The Society of Imaginary Friends (The Conjurors Series)

by Kristen Pham

  It took all her remaining strength to drag him out of the launch chamber so that he wouldn’t be near her when she was launched into space. As her rage drained away, something strange took its place that was even better—pride in her triumph over Venu, Sanguina, and her fear. Venu wasn’t moving at all, but he was still breathing.

  “It will be much, much worse for you on the Globe, I promise you. I will find you like I always do, and I will destroy you,” Sanguina said when Valerie finally dropped Venu with a grunt. She heard the desperation in Sanguina’s voice and deliberately turned to look at her.

  “You know what I think? For all your threats, you’re afraid of me. That’s why you don’t want me in your world. And you should be afraid. Because I will fight you, and I will crush you.”

  Something in the look on Valerie’s face silenced Sanguina, and she vanished. Valerie took a deep breath and knew that it was time to take off, before Venu could attack again. She had never felt so powerful in her life. She was ready to be on the Globe, to embrace her magic fully, and to take on whatever trouble came her way.

  She must have passed the second half of the Sphinx’ test, because she knew exactly what to do next.

  “Goodbye, Earth,” she said, and she touched the center triangle on the north wall that would launch her into space.

  Chapter 14

  A burst of energy exploded in the chamber, searing through Valerie like a shock wave. The symbols covering the walls of the launch chamber pulsated, glowing even more brightly. Then the air shimmered and the symbols seemed to peel off the stones, cascading closer and closer to her, surrounding her in a blue bubble of light. She floated a few feet off the floor in the exact center of the room. Bathed in the blue light and effortlessly hovering in the air, she was completely at peace, ready to be reborn.

  But unexpectedly, the vibrating power of the magic that filled the room caused the ancient stones, now weakened without the magic of the symbols to reinforce them, to tremble. The whole room began to shake violently. One of the stones in the ceiling crashed to the floor and shattered into pieces. The last thing that Valerie saw before she was launched into space were dozens of rocks jarring loose as the room collapsed into itself.

  Thai told her later that he saw a flash of blue light shoot out of one of the airshafts that exited the Great Pyramid. But all she knew was that one second she saw the crumbling walls of the launch chamber, and the next she was so far away that she felt like an astronaut seeing Earth from space.

  Valerie stared in amazement at the brilliant blue, green, and brown planet that had been her home. No picture of Earth in a science textbook could compare to this. After a moment, she realized that Earth wasn’t getting any smaller. “What’s wrong with you? Why won’t you move?” she yelled at the bubble. Her heart sped up in panic. “Cyrus! Where are you? You promised that it wasn’t possible for me to get lost in space!”

  The second that she thought of Cyrus, the bubble began to move again, hurtling her toward the dark patch in the sky that hid the Globe. She breathed a sigh of relief, realizing that the bubble hadn’t been moving because she hadn’t been steering it with her thoughts. Concentrating, she pictured Cyrus’s face in her mind and the bubble moved even faster. The glowing equations moved rapidly in circles around her, spinning more quickly the faster that she traveled.

  Because of the sheer speed at which she was traveling, the stars streaked past her, appearing as lines of light rather than individual stars. Line after line zoomed by, and Valerie wondered if she was moving faster than anything else in the universe right now.

  In the distance, she saw a cluster of stars swirling around a dark hole, as if their light was being pulled into the eye of a hurricane. She realized that she was headed directly for that dark spot, which grew bigger with every passing second.

  Logically, she knew that the Globe was hidden inside that void, but the closer she got, the faster her heart beat. As hard as she strained her eyes, she could see nothing in that hole but an empty blackness. She forced herself to control her panic. She would make it through this, like she had made it through every obstacle on this trip. The hole grew larger. She held her breath and squeezed her eyes shut as she was drawn down, down into the fathomless darkness.

  When she finally dared to open her eyes, the darkness had disappeared. Through the blue equations of her bubble, she could see a planet that was more colorful than she had ever imagined. The royal blue and turquoise water met land that was many colors, from purple mountains to golden deserts to red canyons. “Cool,” she gasped in amazement.

