Soul Stone Mage Complete Collection Boxed Set

by Sarah Noffke

  “Fortunately, it looks like we accidentally found what we were looking for.” Monet pointed ahead.

  They’d somehow made their way into a narrow staircase that was illuminated by golden light. The blocks that made up the walls were huge and created a strange design up to the ceiling, which was higher up than in the other passages.

  “This is the Grand Gallery,” Azure recognized with a gasp.

  “Yes, and straight ahead is King Khufu’s chamber, and somewhere up there is the room with the altar for the lamp.” Monet indicated up to the ceiling, which was composed of enormous limestone blocks.

  “How can we be so certain?” Azure asked.

  “Because I can feel the space. The perimeter, place of the objects and even the temperature registers when I’m intending to transport into a location,” Monet explained.

  Azure crossed her arms in front of her chest. “Why couldn’t you have just teleported us to this room when we entered the pyramid? Or when we were in the safety of the Sphinx?”

  Monet shook his head, giving her an annoyed look. “It doesn’t work that way, Queeny. I have to either be close enough that I can feel the space, or I have to be intimately familiar with it. Also, you should note that popping around locations isn’t as easy as I make it appear. For example, right now I couldn’t pop over to Virgo without exhausting and potentially killing myself, due to the distance.”

  “Are you going to be able to take me up there?” Azure asked, pointing at the ceiling.

  Monet shrugged. “I’ve never tried to take anyone and I’ve never practiced, since I didn’t want to deplete my reserves.”

  “I don’t like our odds here.”

  Holding out his arm, Monet winked. “There’s only one way to find out. Ready to feel your brain pulled through your nose?”

  Azure laughed. “Well, when you put it that way.” She wrapped her arm around Monet’s and closed her eyes.

  A moment later, the two disappeared.

  Chibale froze when he and his companions entered the next room.

  “Do you know which archway to choose?” Ever asked, indicating the two options standing before them.

  Chibale nodded, his expression hard. “The one on the right leads to the end of the Grand Gallery and straight into the king’s chamber.” His anxiety was palpable.

  “Ata’s your brother,” Ever said, and nothing else.

  He wasn’t good at this kind of stuff. Maybe he could offer sympathy and counseling to Azure, but she was the exception. Usually Ever didn’t concern himself with others’ affairs. That’s how it had been for so long, why he had been so lonely in the Dark Forest.

  “Would you forgive your brother for spelling you, sending you to get lost in the desert and taking your throne?” Chibale asked, his focus pinned on the archway on the right.

  Ever thought about this for a moment, then picked the easy answer. “I don’t have any siblings, so it’s hard for me to say.”

  “He’s your twin brother,” Manx reminded the king, flapping his wings and hovering beside them. “That’s an unbreakable bond.”

  Chibale nodded, but didn’t seem to buy this entirely. “We will find out if you are right, Will-O-Wisp.”

  He’d called Manx by one of his many known names. When the New Egyptians learned of the pooka, they hadn’t welcomed him with open arms. It was considered foolish to trust such a mischievous creature, but Azure had assured them that he’d pledged loyalty to her.

  Although that was true, he still couldn’t quell his very nature, and had played many pranks on the witches and wizards in the New Egyptian coven.

  Chibale took a step forward.

  “Wait! Don’t leave me again!” Blisters cried from behind them.

  Ever turned to find Blisters barreling in their direction, the white transparent form of Morris the ghost floating beside the unicorn.

  “You found him!” Ever said, relieved.

  Blisters nearly ran into the group, skidding to a halt at the last moment.

  “He actually found me,” Morris admitted, doubled over like he was out of breath—although that seemed unlikely, since he was dead.

  “Ever! Manx!” Blisters exclaimed. “I found him, and he tried to kill me, but I was like, ‘no, you big bully,’ and I fought him. Well, not really. I mostly ran away, but he got sucked into oblivion because he’s not that smart, and now he’s dead.”

  Manx gave Ever a sideways look before turning his attention back to Blisters. “That’s lovely. Now who the hell are you talking about?”

