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  Eidolon stopped and laughed. In that moment of amused laughter, Ivan threw a spell directly into Eidolon’s eye.

  It worked!

  He was blinded, just for a moment. Ivan jumped onto the Goblin King’s convulsing body, grabbed the velvet bag and then plummeted to the ground.

  Meghan, afraid that Ivan might be injured, lost concentration. The fires she had created fizzled and died. The Goblins advanced. But none faster than the King.

  For an immense creature made of rock, Eidolon’s body was agile. He glided across the uneven surface of the ground like an ice skater on clean ice, lifting his enormous body into the air and hurling himself toward them. His body twisted, attempting to crush Ivan and Meghan, but as it came crashing down, Ivan grasped Meghan, pushing her out of the way.

  Eidolon missed them by mere inches.

  “Run,” ordered Nona, now rounding the same canyon edge that the others had escaped around minutes before.

  Ivan yanked Meghan off the ground and they ran. Every direction they turned, rock-hard arms, legs and bodies crushed down around them, pulverizing whatever happened to be underneath.

  The evening sun still blazed hot. Up ahead, Ivan and Meghan noticed Colby chasing after Colin and Catrina. They both knew what he wanted: Colin’s book! The Magicante.

  Bird had hidden the book in a small crevice. He used his beak to edge it out. Colin, while running, yelled for it to wake up.

  “In some trouble are we?” it cynically asked, while yawning.

  “We need to get out of here, fast.”

  “You could have done that yourself, you know,” reminded Magicante.

  “I know that. But I wasn’t going to leave you behind.”

  “I see, yes. Good thinking, then!”

  Colin grabbed Magicante ordering Catrina to take hold, but Ivan and Meghan were still too far behind, and Colby was closing in.

  Colin prepared for battle.

  Catrina hid her delicate face behind the book.

  “Don’t worry, Lass. He’ll do just fine,” the book told her.

  “Oh, I know he will. I just hate watching battles. So violent,” Catrina explained.

  “Ah,” said the book. “You’re a special one. Unique talent, aren’t you?” 69

  “You cannot tell,” insisted Catrina. “It must remain a secret, at least for now.”

  “Yes, I can understand why,” the book mused. “Very well, then.”

  “Thank you,” said Catrina, finding the book very agreeable.

  Colin and Colby sent spells at each other with heightened speed. They collided, sending sparks in all directions.

  “You’re much better than most,” admitted Colby.

  “That’s what they keep telling me,” said Colin presumptuously. Repeatedly, their spells collided, canceling each other out. Colin only wanted to last long enough for Meghan and Ivan to catch up. When at last they did, he instructed them to take hold of the book.

  “Colin! Get over here!” yelled Meghan.

  Colin and Colby were practically laughing now; throwing pointless spells. They were having way too much fun trying to hurt each other.

  They stopped dueling, and froze.

  Eidolon and his Goblins were racing their way.

  “Damn!” yelled Colby. “I will get that book. Maybe not today! But I will!”

  “Colby, come!” Colby’s loyal Catawitch, Elisha, appeared atop a nearby rock. Colby bounded to the rock. Elisha jumped down to meet him. There was a burst of flames and they were gone.

  Bird and Nona jumped onto the book, which Colin then grasped onto; the book had them back at the valley’s edge in a split second.

  Colin then wondered why he had not just used the Magicante to locate Catrina in the first place. Then he decided that the book would have just made him do it on his own, anyway.

  Ivan stood up, dazed.

  “How…” he stopped. “Whatever. We need to warn everyone. Eidolon will be coming!”

  “Wait!” said Catrina.

  The group halted.

  “No one can know about me. I will explain, when there is time.” Colin did not question, but to his displeasure, this time, Ivan did.

  “Hide? Why?”

  “Maybe this isn’t the time or place, Ivan,” Meghan suggested.

  “No. I have had it with all this craziness. I want to know what’s going on! Now!” Catrina put on a pretty smile.

  “Ivan. You’re Ivan Crane, aren’t you?”

  “Yes. How do you know that?”

