“There’s a manticore,” Ozzie pointed out. The terrifying winged demon looked out from the screen. Even though it was only a picture, its razor teeth and bloodred eyes sent chills up and down Kara’s spine as she recalled facing the real thing only weeks before.
“Wait, open that one,” she instructed.
Emily clicked on the thumbnail and the screen filled with an image of the ragged creature Kara recognized from the glade and the sunroom.
“That’s it,” Kara said, backing away. “Only it doesn’t have that green stuff.”
“You mean Black Fire.” Balthazar nodded.
“The ones we saw looked badly poisoned,” Ronif confirmed.
“Banshees,” Emily read. “Creatures of fairy that have been cursed. They have long, streaming hair and ragged clothes. Eyes are fiery red from constant weeping. Banshees cry because they foretell darkness and pain.”
“Like messengers of bad news?” Adriane asked.
“They were monsters, not messengers,” Kara said.
“There are a lot of poor creatures on Aldenmor that wander the Shadowlands,” Balthazar said. “Hideous and twisted by dark magic.”
“What’s the Shadowlands?” Emily asked.
“A place on Aldenmor. It used to be beautiful forests and meadows until the witch destroyed it.”
“It’s where Black Fire comes from,” Kara informed them.
They all looked at Kara.
“Lyra told me. She was there. She was captured by hunters and brought to this castle where this . . . person was torturing animals.”
“That’s terrible!” Emily cried, outraged.
“Lyra escaped, but her sisters didn’t.” Kara felt the cat’s sadness, connected to it somehow.
“We know of this Dark Sorceress,” Balthazar shuddered.
“A terrible witch who hunts animals,” Ronif added.
“Lyra said she’s stealing magic from the animals,” Kara continued.
Ozzie grimaced. “It’s a complete perversion of the magic. Horrible!”
“But we know our magic is stronger with our animal friends,” Emily reasoned.
“And the legends that say humans and animals once worked together to make strong magic,” Balthazar agreed.
“Well, now the animals have defenders to protect them!” Adriane punched her fist into her palm for emphasis.
“That’s right!” Ozzie sprang to his feet. “Let’s go!”
“Ozzie.” Emily caught his tail and pulled the agitated ferret back. “We don’t know what we’re up against yet.”
“But I’m not an animal,” Kara argued. “Why is this sorceress after me? And she can’t have my jewel!”
“Why would she want your jewel and not ours?” Adriane asked.
“’Cause mine’s better,” Kara quipped, then added, “I don’t know but she’s not getting it and neither are those banshees.”
Adriane pointed back to the computer monitor. “According to this, ‘Banshees foretell dark magic and the fate of those who are touched by evil.’”
“How do they do that?” Emily asked.
Adriane read on. “They wash an article of clothing of the one who is tainted.”
Kara felt the blood rush from her face. “It was washing my sweater. What am I going to do? I’m tainted!” she wailed. “Do I smell bad?”
“Kara, don’t you think there’s something odd about your jewel?” Emily asked.
“What do you mean?”
“What did it look like when you first found it?” Adriane asked Kara.
“Just like this.” Kara held out the dazzling gem.
“Ours changed as we used them, as if they became tuned to us.”
“That would make sense,” Ozzie mused. “Magic jewels are tuned to a specific person. Only they can use it.”
“Well, mine got here all powerful and ready to go. So what?” Kara clutched the stone close. “Just takes some time to learn to work it right.” But she knew she had none of the control Emily and Adriane had over their magic.
“Kara, maybe that jewel is not for you,” Emily said slowly.
“How do you know when a jewel is really for you?” Kara held up the magic stone. Bright facets cast sparkles across her face.
“You just know, Kara,” Adriane replied. “It’s like they reflect a part of who we are.”
“Well, those banshees aren’t after your jewel, they’re after . . . mine.” Kara realized what she was saying. Her jewel was different. But how? What part of her did it reflect? Did the banshees know she would be the one to find this jewel? Was she tainted with dark magic?