  Blisters gawked, his eyes large. “Scabs. Who else would I be talking about?”

  “Well, we’re in an ancient pyramid with vampires and ghosts, so pardon my confusion,” Manx stated dully.

  “You believe me, don’t you?” Blisters asked Ever, looking up at him with an uncertain expression.

  “Er…” Ever didn’t know what to say.

  “Did you see this?” Manx asked the ghost, who was bobbing around, seemingly bored.

  “What?” Morris startled. “See what? No, I just floated through the unicorn a moment ago.”

  “Without proof, we can’t believe your story. Sorry,” the pooka chimed.

  “Proof!” Blisters yelled, fury flaring on his face. “I can’t give you that. Scabs got sucked into the abyss, and I’m not going in there to get him because it will kill me, and that’s not worth you believing me.”

  “Blisters, you shouldn’t worry about what we think,” Ever stated. “If you avenged yourself, that’s all that matters. You should be proud.”

  “But I want—” Blisters’ eyes widened with shock. He whipped his head around, circling, like trying to catch his tail.

  “What is it?” Ever asked.

  “Something is wrong,” he said, halting and staring down at his hooves. The little unicorn’s body began to vibrate.

  “Oh no!” Morris exclaimed fear covering his face. He slipped down through the stone and disappeared.

  “Blisters, are you okay?” Manx called, circling around his head.

  “I don’t know,” he answered, his voice shaking.

  His legs shot up, and Blisters grew until he was the size of an average unicorn. The change was almost instantaneous, and a second later, Blisters was staring down at the group with a regal look covering his face.

  “What just happened?” Manx asked, shifting into fox form and scurrying around Blisters’ legs, looking him over.

  “He evolved,” Chibale said calmly. “He’s gotten access to a new source of strength and power, which has enhanced him.”

  “I got rid of my shadow-self!” Blisters exclaimed, but his usually squeaky voice was now deep and commanding. “I told you all that, but you didn’t believe me. Now, you have no choice but to realize that what I said is true.”

  Manx gave Ever a cautious look. “He’s going to be impossible now.”

  Chapter Twenty-Six

  A force tore at Azure’s insides, and she felt like it was trying to split her atoms. She opened her mouth to scream, but nothing came out. Just when she thought she’d burst in this chasm of darkness, she exploded into a small room. When her feet hit the ground, she bit her tongue, making her yelp.

  “Told you. It hurts like a bitch,” Monet said, releasing his hold on her.

  “Damn, that doesn’t feel natural.” Azure shook her head, trying to dispel the dizziness.

  Bob spilled out of the lamp in Azure’s bag, hovering in front of the pair. “When you’re done feeling sorry for yourself, maybe we can get to business.”

  Azure’s eyes adjusted to find they were standing in a box-like room with no door. Firelight flickered off the walls from torches that lined the room. At the far end was a stone altar with strange statues perched next to it.

  As they neared, Azure realized the statues were of genies, standing with their arms extended. On their wrists, they wore shackles, the chains broken and dangling.

  “Looks like we found the right place.” Azure pulled the lamp from he
r bag.

  “How is someone supposed to get in here without transporting? There are no doors.” Monet wondered, studying the room.

  “There are portals by the entrance to the pyramid and located throughout,” Bob stated matter-of-factly.

  “How do you know that?” Azure asked.

  “There was a map when we entered the pyramid,” Bob explained. “While you were all busy chatting, I slipped out of the lamp and studied it.”

  “And you didn’t think it was necessary to share this shortcut with us?” Monet asked.

  Bob stroked his chin. “Honestly, I forgot.”

  Monet gave Azure a stern expression. “Seriously, just say the word, and I’ll take us out of here. You don’t have to sacrifice your wand for this jerk.”

  Azure shook her head. “If there are portals, we should take those out. I don’t want you draining all your energy. And we’ve come this far, let’s just go ahead and free the ungrateful genie.”

  “Yes, I’d appreciate that very much,” Bob stated, his head resting on his hand.

  Azure set the lamp on the altar, but it didn’t stay there for more than a second before rising into the air.

