Read Online Dance of the Stones by Andrea Spalding - Free Book Online Page B

children. Laughing, they wedged it between the teeth. The children paraded the head again as the crowd hooted with glee.
    Sickened by the scene, Owen barely noticed the snow falling or the icy wind growing in strength until he was finally blown off his stone. Snowflakes swirled around him. The people blurred, the firelight vanished, the stones disappeared. The roaring blizzard tossed Owen like a feather in the wind.
    HELP . . . AVA!
    Fly, Owen .
    I can’t.
    You can, I’m here; I’m always here .
    Strength flooded Owen’s body. He flapped his wings and beat by beat rose above the storm. Far below was a whirlpool of white flakes, but here the night sky was clear, the stars bright. Beside him was Ava.
    Side by side they circled. Faster and faster they flew. The universe whirled.
    You’ve taken a long journey, Owen, said Ava. Thank you. Now you can rest.
    Owen closed his eyes and spiraled down into the comforting velvet blackness of sleep.

6.
SWING YOUR PARTNERS
    â€œAva, Myrddin, I am uneasy.” Equus pawed the sky restlessly.
    â€œChantel has sensed an evil presence near Ava’s stones.”
    â€œThe wraith is gaining strength again,” said Ava.
    â€œGaia’s elementals are stirring,” rumbled Myrddin.
    â€œMore will stir the closer the Dark Being gets. How close is she, Equus?”
    â€œThe shadow falls across at least a quarter of the Milky Way.”
    â€œDo the humans not see it?” asked Myrddin.
    â€œThey see only clouds.” Equus sighed. “Maybe it is better that way.”
    â€œNo . . . they are unprepared.” Ava’s voice was sharper than usual. “If they understood, they could try to conquer the despair and hate the Dark Being brings. Instead they will never know why suddenly they are fighting one another.”
    â€œDo the children know they may be attacked?” asked Myrddin.
    â€œI have warned Owen about the Dark Being, but told him we will protect Gaia by letting her claim the tools,” Ava said unhappily.
    â€œAnd so we shall, though at dreadful cost.” Myrddin sighed. “The earthly elementals must be carefully watched. Though many will keep the balance, some make much trouble.”
    Ava drew herself up and spread her wings. Her fierce beauty shone. “You are right, Myrddin. I must warn Owen that they may have to do battle with the wraith. The stones have subdued it for so many centuries that I had discounted it, but the wraith could be dangerous as it gains strength. I showed it to Owen, but I will explain further.”
    â€œI have hopeful news,” said Equus. “The oldest child, Holly, senses Old Magic. The Mother Tree has spoken to her.”
    Myrddin’s face showed his relief. “The new dawn has stirred more than Ava’s stones. The supporters of light are rallying.” His lips parted in a rare smile. “So the oldest child heard the Mother Tree without our help. Well, well, well! I have great hopes for her.”
    Equus shifted uneasily. “She is too young.”
    â€œSo was Adam. Yet when searching for your talisman, he was tempted by the dragon and resisted. He found his own strength,” said Myrddin.
    Equus sighed. “We too must strengthen our defenses for battle. Concealment is not enough. We must seek knowledge of the Dark Being’s movements. I will ride the wind to the edge of the shadow.”
    â€œBe careful, Equus.” Ava touched his back with a wing.
    â€œI regret that you must go alone, but without our tools Myrddin and I are powerless to travel with you.”
    â€œTravel only among sunbeams,” advised Myrddin. “The Dark Being abhors the sun.”
    â€œGoing alone will be less dangerous,” replied Equus.
    â€œIt will be easier to escape detection, and the talisman can protect me.” He bunched his hind muscles in preparation.
    The gold disk on his forelock gleamed as he leaped across the sky and disappeared in a swirl of