  “Cyrus, Cyrus,” she chanted to herself as her bubble sped toward the Globe, worried that she might wind up in the middle of nowhere on this strange new planet. She could see that she was coming closer and closer to a light green patch of land, but she couldn’t make out specifics of the landscape as the colors blurred together from the tremendous speed at which she was traveling. Her pulse started to speed up again at the thought that she was going to crash into the Globe at a million miles an hour and be blasted into smithereens, but as if in response to her worry, the bubble immediately slowed, approaching the ground at a less alarming pace.

  Seconds later, her feet gently touched land. The bubble around her vanished, and she stared straight into Cyrus’s shining blue eyes. She realized that she was still clutching the sword she had found in the launch chamber, and she immediately dropped it and threw her arms around him. He lifted her off the ground and twirled her around in a circle.

  “Took you long enough!”

  She laughed in joy and relief. It was amazing to finally hug Cyrus and to have her feet firmly planted on solid ground. Up close, she realized that he was a good five inches taller than she was. In person, he seemed older, less like the kid that she had pictured playing with when he was her imaginary friend years ago. Somehow it hadn’t hit her that he had grown up, like she had, until she saw him in person.

  Cyrus finally released her from his warm, tight hug, and she stepped back.

  “You’re bleeding!” he said, alarm replacing his joy.

  Valerie looked down and saw the slash Venu had given her with his knife. “I’m fine. It’s nothing, just a shallow cut. The bleeding has already stopped.”

  “What could have happened in the forty-five minutes since I saw you last?”

  Before she could respond, a unicorn, pure white with a silver horn, stepped out from the trees. The unicorn met her gaze and nodded.

  Cyrus followed her gaze. “Valerie, meet Azra. She’s the only one other than me who knows you’re here. Azra is one of the founders of this place, and she’s been around longer than anyone. And now she’s sort of like, um, what you would think of as the Globe’s president.”

  Valerie’s eyes widened nervously. What was the proper way to show a unicorn respect? Especially a unicorn that was president of a magical world? Azra’s eyes twinkled kindly, and Valerie felt, rather than heard, her lyrical voice in her mind. Welcome to the Globe. I’m so happy to finally meet you.

  Valerie sent a pleading glance toward Cyrus, silently asking him to help her say the right thing. He burst out laughing. “Relax, Val! She’s cool.”

  “It’s a, um, pleasure to meet you, Azra.”

  If it’s my title that’s worrying you, I’m nothing like a president, really. I’m an adviser of sorts. And I do hope you’ll think of me as a friend.

  Valerie smiled and relaxed. Azra’s calm, warm presence made her feel like she was someone who could be trusted. For the first time since she landed, Valerie took in her surroundings. They were standing in a small, grassy valley surrounded by a forest.

  “Now tell me what happened to you!” Cyrus demanded.

  Azra noticed Valerie’s wound for the first time, and her gentle eyes filled with concern. Allow me to call a healer right away.

  “I’m okay, I promise,” Valerie replied, and then turned to Cyrus. “I’ll tell you everything, but first, let Thai know I’m safe and find out what happened to Chis
isi.”

  “But, Val… Oh, fine,” Cyrus said, unable to hide his impatience. “Don’t say anything interesting until I get back!”

  Valerie watched as Cyrus sat down and concentrated. The air around him shimmered, but he didn’t disappear. She knelt beside him and waited in silence so as not to break his concentration. Nervously, she stroked the grass, which was like velvet under her fingers, and watched Azra’s iridescent mane ripple in the gentle breeze. After a few minutes, the shimmer around him disappeared and his eyes popped open.

  “Thai found Chisisi. He’s going to be okay,” Cyrus said. The tension in her body began to dissolve. “Thai said if any more venom had gotten into his bloodstream, he might not have made it. But luckily, Chisisi knew what he was doing and went straight to the hospital. He’ll make a full recovery within the week.”

  “I’m going to visit him as soon as you teach me how to do that mental projection thing. Now, what about Thai?”

  “He’s going to stay at the hospital until Chisisi’s fully recovered to make sure that Venu isn’t coming back. Then he’s heading back to Vietnam one last time before he goes to South America,” Cyrus said. “Anyway, enough about Thai. I want to hear what happened to you.”

