Seeing her weapon made me think about mine. I’d left my wand hidden behind the armoire in my room in Camelot during the re-coronation so I wouldn’t be tempted to change its form and risk Magic Burn Out. But now it was shoved inside my boot. I couldn’t believe I wasn’t even allowed to morph it into a pin for another ten days.
“Incoming drowsy gas,” Jason warned as we entered the final stretch to the city.
In addition to the gigantic external wall and its various defense systems, the Emerald City was surrounded by an enormous Poppy moat. A substantial mist floated above the red-and-black-spotted flowers, wafting toward us.
“Poppies produce a gas that makes you tired and weak,” Daniel explained to Kai as we continued along the Yellow Brick Road. “In a minute, we’re all going to start to get sleepy. Well, except for Knight.”
“Why except for her?” Kai asked.
“It’s my powers,” I said. “They provide extra life energy to compensate for what the drowsy gas takes—”
I stopped. All of a sudden, my thoughts were fuzzy and my limbs felt numb like they’d fallen asleep. Around us, the mist had thickened. We were a good forty feet into the moat and the tiredness had hit me like a soft slap. My friends seemed tired too, but I wasn’t supposed to react this way.
“Your magic isn’t working, is it?” Jason observed with a yawn. “You’re so magically burnt out that it’s not kicking in like it normally does.”
“I guess so,” I said. I properly took a moment to appreciate the artificial exhaustion. “Is this what it always feels like?”
“Yep,” Blue replied. “It’s a real joy, huh?”
“I respect you guys even more for being able to dodge those death pumpkins in Sleepy Hollow while under the influence,” I commented, taking a couple long blinks. “This sucks.”
“Welcome to our world,” Blue said.
The drowsy gas side effects got worse the deeper we delved through the moat. The three-hundred-foot-tall wind turbines planted throughout the Poppy field only served to further disorient us. Massive blades spun around their glowing scarlet spheres, which periodically projected beacons of light. It was the city’s scanner system for detecting flying monkeys. I thought it was mystifying the last time we’d been here. Now it made me nauseous.
Finally, we reached the end of the path. Daniel knocked on the grand iron door carved into the six-hundred-foot-tall concrete wall. A tiny window above the door slid open and a fellow wearing a weighty fedora popped his head out.
“State your business,” he said.
Half-squinting, Blue looked up. “We’re friends of the Wizard and Ozma. They should be expecting us.”
“Names?”
“Crisanta, Daniel, Blue, SJ . . .” I almost fell asleep mid-list. I blinked hard then shook my head, trying to cast off the mind-blurring sleepiness. “Jason and Kai,” I finished.
The man darted back inside then returned with a clipboard in his right hand. “You are on the list,” he said. “But I still have to scan you for magic. City regulations. Hold up your hands please.”
Knowing the drill, we did as he asked. A silver, blinking machine roughly the shape of a kickball emerged from the window. A metal tentacle allowed it to stretch down and a bright red light on the orb skimmed our palms and the rest of our bodies.
“Scanning for dark magic,” the machine said.
The device recoiled inside the window when it was done. “It’ll be a couple of minutes,” said fedora man. “Your results are compiling.”
I leaned against the door while we waited. Kai and Jason joined me. The drowsiness was a physical weight begging me to lie down.
Without warning the door opened and we stumbled forward a bit, but caught ourselves, then staggered inside. We entered a long tunnel with a kiosk directly ahead. The door sealed shut behind us. When it did, my faculties returned instantly. We were free of the drowsy gas’s spell.
“Three of you will need to fill out forms,” fedora man said, sliding down the ladder next to the door. “You, I remember.” He pointed at me. “Your magic throws off the machine because our technology has a hard time telling the difference between Pure Magic and dark magic. But the girl in the blue cloak has magic now too, and her powers are very erratic. The pretty girl with the black hair,” he gestured to Kai, “has new powers that are settling in as well. It’s normal magic, levitation powers by the looks of it, but we still need to catalogue the entry.”
