Song of the Unicorns (Avalon: Web of Magic #7) (15 page)

Dreamer is an orphaned mistwolf found by the mages on Aldenmor. He is now bonded to Adriane and is growing into a loving and loyal packmate. Learning his skills as a warrior wolf, Dreamer excels in magic tracking as well as world walking on the Spirit Trail. His lustrous black fur is marked with a white star on his chest and white bands on his paws.

Designed by the Fairimentals in their magic research lab on Aldenmor, Tweek is an Earth Fairimental with a major difference: he is the first Fairimental able to stay on Earth for long periods of time. With his HORARFF (Handbook Of Rules And Regulations For Fairimentals) jewel, Tweek carries a wealth of information and proves a strong member of Team Magic.

Half-human, half-horse, centaurs are a proud, wise, and fierce race. Although some are considered dangerous, many have pledged their service to the Fairimentals and the Guardians of Avalon on their quest to save the magic web. Centaurs are skilled in hunting, medicine, and music.

A golem is creature composed of inanimate objects (stone, metal, glass, etc.) brought to life by a powerful conjurer, usually a wizard, sorcerer, or warlock. The golem is then controlled like a puppet, locked to obey its master’s or mistress’s commands.

K
ARA FOLLOWED QUEEN
Selinda, King Oriel, and Tangoo along a path surrounded by bright wildflowers. The path wound through the gardens, leading to the fairy stables.

It was a large rectangular building created from living trees. What looked like giant oaks stood at each corner of the stable, their branches interweaving like logs to form the walls. Inside, rows of stalls lined the corridor, each gleaming with golden bark and lush leaves in countless shades of green.

The Fairy Queen led Kara to a beautiful stall made of glossy green ivy and daisies. Inside, a pale green horse with bright flowers in her lustrous mane stuck her head over the half-door and nuzzled the queen’s face lovingly.

“This is Gaia, an Earth Elemental Horse,” the Fairy Queen said, laughing as the mare turned curious azure eyes to Kara.

“Welcome, blazing star.”

Kara smiled and petted Gaia. The animal’s strong magic was warm and pure. She instantly felt a little better. Everyone had acted like this was going to be such a big deal, but she could totally ride this nice horse. Lyra was going to be saved even sooner than she’d hoped.

“Should I just ride her now?” Kara asked.

Selinda shook her head. “Gaia is my horse. Elemental horses only bond with one rider.”

“Oh.” Kara was a little disappointed, but there were probably pretty horses just like Gaia in the other stalls.

King Oriel reached into a stall of gleaming crystal to pet a powerfully built silvery blue horse. “This is Frost, a Water Elemental Horse. We’ve been bonded since I was a child.”

“The blazing star will make a strong rider.”
Frost’s sapphire eyes regarded her thoughtfully.

Kara smiled, and then frowned. Frost was bonded to the Fairy King. She wasn’t going to be riding him, either. Where was
her
elemental horse?

Boom!

A huge blast shook the corridor, followed immediately by loud cries and snorting from somewhere outside the stables.

Queen Selinda walked straight toward the commotion, leaving the stables through the rear doorway.

Kara followed. Out back, a dark and ominous cage stood isolated from the other structures. Kara couldn’t tell exactly what the structure was made of, but it looked like thick gleaming black metal. It was completely enclosed except for a small window set in the front door.

Tall fairies standing guard yelped as a jet of fire erupted from the open window.

Goldie quivered and grabbed a talon full of Kara’s hair to hide behind.

Whatever was in there was angry. Best to keep away from that one, she thought.

The door buckled as something slammed into it from inside. An eye, wide with terror, appeared in the small window. Kara felt a jagged bolt of fire rip through her body, as if her blood were boiling. She gasped, feeling her magic swirling inside, climbing to a fever pitch—it felt like it was going to explode!

Then in an instant it vanished. The window was empty.

“What’s in there?” Kara asked breathlessly. “A manticore?”

Tangoo grinned proudly. “This, Princess Kara, is
your
horse!”