by E. G. Foley
Clearing the maze, she sprinted off to go and collect everyone, especially glad of the chance to give poor Jake some good news for once.
He was going to be so surprised. But she knew he would be as happy about this as she was. Because it meant that as the future unfolded, they would undertake this adventure the same way the two of them had survived everything else.
Together.
Dani barreled across the grass and the graveled courtyard, pounded up the steps, flung through the front doors of the palace, rushed across the lobby and down the steps to the basement, where she found Archie and Nixie hard at work in the lab.
“Meet me on the bridge in ten minutes!” she yelled through the door, startling both prodigies out of their no-doubt complicated thoughts before racing on.
She yelled the same message up to Maddox a few minutes later out on the Guardians’ training field, where he was climbing a dizzying obstacle course with objects being magically hurled at him from all directions.
The young soldier batted a rock away with the club in his hand, then frowned in Dani’s direction. She never asked anything of him; he would know it was important. Rather than yell, he sent her a salute to let her know he’d be coming soon.
Dani dashed off again and found Isabelle feeding a baby unicorn a bottle of milk in a quiet pen at the edge of the menagerie. Dani kept her distance from her empath friend, not wanting Isabelle to guess her surprise before she could tell it herself.
The older girl certainly sensed her crazed excitement, but, happily, Izzy agreed to come and meet the others on the little stone bridge across the stream.
Finally, Dani raced off to find Jake. Saving the best for last, she supposed. Oh, they were going to have so much fun going through the Lightrider training together!
She had no doubt the Elders would probably be calling him next to the Yew Court. Strangely, though, she did not find her roguish friend where he was supposed to be—at the orientation for the telekinetics.
She peered in through the classroom window, but the handsome blond rascal was absent.
Oh, you dunderhead, did you get thrown out already? she wondered, but laughed. No matter. Wherever he was, she would find him. And when she told him her news, why, she could hardly wait to see the look on his face!
CHAPTER 19
The Doubler
Constanzio had left, but Jake still slumped at the library table, poring over the atlases on the Mesopotamian Marshes.
He had spent the past hour racking his brain and breaking pencil points as he hurriedly took notes, but it all amounted to very little, and by the time a yawn seized him, he wasn’t sure that any of it even mattered.
Just as he started thinking about winding up his research excursion for the day, the sound of running footfalls barreling into the library arrested his attention. He perked up a bit, glancing toward the sound.
The wild staccato of racing footsteps clattered across the stone floor and echoed beneath the vaulted ceiling. Tucked away in the reference section, Jake stared toward the unseen intruder in amusement.
Whoever it was making all that noise, the brownie librarian would be shushing them in an instant. Then he heard a familiar voice calling his name in a loud whisper: “Jake! Jake, are you here? Hullo?”
“Carrot?” He furrowed his brow. “Psst!” he called when he saw Dani go dashing past the end of his aisle. “Over here!”
A heartbeat later, she came scrambling back, nearly sliding past the opening this time, but skidding to a halt. Regaining her balance, she rushed down the aisle toward him, wearing the most mischievous grin he’d ever seen.
“Jake! You have to come quick!”
He jolted to his feet. “Is there news about Red?”
“What? Oh—well, no. There’s news! But it’s not about Red. Sorry.”
“Ah.” He flashed a knowing smile. “About Derek and Helena, then?”
Dani frowned. “No. What about them?”
Jake’s eyes widened as he realized he was on the verge of giving away the Guardian’s secret. “Uh, nothing—never mind. What were you saying, now?”
“I have to tell you something. All of you. I have news of my own, and it’s huge. If you want to hear it, come to the naiads’ bridge!”
“When?”
“Now,” she said gleefully. Then she bolted off again like her head was on fire, leaving him confounded.
“Well, isn’t she mysterious today,” Jake murmured to himself. But curiosity got the better of him.
Quickly closing the atlases and leaving them for the brownie librarian to shelve, he slung his knapsack over his shoulder and strode after the redhead, tickled indeed to find out what “huge news” had her all a-tizzy.