Fedora man led us to the kiosk, stepped within, then handed Blue, Kai, and me large fancy quills and clipboards made of some kind of tangible energy.
Aw, two of my favorite things—annoying census questions and being singled out for having magic. Yay.
The three of us hurried to fill out the boring forms. Halfway through, Blue let out a huff. “This is super obnoxious.”
“Welcome to my world,” I replied with a cocked eyebrow.
Eventually we finished the forms and handed them back to the fedora man. “Will you be needing a brochure or a map of the city?” he asked.
“No, we’re good,” Daniel said.
“All right, watch out for the crowds,” fedora man replied. “Ozians tend to get a bit carried away with parties and this one is big. Wouldn’t want you to get hit by a parade float or trampled by excited citizens.”
“Noted,” Jason said. “Is this still a part of yesterday’s Vicennalia Aurora celebration?”
The fedora man laughed. “No, my dear boy. You should know better. After all, you do know her. This is a celebration of Queen Ozma’s return. Last night, the Wizard brought her and a cured Glinda the Good Witch back to the capital. Now the whole land rejoices. We have our ruler and the wonderful Glinda back. If the price was losing that Wicked Witch of the West, it was a price well worth paying.”
“Eva was—and technically still is—married to Julian. I mean, the Wizard,” I said. “She may have returned to an evil lifestyle, but she did help rule this land for a while. You act like she never did anything good.”
The fedora man shrugged. “What can I say, no one ever liked her. A thing can only be that which it is. And that witch was born to be wicked.”
The fedora man’s words bothered me. Eva may have embraced evil again, but she did try to be good after she was cured of Pure Magic Disease. She just failed. To assume she was meant to wasn’t fair.
Cleared for entry, my friends and I proceeded down the tunnel into the Emerald City. The noise escalated the closer we got to it. When we reached the main street, it was utter madness. There was a parade going by. Confetti and streamers flitted through the air like butterflies. Men, women, and children in colorful formal attire—as was the city’s dress code—packed the streets. The blimps overhead flashed various colors displaying holographic images of Julian, Ozma, and Glinda waving at the crowd.
“Yikes!” I was rammed in the shoulder by the lead steed in a vibrant pack of zebras. Their stripes changed colors like live rainbows. A scampering child dashed around my feet a second later, chasing an escaped balloon.
“How are we ever going to get to the Emerald Tower from here?” SJ shouted above the noise.
“One word,” Blue shouted back. She grabbed SJ’s wrist with one hand and mine with the other and yanked us into the masses. “Smush!”
After forty minutes of smushing through the crowd, we made it to the Emerald Tower. The structure looked like a bolt of green lightning, and the surrounding area swarmed with civilians. It was a good thing the wall encircling the Emerald Tower had those solid, dark green metal doors. And it was a good thing someone had replaced them after I’d magically ripped them off their hinges a few days ago.
Celebrating citizens gathered around the gate, waving flags and cheering. I looked up and saw why. The three main characters of Oz were standing on a high balcony, waving at the crowds.
Despite all the people, somehow Julian spotted us. When he did, he pivoted toward Ozma and Glinda and said something. The latter of the ladies then nodded and raised h
er hands. I realized what she was about to do.
“Brace yourselves,” I said to my friends.
Our group was suddenly enveloped in a silver orb and lifted off the ground. Glinda transported us over the crowds, the gate, and into the courtyard of the Emerald Tower. The force field orb evaporated when we touched down. The crowds roared as Julian, Ozma, and Glinda gave a final wave and returned inside.
“This way,” said one of the knights in golden armor who was waiting in the courtyard. “The Wizard and the queen are expecting you.”
We were guided inside (a nice change of pace considering we had to break in for our last visit) and then ushered into the grand throne room with its gold tiled floor, thick marble columns holding up blazing torches, and multicolored spotlights that shone on fountains spouting water. At the front of the room where there had previously been one throne, there were now two—Julian’s and a smaller throne with Ozma’s name on it. In Ozian culture the youngest sibling ruled while older siblings counseled and mastered potions and magic. During Ozma’s absence Julian had filled both roles and his throne had sat alone while hers sat in storage. I was glad the latter had found its way back to its rightful place.
