Soul Stone Mage Complete Collection Boxed Set

by Sarah Noffke

  “Don’t be absurd. I take a potion regularly to ensure my lineage dies with me,” Monet said.

  “I don’t see why you go to the trouble. It’s not like there are any witches in Virgo who will put their hands on you,” Azure retorted, earning a small chuckle from Gillian.

  “Don’t act all jealous, Queeny. One day I’ll make an honest woman of you so I can take the throne. But do note that I’ll still invite other witches into the marital bed,” Monet said.

  “And with only a few words, you’ve ruined my appetite for the rest of my life.” Azure made a gagging sound.

  “Mine too,” Gillian said, easily keeping pace with the group.

  The trail coiled through a valley which offered breathtaking views of the mountain lake just below it. Cobalt waters sat as placidly as if iced over. Azure pulled in a breath of the mountain air, enjoying how it tasted of spring.

  “I haven’t seen one of those in quite some time,” Gillian remarked, pointing to the lake below.

  Azure squinted as she hiked, trying to make out what he meant. The lake was surrounded by green hills, but nothing else. Along the closest shore were a few round boulders, which had probably fallen from the rocky mountain where they stood.

  “A large body of water?” Monet asked. “Man, runt, you’ve got to get out more often.”

  Gillian shook his head. “No, I meant the sea dinosaurs. The largest known herd can be found in these lakes.”

  Monet slid his chin to the side, giving the gnome an expression that said, “You’re fucking mad.”

  “Hey, if the leprechaun gets to be on hallucinogens, then I’m getting drunk. I brought a bottle of Finnegan’s cauldron whiskey,” Monet said.

  “No one is getting smashed just yet.” Azure paused, staring at the lake. “What am I missing, Gillian?”

  Ever pointed at the lake, his finger just in front of Azure’s face. “He’s referring to those rocks in the water.”

  “Yes, and the mountains are just hunched-over sleeping giants.” Monet shook his head.

  “Actually, a time or two when I was hiking I discovered that I was standing on a goliath’s back. Imagine my surprise when he stood and I slid down his leg. Talk about scrambling away from being squashed!” Ever said, as if remembering a somewhat fond memory.

  “I’ve been through these mountains dozens of time. Those rocks have always been there.” Monet threw his thumb in the direction of the boulders.

  “In that same formation?” Gillian asked, as if testing Monet.

  “Well, I’d have to consult the watercolor that I painted while staring at this lake, but yeah, more or less. It’s always looked like this,” the wizard said.

  Gillian lifted his hand to his mouth, and through his curled fingers he made a call that sounded like a low horn followed by strange clicking noises.

  The boulders in the lake below shifted slightly and then, as if the water were receding, the rocks rose and widened. Azure watched with awe as a head as large as Blister’s popped up just in front of one of the rocks. It levitated into the air on a long neck that connected to the boulder, which Azure now realized was the creature’s back.

  “I rode one of those across a lake,” Azure said, remembering when she’d stood on the slippery creature to cross the lake beside the Land of Terran. “A mermaid called the sea dinosaur to help me.”

  Ever nodded, fondly looking out as three more sea dinosaurs popped their heads from the lake. “Yes, the mer people have a way with these animals. Otherwise they are extremely shy. There’s one on Earth that hardly ever shows its face.”

  “It went over from Oriceran when the gates were open?” Azure asked. She was intrigued that such a magical creature could be found on Earth, where such things would be considered bizarre.

  “Yes, and they call it a monster, not realizing how docile sea dinosaurs are,” Ever said.

  One of the creatures opened its mouth and let out a noise to match the one Gillian made.

  “They’re beautiful,” Azure announced. “How could anyone think of them as monsters?”

  “Well, we tend to fear those things we don’t understand. And since the sea dinosaur is hardly ever sighted in Loch Ness, it’s considered to be dangerous,” Ever supplied.

  “And since only the call of another sea dinosaur brings them to the surface, I’m sure the creature is more myth than fact,” Gillian said, rubbing his chin while musing on the idea.

  “Yeah, Nessie is all alone on Earth,” Ever said.

