Dark Mage (Avalon: Web of Magic, Book 11)

by Rachel Roberts

  “My mistake.” Pale hands raised in defense.

  A moment of silence followed as he scrutinized her.

  “Remarkable. I’ve never seen one bond with anybody. But then again, you’re not just anybody, you’re the blazing star.”

  “I guess my rep precedes me,” Kara boasted nervously.

  Logan chuckled. “Yes. You were quite the sensation in the mall.”

  The blazing star was suddenly self-conscious. She barely stopped to wonder how he knew about her musical welcome.

  “You always travel without a chaperone?”

  “Do I need one?” Kara asked.

  Black eyes turned to Lyra. The cat’s lips pulled back in a snarl, revealing razor teeth. The answer was clear.

  “Point taken.” Again, he chuckled, warm and friendly. There was no hint of a threat.

  “Goblin Feldman said you could help me.”

  “Helping isn’t exactly what I’m known for.”

  “Maybe it’s time to change your image,” Kara suggested smoothly.

  “Oh? What’s wrong with it?” He leaned forward into the light.

  It took all her blazing star power to remain cool. This was no old, wizened crony. The flickering lights illuminated a teenage face, only a few years older than she was. His longish blonde hair was streaked with three shades of pale highlights, setting off his dark eyes and handsome, angular face. In his streamlined black velvet blazer and slick designer jeans, Logan looked more like a rock star than a user of dark magic.

  Noting Kara’s appraisal, a slow smile spread across his curvy lips. Logan knew exactly how hot he was and he wasn’t afraid to show it.

  Kara recovered her poise quickly. “Point taken.”

  “Dimwiddie, get our guests some ice tea,” Logan ordered.

  “Blazzzah! Get it yourself.”

  Logan gave the creature an exasperated look and it skittered away across the room.

  “Gremlins.” He shrugged. “Please, sit.”

  Kara perched on the edge of the cushioned booth, Lyra standing protectively close. Goldie hopped onto the table, helping herself to peanuts.

  “Nice place,” Kara said, scanning the chic club.

  “Bit noisy.” With a wave of his hand, the music lowered to a soft pulse. “The three mages are quite famous—the ‘it’ girls of the web, you could say. But none as famous as the blazing star.”

  She didn’t know quite how to react—she wanted to remain steady, cool, focused. She so could not. “You’re not what I expected,” she blurted.

  “Nor are you,” he countered.

  Kara couldn’t help staring at his winning smile. Logan was gorgeous.

  “Let me guess…” Logan shifted closer, making her heart beat like a drum.

  “Level One blazing star, using a jewel of the unicorns, bonded with this magnificent cat—”

  “Level Two, actually,” Kara corrected him.

  Logan’s look of admiration melted her. “So you have a paladin protector.”

  “Fire stallion.” Kara smiled proudly.

  “Fire, of course.” He leaned forward, genuinely interested. “Impressive.”

  “What kind of mage are you?” she asked, becoming more comfortable. “I mean, Feldman made you out to be like this total dark magic wiz.”

  “I’m not strictly a mage.” Logan smiled again. “I am fairy.”

  “A fairy?” Kara was astonished. She peered into the shadows, searching for a pair of glittering wings.

  Logan followed Kara’s gaze, then grinned at Lyra. “Not every creature reveals its magic right away. Besides, wings can be awfully uncomfortable, don’t you agree?”

  Lyra pinned the dark fairy in her green gaze, unimpressed.

  Kara flashed on the last fairy creature that had charmed her. That creature had turned out to be shape-shifting monster. She turned a hard look toward Logan.

  “If you’re a Skultum, you better tell me right now,” she whispered threateningly.

  “Skultum?” Logan laughed and brushed his hair back, revealing a pair of pointy ears. “If you faced a Skultum, you are indeed a force to be reckoned with.”

  Kara smiled back. “Totally.”

  “No, I am most certainly not a Skultum,” he said sincerely. “Although some call my magic dark, but you know how people love to talk.”

  “Tell me about it.” Kara nodded as if she knew exactly what he was talking about.

  “I study all kinds of magic, mage, goblin, fairy, warlock. You bond with animals. I have found it useful to bond with… a rarer breed of creature.”