Julian, Ozma, and Glinda entered from a side door. The knights closed the entrance behind us so we would be alone.
“It’s nice to see you all again,” Ozma said warmly. She wore a cute green dress and black gloves that offset her hair. The Simia Crown was nestled upon her head and it looked like glitter had been applied to her face, bringing out her pixie features.
“Good to see you three too,” I responded. “Looks like the crowds feel the same way.”
“They’re very kind,” Glinda responded. “I still cannot believe my welcome is so warm given the terror I was in recent months.”
“It doesn’t matter who you were, Glinda,” Ozma replied adamantly. “It matters who you are now and who Julian and I vouch you are going to be.” She pivoted toward us. “How’d it go in Camelot?”
“We have a lot to tell you,” Jason responded. “But first, where’s Mauvrey?”
“She’s asleep in one of our towers,” Julian said. “There are guards outside her room. She is still breathing, but she hasn’t stirred.”
“Good,” I said. “We need to talk about long-term plans for her. Now, if you have the time.”
Julian directed us into a conference room. In contrast to the serious ambiance of the Knights’ Room in Camelot, this place felt mystical. The marble floor sparkled with flecks of silver. Large swaths of purple silk draped across the ceiling. Panels of intricate glass artwork modeled like rosebush branches crept up the walls, backlit by pulsing amber light.
We sat at a long rectangular table made of glass. A vase filled with cone-shaped blue flowers resided at the center. It was in this whimsical place that we told Julian, Ozma, and Glinda all that we’d come to terms with in Camelot. Our group discussed our other plans for the future as well, including bringing their beloved Dorothy home once my magic recovered and I could heal her like I had Arthur. Lastly, we presented a plan that my friends and I had agreed upon while we’d traveled down the Yellow Brick Road.
“Paige’s memories went into real Mauvrey when the incident occurred in the North Mountains,” Blue explained. “We don’t know what kind of sleeping curse the girl is under or how to wake her up and get them, so Mauvrey needs max protection while SJ works with Merlin to brew the potion that can help us find answers to both.”
“We think the best way to protect her is to keep her here,” Daniel continued. “We won’t be able to take her back to our schools—you can’t keep an unconscious princess at an academy for male heroes; the staff and the higher-ups of the realm would never go for it. And Lady Agnue’s isn’t secure enough. There are plenty of girls in residence who can fight, but the antagonists have a lot of firepower. Plus, certain antagonists can get through the In and Out Spell surrounding the campus if they’re Shadow Guardians.”
“And do not forget we still do not know how those magic hunters who tried to drug and kidnap Crisa earlier in the semester got in,” SJ commented. “They were not Shadow Guardians. I know our running theory is that Lena Lenore lowered the spell to let them in, but until we are certain, that is another factor that makes our school vulnerable.”
Jason nodded. “Basically, if we can’t bring her with us and protect her firsthand, we need to keep her somewhere that has maximum security and people who we know we can trust.”
“Oz is the best place for that,” Kai concluded. “You guys have colossal walls and serious security systems. Now that you know who our enemies are, you can put them on a non-entry list to the city. Then the Emerald Tower itself has more walls, more security, and the three of you who have magic. We know she’ll be safe here.”
Julian, Ozma, and Glinda considered our proposal. Ozma whispered something to Glinda. The Good Witch’s eyes were pensive as she listened. Her hazel hair was pulled back with a shimmering gold headband, the different colored stripes combed into the do with the exception of her bangs.
“You haven’t said anything,” Julian said, staring at me.
I hadn’t said anything about the plan because I was not one hundred percent on board with it. The logic made sense, but I was a hands-on person. And while I knew I had to go back to Lady Agnue’s and could not bring Mauvrey with me, I still didn’t like the idea of leaving her. My future—all of our futures—were tied to this girl. And according to Merlin’s visions, I needed Mauvrey personally. So making arrangements that left us realms apart made me slightly uncomfortable.