  “Neat!” Monet chirped.

  “Oh, I’m floating,” Bob said, sounding fearful. “I’m afraid of heights.”

  Monet withdrew his wand and pointed it at the genie. “When we set you free, I’m going to kill you.”

  “You can’t!” Bob exclaimed. “Killing a liberated genie is against the law. As a bound genie, I have no rights. But once I’m free, according to the rules and sanctions that govern the genies and the masters they serve, harming a liberated genie is a punishable offense. That, as well as a list of hundreds of other crimes, is how one finds themselves imprisoned in a lamp and a servant for eternity.”

  Monet turned to Azure, giving her a cold look. “He just admitted that he’s a murderer. That’s how he got himself in that lamp.”

  “I did no such thing!” Bob yelled. “I can’t remember the offense that got me my sentence, but it wasn’t murder. It was something trivial like pilfering, graffiti, or attempting world domination.”

  Azure sighed. “I get that he’s done something wrong, and he’s a huge pain in the ass, but the old laws of New Egypt that enslaved him are bogus. No one should be punished for eternity.”

  “Fine,” Monet acquiesced, crossing his arms in front of his chest. “Let’s do this, then. I want to see what Bob’s feet look like.”

  Azure steadied her wand hand, pulling in a breath.

  She remembered the morning she woke up to find that Mage Lenore had delivered her wand. That was eighty-five years ago. Soon, it would be she herself delivering those wands to young witches and wizards.

  Forcing herself back to the present moment, Azure pushed away the fond thoughts of the wand in her hand. She tightened her fingers around it, saying a silent goodbye. Then her hand shot forward, and the wand morphed, growing wide in her fingers. The experience reminded her of when she’d harvested the Howling Willow.

  The blade of the sword sank easily into the lamp. A radiant light shone from the areas between the materials, bathing the room in a shimmering gold.

  Azure released her hand from the sword, and the lamp clattered to the altar, then rolled off, landing on the ground. The sword shrank back down into the shape of her wand.

  Bob shot up to the ceiling, screaming madly. He covered his head as he plummeted back down, landing hard on the altar. A high-pitched howl volleyed out of his mouth as he hugged himself.

  “Bob!” Azure yelled. “Are you alright?”

  The genie’s screaming was suddenly full of laughter. Smiling wide, he rocked back and forth, kicking his legs. “I’m free! Finally! Joyous day.”

  “I think he’ll be alright, although I’m hoping that the fall caused him brain damage,” Monet said sweetly.

  Fire erupting from the lamp stole their attention. It burned hot and filled the room with smoke. Azure shielded her face from the flames that rose, burning blue in the center. Then the lamp glowed red and popped, and the fire disappeared.

  “Hey, look.” Monet pointed to the pile of ashes where the lamp had been seconds before.

  “Is that…?” Azure fanned the smoke away, trying to discern what lay nestled in the ashes.

  She reached out, hesitating briefly. Her curiosity and unbridled hope got the better of her, though, and she plunged her fingers into the silky dust. It was strangely cool. Azure’s heart tightened when her hand wrapped around a familiar object. She lifted her wand triumphantly into the air.

  “I don’t understand,” she said, eyeing it. The wand was unharmed by the fire, unlike the destroyed lamp.

  “Maybe it’s about to explode,” Monet warned.

  “Or maybe,” Bob said, drawing out the words. “The only way to free a genie is to be willing to lose something in exchange.”

  “How do you know that?” Azure asked, wondering if this was another bit of information the genie had withheld.

  He shrugged. “I don’t know anything. It’s only a guess. But it makes sense.”

  Monet combed his hands through his hair. “The genie, or whatever he is now, does make a good point. You didn’t have to lose your wand for the ritual to work, you only had to believe you would.”

  Bob slid off the altar, testing his bare feet with the first step. His legs wobbled, and he stumbled forward.

  Azure rushed to him, catching his arm. “Easy, now. You’ve been floating around for a long time. Walking might take a while.”