“If this sorceress is hunting animals, she may want the jewel to trap an animal,” Balthazar suggested.
“Oh, no!” Kara’s mouth opened in horror. “Do you think she’s after Lyra?”
“Kara, this isn’t just your problem,” Emily said.
“We’re in this together,” Adriane agreed.
“That’s right, we all are,” Ozzie said, waving a paw to include the other animals.
“So what do we do?” Kara asked.
“Whoever is after that jewel will come back for it.” Adriane looked at the others. “We’ll just have to be ready to deal with it.”
“So I’m supposed to wait around like a sitting quiffle?” Kara complained. “No offense,” she said to Ronif.
“Those water creatures told you the jewel is a trap, right?” Emily said.
“Yeah . . . but they were confusing me and I sat on one.”
“We think they were Fairimentals, like the ones that came to us made of earth and twigs,” Emily explained.
“Kara,” Ozzie said. “The Fairimentals sent me to find three human mages, a healer, a warrior, and a blazing star.”
“So?”
“So . . . we don’t know what a blazing star is . . .”
“What’s your point?”
“Maybe you’re not the one . . .” Ozzie said cautiously. “The blazing star.”
Kara was speechless. How could she not be the blazing star? She found the most fabulous jewel! Had she only found it by accident?
“But Ozzie,” Emily said. “Kara makes magic stronger when she’s around us.”
“So do we,” Ronif pointed out.
“What, so now I’m like a magical animal?” Kara scoffed.
Ozzie tapped his chin thoughtfully. “Kara obviously conducts magic, like the animals do, so maybe the jewel is a test.”
“A test? Why are they testing me and not Emily and Adriane?”
“Maybe they’re being tested in different ways. But this time the Fairimentals came to you. We don’t know what a blazing star is. But three mages are needed to help Aldenmor and the animals.”
“I want this to be mine so bad!” Kara admitted, holding the crystal tightly. But even if it only attracts bad magic?
“I’ll ask Storm to watch out for you,” Adriane offered.
“All the animals are on the lookout for anything unusual,” Ozzie put in.
“So, are we all agreed?” Emily asked.
Adriane and the animals nodded.
“All right,” Emily said. “In the meantime we continue to sort out this website information and separate what we want to hide.”
“Mr. Gardener left us a lot of stuff here,” Adriane said.
“Yeah, and look what happened to him,” Kara moaned.
“We don’t know what’s happened to him,” Adriane pointed out.
“Exactly!” Kara grabbed her backpack and laptop. “Okay, I can’t believe I’m saying this, but I’m going home to do homework. Maybe it will take my mind off this crazy stuff.”
“Okay, but no more magic,” Emily cautioned.
“Yes, Mother.”
“Anything happens, you call us, right?” Adriane prompted.
“Yes, Father.”
Adriane narrowed her eyes, then smiled. Kara smiled back, and suddenly everyone broke out laughing. Kara tried to hold the good feelings close, a shield to push back her
fears. But inside she could not help but think about what the banshees foretold: dark things were coming. How were they supposed to fight a sorceress destroying an entire world when they barely understood their magic?
Ozzie had been sent from Aldenmor to find three mages. The healer, which Emily had proven herself to be, the warrior, who could only be Adriane, and a blazing star. She was undoubtedly a star: smart, cute, the center of attention, impeccably groomed—but was that enough? She couldn’t ignore the awful feeling that something wasn’t right. That she might not be good enough. But one thing had become crystal clear. Kara wanted this more than anything in her whole life. And she always got what she wanted.
THE REST OF the week went by in double Kara time as she dove into a whirlwind of school and social activities. It was almost as if things were . . . normal. Well, as normal as they can be when your hair is a hundred different colors and then some.
On Saturday morning, Mrs. Davies dropped Kara at the Stonehill Galleria Mall. The enormous glass-and-chrome complex might have been daunting to some, but not to Kara. Huge skylights capped the ceilings and mirrored hallways ran past stores, all leading to the coin-scattered fountains and immense food court in the central atrium. She cruised the main floor past Forever 21, H&M, Hot Topic, and The Gap. Chic fall fashions decked the window displays and SALE signs beckoned. Maybe later, she thought, when her hair wouldn’t clash with everything she tried on.
