Song of the Unicorns (Avalon: Web of Magic #7) (3 page)

“H
ELP
!”

“TooPH!”

“It’s dark in here.”

“CroooOP! You stepped on my tail!”

“Where are we?”

“EEEooo-eeoop—that smells!”

A jumble of sounds and voices echoed in Emily’s mind. She shut her eyes, blocking out the mental barrage. She seemed to be picking up a magical transmission. But what could be calling to her in New Mexico?

She paced outside a big red barn as crowds of happy tourists gathered inside. The Happy Trails Horse Ranch was a series of stables, corrals, picnic grounds and low-rise buildings sprawled across several acres of desert. Emily shaded her eyes as she scanned the Four Winds Resort about three hundred yards up a dirt road. The complex glistened like a glass-and-chrome oasis complete with lush succulent gardens, fountains, and shimmering swimming pools.

She watched Dreamer and Adriane running along the dusty road leading from the resort to the ranch. The wolf, ecstatic to finally be outside, was sniffing and exploring everything in sight.

“I still don’t hear anything,” Ozzie said, his eyes squeezed shut as he gripped his jewel. He was sitting in Emily’s backpack. “What’s it sound like?”

“It’s weird, like a jumbled radio,” she admitted. As soon as they’d landed, she’d heard it: snippets of sounds rippling through her mind.

Her senses always increased exponentially with the magic of her healing stone. Like her past experiences, these feelings were unfocused, like a half-remembered melody echoing across the desert.

“I can’t get Dreamer to calm down. Can you help?” Adriane called, approaching as Dreamer pulled and chewed on the leash.

Emily kneeled to rub Dreamer’s head. At her touch, he instantly calmed, looking deep into the healer’s eyes. Waves of sparkling colors floated across Emily’s mind. “You feel it too, don’t you?” she asked the mistwolf.

A low growl slipped between Dreamer’s teeth.
“Magic.”

“Magic? Out here?” Adriane asked, startled. “You sure?”

Dreamer nodded. He was a natural magic tracker, and Adriane had worked especially hard honing the mistwolf’s skills.

“I think an animal is in trouble,” Emily fretted.

Adriane examined her amber wolf stone. “I don’t sense any danger.”

“Gather round, cowpokes!” boomed a deep voice from inside the barn.

“Any sign of your dad yet?” Adriane asked.

“No.” Emily was almost glad her dad was late. She needed time to pull herself together before dealing with her new stepmom.

“Come on, we’re going to miss the welcome speech,” Adriane said, hitting the retractable leash and pulling Dreamer close.

The trio walked into the cool shade of the barn. Inside, guests gathered in the center, about twenty-five kids, teens, and adults. On the far side, Kara stood chatting away with a dark-haired woman wearing an expensive western skirt, silk shirt, and jacket.

Kara laughed and chatted with the woman as if they were old friends.

Leave it to Kara, Emily thought. Making friends already with a mannequin from some well-dressed western fashion catalog.

“Hoooo doggies!” A tall, burly man stood in the center of the barn, whooping. He was dressed in full cowboy gear, from his hat, boots, and bolo tie down to a big brass belt buckle with a bucking bronco. “Lemme hear you, now! Come on, let’s do some whoopin’!”

The group gave a cursory whoop.

“Naw, that’s a city slicker whoop. We need a real Texas whoop!” He smiled.

The group whooped louder. Dreamer threw his head back and howled, startling everyone.

“Dreamer!” Adriane hissed, struggling to untangle the wolf from his leash.

“That’s the ticket. Name’s Texas Slim. And I welcome ya’ll to the Happy Trails Horse Ranch. For the next five days you’re gonna be livin’ the life of cowboys and cowgirls. Ridin’ horses, explorin’ the desert, cookouts...”

“PhoooBB!”

“Move over!”

“Faaahtooot!”

Emily looked sharply around her. “Ozzie, did you hear that?”

“No, I can’t get my stupid stone to do anything,” Ozzie whispered, shaking his ferret stone.

Emily moved away from the crowd to try and get a clearer impression from the strange sounds. Shining saddles sat on stands, and bridles hung from wall hooks as she walked past a row of stalls. An image of carrots suddenly popped into her mind. Where did that come from? She looked at the nearest stall. A black-and-white splotched horse stared at her with beautiful, liquid eyes.