A few minutes later, he walked up onto the little stone bridge where he and Maddox had made their secret pact just last night. To Jake’s surprise, everyone else was already there.
Archie had doffed his lab coat and dragged Nixie out into the sunshine to hear Dani’s big secret. Maddox had shown up still sweaty from training, while Isabelle leaned against the quaint stone wall of the bridge, still wearing the ruffled apron that she wore to protect her dress whenever she worked with animals.
Dani held court at the top of the bridge’s gentle arch.
The Irish lass stood with her feet planted wide, her fists braced on her waist. Her green eyes sparkled, her cheeks pink with excitement.
Her smile beamed as everyone gathered around. “All right, you lot,” she said. “Is everybody listening?”
Jake arched a brow. She’s even starting to sound like me.
They all assured her they were.
“Very well,” she said, clearly relishing her secret. “Ladies and gentlemen, the most astonishing thing in the whole world happened this morning. Gladwin brought me a message, and I—yes, me, just little old me—I was summoned to the Yew Court.”
“The Yew Court?” Isabelle murmured.
Dani nodded emphatically. “I have never been so terrified in my life. Not even when that rock monster almost squashed me—you remember.”
Jake certainly did. The thought of how close she’d come to dying still made him shudder.
“But it wasn’t bad news,” Dani continued. “On the contrary! My friends”—she held up a remnant of cloth in a color Jake instantly recognized—“you are looking at the newest recruit to the official Merlin Hall Lightrider program!”
Not a sound followed as they all stared at her without comprehension.
Dani laughed merrily. “That was my reaction, too! But it’s true. Gaia picked me! Can you believe it? I start tomorrow. I’m supposed to join Finnderool’s group!” She let out a whoop and jumped up and down, her fists in the air.
Archie was the first to splutter congratulations. “W-well, that’s most, most extraordinary! M-my dear Dani, do you mean to say— How now, are you having us on?”
“No, it’s the truth, I swear!” She held up her right hand.
“W-well, that’s stupendous!” the boy genius cried, then he hugged her and clapped her on the back. “Isn’t it marvelous, you all?”
Even Nixie looked impressed. She started applauding slowly for Dani, shaking her head in amazement.
Beaming with joy, Izzy rushed over and gave Dani a hug and sisterly kiss on the head. “I am so proud of you, Dani! You’re going to be absolutely brilliant, I have no doubt.”
“Congratulations, little red.” Maddox thrust out his hand, and Dani shook it with a proud grin. “Maybe someday they’ll send us out on missions together,” he said. “Wouldn’t be the first time I’ve had to guard you, eh?”
Dani laughed and pumped his hand eagerly. “I know I’d have nothing to fear with you watching my back, Guardian St. Trinian. Oh, wouldn’t that be something? I really can’t believe it. Gaia liked me! She chose me herself. Master Finderool said he suspected it the moment he saw I didn’t get sick after my first trip through the Grid like the rest of you did.”
“We have to celebrate. Tonight,” Nix
ie declared.
“Quite so!” Archie exclaimed. “Dani, this is truly incredible and so well deserved. Isn’t it, coz?” He glanced at Jake, who’d been silent, dazed by the news.
His cousin’s pointed look jarred him out of his stupor.
“It certainly is,” Jake forced out. But he felt a little queasy. His limbs seemed made out of lead.
Dani took a sprightly step toward him. “Oh, Jake, it’s the happiest day of my life! Don’t you see what this means?”
He shook his head, knots in his stomach.
She grasped him by his arms. “It means we’ll get to be Lightriders together! Isn’t that amazing?”
“Well—yes, but…I haven’t been invited yet,” he said with an uncomfortable laugh.
She waved this off. “Don’t worry, I’m sure Gladwin will be bringing your summons any day now. Maybe even tomorrow! After all, why in the world would they ever pick me and not you? You’re the Griffon heir, for goodness sake. Both your parents were Lightriders. I wouldn’t even be here if it weren’t for you.”
