Read Online Trial By Fire (Avalon: Web of Magic #6) by Rachel Roberts - Free Book Online Page A

do that?” Kara was beginning to feel way over her head.
    The band members exchanged glances.
    “Sometimes dance, music, riddles, tricks—the most absurd thing can make a fairy forget a secret.”
    “What, I’m supposed to stand on my head?”
    Andi clapped. “Ya learnin’.”
    “But I fell under its power so easily,” Kara moaned.
    “No demon can possess you if you maintain the ability to turn and laugh at it,” Crimson sang in a syncopated, rhythmic voice.
    “Easy for you to say.”
    “That’s the spirit!” Andi approved.
    They had arrived back at the floating stone stage. Andiluna picked up a sparkling silver fiddle and began weaving an infectious song. The rave jumped back into full swing with fairy creatures leaping and dancing, hooting and laughing in glorious havoc.
    Kara watched B*Tween rock out.
    “You have an interesting past,” Lyra commented.
    “Yeah, everyone’s jealous enough of my amazing talents.”
    Lyra butted Kara’s side playfully. “I wouldn’t be so hasty about this fairy princess thing…”
    “Hey,” Kara said, suddenly realizing something. “If only fairies are allowed, how come you’re here?”
    The cat stared back. “Gah.”
    “I know how you feel,” she sympathized. “Let’s find the others.”
    Kara opened her backpack and took out the unicorn horn. One hand wrapped around the horn, the other on Lyra’s back, she called out. “Take us to our friends at Mount Hope!”
    Rainbow beams flowed from the horn’s tip, glowing brighter and brighter, bathing them in incandescent light. Then the light began to swirl faster and faster until a portal yawned open before them.
    Don’t give up the spirit of Avalon, she heard B*Tween sing as she and Lyra stepped into the portal and vanished.

B RIGHT SUN BROKE over the crest of Mount Hope as Kara and Lyra made their way along the dusty trail through sprawling hillocks at the base of the mountain range. Valleys spread below, and in the far distance the broken landscape of the Shadowlands loomed—a blight upon the land. But here it was relatively green. Tall trees led back to the forest along the western slopes. The air was chilly.
    “Anything?” Kara asked.
    “Over there.” Lyra nodded toward an outcropping of rocks near a cave. “ It’s a mistwolf and it’s very angry… and scared.”
    “Where’s the rest of the pack?”
    “I don’t know, but there’s something else here. I can’t make it out. ”
    Suddenly, a growl echoed across the narrow path. More of a bark, actually.
    Lyra perked her ears.
    They advanced slowly to the cave. Kara reached inside her backpack for the unicorn jewel. Brandishing it like a weapon, she eyed the surrounding bushes suspiciously. “What is it?” she whispered.
    “Mistwolf,” Lyra replied, cocking her head to listen. She positioned herself in front of Kara.
    “Hellooo,” Kara called out. “Who’s there?”
    The growl got louder. One of the bushes began to shake.
    “Odd behavior for a mistwolf,” Lyra said. “As if it’s protecting the cave.”
    Lyra and Kara slowly approached the scary sounds.
    Suddenly, a small dog-sized creature leaped from the bush.
    “Ahhh!” Kara jumped back in alarm, then looked closer at her attacker. It was a furry black wolf puppy with white paws and chest.
    “Grrrr-uf!” he barked, hackles raised, teeth bared. He lowered his body and lunged forward with a yelp— and promptly fell on his nose, stumbling over too large paws. The pup sprang back to his feet and barked louder.
    Lyra regarded the scruffy little wolf.
    “Hey, little fella’, where’s your mommy?” Kara stepped forward.
    The pup backed away, snarling.
    “I’m going to check out the cave. You keep it occupied.”
    “How do I—” The little pup bit Kara’s pant leg, shaking his head back and forth.
    “Hey, those are Calvins,” she complained as she shook him off. She bent down and opened her pack. “How about biting into something you can actually eat?” She pulled out a