Trigger Warnings
TheAvalonTrialsmaynotbesuitableforyoungeraudiencesasitcontainsadultsituationsandadultlanguage Contentalso includesfantasyviolence,briefdescriptionofblood/gore,decapitation,fire,spiders,heights,andclaustrophobia.
Chapter1
Chapter2
Chapter3
Chapter4
Chapter5
Chapter6
Chapter7
Chapter8
Chapter9
Chapter10
Chapter11
Chapter12
Chapter13
Chapter14
Chapter18
Chapter19
Chapter20
Chapter21
Chapter22
Chapter23
Chapter24
Chapter25
Chapter26
Chapter27
Chapter28
Chapter29
Chapter30
Chapter31
Chapter32
Chapter33
Chapter34
Chapter35
Chapter36
Chapter37
Acknowledgments
AbouttheAuthor
AlsobyDevonThiele
AlsobyDevonThiele
FOR A SECRET SOCIETY BENT ON PROTECTING POTENTIAL SECOND-COMINGS OF KING ARTHUR, I DID A LOT OF PAPERWORK I sighedattheblanksheetofpaperinmylap.Quarterlycandidatecheck-inswerethebaneofmyexistence.Secondonlytothe ache inmytailbone fromsittingonthe roughstone floor Ieyed the rubber pads thatour Knights-in-trainingused as shields whensparring.Yes,theywerecoatedindecadesofsweatandbloodfromroughhousing,butatleastI’dhavecushion.
“Yougoodoverthere,Cordy?”
Beside me, Kelsea’s engagement ring shone under the blue-toned lights of the training room as she neatly listed her candidate’srecentexploitsofworthiness.We’dchosenthesecond-largestroomofourenchantedmeetingrealm,eventhough wetookupafractionofthespaceasweleanedagainstthewallnearestthedoor Mossgrewonthestoneceiling,obstructing thepanelsoflightandaddingtothedisturbingillusionthatthisroomwasunderwater.
Kelsealookedlikeshewasrightoutofyogaclasswithherbrownhairpulledinamessybunandherleggingspairedwith aloosetop.Herbareshoulderrevealedthetiniestpeekoftheswordtattoothatwasthesourceofhermagic.
Kelsey’s charge, Casey, was the cream of the Arthurian crop and had been since his discovery twenty years ago. A dedicated teacher in his early thirties, Casey made Kelsea’s job easy Animal rescues, volunteer work, working in an underfundedschool.Lastyear,he’dflowntolocationsinenvironmentalcrisisonhisvacationtohelp.Theyearbeforethat,his summerwasspentbuildingschoolsinlessfortunateareas AllgreatactionsthatkepthimasaleadingoptionforArthur20
Thenervouspitinmystomachtightened.“Youknowhowitis,”Isaid.“Istareatthisblankpieceofpaperandeverygood deedWillhasdonedisappearsfrommymind.”
“Trade you,” Grace said from Kelsea’s other side. The petite blonde had walked in with her candidate paperwork completed moreprobonooperationsonbabiesandgroundbreakingpediatricsurgeryadvances,I’msure andasareward hadbeenhandedthefilesforthisquarter’spotentials Thestackleanedprecariouslynexttoherasloosepapersfannedaround heronthefloor.“Iwantedtogetoutearlyforadate,notspendmytimedeterminingwho’sworthy.”Thatexplainedhertight blackpantsandtheice-bluetopthatmoldedtohertorsoandtheloosecurls
“Nothanks,”Isaid,perchingmypenoverthepaper.MygarbwassimilartoKelsea’s,withleggingsandalooseteesince I’d planned for a relaxingnight in. Mydarkhair fell over myshoulders, anannoyinghindrance, butI’d forgottento grab a ponytailholder
IfIpagedthroughthefileunderneaththisblanksheet,I’dseetheentirehistoryofmyrelationshipwithWillincorrelation withmygrowthintheGuardiansoftheLake
Myassignmenttohimhadbeenwhenwewereeightyearsold.Mymom,aformerGuardian,struckupaconversationwith hismomatkarateclassandthenIwasin Ourfamilieshadbackyardbarbeques,movienights,andspentcountlessweekendsat karatemeetswhenIwouldhaveratherbeenindanceclass.