Emily petted its velveteen muzzle, half listening to Texas Slim’s speech.

“Some of ya’ll might be in the Southwest for the first time. It’s prettier than a painted peach, but there’s an old sayin’ ‘bout these parts: Everything in the desert is gonna try to bite, sting, or scratch you, and sometimes all at once...”

Emily scratched the horse’s soft ear. “I’m sorry, I don’t have any carrots for you.”

“How’d you know carrots are Domino’s favorite?”

A pretty teenage girl with short, dark brown hair and dark eyes slipped out of the neighboring stall. She quickly latched the wooden door before a white-and-reddish brown spotted horse could follow her out.

“I’m Sierra Sanchez.” The girl took a carrot from the pocket of her brown suede vest and handed it to Emily.

“Hi, I’m Emily Fletcher.” The healer took the carrot and smiled.

“You’re from the Ravenswood Preserve,” Sierra said as Domino eagerly devoured the carrot from Emily’s palm.

“Yes, how did you know?” Emily was startled.

“Ravenswood is
so
cool. I’ve been to your website,” Sierra said excitedly. “When I saw your name on the guest list, I practically freaked. We have a lot in common. I’m a guide here.”

“My friends Adriane and Kara are here, too,” Emily said. “And Ozzie.”

The ferret leaned toward Sierra and pointed to his mouth.

“He’s adorable!”

“And hungry.”

“She’s a beautiful paint pony,” Emily quickly said, stroking Domino’s head as she gave Ozzie a stern look.

“You know your horses,” Sierra approved, feeding another carrot to the horse in the stall next to Domino. “I’ve ridden paints my whole life, mostly this gelding here. His name’s Apache…”

Sierra’s words faded. Loneliness, fear, and confusion filled Emily’s senses.

Something felt so familiar—

“… beautiful bracelet. Are you all right?” Sierra asked, glancing at Emily’s wrist.

“Just a little jet lag.” Emily smiled weakly, covering her glittering jewel with her shirtsleeve.

“Emily, twelve o clock.”
Adriane’s voice popped in her head.

At the barn doors, a man stood waving.

“Excuse me, Sierra, I see my dad,” Emily said.

Forgetting about everything, she began running—and stopped short. His wave had not been for her.

Oh no!
The woman talking to Kara was waving back at her dad.

Emily watched in horror as he walked to the woman and gave her a kiss. She stood frozen as Kara pointed right at her.

David Fletcher’s hazel eyes, the exact color of Emily’s, widened as he caught sight of his daughter. “Em!”

He ran over and caught her in a big bear hug, just like he used to do.

“Daddy!” Emily hugged him back, tears leaking from her eyes.

“Emily, sweetheart, look how you’ve grown.” He held her at arm’s length, eyes also damp. “You’re so beautiful!”

Emily smiled self-consciously, trying to tame her long red curls. She and her dad hugged again. She felt the familiar comfort from his presence, and her heart soared.

“You look good, too, Dad,” Emily said truthfully. He
did
look good. He had thinned down, his warm, friendly eyes and strong brow were framed by neatly trimmed curly hair.

“Gah!” Ozzie had wedged himself firmly between Emily and her dad.

“Oh, sorry, little guy!” David let Emily go and patted the ferret. “This must be Ozzie. A little chubbier than I thought.”

The ferret covered his stomach with his paws and scowled.

“You missed the orientation,” Emily told him.

“Sorry, Em. I had to register and get the bags to the rooms,” he explained, smiling at the dark-haired girl who had joined them. “You must be Adriane. I’ve heard so much about you, I feel you’re a real part of the family.”

“Thank you,” Adriane said, beaming. “This is Dreamer.”

“Hey, boy.” David leaned to ruffle the pup’s scruff.

Emily saw the dark-haired woman straighten her suede jacket and step forward. Edging past Dreamer, she pushed her flowing hair into place with perfectly manicured nails.

“Emily, this is Veronica,” David began.

“Emily, darling!” Veronica grabbed Emily in a hug, then looked her over as if appraising a piece of furniture. Her smile revealed faultlessly white teeth framed by glossy red lips. “Your dad has told me so much about you.”