  “May the horse be with you!” the little gremlin yelled, tottering across the dance floor balancing a tray of drinks.

  “Um, yeah,” Kara agreed. “Right on.”

  “So how goes the great mage quest?” Logan asked, taking a glass of iced tea.

  “Great.” Kara beamed, and then frowned. Geez, did the entire universe know what the mages were doing? Well, so much for playing games. She needed his help. “We’re searching for nine power crystals.”

  “The keys to Avalon.”

  “Yes.” She felt Lyra nudge her side. Be careful.

  Kara shrugged off the warning. “’Cept, I… lost one of the crystals.”

  He nodded, waiting for her to continue.

  “And Feldman said you could help me make another one.”

  “Ah, that’s why you’re here.”

  “And I just found this one.” She took out the large unicorn shaped crystal, suddenly eager to impress this hottie. The power crystal spilled jewel light across the glass table. “But it’s acting really weird.”

  “May I?”

  Kara placed the crystal in his hands.

  “This isn’t the original shape.” Logan studied the crystal carefully. “Looks like it copied your unicorn jewel when it bonded to you.”

  “It’s a wishing crystal,” she told him.

  “Fascinating. So it gave you what you wanted.”

  “The catch is I can’t undo my wish.”

  “A wish is only as strong as the emotion behind it,” Logan explained.

  Kara thought for a moment. “I guess I was pretty mad when I wished not to talk to my friends.”

  “Mage magic is based on emotions. That’s what makes it so unpredictable.” A slow grin spread across his face. “I’ll bet you’ve lost your magic more than once, or thought you did.”

  Kara was startled by his insight. She, Emily, and Adriane had all “lost” their magic before.

  “I thought so. Mage magic is powerful but highly unstable. Anger, self doubt, jealousy, fear, greed. You get the picture. The stronger the emotions, the harder it is to control the magic. That’s why your bondeds are so important.”

  Kara listened to every word. This was the first time anyone had ever explained why she had such trouble controlling her magic. It had gone flooie more times than she cared to remember. Each time she’d been on a roller coaster of emotions. Thank goodness she had Lyra and Goldie to ground her. What Logan said made perfect sense.

  Kara tossed her hair over her shoulder. “So what’s your magic?”

  “I study the arcane arts. Precise magic based on teachings handed down for centuries. I add my own special touch, of course, but there’s no emotion involved. Arcane magic is an exact science. A craft, if you will.”

  Kara looked puzzled.

  “Didn’t your mentors tell you about the arcane arts?”

  “Never had one.”

  That got another chuckle. “You really are quite amazing.”

  “True.” Kara gave him a dazzling smile.

  Even though her instincts told her to be wary of this too-cute-to-be-true fairy, she liked him. She knew she shouldn’t, but she did. Kara prided herself on her people radar, and something about him was genuine, even if his persona was silky smooth Armani.

  “So, can these scientific arts help me make another power crystal?” Kara asked hopefully.

  “I doubt it.”

  Kara stare
d at him, shocked.

  “If you don’t help me, the Spider Witch and the Dark Sorceress will take over the entire magic web!” she exclaimed.

  Logan yawned. “Wake me when the party starts.”

  Kara was taken aback by his indifference. “Don’t you care?”

  “Why should I care what shape the web takes or who controls it? It’s all good for business.”

  Kara’s jaw clenched. “And what kind of business might that be?”

  “I supply exotic goods to my customers. Shadow silk, rune cloth, soul dust, dragonscales, signets, stuff like that. These days everyone wants magic jewels. We’re such slaves to fashion, don’t you think?”

  “For sure. But you’re the only one who can help me. I just have to make another power crystal. I’m the blazing star and I have to prove I’m better than—”

  What was she saying? This was about saving Avalon and the magic web, not about who was the most powerful mage.

  “Those are your emotions talking for you,” Logan said wryly.

  Kara winced. He was right. “Look, we were chosen for this quest and now I’m stuck. I’ll never find out exactly what we’re meant to do unless you help me.”

  Logan leaned back, placing his fingertips together. “I can’t say I’m sorry you came all this way for nothing. But it can’t be done.”