Ourfriendshipcontinuedthroughjuniorhighandintohighschool.WhenI’dturnedsixteen,thetruetestofthe‘ChosenOne’ shouldhaveoccurred MeaningI’dexplaintheentiresituationtoathen-seventeen-year-oldWillandhe’dacceptthemantleas apotentialArthuriancandidate.Ifnot,hismemorywouldbewiped,andI’dbeassignedtosomeonenew.
I’dlookedaroundatmylife Atmyparents,happyintheirjobsandwiththehouse,settledforthefirsttimesincemymom had withdrawnfromprotectingcandidates herself. Theyhad adult friends for the first time ina longtime. Mysiblings had friendsandhadn’thadtorestartataschoolinyears Therewascomfortintheroutinesandthefamiliar
ThefileskippedthatI’ddoubtedWill’sviabilityasasaviorofhumanitybecauseI’dneverspokenitaloud. He was a greatperson. Agood friend. Butnotsomeone Icould see leadinghumanitybackinto the goldenage. Itdidn’t mentionthatIknewWillwouldn’ttakethenewswell ThatthenI’dbecometheburden I’dbethereasonwemoved,thereason myfamilyandIsuffered.
TimehadnotdulledthepainofconstantupheavalinthenameoftheGuardiansasachild Iremembered.AndIdidtheonlythingthatIthoughtIcoulddoatsixteenwhenfacedwithalife-alteringdecision. Ilied.
Thus startedmyfalsereports.Iwasn’tsurehow theaverageArthuriancandidatereactedtosuchnews,soIerredonthe
sideofcautionandsaidWillhadbeenthrilled.Superexcitedfortheopportunity.Lovedit.Wouldwalkthroughfiretosaveus all.Tellhimwhereheneededtobeandhe’dbethere.Fromthenon,notoneshredoftruthpassedmylips.
Ifigured there was no harminit There were dozens ofcandidates ahead ofhimthatwere better picks There was this unspokenagreementthatpotentialsagedoutandWillwasclose.Noonewouldeverneedtoknow.Besides,thiswasthefault oftheCouncilfornotcheckingandassumingthatallGuardianswerehonest
I grimaced to myself and started writing. It was about time he allegedly brushed up on his sword fighting techniques. MaybeanotherseminaronArthurianlore?Yes,thatwasgood
ThedoortothetrainingroombangedopenasIflippedtothepreviouspagetoreviewthecasesI’dliedaboutWilltaking onlastquarter.
“Ah,jeez,”Kelseasaidunderherbreath
“Look, the Guardians are inhere doingpaperwork.” Liam, one ofthe leadingKnights yes, Knights ofthe Round Table hadasecretsocietytoo saidingreeting “Mindifweuseitforitsactualpurpose?”Heliftedtheswordfromhisside “Haveatit,”Isaid,returningtomynotes.
“Cordy, it’s beena while since you’ve trained withus,” Liamsaid as more Knights filtered inand lined up inthe large openroom.“Wanttospar?”Bronzehaircurledbackfromhisface,andascararcedthroughoneeyebrow.Brightteethshone betweenthescruffcoveringhisjawashegrinnedatme.
AsaGuardian,IwasexpectedtotrainenoughtoprotectWillenough,butmyprimarypurposewasthesearchforArthur’s nextreincarnation. Liamand his fellow Knights were the ones who would protectthatreincarnationuntil death. Theywere trainedinallsortsofcombattechniques
Iraisedabrowandscoffed,“Afterlasttime?Whenyousaidyou’dtakeiteasyonmeandthenmyarmshurtforthreedays? Nothanks.”
Theclangofsteel onsteel echoedthroughouttheroomasIfinishedmysummaryofWill.TheKnightswereaboisterous lot,eggingeachotheronandlaughingastheytrained.Thisroomwasenchantedtopreventbloodfromspilling,sotheytended togetcompetitive
Thedooropenedagain.Kelseahissedandnudgedmylegwithhers.“Linden’sback,”shemutteredunderherbreath. LindenwasaSorcerer,anotherpiecetotheArthurpuzzle MuchlikeMerlinintheoriginalCamelotdays,Sorcererswere trained to actas advisors butalso be able to kicksome ass and throw magic around. Lindenwas around myage, and we’d trainedtogetheraskids.
