Free The Mage's Grave: Mages of Martir Book #1 by Timothy L. Cerepaka Page A

rarer.
    Not that the rarity of such creatures mattered at the moment. After all, there was currently one right in front of them at this very moment apparently trying to destroy the foundations of the school itself. There was no time to sit around and think or talk about the history of chimeras or anything like that.
    About the only thing that registered on Darek's mind was that none of the other students or teachers had yet to show up, despite the fact that the chimera was not even trying to hide. He figured that the others would be here soon, but until then, it would be up to him, Aorja, Kuroshio, and Auratus to deal with it.
    “I don't care what it is,” said Darek as he reached for his wand before remembering that he had lost it in the fire of the Third Dorm, and cursing in his mind. “It's clearly up to no good. Let's show it what happens when you mess with the Academy and the Institute.”
    Although he was wand-less, Darek teleported down the steps to the commons area without waiting to see if the others were going to follow. As soon as he reappeared on the grass, he pointed his hand, which was now glowing an icy-blue with the ice energy he was channeling through it, at the chimera and flicked his wrist.
    The chimera—which had completely ignored him in its desire to destroy the school—suddenly became encased in a thick block of ice up to its neck. The chimera roared in shock and anger before its deep black eyes fixed on Darek. It gave off a low, powerful growl that would have sent Darek running if the school itself had not been at stake here.
    What's it gonna do? Darek thought with a smile. It's completely trapped inside that ice block. It can growl threateningly all day long and it still won't do a thing.
    His smile vanished from his face, however, when thick cracks appeared in the ice block. A moment later, the ice exploded, sending huge frozen chunks flying everywhere as the chimera stretched its wings and shook its head.
    Ducking to avoid one particularly large chunk of ice that went flying in his direction, Darek raised his hand to try freezing it again (he decided that he just hadn't made the ice thick enough the first time) when the chimera vanished.
    By Skimif's name, Darek thought, his eyes darting all over the courtyard as he looked for the chimera. It can teleport ?
    At that moment, he heard feet running down the steps behind him. Looking over his shoulder, Darek saw Aorja, Kuroshio, and Auratus running down the Arcanium's front steps toward him. He opened his mouth to tell them to keep an eye out for the chimera when a thick shadow fell over him, followed immediately by a terrible scent, like that of swamp mud mixed with blood.
    Turning away from his friends, Darek saw the chimera standing right in front of him. Not only that, but it was raising its pile drivers above his head, clearly planning to turn him into paste.
    Darek had no time to attack it or teleport out of its way, so he jumped to the side and landed on his side as the chimera brought its pile drivers onto the ground where he once stood. The ground shook under the pile drivers' impact, making it impossible for Darek to find his footing. He shot a glance at Aorja, Kuroshio, and Auratus, who were thrown off the steps and onto the ground very roughly, although they seemed to be okay.
    Getting to his feet now that the ground wasn't shaking, Darek aimed his hand at the chimera once more, but then it vanished again. Cursing foully under his breath, Darek looked around for the chimera when he spotted a dozen or so of his fellow students, along with a handful of teachers, running toward the courtyard where he stood.
    A smile spread across his face when he saw them. Having so many of his fellow students helping, plus some of the teachers, would undoubtedly make it easier to defeat the chimera. After all, the students and teachers in this school were the best of the best. Soon, the chimera would be defeated and everything would be—
    He smelled it