  “Not important! But if you don’t help me now, Ivan, you will never find out what I have for you.”

  Geesh, thought Meghan. How familiar this bargaining sounds.

  Ivan cocked his head. It was not quite enough to make him go along with her request, yet.

  “Poor Ivan Crane. Lost your mother so long ago, didn’t you? I would have been about a year old, then. Did you know your mother gave me a gift right before she died?” This got Ivan’s attention.

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  “I think its something you’ll have great interest in, seeing as it is really meant for you.”

  “My mother gave you a gift, to give to me?” questioned Ivan, weakening.

  “Yes. But you’ll never find out what it is, if I am discovered now.”

  “Fine!” he huffed. “You can hide, for now! But hurry up!”

  “Colin. I believe you will find a spell in the Magicante that will hide me from all eyes and ears but your own.”

  “As long as I see and hear you, I can protect you!” he insisted.

  “Oh, I know you can protect me,” she readily agreed, taking hold of his hand again. “You’re probably the only one who can. No offense,” she aimed toward the others.

  Colin fought hard to ignore the tingly feelings flittering around his heart and for a quick moment, allowed his eyes to linger on her.

  He had found her.

  He had actually found her.

  She was real.

  He did not know her at all, and yet, felt as though he had known her his entire life.

  Ivan cleared his throat.

  “We don’t have all day,” he mumbled.

  “Okay. Magicante. If you don’t mind,” said Colin. The pages flipped open and a moment later a whoosh of air flew passed Catrina.

  “Spectacular!” she said. She then turned to Meghan and Ivan. “Can either of you hear me or see me?” There was no answer. “Perfect!” she clapped.

  “That’s a very strange book you’ve got there, Colin. I’m beginning to understand why it’s so popular,” said Ivan.

  Colin shrugged, unsure what to say.

  Before they could continue and sound their warning to the Svoda, a piercing howl filled the clear afternoon sky.

  “You have got to be kidding me!” spoke both Meghan and Ivan at the same time.

  Movement in the air and on the valley floor caught their eyes. The battle was about to begin. Scratchers up above prepared to dive, as Goblins on the ground below slithered closer and closer.

  “I have an idea,” cried Nona. “I have never done it before, but I could attempt traveling by fire.”

  “Oh,” said Meghan. “All Catawitch’s can do that? I just thought it was Colby’s.”

  “I know I am supposed to be able to do it, but I do not dare take anyone with me, not yet. I will slip into Juliska’s fireplace and sound the warning. I can get there faster than you can.

  And from the looks of it, you’re going to have a battle on your hands in minutes.” It was true. Eidolon’s minions were advancing quickly. The valley floor trembled beneath the advancement.

  Colin debated for the smallest of moments on using his own powers to get them the rest of the way, but something nagged in the back of his mind that he should not act on that idea.

  “Start a fire, Meghan,” Nona advised.

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  Meghan concentrated hard. She was exhausted, and it took everything she had to start the fire. She threw the flames onto the ground, but before Nona
could jump in, Ivan stopped her.

  “Go with her, Meghan!” he ordered. “You won’t be able to help, now!” At first, Meghan was insulted, but then saw something in Ivan’s eyes. Was it concern? Duty? Did he just want to be sure and return her safely to Juliska?

  Nona protested.

  “It’s my first time, Ivan.”

  “It’s in your nature, Nona. You can do it. Please.”

  Nona agreed, reluctantly. She did not want to hurt her mistress. Meghan grabbed onto Nona and without hesitation, they jumped into the fire and vanished.

  “Catrina, stay behind me,” ordered Colin, as the Scratchers appeared high overhead. “Don’t let go of me,” he then told her.

  Catrina obeyed her savior at once, taking cover behind him and grasping the back of his shirt, so Colin would know where she was. He then faced Ivan.

  “I learned a nifty thing today,” he said. “Don’t know if you can do it, but if you can, you can use less energy.”

  “I’m all ears,” replied Ivan. “We’re going to need all we got!”

  “Think your spells rather than say them out loud,” Colin explained.

  “Really? Where’d you hear that?”