SomethingflutteredinmystomachasImadeeyecontactwithLinden.IwrackedmybrainforthelasttimeI’dseenhim,and itfeltlikeyears.YearsinwhichLindenhadgrownintothestoicSorcerervibehe’dalwaysfostered.Shaggyblackhairfellto his collar Afew straytendrils curledonhis forehead Darkscrufflined his angular jawline and upper lip Browneyes that instantlymademeenvisionalong-forgottenclearingwithrichearthafterafreshrainstaredatme.
Kelseaelbowedme hard asGracecoughedtocoverherlaughter ToomanysummersatGuardiancampinasharedtent had made themwitnesses to my unrequited crush on Linden. Now, as fully grown adults, they still wouldn’t drop it. “Say something,”Kelseahissed.
“Hey,Linden,”Isaidasheapproached “What’sup?” “Goodone,”Kelseamuttered.“She’shelpless.”
Gracemurmuredsomethinginagreement IwassidetrackedbyLindensittingbesideme,depositingaboxonthefloor to theotherside.“I’vegotsomethingforyou,”hesaid.Veryawareofmyfriendsandco-Guardianswatchingmyeverymove,I keptalidonthebutterflies Hegotmesomething?
Thestackofnewspapershehandedmecrushedthebutterflies.“Maribelaskedmetopassthesealong.Yourturnfor ” “Prophecyinterpretation,”Igroaned.“Grace,isthattradestillupforgrabs?”
Shebaredherteethinagrimace “Hellno,”shesaid
UponArthur’sslow andpainfuldeathonthemysticalislandofAvalon,theGuardiansoftheLake,formerlyknownasthe LadiesoftheLake,hadavisionofArthurcomingtoEarthagainwhenweneededhimmost IfwefailedtoprotectArthur20 and he wasn’t present to fight the forces of evil, an apocalyptic event we referred to as the ‘cataclysm’would wipe out humanity This knowledge lenta sense ofurgencyandpressure tothe search Ifwe determinedwe were inthe leaduptothe cataclysm,thepeopleofAvalonhadagreedtoopenadoorwaytotheirislandonetimeonlyandletourcandidatesprovetheir worthinessintestsontheisland.
Theprophecywasetchedintothestonewallsofthisroom,incaseIneededareminderasIflippedthroughtheheadlines foranyproofthatweapproachedtheendoftimes.
As blood is spilled And innocence is lost
As power corrupts No matter the cost
When fires burn
And there is no rain
As plagues walk the earth
King Arthur will rise again
Thesenewspaperswereasoberingchecklistofall themarkersfor Arthur’ssecond-coming FromwhatI’dgleanedover mytwodecadesasaGuardianoftheLake,thiswastheworsttheconditionshadevergotten.Wehadtobeclosetochoosing ourmostlikelyArthurtoretrieveExcaliburandpreventtheapocalypse.
Myphone buzzed withanincomingtext Lindenglanced atthe screenas itlitup withWill’s photo “How is the golden boy?”heasked.
Irolledmyeyesatthenicknamecarriedoverfromcamp LindenandhisyoungerbrotherRichadalwaysteasedmeabout harboringasecretcrushforWill.“He’sfine.”
“Aren’tyougoingtoanswerhim?”
“No.Surprisingly,signal sucks inthis magical realmbetweenour worldandAvalonandthetextwouldnever makeitto him.I’llanswerhimwhenIleave.”
Everyonepausedasaresoundingbellchimedthroughouttheroom Myearsrang “Ah,justwhatmynightneeded,”Kelsea said,grabbingherfile.“Ameetingoftheminds.”
Gracesighedheavily “I’mnevergettingoutofhere”
I WAS THE LAST TO LEAVE THE TRAINING ROOM BEHIND, THE BOX OF NEWSPAPERS IN MY ARMS LINDEN HAD TRIED TO GRAB IT fromme,butI’dresistedenoughthathe’dleftmetoit.Someoneknockedintomyarmsandimmediatelystartedapologizing.