The food court was packed; some cooking show was giving product demonstrations and handing out free samples. Heading up the escalator, she spotted Heather and Molly going into Banana Republic. “Hey, homegirls! See anything good?” she called out cheerfully.
Molly waved back. “Just starting here. Then looping the place.”
“Where’s Tiff?”
Heather pointed at Tiffany, who held up a black three quarter sleeve wrap top. Kara gave her a thumbs-up. Thrilled, Tiffany dove back into the racks.
“Meet us at the food court, K!” Heather called.
“Okay!” Kara rounded the second-floor escalator and headed up to the third floor.
The Clip Joint was in the corner, full of mirrors, funky chemical smells, and cool gray light from skylights that reflected an overcast sky. Lightning flashed, buried in the clouds. A few raindrops spattered on the glass, but inside it was warm and dry. Customers draped in gray chatted and leafed through magazines as hairdressers in black T-shirts and pants combed and cut and colored and coiffed.
Kara walked up to the receptionist, a girl with spiky black hair. “Hi, I’m Kara Davies. I have an appointment.”
“Great hair! How did you get those highlights so bright?”
“It was a mixture of things,” Kara replied. “But I want my original color back.”
“Angela,” the girl yelled to the back of the shop, “rainbow girl is here!”
A young woman with short blond hair came bustling across the room. “Come on back.” Angela led Kara to a sink and sat her down. “Just relax, we’ll get this water nice and warm,” she said, wrapping a towel around Kara’s neck and turning on the water. “I’ll be just a minute.”
“Okay.” Kara sat with her back to the sink, looking at her rainbow reflections in the mirrors. Her hair was pretty amazing, she had to admit. Maybe I should keep it, she thought with a giggle.
A drop of water hit her in the face.
Kara glanced over into the sink.
“Blazing star,” whispered a familiar high-pitched voice. A tiny liquid figure swirled out of the steamy water. Another Fairimental. It was only inches high, its voice almost lost in the noise of the shop. Kara looked around. No one was paying any attention.
“Are you a Fairimental?” Kara whispered.
“I am water . . .”
Kara could see that the figure was struggling to hold its shape. She felt the great exertion and powerful magic it took for the Fairimental to come here.
“Look, what do I do with this jewel?” Kara asked quickly. “I can’t make it work right.”
“Some things are only yours for a short time,” the watermental gurgled.
Oh no! Had Ozzie been right after all? Maybe she wasn’t the blazing star.
“Beware, the Dark Sorceress is coming . . .”
Kara shuddered. “Is Lyra in danger?”
“She wants you . . .”
“I don’t understand.” Kara bit her lip. “What does she want from me?”
“Your magic.”
Kara quickly glanced around the shop. Everything seemed normal. No one had noticed her talking to the sink.
“Am I the blazing star?”
But when she looked back, the Fairimental was gone. My magic? The water thingy said my magic. Her jewel hung around her neck, pulsing with diamond light.
“You sure you want to bleach this color out?” Angela said, returning to the sink.
Kara covered the jewel with her hands. “Yes.”
Angela adjusted the chair, leaning Kara back over the shiny black sink.
“Never seen anything like it,” Angela admitted, lathering up the hair. Kara forced herself to relax as Angela rinsed out the shampoo and worked in the conditioner. “We need this to set for a few minutes,” she told Kara. “Back in a sec.”
Kara moved her neck into a more comfortable position and felt her jewel warm in her hand. My magic. Through half-closed eyes, she gazed at the mirror across from her. Images of the shop flickered on the glass, dim and unreal in the cool, stark light. The glass began to shiver as ripples spread and the surface seemed to fall away. A gossamer spider’s web of lines interlaced and stretched back, reaching to infinity. Cool. Must be reflecting from the toy store across the hall, she thought. A small light moved along the grid, arcing its way toward Kara.
