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Authors: Erika McGann
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opposite, but she could almost feel Una’s face turn scarlet. The bleachers had resumed their position outside the barriers of the arena, making way for a number of wooden structures and tunnels randomly erected on the dry muck. On one end, to Grace’s left, there was a break in the barrier that left a pathway out of the stadium, through the bleachers and the castle.
‘The primary competitor,’ Lady Hecate’s voice echoed, ‘will originate a creature to do battle in the outdoor enclosure.’ She waved her hand indicating the pathway through the barrier. ‘The remaining competitors of each team will survive within the battle area, and may protect themselves only with basic charms. Use of more complicated magic for protection or attack will result in immediate
disqualification
. This is a battle like no other, and you
will
respect the rules.’ She eyed the Dunbridge team pointedly. ‘Originated companions will fight to the death, victory going to the team with the surviving companion. Your creatures may attack witches of opposing teams, though not the primary competitor. All teams will now take their places, with primary competitors along the barrier.’
‘No way,’ Jenny whispered urgently to Grace, ‘it’s far toodangerous. Una can’t handle this. Rach still isn’t back, so we’re one down–’
‘Then Rach is safer than we are,’ Grace interrupted.
‘Yeah, I guess. But I don’t know what these basic charms are, do you? We’ll be defenceless against any other companions. You or I should be doing the origination. It’s for Una’s own good.’
‘Una would be safest as the primary competitor.’ They both looked surprised at the tiny girl that suddenly stood between them. Delilah had been in her quiet funk for so long, it was strange to hear her voice. ‘She can’t be attacked by any other team. I can do a few basic charms to protect the rest of us. All we have to do is hold out until the game is over.’
‘Then that’s the plan,’ Grace said firmly.
Grace, Jenny, Delilah and Adie were shuffled through the arena out into a huge pen that stretched to the farthest of the castle walls. It was enclosed by a short fence, only waist high, that was splintered and broken by the twisting roots and branches of a soot-coloured ivy that grew over it and through it. The black ivy sported flame-coloured leaves, and stretched three stories high, forming a massive dome over the enclosure. It kept out much of the daylight, and made Grace feel like they were underground.
Her heart went out to Una, who stood at the edge of the enclosure, taking deep breaths with an expression that wassomewhere between scared and shocked. Grace smiled at her and Una suddenly brightened with fake enthusiasm, giving a double thumbs-up.
‘Witches and witches,’ Madame Three’s voice squawked throughout the enclosure, ‘ready your souls and your magic fingers. Begin origination. One, two, and three and … begin!’
There was an uncertain start to this muddled instruction, but Hawk Falls were quick as ever. The purple-haired girl was their originator, and she conjured a silver-furred bear, large and fierce, with canines that dripped with black saliva. The Raven team wasn’t far behind with a vicious-looking crow the size of a car, with red eyes and horrible talons. Grace’s heart thumped in her chest as, all around her, terrifying animals leapt into existence. She thought of the mangled monkey-deer that Una had conjured during their first lesson in origination and despaired. But the creature curled at Una’s feet was no mangled anything. Its scaly tail unfurled to reveal a pointed head and a long, graceful neck, covered in sharp barbs. It planted its reptile feet, letting out a piercing shriek, then lowered its towering gaze to its master below.
‘
Una
!’ Grace was filled with pride.
‘Grace,’ Una cried out as if her friend hadn’t seen. ‘Look at what I did!’
‘I know, it’s unbelievable!’
Una beamed as
‘The primary competitor,’ Lady Hecate’s voice echoed, ‘will originate a creature to do battle in the outdoor enclosure.’ She waved her hand indicating the pathway through the barrier. ‘The remaining competitors of each team will survive within the battle area, and may protect themselves only with basic charms. Use of more complicated magic for protection or attack will result in immediate
disqualification
. This is a battle like no other, and you
will
respect the rules.’ She eyed the Dunbridge team pointedly. ‘Originated companions will fight to the death, victory going to the team with the surviving companion. Your creatures may attack witches of opposing teams, though not the primary competitor. All teams will now take their places, with primary competitors along the barrier.’
‘No way,’ Jenny whispered urgently to Grace, ‘it’s far toodangerous. Una can’t handle this. Rach still isn’t back, so we’re one down–’
‘Then Rach is safer than we are,’ Grace interrupted.
‘Yeah, I guess. But I don’t know what these basic charms are, do you? We’ll be defenceless against any other companions. You or I should be doing the origination. It’s for Una’s own good.’
‘Una would be safest as the primary competitor.’ They both looked surprised at the tiny girl that suddenly stood between them. Delilah had been in her quiet funk for so long, it was strange to hear her voice. ‘She can’t be attacked by any other team. I can do a few basic charms to protect the rest of us. All we have to do is hold out until the game is over.’
‘Then that’s the plan,’ Grace said firmly.
Grace, Jenny, Delilah and Adie were shuffled through the arena out into a huge pen that stretched to the farthest of the castle walls. It was enclosed by a short fence, only waist high, that was splintered and broken by the twisting roots and branches of a soot-coloured ivy that grew over it and through it. The black ivy sported flame-coloured leaves, and stretched three stories high, forming a massive dome over the enclosure. It kept out much of the daylight, and made Grace feel like they were underground.
Her heart went out to Una, who stood at the edge of the enclosure, taking deep breaths with an expression that wassomewhere between scared and shocked. Grace smiled at her and Una suddenly brightened with fake enthusiasm, giving a double thumbs-up.
‘Witches and witches,’ Madame Three’s voice squawked throughout the enclosure, ‘ready your souls and your magic fingers. Begin origination. One, two, and three and … begin!’
There was an uncertain start to this muddled instruction, but Hawk Falls were quick as ever. The purple-haired girl was their originator, and she conjured a silver-furred bear, large and fierce, with canines that dripped with black saliva. The Raven team wasn’t far behind with a vicious-looking crow the size of a car, with red eyes and horrible talons. Grace’s heart thumped in her chest as, all around her, terrifying animals leapt into existence. She thought of the mangled monkey-deer that Una had conjured during their first lesson in origination and despaired. But the creature curled at Una’s feet was no mangled anything. Its scaly tail unfurled to reveal a pointed head and a long, graceful neck, covered in sharp barbs. It planted its reptile feet, letting out a piercing shriek, then lowered its towering gaze to its master below.
‘
Una
!’ Grace was filled with pride.
‘Grace,’ Una cried out as if her friend hadn’t seen. ‘Look at what I did!’
‘I know, it’s unbelievable!’
Una beamed as
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