“Don’tworryaboutit,” Isaid, castinga brightsmile atthe Guardianintraining The smile faded Behind Hali’s stylish blackglasses,tearsglistenedinherambereyes.Herdarkbraidsfadedtoagolden-brownatthetips,andsheflippedthemover hershoulder.“What’sup?”Iasked.Theboxweighedheavilyinmyarms,andLindenwaiteddownthehall,buthavingbeena strugglingGuardianteen,IknewtheimportanceofbeingpresentforHali
Halisniffledandshookherhead.Sheswipedathernosewiththesleeveofhermaroonzip-upsweatshirtthathungoverher blackleggings Thetopofatextbookforphysiologystuckoutfromthebookbagslungoverhershoulder Haliadjusteditwitha grimace.“Nothing.I’mfine.”
Iraisedabrowather.“Areyousure?”
Shehissedoutaslowbreath.Downthehall,afamiliarformroundedthecornerandwaved.Inoddedandsubtlymotioned forhimtostaythere.Ricleanedagainstthewallnexttohisbrother.“Idon’tthinkIbelonghere,”Halisaid.“IknowIhavethe bloodlineandthemagic,butI’mnotgoodatanyofit”
“Idon’tthinkthat’strue.”
“Really? Because they pulled me fromcandidate duty without telling me why I did combat training for a year until I accidentallythrewaKnightintoamirror.Nowthey’vegotmeinhealingcoursesandIcan’tevenhealapapercut.” “Ittakestime.”Ipattedherontheshoulder.
Hali rolled her eyes.“IfIhada dollar for everytime a trainer has toldme that, Iwouldn’tneed myscholarship. I’mso tiredofit.”
Riccheckedhiswatchandstraightened Hetappedhiswrist Lindengesturedformetoapproach Isighed “Iknowit’snot what youwant to hear, but trust me. Whenit matters, you’ll be able to do it. I couldn’t heal either until mybrother tooka baseballtotheheadint-ball Nowit’ssecond-nature Ipromise,you’llfindyourcalling”
“Whycan’tIfinditandnothaveabunchofpeopletellingmewhatitshouldbe?”
“You’llfinditwhenyouleastexpectit.”
Athroat cleared behind me I slowlyturned and spotted Maribel, myGuardianmentor “Hali, go find a seat,” Maribel suggested.“IneedtospeakwithCordeliaforamoment.”
Lindenheld the door openfor Hali and thendisappeared into the room Ric followed witha cheerful wave Muchlike everyconversationwithMaribel,inwhichIsuspectedshe’dfinallyputittogetherthatI’dliedaboutWill,Istaredexpectantly andhopedtheflushatthebaseofmyneckrosenofurther
“Thatwassoundadvice,”Maribelbegan.“HaveyouconsideredjoiningtheCouncil?”
Mymouthdriedas Isearchedfor words.Mostofmylife hadbeenspentwiththis society.Its inner workings were all I knew Myfriends exceptWill wereactivemembersoftheirrespectiveArthuriangroups Ifearedleavingandlosingtouch withthem.ButIalsofearedadeepertietotheGuardians.AsamemberoftheCouncil,I’dhavetomakethetoughdecisions like whichcandidates to protect, who would uproot their lives next, and ifthe Trials had finallycome to bear I’d already proventhatIcouldn’tbetrustedwithwhatlittlepowerIhad.
“I’mthinkingaboutit,”Isaid Maribelnodded,pleasureglowinginherwarmbrowneyes.“Good.Now,formorepressingmattersunfortunately.What’s thestatusoftheworld?”
Iglanceddownattheboxofnewspapersthatgrewheavierbythesecond “Uh,abouttheusual,I’dsay”
“AsIfeared.Beforewegoin,makesureyou’restayingclosetoWillandwatchingyourback.TheCorvineBrotherhood hasbeenveryactiverecently”
The Brotherhood had built their secret society on the basis that the throne had rightfully belonged to Mordred and any secondgoldenageàlaCamelotshouldbecreditedtothetraitorwho’dslainArthuroriginally.Theirideaof‘goldenage’also differedfromours,meaningtheywanteddarkness,despair,andeveryoneontheplanetbeholdentotheir leader.Their magic
haddisappearedoverthecenturies,buttheymadeupforitwithviolenceandbruteforce. Inoddedseriously.“I’llkeepaneyeout.”