  “That’s so sad. Maybe we can bring her a friend one day,” Azure said, turning to continue through the mountains.

  “Only you, Azure, would want to smuggle a fucking huge sea dinosaur through an illegal portal in a humanitarian crusade,” Monet said, shaking his head.

  Chapter Eleven

  The group hiked mostly in silence for an hour, only having to endure Monet announcing his step count every fifteen minutes.

  “Three thousand and one,” he called, having consulted his Fitbit.

  Azure considered telling her oldest friend to shut the fuck up, but decided that she’d save the profanity for when her nerves were really frayed.

  Turning to offer Gillian a commiserating look, Azure noticed that the petals on the red flower on his hat had peeled back to bare its teeth. Azure halted and her eyes widened. The tiny teeth parted and a growl ripped from the flower’s mouth.

  When the warning system went off on his hat, Gillian spun around to look for the approaching danger. “Weapons out!” he roared, backing up.

  Azure and the other two positioned themselves, putting their backs to each other.

  “What is it?” she asked, spying only grass and trees at the base of the Mountain of Truth. It towered in the distance with purple mist obscuring its peak.

  Gillian pulled his lips back, teeth bared, copying his flower. “Goblins,” he said with a growl.

  “What?” Azure asked, holding her wand in front of her. Not only did she not see a thing, but all that could be heard was the babbling of a nearby stream. Beside her, Azure felt Ever tense. She pulled Drago’s knife from her backpack, offering it to him, but he only shook his head. A gentle humming reverberated from his mouth as he summoned magic from the ground under him. His eyes glowed brightly and symbols lit up on his hands, arms and neck.

  In front of them, the leaves of a large plant peeled back to reveal a gnarled-looking creature. A goblin of about Gillian’s size sheathed in wrinkled brown skin stared back at them. His drew in a long breath through his pinched nose and grimaced, his yellow eyes narrowing with menace. On his knobby body he wore armor, its various pieces bound together with fraying rope, and in his hand he held a nail file.

  “Wow…” Monet said, his voice dead. “Run for your fucking life. That thing is going to give us all manicures.”

  “He’s a scout.” Gillian’s voice quivered.

  “No, he’s an adorable little goblin.” Monet turned, a look of seriousness on his face. “Azure, do you want to ask him to be on your cabinet? Maybe we can bring him back to ride on Blister’s back.”

  “Shhh…” Gillian held his fat finger to his mouth, attempting to quell Monet with a single look.

  “What are you making such a fuss about? All he’s doing is watching us and probably wondering if he should start with pedis or manis,” Monet said, throwing his hand in the goblin’s direction.

  The creature raised the nail file high in the air above his head.

  “Me first! I have an ingrown toenail that’s been bugging me something fierce,” Monet said, stepping forward.

  “No,” Gillian hissed.

  The goblin sliced the nail file through the air, its beady eyes bulging from his sockets. “Nicka-nicka-nicka-naw!” the little monster screamed, mouth opening wide.

  “Oh, fuck,” Azure whispered, backing up a step and colliding with Ever.

  From the dark trees on the other side of the clearing, eyes blossomed. From the forest floor heads with pointy ears rose. The glints of met
al sparkled all around them. Suddenly a hundred goblins rose from the ground or slipped upside-down from the trees, their faces full of menace as they bared their sharp teeth at the group.

  A goblin dropped from the trees, landing on his head as he hit the ground. He rolled over and straightened to his full height; he was at least a foot taller than the scout. From his belt he drew a small machete. The monster bared his teeth as his pointed ears, riddled with silver rings, rose to attention on his head.

  “Still want a manicure, asshole?” Azure whispered in Monet’s direction.

  “Actually, now I’d like a shield. I think you’ll do,” Monet said from behind her.

  “In a moment, when I give the cue, you all need to run. Head up the mountain and don’t look back,” Gillian said in a hushed voice.

  “Wait! What? We’re not leaving you—”

  “Do as I say, Queen Azure,” Gillian commanded. “There are too many to fend off. We’ll never win by fighting them.”

