Page 27 of Monster’s Magic
I gasp, my mouth opening wide. “You found a portal and didn’t tell me?”
She lowers her voice. “I was coming to tell you.” She pulls me toward it. “But it’s not a portal. Well, not really. It’s a secret passage to another room! Come on!” She grabs my hand and when we pass through the opening, everything is shrouded in darkness. And it’s chilly.
“Where are we,” I ask her just as light begins to break through the shadows.
“It’s a secret room where hidden books and artifacts are held. I haven’t had much of a chance to really look around, but isn’t this neat?”
My mouth opens in wonder at the old books, parchment, maps, just everything that’s in this room. It smells like the binding of old books, something I love, and soot of candles. I could definitely find myself staying here for hours on end. “Yeah, it’s something.”
“Okay, so the room, yeah, I was going to tell you about, but I got seriously sidetracked by this ghost letter thing.” She pulls out a chair and sits down, pushing out the one next to it with her foot.
I look around and find an old map on the wall, most of it too faded to really read. There’s rolled up parchments, books of many sizes and thickness, and an old ship compass.
“But now, after hearing all of this, I have to ask and it will make you uncomfortable when I do,” she warns.
I already know what she’s going to ask before she asks it. I’m not an idiot, and not that she’s playing me for one, either. I know she has my best interests at heart. “You’re wondering if Shayde might possibly be involved?”
She blinks. “Did you pick up mind reading ability or something?”
I shake my head. “It makes sense you’d ask. You put yourself out there a moment ago as if I thought maybe you were also taking part. Why not Shayde?”
“Okay, and?”
I smile. “No, he is definitely not included in all this. We… umm… he, well, umm, he kind of…” I start rubbing the back of my neck.
“Holy shit. You fucked him, didn’t you?” She giggles and leans forward. “I want to know but I also don’t, because he’s Shayde.”
“I can say he has these pheromone things that mark me ashis,” I enunciate.
She leans back in her chair. “I wonder if Cazimir has pheromones like that.”
I can’t help but grin. “Stop.” I feel like I should be scared if I am possibly being targeted, but strangely enough, I’m not. On guard, yes, but not frightened. I have Evie, Shayde, and my own powers to protect myself.
Bring it on, bitch. I dare you.
CHAPTER9
I standin the vast field and wait as trainers bring the dark unicorns out to the open space. My heart pounds with anticipation when I see Diablo come into view. We haven’t been around each other since Dafni attempted the attack and Diablo saved us both.
Today’s lesson is flying, and I can’t help but feel a mix of excitement and slight trepidation. I knew of Pegasus having wings, and a few unicorns here and there, but the ones at the academy have none. At least as far as I can see on their bodies, that is.
As the dark clouds gather overhead, casting an eerie shadow over the training ground, I notice Diablo’s body shimmer with an otherworldly energy. His sleek, black coat seems to absorb the dim light, giving him an even more menacing appearance. Yet, there’s a subtle change in his demeanor today. He doesn’t exude the same hostility he had when we first met. There’s a flicker of interest and perhaps even a hint of fondness in his glowing, crimson eyes.
And then he astounds me when his body shimmers and wings expand just behind his front legs.
“You have wings?” I gasp and take a step closer to Diablo, my gaze on his magnificent appendages. The dark unicorn nods his head a few times, his single spiraled antler swings through the air as if it’s a sword, his mane flowing like a waterfall of shadows.
Diablo unfurls his wings completely, revealing their full expanse. They are as dark as a moonless night, with hints of iridescent purple and blue shimmering along their edges. Underneath, as he moves his wings, I catch sight of silver feathers. The sight is breathtaking, and I can’t help but stare in awe.
“Are you ready to learn how to fly?” The familiar voice is next to my ear and hadn’t realized he was coming up behind me.
I turn around and find Shayde smiling.
I nod eagerly and can feel my heart pound against my chest. Turning back to my dark beast, I approach him cautiously, outstretching my hand to touch his sleek flank. The moment my fingers brush against his velvety coat, Diablo’s body twitches in the one spot. He turns his head back to look at me, his crimson eyes unjudging. He throws his head up and down a few times, his mane catching in the wind. A surge of confidence courses through me and I swing myself onto his back, my grip on his mane firm but gentle. As soon as I settle into position, the dark unicorn leaps into the air and I scream out in delight.
His wings beat powerfully against the wind as we climb higher and higher. The ground grows further away and I swallow, forcing myself not to look down.
The sensation of flight is exhilarating. I feel weightless, my body one with the rushing wind. A joyous laugh erupts from deep within me, the sound carrying away with the breeze. Diablo soars through the clouds, his movements fluid and effortless. Together, we dance across the sky, reveling in the freedom of the open air.