Maribel tooktheboxfrommeandledthewaytothemeetingroom ImetLindenandRic’scuriousgazefromacrossthe room.RichadtakenadifferentrouteinSorcerer-hoodandhadchosentopursueundercover worktoinvestigategroupswho threatenedourpath
Whateverhismissionwasthesedayscalledforhisdarkhairtobecutshort,andtherewasascaronhisjawthatwasnew. Tallerthanmebyaninch,Ricwasbuiltlikeaboxer,andhemaintainedhisshapereligiously Probablybecausehewasoften undercover in dangerous situations with groups adjacent to the Corvine Brotherhood who’d kill himif they knew his real identity,andthatcareandtrainingkepthimalive.Topreventworryingaboutoneofmyfriends,Ididn’taskformanydetailson hiswork
Utilitarianbencheslinedthechamberinasetofspirals;welikedthingstoberound.Izigzaggedbetweenbenchestograba seatnexttoLindenintherearoftheroom Thisroomwasmyfavoriteofthesiderealmrooms,withitsrough-hewnbenches andrusticstonefloors.WallsthatIpicturedbelongingincrumblingcastlesboxedusin.Darkgreenivycrawledupmostofthe walls and covered the ceiling Acascade ofwater thatfell fromthe solid ceilingand disappeared atthe floor hid the final wall.Thiswastheportaltotherealm.
“WhatdidMaribelwant?”Lindenaskedsoftly.Therestoftheroomchattedquietlyaroundus.Ricleanedforwardtolisten to myresponse He offered me a piece ofbeefjerky, a new hobbyhe’d picked up inthe recent months The flavors got interestingsometimes.
IshruggedasIselectedasmallpiece “Theusual How’sWill,how’stheworld?DoIwanttojointheCouncil?”
Thebrotherswidenedtheireyesatme.“You?”Ricsaidskeptically.
“What’sthatsupposedtomean?”Idelicatelychewedthejerky.Jalapenopineapple,ifIweretoguess.
“Youdon’t…”Ricpausedandlookedtohisolderbrotherforassistance.
“Playtheirgames,”Lindenfinished.“You’reverydirect.Youwantthingsdone.TheCouncilfluttersaroundandprepares forsomethingthatmightnevercome Butthey’rereadytoswoopinandtakeaseatatthetableofpowerifitdoes”
“Youmakethisallsounddarkandunderhanded.”
“Itis,”Ricsaid Heeyedthemembersatthefrontoftheroom “Whatarewethinkingthistime?Teambuildingexercise?A potluck?Maybethey’lldiscussmywildcardtheory.”
“What theory?”Iasked.Lindenshookhisheadbesideme,asilentindicatorthatIshouldn’thaveasked.
“IthinktheepitomeoftheChosenOneisthatit’sthelastpersonyouexpect.Sowhywasteallourtimeandresourceson people‘predicted’,” heputairquotesaroundtheword “inpropheciestoundergothequest.Ibelievethatweshouldlook forsomeonewiththerawqualitiesofanArthuriancandidateratherthanfindoneandmakethemfitthemold”
“Howwouldwefindthatonepersonintheentireworld?”
“Itmightnotbeashardasyouthink,”Ricsaid
Heopenedhismouthtocontinue,butanelderlywomaninthefrontrowroseandturnedtofaceus.“Astheoldestmember oftheLadiesoftheLake ”
Someonecoughed
“GuardiansoftheLake,”sheamended.Wewentthroughthiseverytime.ThehonorofguardingthelocationofAvalonas well as the potential new comings ofKingArthur had opened to anyone worthyseveral millennia ago and yeta few ofthe diehardsstillreferredtothetraditionalmakeupofthisgroup.“Icallthismeetingtoorder.”