  The head goblin took a step forward, a crowd of his brethren now at his side. All of them brandished sharp weapons and a mouthful of jagged teeth.

  “I’ll negotiate with them,” Azure said, her mouth barely parting for her words.

  “You can’t. Goblins aren’t reasonable. They only want blood or gold, and currently we’re out of the latter,” Gillian said in a terse whisper.

  “But if I promise them—”

  “They only trust that which they can see. There’s no way they’ll be appeased by the idea of future gold.” Gillian knelt, grabbing a handful of dirt in his fingers. He rolled his wrist, his eyes on the approaching goblins.

  “Gillian, what are you planning?” Azure asked, her voice trembling.

  “On saving you,” the gnome said, and threw the some of the dirt at Azure and the rest in the direction of Monet and Ever. The threesome flickered before turning invisible. “Go!” he roared.

  Azure didn’t have a moment to think. They had to get away while they had a chance. There were too many goblins. Monet seized her wrist and pulled her forward. The goblins attacked in that same moment, the sound of metal scraping against metal screeching through the air.

  “Gillian!” Azure screamed, watching the goblins overwhelm the gnome.

  A row of goblins ran in their direction, although the three were invisible. Azure held her wand out and whispered, “Vatra.” A neat bit of fire ripped from her wand, hitting each of the goblins in the chest.

  Monet leapt over the fallen goblins, blasting another set as they tried to stop the invisible figures.

  Azure glanced over her shoulder to watch as the goblins bound Gillian with rope and hoisted him in the air. A few dozen small hands held him above as many heads, carrying him toward the woods where the scout had been hidden.

  “Don’t worry, Queen Azure! And don’t come after me! Remember, we discussed how to get to your destination,” Gillian yelled over the nonsensical grunting of the goblins.

  Azure nodded, allowing herself to be tugged up the mountain away from Gillian.

  Chapter Twelve

  A minute later the three travelers flickered and became visible once more. Ever didn’t let go of Azure until they had doubled over from running up the mountain. Even then he kept his eyes on her, afraid she’d bolt downhill at any moment to fight the goblins.

  “I can’t believe we left Gillian back there,” Azure stated, completely crestfallen.

  “That was what he wanted,” Ever replied.

  “That’s what he told us to do, but we’ve all but sentenced him to death. The goblins will have him roasting on a stake within the hour.” Azure threw off her robes, since she had sweat pouring down her back.

  “Gillian knew the risk when he came on this mission.” Monet eyed his Fitbit, watching the device as his heart rate came down.

  “You know the risks too, but that doesn’t mean I’d leave you behind if something gnarled captured you,” Azure spat, slapping Monet’s shoulder.

  He cursed her with a single look.

  “He’s from the mountains; give him a little credit. I’m sure he’s got a plan.” Ever stepped forward, chin down and a look of reassurance on his face.

  “Yeah, like who knew the little guy could make us all invisible?” Monet shook his head in disbelief.

  Azure nodded, softening a bit. Ever gave her a slow smile.

  “Oh, well, of course Elf-Boy knew about the gnome’s magic. You two keep each other’s secrets, don’t you?” Monet now looked a little hurt, like he was tired of being left out.

  Azure said, “We need to construct a plan. We’ve got to go after Gillian.” Ever was already shaking his head before she was done speaking.

  “How can you not want to rescue him? He’s a part of our team!” she yelled.

  “Because I truly believe Gillian will be fine…or mostly fine. He might get a few scrapes or lose a limb, but he will probably survive,” Ever explained.

  “You’re not making me feel any better.” Azure narrowed her blue eyes at the Light Elf, considering blasting him as she’d done with the goblins.

  “Sorry. My intention was to set your fears at ease. But our mission is still to find Mage Lenore. I know for a fact that Gillian would be angry if we abandoned our mission for him. That must be the reason he gave us an escape route. And he did insist that we not go after him,” Ever said, kneeling and scooping up a handful of dirt from the mountain. He sifted it in his hands, sparks sprinkling down from the movement.