  Colin nodded toward his book.

  “I actually can do that, although I’ve never enjoyed it. Feels wrong not to say it out loud,” he admitted, readying himself for the Scratchers, now diving.

  Ivan extended his palm, looking a bit uncomfortable as he shot off spells without speaking them aloud. Colin joined him, and silently they fought off the diving beasts.

  “Oh, wait,” yelled Catrina, startling Colin. “Tell Ivan if he expects to fight well, he needs to let me hold what’s in the velvet bag!”

  “What? Why?”

  “Just do!” replied Catrina.

  “Ivan! Catrina says you need to get rid of what’s in the velvet bag, or your magic won’t work right!”

  Ivan struggled for a brief second with the idea of parting with his prize, before throwing the bag at Colin, who caught it and handed it to Catrina for safekeeping.

  Ivan and Colin then stepped into battle, working their way toward home, as Scratchers attacked from above, and the valley floor quivered beneath the advancement of Eidolon’s Goblin army.

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  Meghan exploded out of the fire and onto the castle floor, alongside Nona.

  “Okay, we need to work on that a few more times,” she muttered, “but not too bad for my first try.”

  “You did fantastic,” Meghan praised, hugging her loyal pet.

  Hearing the commotion, Pantin Hollee bounded into the room.

  “Meghan! Nona! This is…”

  “Sorry Hollee, no time. Eidolon is pissed and he’s coming, with his entire army!” For the smallest of moments the Pantin was frozen, but as Meghan’s words sank in, she raced into action.

  “Everyone is gathered for a feast, Juliska hasn’t departed yet…” She darted out of the room, with Meghan and Nona at her heals. When Juliska saw them, she understood at once that trouble was coming. She arose from her chair and called her personal Ballaton. They appeared by her side at once.

  “Sound the warning. Plan B,” she announced, calmly. The two Ballaton disappeared without a moment’s hesitation. With the snap of a few fingers Juslika’s trunks were packed.

  Another snap and they had vanished.

  “Everyone hold hands, please” ordered Juliska. “I can get us down much faster than walking.”

  Nona jumped into Meghan’s arms, Meghan in turn grabbed hold of Juliska, who grasped the Pantin. Before Meghan could inhale, the ground beneath her feet had vanished. New ground came underfoot just as instantly. She steadied herself, allowing Nona to jump out of her arms.

  “Hollee, get to the doorway and be ready to get everyone through. This is not going to be pleasant. We have no actual place to go.”

  “Limbo?” confirmed the Pantin, her eyes open wide.

  “Yes, I am afraid it’s our only choice.”

  Juliska paused as the Pantin scurried away.

  “Meghan, you will come with me,” she then said. Meghan followed as Juliska departed for the town center, where the Svoda were gathered. By the time they had arrived, the Balaton had announced the unscheduled retreat.

  Screams and chaos now ensued as the people panicked. Svoda scampered out of the town center to their homes, locating family members who had not yet arrived at the feast, and grabbing whatever belongings they could.

  Pantin Hollee waited next to their exit, a wooden doorway, held up between two stone pillars. The youngest children went through the doorway first, along with their mothers and those to old to fight. The line to get through was perilously long. Those at the back pushed 73

  the line forward, crowding those attempting to get through at the front. Families said hasty tear-filled goodbyes as they went through, leaving behind loved ones readying for battle.

  A few of the women, including Billie Sadorus, stayed behind to fight.

  The Svoda army, though small in number, prepared for the oncoming encounter, by slinging on belts, filled with potions and stored magical energy.

  From a distance, they saw two figures running toward them, shooting spells at they ran.

  The world suddenly moved in slow motion for Meghan. Her thoughts were disconcerted as she watched her brother and Ivan getting closer, at the same time, orders sounded nearby, and yet sounded as though they were miles away.

  Juliska ordered her Balaton into attack position. They lined up behind her, palms ready for battle. While others, further behind, tried to get through the door and escape to safety.

  Directly over their heads now were three Scratchers. No, there were four. Where did the fourth one come from? Meghan felt the wind against her face as their webbed wings snapped against the dusty air.