  Valerie launched into her tale, recounting her fight with Venu and her trip through the universe. But one thing troubled her. “Did I do something wrong when I activated the launch chamber? It looked like I broke the room.”

  Azra responded thoughtfully. It was a very ancient portal, Valerie. It was never meant to last this long. I think that perhaps the magic held on this long because it was your fate to take this trip. If it weren’t for you, the launch chamber would have crumbled long ago.

  Valerie shook her head in disbelief. How could it possibly be that she, Valerie Diaz, was the reason that the powerful monument had survived for thousands of years? It had to be a coincidence that it crumbled after her trip.

  “Where did you get that sword, Val? Did you make a pit stop at the Milky Way for one last souvenir?” Cyrus asked.

  Valerie had forgotten all about the mysterious sword she found in the launch chamber. She picked it up and turned it over in her hands, examining it in the Globe’s bright sunlight. “I found this in the chamber right before I took off. It was embedded in the stone floor, like the story of King Arthur. I had to take a closer look. Do you know where it came from? Was it supposed to be there?”

  Azra came closer, her mane brushing the blade as she examined it curiously. Then her eyes widened. That is a very famous sword—the Edge of Pathos. I have no idea how it came to be in the chamber. But I knew its last owner. She disappeared years and years ago. She was a friend.

  Azra shook her mane regretfully, and Valerie held the sword out to her. “You should have it to remember her by.”

  Thank you, that is most kind, but I believe that Pathos was there for a reason. Besides, it somehow looks as if it belongs to you.

  Valerie lifted the sword—Pathos, she’d have to remember that—and took a few practice swings. The hilt fit her hand perfectly, as if it were molded to fit her grasp. “Thank you, Azra.”

  We’ll find you a sheath for it this week.

  Valerie took a deep breath, tasting the sweet air on the Globe. “I’m so glad I’m finally here!” she said, realizing for the first time that it was true. Coming here was the right decision. All of the fatigue and weakness that she had carried with her on Earth had been lifted, making her feel like she could take on anything.

  “Not as glad as I am! Can we take her to look around now? There’s so much I want to show you!”

  Yes, if you’re ready, Valerie, we’ll give you the grand tour of our city, Silva.

  Valerie’s eyes shone. “I’m very ready.”

  Chapter 15

  Azra and Cyrus led Valerie through the forest. It was like no woods that Valerie had ever seen, except in storybooks. Leaves of every shade of green imaginable were on the trees, and on some of them, the bark glinted as if it had been brushed with gold paint.

  As they walked, Valerie occasionally caught a glimpse of something moving in the woods, but she couldn’t make out what it was. She started to worry that they were being surrounded, but Azra’s words softly entered her mind, reassuring her. It’s the people of the woods. Humans used to call them elves. They don’t like to be bothered often, but they won’t hurt us. Valerie let out a breath that she didn’t know she’d been holding. We’re nearly there, Azra added.

  “Where exactly are we, anyway? On the planet, I mean.”

  The Globe is split into different countries, much like Earth. Right now we’re in the country of Arden. It’s mainly made up of forests, lakes, and waterfalls, and its capital is Silva.

  “That’s where you guys live?”

  Yes. And I think you’ll like it here very much. In Arden, there are many wonderful teachers who will help you to explore your powers. Here, there are no rules like those on Earth to suppress the magic inside you. You can be the person you really are, fulfill your true potential.

  “I hope I fit in.”

  “You will!” Cyrus exclaimed. “After all, you’re friends with me, so everyone will know you’re cool. But you can’t tell everyone that you’re from Earth. People would ask a lot of questions. Plus, we don’t want that Sanguina lady finding out where you are.”

  “Did you ever figure out who she is and what she wants from me?”

  Azra’s eyes were clouded when she answered. I have a strong suspicion of who Sanguina is. I must make sure before I accuse her. Rest assured, when I know for certain, I will tell you.

  Valerie nodded. “But won’t it be obvious that I’m not from the Globe? I mean, I’ve never been around magic before.”

