then said, “There are many uses for a weredragon scale. It can go into potions, although I’m not sure that’s the wisest use for such a valuable object.”

  “I put my soul stone into a potion once,” Azure admitted, thinking of the stone that symbolized her magic and that she’d lost forever.

  “Oh yes, but that could be considered the most powerful potion that Virgo has ever seen. Without it, there would be no magic left in the land,” Oak argued.

  “Maybe Myrtle will make something as valuable,” Azure mused.

  “Maybe,” he said without conviction. “Or maybe she wants to be connected to the collective consciousness of the dragons.”

  “A weredragon scale can do that?” Azure asked, clutching the bag tighter.

  “With the right magic, I suppose it could,” Oak said, steering the carriage to the ground. “But it’s good for you to remember that not all things of value are used for a great and noble deed. Maybe Myrtle only wants the scale for a simple purpose, or because it’s valuable.”

  “You mean I shouldn’t expect everyone to take something of value, and forge it into something that will save the world,” she said, slightly dejected.

  “No, Queen, you shouldn’t,” he agreed. “But your tendency to do so is why you are soon to be the protector of the Howling Willow, and everyone else on Oriceran was passed over for the position. Most either waste the splendors in life, or selfishly hoard them for their own gain.”

  The carriage landed smoothly on the lawn beside the House of Enchanted. Azure could almost smell the wood inside the antique house and feel the cool drafts that graced the hallways. Her place of birth lived in her bones.

  She took Ever’s hand as she disembarked from the top of the carriage.

  “I didn’t notice any threats on our way down,” he reported, his fingers lingering on hers.

  “Yes, Blair might have been wrong about a danger here, which I’m glad for,” Azure stated.

  “‘Might’?” Monet asked, clambering out of the carriage, his robes covered in hair. “Of course the batty witch was wrong. Anyone who thinks cards can tell us our fortune is a lunatic.”

  “What about a crystal ball?” Azure challenged.

  Monet scoffed. “Crystal balls are pure science, just like potions.”

  “I never took you for such a clinical wizard,” Ever said.

  Brushing his wand over his robes, Monet cleared the hair. “Damn farm animals all need to be shaved. It’s like riding with a fucking circus.”

  “Azure!” a voice called from the house.

  The group spun to find people spilling out of the front of the old Victorian mansion.

  It was a more of a castle than a house, but Gran had punished anyone who called it such. She’d said, “Kings and queens that aren’t of the people live in castles. Royalty who were born to serve reside in houses.” That damn witch was full of semantic games.

  A witch with emerald green hair had broken away from the rest and was running toward them.

  “Mother!” Azure yelled, sprinting forward.

  The two caught each other in a tight embrace, and Azure suddenly forgot she was the queen of Virgo. A thousand memories passed over her in that brief moment, reminding her of the unique bond she shared with her mother.

  Drawing back a few inches, Emeri checked Azure over. “Are you alright? I’ve been so worried about you since Mother told us about the vampires.” Scanning the crowd around them, she looked back at Azure. “Where is Mother? Is she all right?”

  Her daughter nodded. “Yes, she’s fine. She, Reynolds and Gillian are in New Egypt.”

  Her mother pursed her lips, but before she could say anything, Azure’s father arrived at her side. He looked as she remembered him, although she wasn’t used to his face quite yet.

  “Azure, welcome back,” Richard said, folding her into his arms. He pressed her in tight, his nervousness akin to the reaction Azure felt from her mother. It must be difficult for them to stay in Virgo, knowing a vampire epidemic was spreading across Oriceran.

  “Thank you,” Azure said, pulling away to see familiar faces drawing closer as other villagers neared.

  “I’m glad to see that you’ve returned to the safety of Virgo,” Emeri began. “But why is your gran still in New Egypt?”

  Azure was aware of her people listening all around her. “Mother, Gran is in New Egypt trying to find solutions. We mean to fight the vampire epidemic.”

  Gasps spilled from the crowd.

  “Fight?” Emeri questioned.

  “That’s a death sentence,” Richard stated.

  “We’re all in this together,” Azure assured them. “We’ve decided to help those from New Egypt. I’m only here because—”

  “Help?!” her mother questioned. “How do you expect to do that?”

  “Mother,” Azure said in a hush, aware of everyone’s attention on th
em. “We should really discuss this later.”

