Free The Curse of Arkady by Emily Drake

her seem even later!
    It was glorious, though, having her summer roommate just across town. At summer camp’s too quick ending, she thought they’d all be flung to the wind like autumn leaves, only to discover that Ting lived just across town from her, as did Henry Squibb. It was a big town, with a population of over 500,000 people. Still, once a month, she and Ting had an overnight. Besides having a friend who didn’t think she was totally weird, they could share what they’d learned about their crystals in practice, talk about school, families . . . well, in Bailey’s case, she only had her mom and grandmother . . . but Ting had become her best friend.
    They could giggle and watch DVDs and work on the charms that Ting had started making. She had a Talent, it seemed, for infusing small bits of crystal with a charm spell, mild and not very long lasting, but it was fun to experiment with. They both thought that, eventually, this was how the elder Magickers could make powerful warding stones. Ting seemed very pleased that she might have an ability which later would grow into something really useful. They were going to sell the charms at the All School Fall Festival tomorrow, which was one reason they were getting together tonight, to attend the last planning meeting and to get ready.
    As for Bailey, well, she wasn’t sure what she could do that was special. Oh, she’d disappeared for a while when she first got her crystal, but it wasn’t a matter of being invisible or anything great. And she had Lacey, of course, and there was that afternoon a pondful of frogs decided to follow her around. She wasn’t worried, though. Being a Magicker had been incredible so far, and she knew someday something special would trip and fall over her. She had absolutely no doubt. And it would be an adventure to discover it!
    The bus came to a halt at the corner near the school. Bailey jumped up and was down the stairs almost before the doors finished opening. She just had time before the bell rang to visit her locker and switch a book or two. Today would be a great day, absolutely. It always was.

    That was, of course, before she got bumped in the hallway and dropped her backpack, causing her papers to be scattered everywhere. And before the cafeteria ran out of pizza slices and she had to settle for chicken nuggets. And before they decided to play field hockey instead of getting onto the courts and playing volleyball. And before the English teacher assigned a five page essay. Of course, into every life a little rain must puddle. Nothing momentous to ruin her high spirits with a Friday night sleepover, and a Saturday movie to look forward to.
    Of course, when the last bell rang, and the school parking lot cleared out, and Ting still wasn’t there for the meeting, Bailey began to feel a little disgruntled. She sat on the brick planter outside the office, swinging her sneakered feet, and waited. It being the last day of the school week, no one lingered besides those who were there for the last planning session and to get the booths set up. Not the teachers, not even the janitor, and certainly not the students! The wind picked up a little, with just an edge of chill to it. She wondered what the weather would be like for Halloween next month. Please don’t let it rain like it did last year! she begged silently. She then wondered if Ting could make a weather charm. Now that would be something to see. Imagine a Magicker strong enough to charm away storms!
    That thought brought a small sigh. She’d be happy for Ting, of course, but . . . what lay ahead for her? Anything? Surely a vast world of possibilities, but of what kind? Perhaps as many possibilities as there were types of people, since the Magickers felt that all Talents came from within. So who was she, and what could she do?
    She took her crystal out from under the neckline of her shirt and pulled it off over her head, a brilliantly purple amethyst on