Free All's Fairy in Love and War (Avalon: Web of Magic #8) by Rachel Roberts Page B

suspiciously.
    Green eyes shone from behind the black mask as he stared deep into Kara’s eyes. “You are the blazing star. You defeated the Dark Sorceress.”
    Kara went rigid.
    “But now she’s now working with a dark fairy creature. An elemental magic master, the Spider Witch.”
    Fear inched along Kara’s spine. How much did he know about her real connection to the Dark Sorceress?
    “I think they’re working to escape the Otherworlds,” he told her.
    “And you know this how?”
    “I work with the Fairy Underground, a secret group organized to fight them. According to our information, something big is going down. Mirrors have been popping up all over the place, strange creatures roam the lands, and magic is in very short supply.” He looked around and continued. “The Spider Witch had one of the power crystals, but foolishly used it to try and capture a herd of young unicorns.”
    “My friends and I stopped them,” Kara said.
    “Yes, you did.” The boy’s eyes twinkled in admiration. “Now they seek the crystal of the Fairy Realms. You have to find it first.”
    “The only thing I want,” Kara said hotly, “is to help Lyra!”
    The Forest Prince continued as if Kara hadn’t spoken. “Rumor has it, the Spider Witch is going to attempt to reweave the web. Starting with the Fairy Realms.”
    “Is that even possible?” Kara couldn’t picture it.
    “The power crystals are the keys to Avalon itself. I’m not willing to take that risk, are you?”
    Kara gulped. She had failed to ride the fire stallion. How was she supposed to find the crystal all by herself, with only Goldie to help her?
    “We have to keep moving,” the boy said, scanning a suspicious group that was pushing through the crowds. Kara recognized the yellow silted eyes of bulwoggles as they locked on hers.
    “We must leave before the stroke of midnight,” he said worriedly, trying to find the exit.
    “What happens at midnight, you turn into a pumpkin?” she quipped, then gulped. The bulwoggles were making their way right toward them. “What now, mystery man?”
    The largest bulwoggle pushed masked dancers aside and stomped toward her. But before it had taken two steps, a red and green striped bunny-like creature with dragon-wings flew in graceful figure eights. Glimmering circles on the creature’s body shimmered like a collection of magic gems.
    “Out of my way, Elfan,” the bulwoggle snarled.
    “Let’s bulwoogie!” Elfan grabbed the bulwoggle and started dancing away.
    The other bulwoggles closed in, grinning fiercely.
    Suddenly loud chimes echoed across the glade.
    “We’re too late!” the boy’s voice held an edge of desperation.
    “Fairies, trolls, and hobnobblers!” a voice broke over the speaker system. “Amaze your friends, shock your date, it’s time to take off your masks and reveal your true identities!”
    “I see.” Kara smiled wickedly. “What’s your rush?”
    “On my count…” The DJ continued.
    Giggles of excitement ran through the rave as the crowd eagerly prepared to take off their masks.
    “… one, two, go!”
    Masks flew high in the air as dwarves, sprites, gnomes, and dozens of other fairy creatures revealed their own grinning faces.
    “It’s not much of a surprise any more,” Kara said, taking off her elaborate peacock mask, blinking ice blue eyes at the boy.
    The Forest Prince gasped. “Only a fool would not be stunned each time he beheld your beauty.”
    Kara blushed. “Stop stalling. Your turn,” she ordered.
    He leaned in close and smiled.
    Kara reached up and untied the black silk mask. His sharp green eyes twinkled as she pulled it away.
    “Hey!” she exclaimed.
    He was wearing another black mask, exactly the same, underneath it.
    Kara looked to Goldie, widening her blue eyes. The d-fly immediately understood Kara’s thoughts and casually flew by the Forest Prince’s shoulder. With one swift flap of her wing, Goldie snagged the second mask and ripped it off.
    “You!”