“Don’t you trust us with her?” Julian asked. He cocked his eyebrow. This was as much a question as it was a test.
“We do,” I said resolutely. “I do. I am just on edge because I know Arian, and if Tara has been posing as the Mauvrey we’ve known all these years, then I know her even better. They’re not going to stop until they get what they want. They’re cruel, creative, and smart. Look at how they manipulated Alex, and used Kai, and stole the Simia Crown, and progessed the commons rebellion, and killed Paige just for spite and . . .”
I stopped. My voice had gotten louder toward the end of that sentence. I wasn’t over losing Paige. While I accepted it, not being able to save her hurt profoundly. After all, I had promised her that we would. Even worse, it seemed like Nadia had only ordered her execution to hurt me. Her death was my fault and my inability to resurrect her was my burden.
I took a deep breath and steadied. “Look, I am sorry I accused you of all those things,” I said to Julian. “I was wrong about you, and I agree with the others. For now, Mauvrey will be safest in the Emerald Tower under your care. So if you’ll have her, and won’t mind us periodically checking up on her, we’d be grateful if you’d let her stay.”
Our hosts exchanged a glance. Then Ozma nodded. “Of course. We’ll protect her. You have our word.”
“Very good,” Julian said with a bit more levity, standing abruptly. “Now that this business is settled, what say we go wave at the crowds again? It’s been a stressful few days and nothing soothes the soul like being adored.”
He puffed out his jacket collar. “Come, Ozma. The public calls. Glinda, will you please show the protagonists where Mauvrey is? We’ll be back in ten minutes.” Then he exited without looking back.
Ozma stood and her expression softened. “He can only take serious conversation in brief intervals right now,” she explained sadly. “The crowds and cheering distract him. Lights, confetti, and applause drown out the reality of what Eva has done, and how much it has hurt him. She didn’t just rip out his heart; she ate it.”
“At least he has you,” SJ responded. “And Glinda as well.”
I nodded in agreement. I had enough experience with pain to understand what Julian was feeling. “When my brother betrayed me, it felt like the world ate my heart too. But a combination of time and being able to lean on the right people helps you get through it.”
I was startled when Daniel p
atted my hand. It was a brief gesture and he didn’t make eye contact, but I appreciated it. He knew what I’d been through and without words conveyed true understanding.
“Agreed,” Glinda said. “Ozma and Julian are close, and he and I were very good friends before I went all . . . you know. As surely as we will protect Mauvrey’s body, we will protect his spirit and help him heal from the devastation Eva has wrought.” Her eyes narrowed. “I will also make it my other priority to hunt down Eva and find her before she has too much time to formulate a countermove.”
“So will I,” Ozma added. “Eva not only betrayed Julian, she also apparently sold me out to Rampart. My brother had no idea I was being held prisoner for months.” She sighed. “I better go keep him company on the balcony. Glinda, please do show them to Mauvrey. What say we meet in the dining hall after? I think our friends deserve a good meal before they head back to Book.”
My friends and I didn’t mention that we’d stuffed our faces at the Camelot re-coronation. One, it would be rude to turn down the hospitality. And two, well, it’s never a bright idea to turn down free food.
“Well, that’s disturbing,” Daniel said.
I agreed. All my friends were grossed out when I told them that Merlin once dated Lena Lenore. Blue had almost spit out her food. I was glad to finally have a good moment to tell them about it, and more importantly about the origins of Merlin’s Pure Magic. I’d been wanting to share those facts with them all day. It was important information that I hadn’t had a chance to get into until now.
My friends, Glinda, and I sat in a lovely dining hall with green glass walls, white floors, and chandeliers that reminded me of giant dandelions. A spread of vibrantly colored foods and drinks had been laid out on the table.
Crisanta Knight: The Lost King Page 38