  “You know, Pointy Ears makes sense.” Monet pinned both of his hands to his lower back and stretched while taking in the path before them. “What do we do when we get to the fork up ahead?”

  After a short stretch where the path gained serious elevation the trail split, both routes continuing to head upward. Without a doubt, Gillian would have known whether to take the right or left path.

  “The garden gnome said he instructed you on navigating up the Mountain of Truth,” Monet said.

  “Yeah, he did. He told me that it was nearly impossible for him to relay all the twists and turns on the mountain. We spent most of the night discussing the various obstacles we’d encounter. I guess he was preparing me in case he had to be absent at any point.” A cool wind swept through the air, hitting the sweat on her back and neck and making Azure shiver.

  “Sounds ominous. Can’t wait.” Monet’s voice was monotone.

  “What did Gillian say about direction?” Ever asked.

  Azure shook her head. She hadn’t thought it was going to come to this—it had never been a plausible option to leave one of her team members behind. But here she was. Grabbing a strand of hair from her loose bun, she twirled it around her finger.

  “Oh, for Merlin’s sake. She’s fucking fretting,” Monet said, talking about Azure as if she weren’t there.

  “What is it?” Ever asked again, his forehead creasing with worry.

  “Gillian said that if we got lost and he couldn’t help, we were to rely on Monet’s Fitbit for navigation.” Azure said, in disbelief that it had come down to this. She pulled a piece of parchment from the back pocket of her jeans. “Gillian gave me directions based on distances, which he said only the Fitbit could accurately measure.”

  “Well, that’s great. And yes, that makes perfect sense.” Ever turned to Monet, a smile lighting his face. “I programmed the Fitbit to work here on Oriceran. It does have GPS capabilities.”

  “I don’t think that was what Gillian had in mind. We’re relying more on it recording specific distance so we know when to make turns, ones that wouldn’t be on a map.” Azure turned and snapped at Monet, “Hand over the Fitbit.”

  Monet held up his wrist, his face long with disappointment. “Sure. Only problem is that I’ve been playing with it the whole time and the battery is almost dead.”

  Chapter Thirteen

  Holding Ever’s hand, Azure stepped through the portal he’d opened. She slapped at Monet once he was through.

  “You couldn’t hold my hand to come
through the portal, could you?” Azure fixed her hair, which Monet had clutched as they transferred to Earth.

  “Oh, gross. You totally have cooties. There’s no way I’ll hold your hand, even if you order me to as queen.” Monet grabbed his stomach like he was about to be sick.

  “You’re so fucking immature,” Azure said, shaking her head at him.

  “I know you are, but what am I?” he teased.

  “A lame-ass wizard who has seriously messed up this mission with his wastefulness.” Azure pointed to the Fitbit, which officially had a dead battery. “We should have left you back there in the mountains.”

  “Hey, if someone would have informed me that this device was a backup, maybe I wouldn’t have played with it,” Monet said with a scowl.

  “That’s so not true,” Azure retorted.

  “Yeah, you’re right. I can’t be helped.” Monet stared at their surroundings. They were reminiscent of the Land of Terran, with its ample stretches of concrete. Cars were parked in front of one another, and tall buildings bordered the lot. A busy road ran just in front of them, bustling with speeding cars and people walking in both directions. Azure spun, taking in the red bricks under her boots and the gigantic buildings that made those in the Land of Terran look like fairy houses in comparison.

  “Are we in Santa Monica, where you took me before?” Azure asked, her nose wrinkled from the stench of the fumes. The smell reminded her of when Gran had blown up a potion and sent toxic gases through the second story of the House of Enchanted.

  “Oh, no. I wanted to deepen your education about Earth while also taking you to a place where you’d fit in. Welcome to Portland, the land of the weird.” Ever spread his arms wide.

  She observed that, as before when they came to Earth, Ever’s ears, which appeared pointy on Oriceran, now appeared human—a glamor he implemented so he didn’t stand out. However, Azure was still sporting her blue hair and Monet his mint green robes and short hair to match. But Ever was right; this Portland place was strange, or at least had more diverse people than she’d seen in Terran.