All's Fairy in Love and War (Avalon: Web of Magic #8) (11 page)

“No one takes advantage of Kara Davies. You’ll just have to find your own power crystal, Prince whoever you are!” Kara jammed the rose in her pocket and ran toward the mirrors.

“Wait!” Lorren shouted desperately. “Kara!”

She pulled Mirabelle out and flipped the clamshell open.

“Princess.” Mirabelle beamed. “How may I assist you in your radiance? Might I suggest some lip gloss—”

Kara held Mirabelle up, showing her the three gleaming mirrors. “Which one?”

“Well, the right one is nice, but it reflects several deep layers of astral planes.”

“Then that one?” She swung the little mirror to the left.

“Excellent craftsmanship. But the shimmer seems off. Could be fatal to molecular reconstruction.”

On the web above them, a dark shape shifted. Eight enormous hairy legs moved in horrifying syncopation as a gargantuan black spider rose from the web’s center.

Goldie, Kara, and Mirabelle shrieked.

“Mirabelle! Which one?”

“Ooo, I don’t know, just jump!” the compact squealed.

Kara took one last glance at Lorren’s horrified face and aimed herself toward the center mirror.

“See you on the other side, Prince Loser.”

She barreled into the center mirror.

“No, not that one!” Mirabelle screamed.

Kara plummeted through twisting, blinding space, clinging to Goldie. Dazzling lights streamed past her eyes spiraling to infinity. Suddenly she slowed, as if she were falling through water, then stopped. She found herself standing on an impossibly bright glowing plane of light.

Kara looked up at the tall, shimmering figure that stood before her.

“I’ve been waiting for you, blazing star,” the Dark Sorceress said, smiling.

“S
TAY AWAY FROM
me!” Kara yelled, recoiling from the Dark Sorceress. Had the mirror taken her to the Otherworlds?

“I’m not who you think I am,” the tall woman said.

Kara shuddered, clutching her jewel protectively. Was this another trick? Suddenly Goldie squealed happily.

“Goldie!” Kara cried.

“Hello, little one,” the woman laughed. Silver hair fell past her shoulders, flowing over a shimmering dress. Goldie sat, calmly preening herself. “You are a very clever little dragon, aren’t you?”

Goldie nodded.

Then Kara noticed something odd. The woman seemed almost transparent. Light shifted and curved around her form as if she were a picture framed in glass—no—a reflection in a mirror.

The woman’s warm eyes regarded Kara.

Kara’s unicorn jewel glowed, but it was not the warning pulse of danger. She clutched her gem protectively and studied the luminous figure in the mirror. Like the Dark Sorceress, she had deep green eyes and flowing silver hair. But the eyes were not cold reptilian slits, and her hair had no jagged lightning streaks. The Dark Sorceress’s deeply etched features were set in cruel, mocking lines. This woman’s face was soft and friendly. And fluttering behind, so delicate that Kara had not seen them before, were shimmering iridescent wings.

“Who are you?” Kara asked.

“I am Lucinda.” Waves of radiant magic glowed around her.

“As in Queen Lucinda?” Kara asked, astonished.

“Yes.” The woman smiled. “I suppose you could call me your fairy godmother.”

Kara looked for the mirror that had brought her here, but a sparkling mist obscured visibility in every direction. Shards of light reflected like tiny suns across a pool, sending ripples and rainbow shimmers flashing everywhere.

“What is this place?”

“You are on the astral planes of magic,” Lucinda explained, her voice pure and sweet. “I am very happy to meet you, blazing star.”

Kara looked closer at the figure in the mirror. The unicorn jewel was reflected in a ghostly image around Lucinda’s neck, glowing with a warm, rosy light.

“The jewel that adorns your neck was once mine.” Lucinda’s bright eyes met Kara’s. “It has been waiting for the right match.”

“You have the wrong girl.” Kara wrapped the jewel in her hand.

“I know how confused you must be.” Lucinda’s eyes gazed at Kara compassionately. “I can help you but we must hurry—I can only shield you for a few minutes lest you fall under the spell that trapped me here. They will sense you.”

“Who?”

“The Dark Sorceress and her allies.”

Kara stiffened, remembering the terrifying nightmares that reached for her. “They’re trying to steal my magic.”

“You are the blazing star,” Lucinda said simply.

Kara hung her head. “I want to believe that,” she cried, feeling vulnerable and lost. “But I don’t even know who I am.”

