Free Heart of Avalon (Avalon: Web of Magic #10): by Rachel Roberts Page A

blinding speed.
    “Something is attacking my magic!” Dreamer howled.
    “Dreamer!” Adriane tore her magic away from the rope to help her packmate.
    Drake roared as the chain buckled in a flurry of sparks.
    Tasha clung to Gertie as the bat screeched in agony. “We’re only through the third portal!”
    In the distance, the fourth portal swirled into sight.
    Ozzie hung on frantically as Lyra spiraled out of control, sharp pain searing through her.
    Kara wrenched her magic from the rope and gave it to her bonded.
    “Hold that rope together!” Zach yelled, trying to hold Drake steady.
    “What’s wrong with the animals?” Lorren shouted over Nightwing’s screeches.
    “What did you do?” Kara yelled at Adriane.
    “Me? What did you do?” the warrior demanded.
    “Their magic is being ripped apart!” Tasha clung to Gertie’s saddle with one hand, tweaking her magic meter with the other. “It’s coming from Emily!”
    The group streaked across the sky, trailing magic like a comet.
    “I thought you said her magic was weak,” Adriane called to Tasha.
    “Something’s happened!” Tasha shouted back. “It’s been supercharged!”
    “Agagagagagag,” Ozzie’s clenched teeth chattered as he tried to filter the thunderous power of Emily’s magic. “She needs our help!”
    “Our only shot is to reach Emily through her jewel!” Tasha shouted.
    “I’ve still got her!” Ozzie called, arms wrapped tight around Lyra’s neck.
    “Channel your magic through the ferret stone!” Tasha instructed.
    “I’ve got it!” Fiery unicorn power streamed from Kara’s jewel.
    “I can reach her faster!” Silvery magic sprang from Adriane’s gem.
    “I know what I’m doing!” Kara’s jewel flared with pink and red sparks as she struggled against the wolf magic.
    “So do I!” Adriane’s jewel radiated rings of silver.
    Glowing beams of unicorn and wolf magic zapped into Ozzie’s gem.
    “g … a … h.”
    The ferret stone blazed as wolf and unicorn power collided with explosive force. Magic sizzled over the rope, ripping it to shreds.
    Roaring in pain, Drake plummeted to the ground.
    Tasha and Gertie tumbled head over ear.
    Nightwing fell from the sky, Lorren and Kara hanging on.
    Propelled by the blast of magic, Ozzie and Lyra careened into the fourth portal.
    “Ahhhh!”
    T HE AGONIZED SCREAM tore through Emily as she burst into the operating room. The Stonehill Animal Hospital tilted at odd angles as the large creature thrashed on the table.
    In shaky slow motion, a terrifying image came into focus. Lyra lay before her, the cat’s beautiful orange fur ravaged with deep burns.
    “No!” Emily recoiled from the horrible sight.
    That had been the first contact Emily had ever made with a magical animal—a discovery that should have been wondrous and joyful.
    As if in a dream, Emily saw herself freeze, unable to help the injured cat.
    I’m sorry, she wanted to scream! Lyra’s mangled body shimmered as the hospital melted into dizzying light—
    Flash!
    —the night sky blazed with magic. Lights illuminated the trees surrounding the portal field in Ravenswood. Heart pounding, clothes damp with sweat, Emily leaned over the purple bear-like creature lying on the grass. His weakened body was translucent, ripped apart by glowing Black Fire.
    “Phel.” Emily could hardly breathe. The gentle fairy creature had taught her about healing. Now he needed her. Desperately she tried to summon her magic—but it wouldn’t come. She couldn’t heal him. Her worst nightmares had come to life, a chilling reminder of her helplessness and failure—
    Flash!
    —bright sun cut through the trees, tilting the world upside down. Gasping for breath, Emily hit the bottom of the muddy incline. An injured owl lay in the ditch: Ariel! The snow owl’s exquisite feathers were burned beyond recognition.
    Emily knew she should do something. But in her secret heart of hearts, she wanted to run away.
    Was she reliving these awful memories,