  Reality came surging back with cutting force. She covered her ears to hide the piercing cry of the Scratchers hovering over them.

  The fighting duo of Colin Jacoby and Ivan Crane edged closer, and gaining on them was the entirety of Eidolon’s Goblin army.

  They slithered across the valley, thrusting shards of rock and desert debris into the air as they advanced.

  Colin ducked, as if covering something, from the rainstorm of rock that now pummeled them. When the dust settled he felt Ivan’s hand pull him up and they ran again.

  The crowd gasped in unison as they witnessed the oncoming army. They were tremendously out numbered.

  “We will fight and retreat at the same time,” advised Juliska. “Work your way toward the doorway, and most importantly, stay together!”

  The Balaton were the first to strike, aiming their spells at the Scratchers, leaving the remaining Svoda to work their way toward safety. The hideous shrieks of the flying beasts sent shudders through the people.

  The Scratchers then fanned out, encircling the Svoda and the doorway to Limbo, forcing those retreating to stop and fight. One of the flying beasts took a nosedive straight into the gathered crowd. Svoda hurled themselves out of harms way as the beast howled and then hit the ground with great force. It snarled and snapped, bounding on foot through the crowd, until a spell finally hit its head, by none other than the Jackal sisters.

  “Take that!” Kalila’s dainty frame jibbed. Her sister Kalida nodded in earnest approval.

  The creature stopped its attack, and after its momentary shock, lifted off the ground with agile speed.

  Colin and Ivan finally arrived, winded from running, but still fighting nonetheless.

  Colin remained Catrina’s shield, keeping her safely hidden behind him.

  “Target their eyes,” explained Ivan, so all could hear. “It’s there one soft spot.” 74

  The first violent push from Eidolon’s army came. Bursts of crushed red rock rained down, hitting Svoda and Scratcher alike. Balaton sent off spells to pulverize the larger rocks, turning them into dust. This plan backfired, however, as the dust got into their eyes, blinding them.

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sp; Billie Sadorus was the first to recover and sent spell after spell into the unaffected Scratchers. Their dives were getting bolder. Their wings were open wide, looking for a kill.

  Billie stunned one of the flying beasts, blasting it high into the air. From behind her, another of the Scratchers’ webbed wings slammed across her back, hurtling her body across the ground.

  It could not wrap its wings around her, but in trying to do so, it plunged a talon into her right arm. It cut all the way through, pinning her to the ground. Then, in an effort to get back into the air, it dragged Billie across the rocky valley floor. It lifted her off the ground shaking her body, hoping to free itself.

  She fell to the ground, free of the talon. Blood gushed from her arm, pooling around her.

  The beast took flight once again.

  “Billie, Billie!” a harsh voice shouted, drawing near to her. “How bad is it?”

  “My brother, it is not so bad. I’ll be fine,” she insisted. Garner looked at his sister’s split arm and disagreed. He lifted her and carried her to the doorway. She fought him the entire way, insisting she could still fight. After Garner sent her to safety, he returned to the battle.

  How could they fight such an enemy and expect to win? The retreat needed to happen faster. The Svoda knew this battle was not one they could win!

  Slowly, they inched their way toward safety.

  Meghan watched in awe as Juliska battled the Goblins with impeccable speed and precision. Each spell came in direct contact with an eye, temporarily blinding the Goblin behind it.

  Nona was using her abilities to heal, assisting the injured.

  Out of the corner of her eye, Meghan saw Irving Mochrie. Was he searching for something? He called out, as if looking for someone. She hoped someone from the Mochrie family wasn’t missing.

  Meghan decided it was time to do her part. Her energy felt renewed. Before she could get a fire started, Juliska came to her side.

  “Meghan, I want you to go now. I realize you might be able to help, but you’re visions are still uncontrolled. I don’t want you to get hurt.”

  Meghan’s heart raced at hearing Juliska’s motherly words. She agreed and called for Nona.

  “I will not leave your side,” Nona told her when Meghan explained. “We will go, and I will help those injured on the other side.”