  “Why not?” she demanded.

  “The nine crystals were forged long ago. There is no way I can duplicate the enchantment or material exactly.”

  Kara felt panic setting in. If Logan couldn’t help her, the entire quest would fail because she couldn’t control her magic. She could not accept that. But what was she going to do?

  “However...” Logan’s eyes twinkled as he turned the power crystal over in his hand.

  Kara looked up expectantly.

  “I can provide you with a shell, something that can hold the same amount of magic as a power crystal. It might serve as a temporary replacement. Enough to do the job, anyway.”

  “Really?” she asked hopefully.

  “But you can’t enchant it using mage magic.”

  “What do you mean?”

  Lyra bristled. “He’s talking about dark magic.”

  Logan grinned. “I can teach you what you need to know.”

  “What, you mean act like the Dark Sorceress? Forget it.”

  Logan’s eyes turned icy. “The Dark Sorceress is a vicious changeling whose brutality is matched only by her twisted addiction to magic. Hardly my style.”

  Kara calmed. To her surprise, she believed Logan.

  “There isn’t just light and dark magic. In between there is shadow,” the young man continued. “I’m not evil just because I study arcane arts, and you’re not good just because you use mage magic.”

  Kara blushed. “You’re right. I’m sorry. So if it doesn’t matter to you who controls the web, why not just help me save Avalon?”

  He stood, smoothing his spotless jacket over his lean figure. “You intrigue me, Kara Davies, blazing star.”

  “That’s because I’m totally intriguing.” She got to her feet. Logan was taller than she expected. She had to look up to see into those dark eyes.

  “I’ll help you. But don’t let it get around. It might tarnish my image.”

  “Kara, I don’t like this,” Lyra hissed, standing in Kara’s path.

  “Are you afraid to learn more about magic?” His eyes were impossible to resist. “You are perfectly safe. And you have powerful protectors.”

  Kara crouched by Lyra. “If I don’t follow Mr. Congeniality, I can’t replace the power crystal,” she whispered. “Besides, I saved the Fairy Realms, I have a power crystal, the best paladin ever, and you guys, what could possibly harm me?”

  “Nothing,” Goldie chirped.

  Lyra growled.

  “Just chill.” Kara brushed past Lyra and followed Logan across the dance floor toward the back of the club. She would see this through. Logan was going to help her make another power crystal, and that was all that mattered.

  There was something cat-like about the fairy’s long strides as he guided Kara toward a black door studded with brass spikes. Another pair of stone bouncers guarded the entrance, stepping aside as Logan waved his hand.

  “Come. Let me show you what I do,” he smiled as the door swung open.

  There was something about his confident demeanor that put her at ease. He was a lot like her, she realized. Still, as she stepped into the mysterious chamber, a shadow of doubt gave her pause. She shuddered. What was she getting into?

  It would all be worth it in the end, Kara assured herself as she descended into darkness.

  “THEN THERE WAS the time I fought the giant squid,” Gwyx boasted as he glided alongside Drake.

  “Wow, a giant squid.” The younger dragon hung on the other’s every word.

  Gwyx had been bragging incessantly since they left the desert. The arid landscape had given way to high, forested plateaus full of tall redwoods and rocky cliffs. Gwyx had first found the shadow dragon in a cave somewhere in these mountains. He was sure it had returned and was holed up there, hoarding its prized power crystal.

  “That feat was only matched by my victory over the demon lord, Fuzzlebub,” Gwyx droned on.

  Ignoring the black dragon, Adriane hunkered down against Drake’s neck, her cheeks flushed with anger. “That Kara has some nerve. She just cut us off!”

  Fred huffed indignantly from Adriane’s pocket.

  Zipping her leather jacket tight against the winds, Adriane glanced over her shoulder at Dreamer. The mistwolf poked his head out of his basket. He understood her thoughts. It was bad enough that Kara had abandoned the unicorns when they were in danger. Now she was hanging out at some fairy mall instead of taking a power crystal back to The Garden. Adriane sensed there must be more to that power crystal than the blazing star had told them, which meant she was hiding something. Kara was acting more and more like the spoiled, too-popular-for-her-own-good golden girl Adriane had first met. That girl had taken magic for herself, not caring that her actions put everyone else in danger. She would have done anything to get what she wanted. Adriane tightened her grip on Drake’s reins. The real question was: What did Kara want?