“Hi,” Emily muttered. She felt Veronica’s eyes canvassing every part of her, from her wild, curly hair to her denim shirt and jeans.

Emily felt woozy.

“Em, are you okay?” her dad asked.

Focusing on the dark auburn of his hair, she nodded. “Just a little tired from the trip.”

“I’ve had the most precious time with your friend Kara. She is just the best!” Veronica’s pale skin seemed too white.

Emily nodded mutely, watching Kara’s beaming smile.

“I just
love
those boots, Veronica!” the blazing star said, admiring the woman’s stylish beige suede boots. “Where did you ever find those?”

“Paris, hon.” Veronica winked. “Perks of being a curator. The galleries I represent send me to Europe a few times a year.”

“That is
so
cool!” Kara gushed. “Isn’t it, Em?”

Emily managed a faint smile, thinking: Someone get me out of this nightmare!

Dreamer sniffed Veronica curiously. She frowned, brushing mistwolf slobber off her purse.

“Hey!” David said excitedly. “Guess what, girls? I managed to reserve a cabin just for the three of you.”

“A cabin!” Adriane beamed.

“A
cabin
?” Kara wailed. “We’re not staying at the resort?”

“Veronica and I are. We figured you girls would have more fun at the horse camp. Isn’t that great?”

“Cool! Thanks, Mr. Fletcher,” Adriane said.

“Yippee-kay-yae,” Kara said sarcastically.

Veronica pulled a slip of paper from her purse and smiled. “I have a pass to the spa for you, Emily. I thought we could spend some quality bonding time in a mud bath.”

Mud bath! I’m not a boggle! Emily thought, aghast.

“I’m not big on spas,” she managed, clenching her teeth. “Kara might like it, though.”

Kara was practically salivating.

“Well, if Emily doesn’t feel like using it, you can certainly join me instead, Kara.”

“Giddyyup!” the blonde whooped.

“So how you fine folks doing?” Texas Slim asked as he approached, grinning broadly. Sierra was at his side.

“Ooof!” Veronica stumbled as Dreamer sideswiped her.

“That’s some hound dog you got there.”

“He’s a dingo,” Kara said quickly, earning a sharp look from Adriane.

“Your daughter’s already met my niece, Sierra,” Texas said to David and his new wife. “Best darn horse wrangler in four states.”

Sierra’s eyebrows rose at the sight of the huge ‘dingo.’

“I’m Kara and I love your pendant,” the blond girl said, stepping forward smiling. “Turquoise is always
so
in.”

“Perfect accessory for any outfit,” Veronica added, smiling at Kara.

Emily looked at the beautiful gemstone that hung from Sierra’s neck. Why hadn’t she noticed that before?

“Thanks. It’s been in my family for generations.” Sierra touched the bright turquoise oval suspended by a silver chain. “Your gems are really cool, too.”

Kara proudly held out her sparkling unicorn jewel. “I found mine in a little place over the rainbow—”

The unicorn jewel suddenly popped with diamond light. Startled, Kara jumped back.

“Kara, where did you get such an outrageous fashion statement?” Veronica giggled in delight. “I love it!”

Emily looked at Kara’s jeans. The blazing star’s belt had turned into a pink feather boa.

“Never did understand fashion.” Texas Slim shook his head.

“Um, it’s the latest thing,” Kara explained quickly. “Belts that change from casual to casual-er. They’re still working out the bugs.”

Sierra's brow furrowed suspiciously.

“Listen up, everyone!” Texas Slim waved his hat in the air. “I’m gonna be leading a hike to the Arrow Rocks just a yodel south of the resort, and Sierra’s leadin’ a trail ride to Echo Ridge, a holler or so up north. That’s a lot of beautiful country to see. So let’s get crackin’.”

“Emily, come on my trail ride,” Sierra pleaded. “Domino would love it.”

“Okay, I guess.”

“Great, see you guys later,” Sierra said, heading back to the stalls.

“We’re going to check out the hotel. Dinner’s at six,” David said, giving Emily a hug. “It was great to finally meet everyone. Have fun!”

Veronica’s hand slipped into David’s arm, pulling him away.

“Your stepmom is so awesome!” Kara raved. “What?”