  “Yes, fine,” Emeri said at once. “At least you all have returned to Virgo where it is safe.” She glanced at Ever and Monet and the rest of the gang beside the carriage.

  A sharp chill coursed through Azure’s body. Before she could process what the sensation meant, a scream ripped through the air.

  Chapter Thirteen

  Azure pushed through the crowd, searching for the source of the scream. From the top of the hill, she could see most of Virgo. Searching the perimeters, she looked for a disturbance, but details were difficult to make out from that height.

  The sound of beating wings came from overhead. Azure shot her gaze up. A blur of black shapes streaked through the blue sky, just above their heads. Many ducked from the near assault.

  “Bats!” someone yelled.

  Azure spun around, catching sight of the serious expressions on Monet and Ever’s faces.

  “Everyone get into the House of Enchanted!” she ordered.

  Another scream split the air, this one coming from the western side of the village. Vampires were loose in Virgo and they had to be stopped.

  “We must fight!” a wizard yelled.

  Azure shook her head. “You can’t. The bats will be drawn to your magic.”

  A loud grumbling ripped through the crowd. Virgoans weren’t the type to hide away when their land was threatened. But if they stood against the vampires and bats, the results would be devastating.

  “Mother, I want everyone inside,” Azure commanded, her eyes connecting with Emeri’s.

  Her mother didn’t argue. Instead, she began ushering everyone in the direction of the House of Enchanted. They wouldn’t be safe there for long, unless they could push back the attacks.

  “Look,” Ever stated, pointing at the eastern border.

  A horde of outsiders was marching into the village, filing in from different directions and heading for a cluster of houses.

  “I have to stop them,” Azure said under her breath.

  “Correction,” Monet chirped. “We.”

  “Monet, this is too dangerous—”

  “Each of you take a dragon,” Oak ordered, unlatching them from the carriage with his wand.

  “Good idea,” the queen said, speeding forward to take Micky’s reins.

  Ever didn’t waste time to mount another.

  “Is it like riding a horse?” Monet asked, staring up at the magical creatures.

  Oak climbed onto the back of one and shook his head. “No, not at all. You don’t steer with the reins; those are just for you to hold onto so you don’t plummet to your death.”

  “How do you steer, then?” Monet asked, giving the dragon in front of him a questioning look.

  “With your thoughts,” Oak stated as his dragon took off, its long wings beating and lifting the pair higher into the air.

  “‘Just steer the dragon with your thoughts’, right,” Monet mumbled, holding onto the harness and trying to drag his leg over the creature’s side.

  The dragon was fairly tall, and climbing onto it without impaling his groin was a real concern. The others had made it look easy.

  It’s too high, Monet lamented, grunting as he tried again.

  He jumped when the dragon moved suddenly, afraid he was about to get scorched. Dragons weren’t known for their unyielding patience, if Earth comics and cartoons about the creatures had taught him anything.

  To his surprise, the dragon crouched down lower, bringing its back closer to the ground.

  That’s strange, Monet thought, but didn’t waste another moment thinking about it. He threw his leg over the side, grabbed onto the reins, and pulled on them like he would if he were riding a horse. The dragon didn’t budge.

  The others were high in the sky, flying toward different sections of the border. Below, screams and the sounds of attack could be heard all over Virgo. It burned Monet up, which was why he needed to get off the ground and join the fight.

  Come on, I need to get into the sky, he urged silently.

  The dragon lifted gracefully to a standing position and ran several feet before leaping into the air, flapping its large wings.

  Seriously, I steer you with my mind? That’s so bizarre, Monet thought. But a moment later, when his desire to turn for the northern border was merely an impulse, the dragon swiveled in that direction and then dove low.

  Monet saw the reason for the sudden change in elevation. The fucking colony of bats had split into two groups and were headed right for them, flanking them. Without any magic at his disposal, he didn’t see a way to fight the deadly creatures. They’d absorb his magic immediately, and he’d become a founder vampire.

  On the ground, witches and wizards were defending themselves from the onslaught of vampires who had trespassed the borders. Stunning spells shot through the air all over Virgo, leaving behind green smoke.

  I need to defend myself against the vampire bats and stop them before they go after anyone on the ground, Monet thought.

  The dragon rolled forward, flipping around. Monet held tight to the reins, but the front flip was fast enough that he wasn’t in danger of coming off his mount. They were flying straight toward the split colony of bats.

  Monet felt a great burning sensation beneath him, right before the dragon released a jet of fire directly at the bats. They dispersed, many of them dropping to the ground, completely fried.