Lucinda’s rosy lips curved in a gentle smile. “All that matters is what is in your heart.” Glowing planes of light coalesced, wavering and rippling over the mirror’s surface, taking on dreamy, hazy images—scenes from Kara’s memories. They began playing like movies before her eyes. She watched, transfixed.

Five years old—ignoring her mother’s instructions, she was swept from the beach into the ocean, terrified as the strong undertow pulled her down.

This is surreal, Kara thought, as the next one came.

Age eight—riding her favorite horse, Sugarpie, in competition. The moment she had dreamed of, so sure she would come in first because she was always the best. She had come in third and had thrown a tantrum.

Age ten—Kara singing karaoke and making a total spectacle of herself. Heather, Tiffany, and Molly were rolling and laughing so hard, they spit out their popcorn. She was always the most popular, always the center of attention.

Kara watched the memories continue to play. She was surprised that her emotions had grown stronger with time, how this video-diary shaped who she was and set the stage for what would come next.

Two girls she had nothing in common with, and who couldn’t possibly know what she was all about. But they had something Kara didn’t. Something beyond anything Kara had ever dreamed possible.

Clumsy Emily walking a whole pack of dogs and getting herself completely entangled in the leashes. Tiffany and Heather were so mean to her, and Kara didn’t do anything about it. Kara was not proud of her first encounter with the healer
.

Dark haired, tough Adriane, in Kara’s face because Kara had promised not to tell anyone about the “purple bear,” Phel. But that’s exactly what she had done. Kara grimaced, knowing how she had jeopardized the lives of all the animals and the secret of Ravenswood.

Kara placed her trembling hands on Emily’s healing jewel and Adriane’s wolf stone. Magic flooded through her senses like wildfire. She didn’t understand it, but knew she wanted it more than anything.

Kara reached for the horn of the unicorn, stealing it from the Ravenswood library. She didn’t care what happened as long as she got the magic.

All Kara had wanted was her own jewel. How selfish that seemed now.

Emily and Adriane had accepted her in spite of who she was: spoiled, vain, and inconsiderate. But Kara had changed. She saw that now, as crystal clear as a mirror.

The images disappeared, and Lucinda stood before her. “What we leave behind makes us who we are.”

“But what’s wrong with me?” Kara cried. “Why can’t I use my magic?”

“Because, Kara. The magic is not for you.”

There it was. Panic twisted Kara’s stomach. It had all been a mistake. The magic had never been meant for her.

“Kara, the gift of a blazing star is to make
others
shine more brightly. Not yourself.”

Kara took a deep breath, trying to think it through. She had always been strongest with Adriane and Emily by her side, giving her magic to them.

“This is your time,” Lucinda said softly, “when the magic first comes alive. You can feel it, can’t you?”

Kara nodded helplessly. Even now, she could feel the magic blazing inside of her. If she let it go, she feared she would fall apart, vanish like a dream.

“It’s too strong,” Kara cried. “I don’t know how to use it.”

“So many love you, and will help.”

“Like Lyra.” Kara lowered her eyes.

“Kara, there is something else.”

Kara turned wide blue eye to Lucinda.

“You have some idea of what the Dark Sorceress is capable of.”

Kara nodded grimly.

“She covets the magic of Avalon and will use you to get it. Even trapped, she reaches out through dreams.” Lucinda’s eyes flashed. “But make no mistake, she will strike again and she will strike hard.”

Kara felt shivers down her back. “What could happen?” she whispered.

“Are you sure you want to see?”

Kara steeled herself. “Yes.”

Lucinda waved her hand, summoning an unfamiliar set of images.

The Dark Sorceress sat upon her throne, ready to send her vast armies onto the magic web. All she had to do was give the order and worlds would be hers. The power of Avalon’s magic was inescapable, seducing, infecting, and changing every part of her being.

Kara looked closer at the animal eyes of the sorceress and gasped. They were ice blue—Kara’s eyes.

Queen Kara lazily touched her unicorn jewel, then fingered two bracelets upon her wrist. Each held a different gem—the rainbow jewel and the wolf stone.

Shock, grief, and guilt consumed Kara. “That can’t be what will happen!” she cried as the horrible images faded.

“That is up to you.” Lucinda smiled gently. “The future is shaped by your choices. It is what makes you so powerful.”

Kara nodded.

“You are the spark, waiting to ignite a fire. You must embrace the fire and chose to become the blazing star!” Lucinda’s luminous form began to waver like a reflection in rippling water—

“Wait!” Kara cried.

—but Kara was already moving, falling. She stepped out of the mirror blindly, wincing as bright light seared her eyes.

A sharp cry pierced the air—something was in agony.