She stared as the spot of light took form, expanding into an image: a magnificent white horse with a long, flowing mane and tail, streaking like a comet across the web. Something flashed. A crystalline horn sparkled on the horse’s forehead—just like the jewel she grasped so tightly in her hand. A unicorn! The majestic creature was something out of a dream—her dream.
Swish, swish . . .
Kara felt cold air rush over her.
“I’m sorry, but you can’t come in here.” The receptionist was trying to keep a ragged old lady from shuffling into the salon. The tattered thing was hunched over, face hidden under a long shawl.
Swish, swish . . .
Kara jerked up. “Oh, no!” This can’t be happening! Not here!
“Please, you have to leave immediately,” the receptionist said to the hunched creature. Outside the doors, Kara saw another banshee shambling toward the salon.
She jumped to her feet. “Storm!” she hissed. “Where are you?”
She frantically searched the salon. Where was that stupid wolf when she really needed her!
“Are you all right?” It took a second for Kara to realize the voice in her head was Lyra’s.
“Lyra! They’re here! In the mall! Where are you?” she whispered urgently.
“Nearby.”
Kara moved to the front window, looking for the cat. “You can’t come in here. People will freak out!”
Splat!
A third banshee smashed into the window. Its hideous face pressed to the glass, eyes red from weeping, empty dark openings where its nose and mouth should have been.
Kara leaped back. What do I do? I have to do something!
Her jewel raged like fire against her chest.
Darting past the trio of banshees, Kara ran out of the salon and skidded into the hallway of the mall. In the mirrored wall, her hair was wild, glued together with gobs of drying conditioner and sticking out in all directions. Something moved inside the mirror. The unicorn rose up on his hind legs, shook his mane, and leaped away. Kara ran after him, the banshees shuffling behind.
Kara rushed toward the open circle of the mall’s center hub. Looking over the railing of the atrium from three stories up, she saw the food court spread out below, full of p
eople.
Swish, swish . . .
Swish, swish . . .
Five banshees were closing in from both sides of the hub. She backed into the railing, trapped.
Something darted through the crowd below. An animal, big and spotted like a leopard. Lyra!
“I’m up here!” Kara screamed to the cat.
“Hey, Kara!” someone called.
Kara looked down to see Molly, Tiffany, Heather, Joey, and Marcus at one of the tables.
“Hair looks much better!” Joey called out. They all laughed.
The big cat was headed right down the center of the food court. No, Lyra! You can’t be here!
A wail made Kara turn. A banshee reached for her. Kara screamed, kicking it away.
A terrifying roar split the air. Lyra leaped onto a table, scattering food and drinks. She leaped to another, trying to reach the escalators. Pandemonium erupted as people ran screaming, trying to get out of the way of the ferocious beast.
“Help!”
“A leopard loose in the mall!”
“Call security!”
“Over here!” Kara yelled, waving to Lyra.
Thunder rocked across the atrium as lightning lit the skylights overhead.
Kara whirled—right into the face of another gruesome, grasping banshee. Burning claws sank into Kara’s arm. The jewel flashed searing bright, instantly bathing Kara’s arm in white light. She screamed and tried to twist away, but another banshee was at her back, filling the air with a foul, rancid sewer stink. Kara choked and tried to cover her face. A green hand was clawing at her necklace, trying to rip the silver chain from her neck.
Kara struggled to pull away and grabbed the railing. Below, police officers were entering the food court, walkie-talkies in hand as they rushed through the crowd. The view vanished as Kara lost her footing and went down, slamming into the hard floor. Her breath was knocked from her chest; she couldn’t scream. Banshees clawed at her hair, her clothes, her flesh.
With a roar, Lyra crashed into the banshees, knocking them off Kara. The big cat crouched, teeth bared, growling dangerously at the creatures.
Kara stumbled to her feet. “Help! Help!”
“Up there!” someone yelled.
“The leopard!”
“It’s got Kara!” Molly yelled.
“Oh, Kara!” Tiffany cried in panic.
All That Glitters (Avalon: Web of Magic #2) Page 8