  Good job, Billy-the-Dragon, Monet sang triumphantly in his mind.

  Timber, the dragon corrected. You can call me ‘Timber’.

  Azure guided Micky to the west, where a throng of vampires was charging, about to cross over into Virgo.

  Unlike the others, she could use magic, since the bats couldn’t change her. She shot a protective spell at the border of Virgo. Micky tilted to the side, giving Azure a clearer path. She urged the spell to spread, tracing an invisible line around the kingdom, creating a barrier. One that was hopefully impenetrable to the vampires.

  When the first set of vampires charged for the border, they fell back, unable to step across the threshold. The hungry beasts growled, biting at the air, like trying to fight invisible prey.

  Two vampires that Azure recognized stepped out of the line of trees in the distance; they were the most beautiful people she had ever seen. Cordelia, the woman in the silky red dress, looked both soft and monstrous, with her porcelain skin and glowing eyes. Hamilton stood beside Cordelia, wearing a roguish glare that complemented his clean-cut suit.

  “Follow the line of the border!” Cordelia yelled from the ground. “The security spell hasn’t traced around the whole kingdom—find a way through!”

  Azure’s heart skipped as the vampires took off, moving faster than any witch or wizard could. She urged the protective spell to spread faster, throwing all of her energy into it.

  You’ll deplete your reserves, Micky warned.

  I have to. What does it matter if I have an ounce of energy left, if vampires tear Virgo apart? Azure argued.

  It will matter if they take you.

  Azure gripped the reins tighter, suddenly lightheaded. She tilted to the side, her balance momentarily lost.

  Micky, sensing the shift, tipped to that side, catching her.

  We need to keep those vampires from getting into Virgo, Azure urged weakly.

  Micky didn’t spring after the vampires, as Azure expected. Instead, she hovered in place, flapping her wings.

  Micky! The vampires! Azure yelled in her mind.

  The true threat to you is right here, Micky countered.

  The two founder vampires peered up at Azure, strangely brazen in the way they regarded her from the ground.

  Okay, well, then take them out. Or send them back to the depths of hell where they belong.

  Azure felt heat boil under her, and Micky let out a loud roar followed by a stream of fire. Hamilton and Cordelia shot up and disappeared, springing into the air in bat form. They darted in different directions.

  Oh no! Az
ure thought, spinning around, trying to find the tiny bats in the open space.

  Bats couldn’t turn her while she wore the protective amulet; however, founder vampires, if they got too close, could use their skills against her.

  Blisters ushered scared witches and wizards toward the House of Enchanted. Unicorns didn’t use magic, they were magic incarnate. Every part of them. For that reason, Blisters was greatly at risk, but he didn’t care. All his life, he had been afraid. Afraid he wasn’t good enough. Afraid of the elders. Afraid of the dark. He was tired of running and disappointing himself. He was tired of being teased.

  He sprang into the air, flying beside the crowd as it sluggishly filed into the House of Enchanted.

  “No pushing!” Blisters commanded.

  A witch resisted, breaking out of the crowd. “I have to go back. Elijah is sleeping in the cottage.”

  Another witch caught her by the elbow. “You can’t! A vampire might catch you on the way!”

  “But Elijah!”

  “He’ll be safe inside. The queen is in the sky, protecting us,” the witch encouraged.

  “But I have to—”

  Blisters didn’t know why, but he swooped down, flapping his wings to hover beside the feuding witches. “I’ll go and warn Elijah. I’ll help him. Just tell me where to find him.”

  Neither witch knew that Blisters had zero ability to defend himself from a vampire, let alone a wizard. So they brightened and nodded, happy for his help.

  “Thank you!” the reckless witch gushed. She pointed to a mismatched cottage beside a cluster of trees, where smoke billowed out of the chimney. “There! Elijah is asleep in that cottage.”

  Blisters scanned the area around it, noticing his destination was dangerously close to the border the vampires had crossed. Ever and Oak were effectively defending the area, but vampires had easily overwhelmed the first set of hills.

  “Okay, get inside,” the unicorn urged the witches. “I’ll take care of this.” He sped off, diving headfirst like a bullet in the direction of the cottage. When he landed on the damp ground, he realized he had no idea what he was going to do. Wake up a sleeping wizard and tell him that a vampire attack was happening, and to stay inside his cottage? It all seemed quite shortsighted at this point.