Her reassuring words sank in and made him feel better. His tension eased a bit, and he finally smiled. “You’re right. They’re probably still letting kids know this week whichever programs they’ve been assigned to.”
“Exactly,” Dani said, nodding, her face radiant. “You know Sir Peter. He’s not exactly prompt.”
“Was he there too?” Jake asked.
“Yes. And your friend, Lord Badgerton. He was against my selection, of course. He made that very clear.”
Jake smirked at that.
“Even Balinor was there,” Dani added. “He’s the one who gave me this.” She then handed Jake her Lightrider sash and let him hold it.
He marveled at the soft, glistening material. It was the closest he’d ever got to one of these.
The craving to earn one of his own filled him, but he handed Dani’s belt back to her with a roguish smile, for at that moment, he spotted Aunt Ramona coming out of the palace.
“There’s my aunt,” he said with a sudden spark of mischief. “I think I’ll go see if she’ll at least give me a hint as to whether or not I should be expecting a note from a certain fairy courier.”
“Oh, yes, do!” Dani urged him.
“This is so exciting,” Isabelle said as Jake took off running. “What shall we do to celebrate?”
He didn’t hear the suggestions they proposed. Leaving the others on the bridge, he jogged off to intercept Aunt Ramona before she went back inside.
“Aunt Ramona, wait!”
Hearing his call, the Elder witch turned toward him, her head held high, her tight bun of silver hair shining in the late morning sun. As Jake pounded toward her, his knapsack bouncing against his back, she stopped and glanced down the shallow stairs at him.
He grinned as he approached; she gave him a cordial nod as he came bounding up the steps.
“I just heard the news about Dani!” he said, slightly out of breath.
“Yes, terribly exciting, isn’t it?”
“It is! I’m really happy for her. Best news I’ve heard in months.” He squinted against the sunlight glinting off the windows of the palace. “But, um, I was wondering if…”
“Yes, Jacob?” She eyed him with a guarded stare.
“Well,” he said awkwardly, “are there any other kids you know of who might…also be invited into the program this week?”
“You know I’m not at liberty to share that information, nephew.”
“Not even a little hint?” he asked with his most charming grin.
“Hmm.” Her high cheekbones sharpened as she gave him a dubious smile. “I’m afraid I have no news for you at this time.”
“But maybe I’ll hear something soon?”
The baroness had started to turn away, but she paused and seemed to run a brisk mental calculation; then she turned back to him with a look of regret. “I am sorry, Jake. There are no more invitations being issued for the Lightrider program this session.”
Jake stared at her. “Wait, what? You mean…?”
She gave a slight shrug and tilted her head sympathetically. “I’m sorry, dear boy. Dani is the last one for now.”
She started to walk back inside, but Jake finally reacted out of shock.
“Hold on—is this because of Badgerton?” Jake ran in front of her. “Is he blocking my selection?”
“No, nothing like that.”
His jaw dropped. Somehow, this answer only made it worse. “So, that’s it, then? You just picked Dani and not me?”
“Jake!” she chided, startled. “Don’t be unsportsmanlike.”
“Unsportsmanlike?” he fairly shouted. “Being a Lightrider is my dream, not hers!”
“Well, that hardly matters. Look to your own actions!” Aunt Ramona snapped. “If you have not been found worthy, you have no one to blame but yourself. ’Tis within your own control to do better, Jacob. I am sorry, but unless we hear otherwise from Gaia herself, I’m afraid the answer is no.”
He stared at her, at a loss.
“Well, don’t panic, boy,” she added, softening just a bit, and sounding annoyed at herself for it. “You’re only thirteen. You still have plenty of time to qualify for the program. You’ll simply have to work harder. Good day.” With that, Aunt Ramona marched back inside.
For a long moment, Jake just stood there, incredulous.
I don’t believe this. What else could go wrong? His Gryphon was missing. His parents were not in their coffins. He might’ve started a war, and now Dani had been chosen for the Lightrider program instead of him. How unfair could life be?
