Free The Curse of Arkady by Emily Drake Page A

a pretty, twisted silver chain, and stared into it for a moment as it rested in her palm. Some Magickers could focus their crystals just by touching them, but she was still new at it, and found it worked best when she held her crystal nestled in her palm. The slant of the late afternoon sun played into the amethyst, bringing a glow to its faceted sides. Many crystals were common quartzes, but not all, and hers was as valuable as it was beautiful, but that wasn’t why she’d chosen it. It had called her, somehow, to touch it and bond with it. From the moment she’d touched it, it had warmed to her and even now lay in her palm with a faint welcoming tingle. It was a beautiful gem, and all hers.
    Bailey crossed her legs, studying her crystal, wondering how it was she’d managed to stare into the amethyst and get lost in it the very first time she’d held it. Could it ever happen again . . . ?
    â€œBailey! I’m here!”
    Ting’s soft high voice carried over the noise of a car pulling up and the door opening and shutting, yanking Bailey out of her thoughts and putting a welcoming smile on her face. She bounced to her feet, shoving her amethyst deep into her pocket chain and all as Ting swung her overnight satchel over one shoulder and they hugged.
    Ting’s mother leaned out. Jiao Chuu smiled although she looked faintly tired and worried. “See you tomorrow night, honey!”
    â€œOkay!”
    â€œRemember,” Bailey added. “My mom will drive her home!”
    Jiao smiled, her soft wings of shining dark hair pulled back from her round face. Ting had told Bailey that Jiao had several meanings in Chinese, charming and tender and lovely. Bailey thought Jiao was easily all of those. “Thank you, Bailey. You girls have a good time.” The car pulled away slowly. Ting heaved a sigh.
    â€œWassamatter?”
    â€œGrandmother isn’t doing well. We may have to go up to San Francisco for a few weeks.”
    â€œYou, too? What about school? You’re staying tomorrow, right?”
    â€œMom says she can home school me for a few weeks or I can even transfer for a month or two, if we have to stay that long. My dad will take us up, then come back for work and to take care of my sisters.” Ting had an older and a younger sister. Bailey sometimes thought she was so quiet because she’d been sandwiched in the middle.
    Bailey looked at her in dismay. “Months?”
    Ting nodded. “Mom’s pretty worried about things. She won’t tell me everything, but it’s what she’s not saying that bothers me.” She paused. “Grandmother may be dying, I don’t know.”
    â€œOh, Ting! Don’t think it.”
    â€œI can’t help it. You know how you know things are really serious, but nobody will tell you? It’s like that whenever they talk about my grandmother. All I catch are whispers.”
    The two of them fell into step, heading for the conference hall.
    â€œThey do it to protect us.”
    â€œI know, but wondering is worse. I mean, I keep wondering if she’s got cancer or what.” Ting shivered slightly, and Bailey hooked her arm through her friend’s in warming comfort.
    â€œIf you go, what will I do? We just got the computer ring set up, too.”
    â€œWe’ll take my brother’s laptop. She already told me that. I can’t be on it long, but I can talk to you every night. She says it’s easier than everyone phoning everyone. She can talk to my dad and uncles, too.”
    â€œThat’s not so bad, then. Maybe your grandmother just needs some help for a while?”
    â€œI hope so. I’m going to try and make a health charm. Want to help me?”
    â€œSure! Two heads are better than one, if all those extra hands and feet don’t get in the way!”
    Ting laughed then. “Bailey!”
    â€œWhat?”
    â€œOh, nothing.” But Ting was still smiling widely as they ducked