Circles in the Stream (Avalon: Web of Magic #1)
Page 13
She looked at her jewel. A soft aqua glow pulsed briefly. She smiled and looked back at her friends. Emily was no longer afraid of her future. Wherever it may lead, she knew she wouldn’t be going there alone.
THE CAT WATCHED from the trees. Emily’s magic had helped her more than the girl knew. Of course, Emily had a sense of the magic only, not real knowledge yet. But that was okay, because the cat didn’t belong with her. She belonged with the other one.
The cat purred and licked her paw. She and the other animals were in Ravenswood, away from the poison that was spreading across their own land. And they’d found the ones who would help them—the three: the healer, the warrior, and the blazing star. There was hope for her world after all.
Still, they were not safe. The manticore would likely be back and more like it would come—creatures just as evil, just as dangerous…or worse. The Dark Sorceress would never stop. She would drain all the magic from Aldenmor, Earth, and all the worlds throughout the magic web…all the way to Avalon itself.
The cat was suddenly tired. Her eyes felt heavy. They closed with the knowledge that it was all just beginning.
Storm is a mistwolf that has bonded with Adriane. Mistwolves are shape-shifters, able to change to shadowy fog and clouds, becoming practically invisible.
Storm’s bloodline goes back thousands years, enabling her to tap into memories and visions of the past. Noble, courageous, and true of heart, Storm is a true warrior, always ready to protect her friends.
Jeeran are beautiful deer-like animals with long ears, purple eyes, and soft green-striped fur. Agile and fast, Jeeran are originally from the hills and forests of the Moorgroves, but have found their way into many of the forested regions across all of Aldenmor. They are thought to be sentient but keep to themselves.
Pegasi are magnificent winged steeds, intelligent creatures, shy and wild and not easily tamed. When they do bond, they serve their friends with absolute faithfulness.
Silver duck-like creatures that flourish throughout the lakes and wetlands of Aldenmor. Quiffles are intelligent and fun-loving with strong family bonds. They are also loyal friends and allies to the other good animals of Aldenmor.
Rachel Roberts loves magic, music, adventure, and animals. She lives in sunny southern California with two cats, Attila and Raider.
Rachel’s been reading since she could first hold a book and loves getting lost in a great story. She has been a writer and editor her entire professional life. Rachel also loves music, and plays the piano, flute, and is learning to play guitar.
Avalon: Web of Magic is Rachel’s first series of novels.
THE UNICORN STOOD in the woodland meadow. His deep golden eyes were wary but unafraid. Wildflowers blanketed the field in bright colors as Kara walked toward the magnificent creature. The unicorn raised his glimmering crystal horn, filling the meadow with flashes of brilliant light.
Kara circled the great creature. He was breathtakingly beautiful. She ran a hand over his lustrous white hide; it felt soft as silk and shimmered gently. Breathing slowly, the unicorn lowered his head as Kara came around to look into his eyes.
His voice suddenly filled her head.
“I am for the blazing star.”
She was special. If anyone were to ride a unicorn, of course it would be her.
With a leap, she was on his back.
The unicorn took off, racing across the open field. Confident, Kara leaned forward into the creature’s steady gallop, feeling herself one with the animal, just as she had been taught at riding school. But this was no ordinary animal. This was the most magical of all creatures. The unicorn raced through the meadow and leaped. Instantly a portal opened—a circle of swirling stars hanging in the air before them—and the unicorn swept through.
Kara was bathed in diamond light as endless loops woven together in intricate patterns revealed itself before her: the magic web that connected worlds. Together Kara and the unicorn ran, faster . . . faster . . . streaking across the infinite web of magic.
“Come to me . . . ” Another voice, distant yet commanding, cut through her mind like steel.
The unicorn raced along the web like white fire.
She was a golden girl, adored by all. She was a goddess, born to be with such a magnificent creature.
“You will be mine . . . ”
She was a princess of magic . . . No! She was a . . . queen!
“. . . or everything you love will die!”
The unicorn stumbled. Kara flew headlong, golden hair tangling as she tossed and turned. A dark-robed figure watched, indifferent, as Kara fell, a shooting star fading into darkness.
Kara’s eyes sprang open. It was pitch-black. Her heart pounded. For a second she couldn’t move, then realized she was completely tangled in her bed sheets. She wriggled and kicked them off, ripping her pink satin sleep mask from her eyes.
At first she thought that the cold had awakened her, since the hairs along her arms and the back of her neck were standing up. But the room was humid, too warm for comfort. Blearily, she pushed her hair out of her face and looked around.
Pale moonlight glazed the room, glowing softly through the curtains as they wavered in the breeze. The air-conditioning must have gone out, she thought, burrowing back into her pillow. But then there wouldn’t be a breeze, would there? As her brain fought its way to sense, she sat up.
The far window was wide open.
Puzzled, Kara stumbled over to shut the window. Had she forgotten before? She’d been pretty tired . . . She stopped short. The window screen was gone. She peered into the darkness, but nothing moved, no sound broke the stillness. The screen must have fallen off somehow, she thought. Then she saw something on the ledge below her window: splotches of glowing, green muck, dripping into the gutter.
That’s disgusting! How dare some big bird drop a surprise on their roof!
She closed the window with a bang and locked it. Shaken, she climbed back into bed, adjusted her sleep mask, and went back to sleep.
In the dark beyond the window, two piercing green eyes stared back at her, then winked out.
Table of Contents
Title Page
Copyright
Map of Ravenswood
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Chapter 13
Chapter 14
Chapter 15
Chapter 16
Epilogue
Beastiary & Creature Guide
About The Author
Bk 2 preview
Avalon Catalog