Free Gabriel Stone and the Divinity of Valta by Shannon Duffy

Malina returned to Gabriel. As she did, the crystal Divinity became quiet and still once again. “It seems my enchantment worked. I cast a spell on the Divinities, ensuring that if they were ever lost or stolen, only an innocent could connect them. Duke Malgor stole the Divinities. He surely attempted to transfer their power over to him so that he could steal the throne forever. But then he lost one—or maybe he lost them both.” She frowned. “But I do feel within me that he still holds the twin to this one.”
    She shook her head. “Malgor wants to rule all of Valta and he would no doubt enslave us all. But without the Divinities united as one, Valta is doomed. Something must have gone wrong in Malgor’s plans. If he had his way, he would use their power for his own gain. Even he would not want Valta to die, as it would mean his own demise, as well. Malgor must still possess the other one, and could not connect them due to the enchantment. Fate has brought a Divinity to you, dear Gabriel. It belongs with you until its partner is found.”
    Gabriel’s eyes widened. “It belongs with me?”
    “Yes, it does. It can sense your innocence, though it is mixed with guilt and sorrow.”
    His face flushed hot. She must have seen the guilt he felt over his mom’s disappearance. Not to mention the extra pile of guilt he felt for getting his friends into the Valtan mess. Empress Malina handed him back the crystal and cupped his face in her hands. Warmth engulfed him as he grasped the crystal.
    “The Divinity does belong with you,” she whispered, “until its match is found and order is restored. Do you see how it quiets down with you? You are truly special, Gabriel.”
    He didn’t feel special. How can the crystal belong with me? He looked at Brent and Piper in stunned silence. The empress gently tied the crystal around his neck and patted his shoulder. Her face was etched in worry. “I fear it is too big a burden that I ask of you children. But I believe in fate. There is a prophecy that speaks of a child saving Valta. A human child. That angers Malgor to no end. He believes humans are not worthy of such honor. He feels being human is a condition, like a contagious disease.”
    Princess Evangeline scowled and shook her head. “Uncle Malgor doesn’t know anything.”
    Gabriel’s friends looked at him with eagerness, but he noticed a glimmer of fear in their eyes. His stomach twisted, scared by the thought of going on such an important quest. He tried to shake off the feeling of uneasiness. Maybe this is my chance to be somebody. To do something great. We can fix this. We have to try. Gabriel closed his eyes. His mother’s last words came ringing back. Be brave, Gabriel.
    “I’ll find the other one, Empress Malina,” he said as bravely as he could. “My friends and I like quests. It’ll be sort of like a scavenger hunt.”
    Piper pulled her lip between her teeth. “Yeah, just with a lot more at stake.”
    “You really are wonderful children,” Empress Malina said. “But you cannot start on your quest until the morning. It’s bedtime now. No arguments.”
    During the night, Gabriel drifted in and out of sleep, awakened by distant howls. They reminded him that there was nowhere in Valta where he could be completely safe. When he was sure the others were asleep, he crept out of bed, and headed to a table in the corner. On the table sat a lantern. With trembling hands, he snatched up the package of matches beside the lantern and lit it. Where was the stupid Spiderman night-light when he needed it? With a groan, he crept back to bed, and finally fell asleep.
    The friends woke to a hot breakfast. After they ate, they walked out the front doors of the grand castle and onto a cobblestone walkway. Empress Malina gave Gabriel a map of Valta.
    “The Tandem Wood is where Malgor’s castle stands,” Empress Malina told them. “It is a frightful place, and you will need to be very vigilant there. We are in the royal city