  “If you don’t stand with the pack, you are a danger to the pack,” Dreamer said.

  Adriane nodded grimly. Dreamer was right. As packleader, she knew how important it was to stand together. If Kara had gone rogue, she was a danger to everyone, including herself.

  Totally oblivious, Gwyx swept low over the trees, startling a herd of silvery deer. “Look, brother!”

  “Ooo, pretty,” Drake hummed.

  “I’m hungry. Let’s go rip the head off that doe.”

  “That is so mean!”

  Gwyx turned his purple eyes to Drake. “What do you eat, then?”

  “Wheat noodles and vegetables...”

  “What are you, a cow?”

  “With extra spicy Ak sauce!” Drake retorted.

  Gwyx snorted. “Your contact with humans has dulled your instincts. You know nothing about the warrior code.”

  “And what’s that?” Adriane was suddenly paying attention to the dragon braggart.

  “Eat or be eaten.”

  Dreamer grinned. “You have a point there.”

  Adriane thought for a moment. “Does this shadow dragon live by the warrior’s code too?”

  Gwyx’s eyes flared. “The beast has no honor.”

  “Where did it come from?”

  “The story of the shadow dragon is told to every hatchling.” Gwyx spit a lick of flame. “There was a time, long ago, when dragons bonded with humans, imprinting themselves upon mages as soon as they hatched. But a great dragon warrior was horribly cursed by his bonded.”

  “Cursed?” Adriane found this hard to believe.

  “The human turned against his dragon,” Gwyx growled. “Selling his own bonded for its magic! So great was the betrayal, the dragon’s heart was twisted to utter blackness.
He became the shadow creature, a monster whose only desire was to steal the magic of all dragons until not one hatchling was left alive. To escape the beast’s wrath, the dragons fled to this hidden world and shunned all contact with humans.”

  Adriane let the tragic story sink in. “That’s why Drake is the only dragon anyone’s ever seen.”

  “And will be the last if I don’t stop the beast from finding Dragon Home.”

  “So how did the shadow dragon find your world after all this time?”

  Gwyx’s eyes flashed in anger. “Someone has summoned it. The elders suspect a human is out to destroy us.”

  Adriane frowned. “What human would even know the shadow dragon existed, much less how to summon it?”

  Gwyx roared. “Such is the way of humans. Lies, deceit, and betrayal mark their history. Now humans want to destroy us and the shadow dragon is their greatest weapon. Being of right age and sound mind, the task has fallen to me to slay this foul beast. It is my warrior quest.”

  “Humans aren’t all bad,” Drake protested. “My mama is human, and I am bonded to Zach, a mage.”

  “No dragon is safe,” Gwyx insisted. “You have already been corrupted by your pitiful humans. You are nothing like other dragons.”

  “If they’re anything like you, then I’m glad!” Drake snorted.

  “Oh really, well—” Gwyx suddenly stopped short, a look of terror glazing his purple eyes.

  “What is it?” Adriane nudged Drake close to the black dragon.

  “The beast is near.” Gwyx flew in a tight circle, scanning the trees below.

  “Take us down, Drake.”

  Wind whipped Adriane’s long hair as Drake sailed toward the forest floor. The red dragon landed smoothly in a small clearing among towering trees.

  Adriane hopped down from the saddle, removed her flying goggles and checked her silver wolf stone. Nothing. She couldn’t sense any magic at all.

  “Dreamer?”

  The black mistwolf sniffed the air all around them, trying to pick up the magical scent. After a minute he shrugged a wolfish shrug.

  “There.” Gwyx motioned with his snout. His purple eyes glinted in the shadows of the huge redwoods. The tree line stopped where a sheer rocky cliff surged from the forest like a massive wave. In the stony cliff face, a cave yawned into total blackness. Adriane followed Gwyx’s nervous gaze. Inside that cave lay the shadow dragon, and with it, the power crystal.