Goldie was searching for the source.

“Where, Goldie?”

Goldie took off, Kara running behind.

They crested a grassy hill and skidded to a stop. Rocky outcroppings, brush, and tall reeds lined a river as it coiled though high banks. In the distance, the mountains kept rising, blanketing the horizon with sparkling crystal peaks.

Another cry. Kara’s heart twisted. Her jewel surged, compelling her to move forward. She ran, boots crunching through tough cattails.

Scrambling over jagged rocks, Kara followed the pull of her gem and rounded a bend. At the base of a rocky hill was a large hollow, protected by a jutting overhang. Goldie fluttered above, squeaking and screeching. The entire hollow glowed pale reddish orange, reflecting flames.

Without thinking, Kara rushed forward, her heart pounding.

The stallion was down, entangled in wet grass and reeds. His fiery body sizzled and flickered as he lashed out with a flaming hoof, struggling to get to his feet. Red hot waves surged up, licking greedily at Goldie, as if they would devour the small dragon.

“No!” Kara cried, dashing into the shallow waters. Desperation hit her like a fist. She could feel the horse’s need pulling at her magic, drawing her closer.

The horse looked nothing like the awesome stallion she had seen less than a day ago in the arena. Spots on his flaming coat were dark, dissipating like dying coals. Fire flared in swirls and loops, bursting into the shape of a horse before melting back into pure flames. The horse was desperately trying to hold his form together.

“Please, let me help you,” Kara implored. Sparks flew from her unicorn jewel as she stepped closer. She clamped down her magic and focused on the horse’s ferocious need.

“Easy,” she said. “I can help you.”

The fire stallion flashed and fluttered, taking then losing shape. Fire streaked up and down his back, sending snaking tendrils into the sky. The spell that held him together was almost gone.

Kara moved closer, realizing that her unicorn jewel was protecting her from the intense heat. She reached into her jacket and pulled out the shining Blue Rose. The stallion’s wide eyes locked on the swirling blue magic. Gasping, he struggled forward.

Kara felt her magic surge from her jewel, but she held it steady. Something had changed. Kara had reached another level of control.

The glimmering azure magic of the rose grew more intense. Closing her eyes in concentration, Kara reached out to the stallion. His wildly unstable magic trembled across her senses, pulling, grasping at her.

Magic fire burned through Kara, struggling for release. But she wasn’t afraid. She opened her heart to the stallion—and let her magic go.

This time there was no crazy, unfocused explosion—just the Blue Rose blooming in her hand, its shimmering petals spreading and brightening. The rose slowly lost its form and changed into a ball of pure elemental magic. Spreading her hands, Kara washed the magic over the stallion.

Instantly a blast of heat surged from his body. Trails of raging fire pulled back and tightened into solid form. In one powerful movement, the stallion was on his feet, his strong muscles pulsing with whorls of brilliant fire. The reeds and swamp grass melted away in a hiss of smoke.

Stamping fiery hoofs, the huge stallion ran up the bank and stopped. He turned his golden eyes to Kara.

“Who are you?”
the horse asked, bright flames trailing from his mane and tail.

“I’m Kara.” She smiled.

The horse snorted, accepting her name.

Kara climbed up the bank and stood near the stallion. “And you?”

The stallion reared, fire raging from his body. He stamped the ground, spilling flames across the damp grass.

“What’s wrong?”

“I have no name,”
the stallion cried, eyes flashing in pain and sadness.

Kara moved closer.

The stallion lowered his blazing orange head. She stretched out her hand wonderingly. As her fingers touched the stallion’s glowing cheek, brilliant magic sparkled from her jewel, sending her long hair flowing back from her face and ruffling the stallion’s fiery forelock. This was not the uncontrolled storm of magic fire she had come to fear. This was soft and gentle, full of love and kindness. The horse stepped back, but Kara moved forward, protected by her jewel, until her hand tamed the wild fire of his mane.

“You’re so beautiful,” she spoke softly, running her hand over his neck, settling the flames. “Like a star shining on my heart. I will call you Starfire.”

The stallion stood straighter.

“Starfire. It is a good name,”
he said proudly.

The horse whinnied and snorted, prancing and dancing.

Kara laughed joyfully as Goldie tumbled happily above her head. The blazing star reached out impulsively and hugged the stallion’s great neck. She felt the magic fire drumming through his form, a fierceness barely contained, as wild and intense as her own.

Starfire lowered his head over Kara’s shoulder. She closed her eyes. They stood together on the bank listening to the river flowing gently past.