  Cyrus smiled. “No problem. We’ll tell everyone that you’re from Messina. It’s an island in the middle of the ocean. The people there have forbidden the practice of any magic. And they almost never leave their island, so you’re not likely to run into anyone who will ask you hard questions. Also, Messina is where I’m from, so it will make sense that we know each other so well.”

  “You grew up without magic?” Valerie asked, surprised.

  Cyrus looked slightly uncomfortable. “It’s a long story. But yeah, I grew up without any magic, until my parents let me come to Silva for school when I was eight. I’ve lived here ever since.”

  “You must miss them so much,” Valerie said, trying to imagine why anyone would want to leave their family if they were lucky enough to have one.

  “I do, but I visit all the time. It’s just—I don’t fit in there. I love magic too much. It’s so hard to suppress my powers when I’m home for the holidays. But I’ll take you to meet my parents and my sister sometime.”

  “I’d like that.”

  “Anyway, Messina is the perfect alibi for you,” Cyrus said, changing the subject. “Speaking of fitting in, that reminds me, I brought you a charm so you can speak and understand any language. Everyone uses it on the Globe so that we can all communicate with each other. It saves everyone a lot of frustration and confusion.”

  Valerie caught Cyrus’s change of subject and decided to drop her questions about him and his family for now. She had enough to absorb. She grinned widely as Cyrus described the charm. “No way! Magic can do that? It’s such a brilliant idea.”

  Azra laughed and flicked her tail. Valerie’s breath caught at the beauty of the sound in her mind, like remembering church bells. Sometimes I take magic for granted after all these years. It’s so refreshing to watch you experience it for the first time.

  Cyrus gave Valerie a candy wrapped in gold foil. “Go ahead and eat it—don’t worry, it doesn’t hurt at all.”

  Valerie popped the candy in her mouth. It was sweet, and it made her mouth and throat feel pleasantly warm and tingly. “Well? Is it working?” she asked.

  Azra nodded. Yes, you’re speaking in the universal language. It will seem to you like everyone you meet is speaking English. In fact, everyone speaks and hears in th
e universal language—but they don’t realize it.

  “So the original language fades away? I mean, if I have children, they’ll never hear English spoken?” Something about that seemed sad to Valerie, like one more thing from Earth that she couldn’t hold on to.

  The Language Guild ensures that no language is ever forgotten. They pride themselves on speaking to everyone in their own original language. If you ever hear them speak English, you’ll be able to feel the difference.

  Valerie was about to ask what a guild was when they stepped out of the woods. Her heart almost stopped beating at the dazzling sight below her. Nestled in a deep, wide valley, Silva glittered.

  The city was wildly different from the towns she had seen on Earth. The biggest buildings were white, laid out roughly in the shape of a giant horseshoe. The path in front of the buildings was constructed of flagstones in many colors. Creatures of all shapes and sizes walked on the path, and the stones lit up when they were stepped on. Inside the horseshoe was a large grassy area where children played games. A tree-lined path went straight through the middle, leading to the biggest of the buildings at the top of the horseshoe.

  The rest of Silva was sprawled behind the main buildings that made up the horseshoe. This part of the city seemed completely unplanned and crammed full of buildings of every shape and size. Even the streets were unusual, twisting and turning in ways that seemed to make no sense at this distance. It was nothing like the grid of north-south and east-west of streets in downtown Oakland where she had grown up. Logically, she thought this hodgepodge should look messy, but instead, the city had a unique charm, and all of the buildings seemed to somehow be in harmony with each other. Nervousness made her stomach churn as she tried to imagine navigating the labyrinthine paths.

  As they walked closer to the city, she was relieved to see that at least her appearance wouldn’t stand out. Conjurors came in all colors, shapes, and sizes, and everyone wore different styles of clothing, from long robes to dresses made of leaves. Valerie noticed that Cyrus wore a T-shirt and jeans, like guys on Earth. She was relieved that her own jeans and sweater wouldn’t look strange—other than being a little dirty from her trek through the tunnel beneath the pyramid. While many of the Conjurors could pass for human, she also noticed that animals, fairies, and a variety of other creatures all talked, walked, and played together. She would blend right in.