Circles in the Stream (Avalon: Web of Magic #1) (18 page)

“We’ll allow the estate to be opened to the public in exchange for the town’s support and protection of the preserve and its inhabitants.”

“Agreed,” the mayor said.

“And,”
Gran continued, “you will allow us to apply for official federal landmark and wildlife sanctuary status.”

“That’s two conditions, but I think that will fly.” The mayor smiled.

“Wow,” Emily said.

Mayor Davies stepped forward. “All in favor of trying out the preserve as our new town project, say ‘aye.’”

A resounding chorus of ayes came from the crowd.

“All those not in favor, say ‘nay.’”

Everyone looked to Beasley Windor. Her mouth flapped opened and closed, but she kept silent.

“Done!” The mayor turned to Gran, a smile on his face and his hand extended. “I think we have a deal.”

Gran shook his hand.

Emily’s heart did a flip. “Adriane! Landmark status! That means no one can ever shut this place down again.” She turned to Kara. “ Kara, I can’t believe it! You are amazing!”

“Yeah…that’s great, Kara.” Adriane looked down at her boots.

“Yes, it is. Excuse me.” Kara went to join her father.

“Congratulations.” Mrs. Windor had moved in front of Emily and Adriane.

“Thank you,” Emily said.

Mrs. Windor bent in close. “Your little show-and-tell didn’t fool me, missy! Something is going on out here and I’m going to find out what!” She turned and stormed away.

Mayor Davies had his arm around Kara’s shoulders. “I’d like to officially appoint Kara as the mayor’s liaison to the new Ravenswood Preservation Society!”

Emily and Adriane looked at each other. The
what?

The council members applauded and Kara beamed.

“Thank you,” Kara said, flashing her dazzling smile over the crowd. “I have lots of ideas, starting with our first fund-raising party.”

“Marvelous!” exclaimed a councilwoman. The crowd buzzed around Kara.

Emily’s mind was racing. “We could set up a Web site,” she spoke up, “so people all over could learn about the preserve—and about wildlife conservation.”

“A Web site! Excellent!” The mayor’s smile was growing wider.

“We’d certainly link to it from the Chamber of Commerce website,” a council member added. “It would be a real tourist attraction!”

Adriane dragged Emily away from the crowd. “Are you crazy! What are you talking about: Web sites! How’re we going to do that? How are we going to learn about… all this?” She held up her stone.

“What do you think of our nifty club?” Kara bounded over. “Of course, I’ll be president.”

“Club?! This isn’t the Girl Scouts!” Adriane burst out.

“Adriane, think,” Emily said. “It’s the perfect setup to learn about the magic.”

Adriane was still mad. “You don’t even have a stone,” she reminded Kara.

Kara stared at the girls’ jewels. “Oh, yeah, and another thing…”

“What now?” Adriane asked.

“I need my own jewel.”

“It’s a good start,” the mayor was saying to the others. He waved his arm over to Emily, Adriane, and Kara. “And we’ve got a great team here to supervise.”

“And it has to be big and sparkly like a diamond.” Kara smiled a dazzling smile at Adriane.

“Why don’t I just get out the magic carpet and we’ll fly around and find one?” Adriane suggested sarcastically.

“You got one? I need that, too.”

Emily had to laugh. Kara and Adriane were from such different worlds. If they could ever work things out, they might actually make a great team.

She looked across at the woods. She thought about how far she had come from that girl left behind 2,500 miles across the country, and what she had lost along the way. But Emily realized she had also found something. She was a healer and healers found hope.

There was so much to learn, a future so full of possibilities. Maybe Kara could find a magic stone of her own. Maybe Ozzie could find a way back into his real body. She looked at Adriane, so full of fire. A “warrior.” Maybe she would find her true path.

The mystery of the web and the fairy map danced across her mind. What roads would it take her down? She thought of Phel and hoped he was safe. Maybe it was possible there existed a place where dreams came true. A place of magic where all creatures were safe. Was
that
what Avalon was?

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.

T
HE 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.