Sorry to say, but Dani O’Dell was the last person he wanted to see right now. Her smiling face filled him with rabid frustration as she came running over to him, the others just a few steps behind.
“Well?” Dani asked eagerly. “What did she say?”
Jake paused, checking his temper. “I wasn’t chosen this round. Congratulations, carrot. I’m really happy for you,” he said, his voice a monotone. “I’m sure you’ll do great. You’ll have to tell me all about it. On second thought—maybe not. If you’ll excuse me,” he said to everyone, “I have to go.”
Dani looked wounded by his surly tone, right in her moment of glory. But Jake couldn’t deal with her or the others right now.
He was too upset.
“Jake!” Isabelle shouted as he took off, walking quickly to escape them.
They had all just better leave him alone right now. He did not want to blow up at Dani or anyone else—he knew they didn’t deserve it—but he already felt like his head was going to explode.
“Ignore him, Dani,” he heard Maddox say as he huffed away. “What an egotist.”
“He’s mental,” Nixie muttered.
“Jake, don’t be a cad!” Archie called after him, sounding annoyed. “Jove’s beard, he’s always got to make it all about him.”
Jake heard what they were saying—and he hated himself for ruining Dani’s moment of triumph—but he couldn’t seem to snap out of it.
After everything that had happened, this was just the last straw. One more major disappointment on top of everything else that had gone so disastrously wrong in his life for the past three months.
But Archie sounded truly angry at him on Dani’s behalf. “Badly done, Jake!” his cousin shouted.
I don’t care! Jake thought, stomping off by himself to the zoo. With the way he was feeling, he figured he belonged among the wild beasts.
Even before he strode under the arched entrance of the menagerie, he could smell the animals’ pens and hear the noises they were making—the bleating of the dreaming sheep, the occasional yawp of the yeti.
Passing under the wooden arch, he saw the Green Man zookeeper and veterinarian, Dr. Plantagenet, dressed in overalls and pushing a cart full of buckets around the paths, feeding all the animals. His helper, Og, was asking him a question, so neither the Green Man nor the irritating troll-boy noticed Jake slip by a few rows away.
For his part, Jake was impressed by the showy golds and reds of the autumn leaves atop Dr. P’s head. He wondered if the tree man would just have bare branches for hair over the winter. Probably so.
Hurrying on his way, Jake strode down the winding paths of the zoo, past the mud-swamp habitat of the climbing fish.
Some of the fat, squishy fish had wriggled up the old, dead trees in their dismal enclosure. Jake could hear them croaking as they enjoyed the morning sun.
When he passed the corral for the dreaming sheep, the winged sheepdog that tended the flock wagged his tail at him, but Jake kept going.
Both the unpleasant Fairy Stinger and the three-headed tortoise were lurking somewhere out of sight in their pens. The yeti grasped the bars of its cage and glared at Jake, beating its chest and grunting.
Jake was tempted to grunt back, but he left the yeti alone, rounding the bend and heading up the hill.
Inevitably, he found himself drawn once more to Red’s old molting nest atop a rock formation near the back of the zoo.
The poor Gryphon had built the big nest for himself months ago in preparation for the miserable process of shedding his old feathers and growing in new ones. Coming here comforted Jake; it made him feel closer to his missing pet.
As he found a handhold and started climbing, he thought back to Red’s time in the molting nest with wistful affection.
A molting Gryphon was quite a sight, to be sure, half bald and mangy-looking. The normally magnificent beast had hidden himself away here in shame, embarrassed and chilly until his splendid new feathers had filled in.
Jake had taken good care of him with Dr. Plantagenet’s help, although no one was quite sure why a few of Red’s scarlet feathers had grown back in tones of gorgeous, sparkling gold.
His red feathers had healing properties, but what the gold ones did was anyone’s guess.
Jake just hoped that Dark Master Zolond was not making experiments to solve that mystery, but he probably was.
His stomach clenched, but he warded off the awful thought by concentrating on climbing. Placing one foot carefully after another, he mounted the rough stone ledges and scaled jutting boulders until he had gained the top of the rocky pinnacle.