  He stared at her and suddenly didn’t look at all like himself. There was a deep conviction in his gaze, and he appeared lost in a trance. “Thank you, Queen Azure. You freed me and were willing to lose your wand to do it.”

  Azure blushed, pulling her hand away from Bob’s hairy arm when he appeared stable enough. “You’re welcome. I’m grateful I didn’t lose my wand, but if I had, it would have been worth it. I don’t know how you got yourself into that lamp, but I hope you spend the rest of your mortal life doing something that contributes to Oriceran.”

  Bob lifted his chest proudly. “I plan to, starting right now. You were my last master, and you have one wish remaining. I would be happy to grant it before we part.”

  Azure blinked, not expecting this turn of events.

  A last wish! Her mind raced with possibilities. She knew Bob couldn’t make the vampires go away or save her people. There were too many restrictions in the genie bylaws.

  Finally, something Azure had contemplated on a lot lately popped into her head.

  “Bob, can you make someone happy? Like really happy?” she asked.

  He smiled, his mustache bristling. “You want more happiness? You’re already the happiest master I’ve ever served.”

  “No, it’s not for me,” she explained.

  Bob’s smile faltered, and he shook his head. “Even still, I cannot give someone a lifetime of happiness. All I can offer is an opportunity for happiness. A potential, if you will.”

  Azure beamed. “That will work. For my last wish, I ask that you bring real happiness to Monet’s life.”

  “What?” Monet shot forward, gripping Azure’s arm. He turned her around, his face lined with worry. “No! That’s a waste. Don’t wish for that.”

  “Too late,” Bob said, crossing his arms and nodding once. “Your wish, Queen Azure, is my command.”

  Azure smiled unabashedly at Monet. “It’s the only request that truly made sense. You do so much for everyone else, even if most don’t know it, and I know that you’re not the selfish asshole you pretend to be. You, more than anyone I know, deserve to be happy.”

  “I am happy, Azure,” Monet implored.

  “I know you are, but now you can be happier,” Azure explained. “You spend so much of your time helping me and serving Virgo. You should have something really special in your life.”

  “Is this about me getting married and having little witches and wizards? Because that isn’t for me.”<
br />
  “The beauty of the wish is that whatever will make you happy will find you,” Azure said.

  “Ugh. Fine,” Monet said, a smile breaking through the tough expression he was trying to maintain. “Thank you. That was such a sweet gesture that I’m slightly nauseous now.”

  “I think I might throw up, too. But you’re absolutely welcome.” Azure slid her arms around Monet, and for the first time in a long time, he allowed her to hug him.

  Chapter Twenty-Seven

  “Now that you’re not fun-sized anymore, you take up a lot of room,” Manx said, negotiating for space beside Blisters as they moved through the short corridor that would lead to the king’s chamber.

  “Says the pooka who regularly shifts into stallion form when we’re in small quarters,” Ever said over his shoulder.

  “I only do that to be inconvenient,” Manx said in fox form.

  Blisters picked up his hooves, prancing nobly, a new grace to his movements. “I would stay behind to grant you all more space, but if you run into trouble, you’ll be happy to have me at your aid.”

  Ever halted, giving the unicorn a bewildered expression. “If I hadn’t watched the transformation happen, I wouldn’t believe you were the real Blisters.”

  “What do you mean?” Blisters asked, his voice deep. “The only thing that’s changed about me is my size.”

  Ever decided against arguing, and only nodded.

  “If you three wouldn’t mind, we need to enter the king’s chamber,” Chibale said, his voice full of tension.

  “After you, backstabber,” Manx urged.

  The look on Chibale’s face reeked with frustration. He let out a heavy breath and faced the stone door in front of him, each of his movements unhurried. With a flick of his flail, the door creaked and receded a few inches before sliding into the wall. Chibale ducked, heading straight into the strangely plain chamber.

  A tomb sat in the middle of the room, and beside it stood a man who looked exactly like Chibale, and a woman who was identical to Nefertiti. Not much had changed in Nenet’s appearance since Ever had seen her turn into a vampire, though she was paler and had a deep sadness in her green eyes—one of which held her soul mark.