Read Online Behind the Sorcerer's Cloak by Andrea Spalding - Free Book Online

beak, she plucked a small white feather from her breast. She flew onto her companion’s back and swiftly wound a fine silver hair from Equus’ mane around the feather’s shaft and gave a sharp tug.
    His skin twitched.
    â€œAva, this is too dangerous. What about the children?”
    â€œHush, Equus. The Dark Being is distracted. There couldn’t be a better time. For the sake of Gaia and the universe, the children must wait.”
    Ava touched Equus with her wing and took off, flying swiftly, circling toward the vortex.
    Equus watched as Ava became a speck against the brightness of the Milky Way. Was she small enough to escape detection? Was she strong enough to escape the pull of the vortex?

    Deep in the dungeons of Peel Castle, Zorianna slumped against a cold damp wall. The fight with Myrddin’s staff had drained her. She was spent and sick of Earth Magic. It held too many nasty surprises. The stars only knew where it had deposited her this time.
    Zorianna rubbed her head to try to clear it. She longed to rest but dared not. Tipping her head back against the wall, she tried to make sense of her situation.
    Earth Magic had captured her. She was somewhere on Gaia, enclosed within the earth and surrounded by water—she loathed the distant hiss of waves. Would they never stop rising and falling?
    In the background floated the muffled cries of birds. The agents of air kept watch.
    Zorianna shuddered. The barriers of earth, air and water made this the most powerful place she had discovered on the humans’ planet. She was thankful that there was no magical fire. Maybe that was a weakness she could explore…
    Before she could complete the thought, a great heat poured down the passages toward her.
    She jumped to her feet and reached for Myrddin’s staff. She knew she couldn’t trust it, but she had no magic left. The staff was her only option.
    The approaching Earth Magic was almost upon her. The muscles in Zorianna’s arms trembled as she heaved and tugged to raise Myrddin’s stubborn staff.
    â€œGive me light!” she ordered as she finally managed to pull the weighty object upright. “Shield me with light!”
    The crystal at the top of the staff glowed for a moment, no more.
    â€œI command you, staff!” screamed Zorianna. “I wield you, and danger approaches. You are required to protect me. Shield me with light!”
    A flare spurted from the crystal on top of the staff.
    Zorianna’s eyes snapped shut against its sudden brilliance.
    She did not see the light split into four thin strands that curled back and forth, winding up, down and around her body, arms and legs.
    The crystal dimmed.
    Zorianna opened her eyes.
    She looked down at the glowing bonds. Their light formed a shield around her, but also bound her wrists and feet. With a howl of anger, she hurled the staff as far as her restricted arms would allow.
    The staff thudded to the floor and rolled into a dark corner out of her sight.
    A second, more fearsome light blazed. A wheel of fire whirled down the passage and came to a halt before her.
    Zorianna closed her eyes and gathered together her remaining courage. This place was a nightmare. Now she was confronted by fire, the element that completed the circle of Earth Magic.
    She leaned against the wall for support and tried to stop her bound body from shrinking from the heat.
    â€œYOU WISHED FOR LIGHT. I BRING IT,” roared a voice from within the fire. Armored legs inside the flames revolved almost faster than she could see, threatening to mow her down. “WHO ARE YOU THAT TUMBLES UNINVITED THROUGH THE MISTS AND RENTS MY SECRET PORTAL?”
    Zorianna drew herself up as straight as her bonds allowed. Her eyes flashed. “I am Zorianna, emissary of the Dark Being. Who are you?”
    Her question was ignored.
    â€œWHY HAS THE STAFF OF THE MYRDDIN BOUND YOU? WHY DID I SENSE FEAR AND TURMOIL WITH YOUR APPROACH?”
    â€œThe fear was