Free Light & Dark: The Awakening of the Mageknight by Daniel Fife Page B

with
Danny's lower left leg.
    A sharp pain spread up Danny's shin, causing
him to glance at Sabrina.
    "Do something," she mouthed.
    She was right. He had to do something. "It's
my pen," said Danny, turning, and snatching the dagger from Matt's
hand. "He was just giving it back to me."
    Confused, Matt simply nodded and adjusted his
glasses once again.
    "Alright, settle down, class," said Mrs.
Turner, buying the excuse. "Today, we are going to learn about
mitochondria," regaining control, turning back toward the black
board.
    As soon as he felt it was safe, Matt leaned
over and whispered, "What's going on?"
    "I'll explain everything after class,"
whispered Danny, stuffing the dagger back into his pack.
    "We're meeting at the library after school,"
said Alonso, matching the hushed tones of both boys.
    "Shut up," said Danny, slapping Alonso on the
back of the head with the tips of his fingers.
    The encouragement caused Alonso to reach
behind him once again in an attempt at retaliation. Danny moved his
leg just in time, causing Alonso to hit the steel bar of the desk
instead. Alonso winced from the pain of the impact. Turning, he
eyed Danny with a look of revenge.
    "Is there a problem, Mr. Martinez?"
    Danny smiled, Alonso had no choice but to
turn back to the front of the class and say, "No, Mrs. Turner."
    After class, Danny, Alonso, Sabrina, and Matt
met up at the back of the science labs, where they were unlikely to
be overheard.
    "What does she have to do with this?" Alonso
asked, pointing at Sabrina.
    If looks could kill, Sabrina would have slain
Alonso on the spot.
    "More than you know," said Danny, intervening
before Sabrina could retaliate. "But now isn't the time or the
place to discuss it."
    Alonso crossed his arms, shrugged, and said,
"Whatever."
    Turning toward Matt, Danny continued, "Meet
us in front of the library after school, and I'll explain
everything."
    "Told you so," said Alonso with a smug smile
on his face.
    Both Danny and Sabrina glared at Alonso this
time, if it had any effect, Alonso did not show it.
    "Alright," said Matt, "but this better be
good."
    "Yeah," agreed Alonso.
    Danny smiled, "Oh, you two have no idea."
    Before anything else was said, the warning
bell rang, forcing all four to fret about being tardy, rather than
about the events of the day. With little time to spare, all four
made a beeline for their individual lockers.
    To Danny's relief, the rest of his classes
passed without any more surprises. Sitting in English class, he
watched the clock with a mesmerized focus and sighed with a sense
of liberation as the big hand clunked over the designated number.
The final bell rang through the school speakers, marking the end of
the last period. He had already gathered his belongings in his book
bag so he raced through the door almost before the bell stopped
ringing. He walked quickly to his locker, secured his belongings
and headed straight for the front entrance of the library. Waiting
just outside the double glass doors, Danny scanned the crowd of
students as they darted through the halls. A familiar face caught
his eye; he turned to see Chris Greene.
    "Alright, I have about ten minutes before
practice starts," said Chris, stopping before Danny. "What's this
all about?"
    "We have to wait for Matt Mickler, Alonso
Martinez and Sabrina Drake."
    "Why?"
    "I'll explain everything when they get
here."
    "Well, at least let me see that dagger of
yours," Chris said, holding out his hand.
    "Okay," said Danny, digging through the
contents of his bag, pulling out the dragon-hilted dagger. Danny
hesitated for a moment and handed it over.
    Taking the blade, Chris turned it end over
end in his hands, admiring the intricate artisanship. "It's
beautiful." He pulled the brand free of the sheath with a subtle
ring of steel. Greeted with the sudden halo of soft white light,
Chris gasped in amazement. "Where'd you get this?"
    "Wow, you didn't say that it glowed," Alonso
said before Danny could respond.
    "Does it use