Anotherwomanrosetoherfeetandpattedthefirstonthearm Istraightenedreflexivelyasifshewouldscoldmeforpoor postureafterthemeeting.
Maribelhadtrainedmeasateen,andI’dreportedmyfindingsonWillallourlives.She’dheardthegood,thebad,andthe ugly,butIknewitwasnothingcomparedtothethingsshegleanedfromthestateoftheworld
“As many of you may have noticed, there are several global impacting events occurring. We’ve been monitoring this buildupforawhile Inconjunctionwiththesedarkevents,theCorvineBrotherhoodhasincreasedinstrength Theirattemptsto invadeAvalonhaveincreasedinpowerandfrequency.WebelievetheyhavetrackeddownseveralofourArthuriancandidates andkilledthemincoldblood SeveralGuardianshavebeenthreatened Twohavedisappearedandarepresumeddead Times aredire.”
Severalpeopleswallowedhard.Blooddrainedfromfaces.IresistedtheurgetolookatRicorLindenforcourageasmy shoulderstightened
IfidgetedwiththehemofmyshirtasMaribelcontinued.“Itseemsobviousthatweareonthebrinkofthecataclysm.The CouncilhasbeguntheprocessoftheTrials”
Therewasapauseashushedwhispersexplodedthroughtheroom.Lindenglancedatme.“Worried?” “Me? Maybe if Will or I were a pluckysixteen-year-old inlove withtheir best friend. No one wants a thirty-year-old ChosenOne.Theylackthatfresh-facedenthusiasmthatunitesthepopulaceandinspireschange.”
RicsnortedasMaribelcontinued.
“WehavereachedouttoourAvaloniancounterpartsandtheyhaveagreed ifwe’recertain toopentheportalfortwentyfourhourstoletusattempttheTrials.Asyouallknow,thisisouronlyopportunitytosetfootontheisland,astheydon’twant ourpresencetoerodethemagicoftheisland Wecansendinasmanycandidatesaswelike” Ohshit.Thiswasreallyhappening.TheTrialstostopthecataclysmwaslegitimatelygoingtohappenduringmylifetime.
“In assessing our candidates and the number of Guardians, Sorcerers, and Knights, we’ve had to make some tough decisions.WhilethereareamultitudeofworthyArthurians,wehaveselectedonlythreeasthisisthenumberthatwebelieve wecanprovideaprotectivepartyandleaveenoughheretocarryonnomatterhowtheTrialsgo”
TheleaderoftheSorcerersstood.“It’simportanttoiteratethatthecandidatesarenotindirectcompetitionwitheachother, butagainstthe island ofAvalonitself. Over the course ofthirteendays,” thirteen, the number ofhis Round Table Knights “thecandidateswillfaceanynumberofunknownobstaclesAvalonwillcreatebasedonthosepresent TheAvalonianswill provideaguideforeachgroupwhowillleadthewaytoanysafecampsavailableinthejourneytoArthur’sfinalrestingplace. Pleasenote,thesesafespacesarelimited Theislanddoesn’twantyouenjoyingyourself Everymomenthasthepotentialtobe atest.”
“Once a candidate makes itto the cave and retrieves Excalibur, theyshouldreturnto the beach Onthe fifteenthday, the Avalonianswillopentheportaltoreturn.Ifyou’renotthere,you’velostyouropportunity.”
Itried to maintaina blankface. Everyone coasted bythe danger factors inthis. And the likelihood thattwo ofthe three groupswouldn’tmakeitofftheisland That’showtheTrialshadalwaysbeentaughttous Ifyouweren’tworthy,you’dmeet yourendonAvalon.IfocusedasMaribeleyedthesilentgroupinfrontofher.
“OurfirstpickisCaseyWard”
MyeyesflewtoKelsea.Theblooddrainedfromherface.Shewassupposedtoplanherwedding,nothowtosurviveona mythicalisland.
“JordanClarksonisoursecondcandidate.”Graceclenchedherjawafewrowsinfrontofme.
Ifiguredthethirdoptionwouldbethepluckyteenager thatweall knew wouldwin.Legends wouldbepassedalongfor centuries Probablymoviedeals,inthisdayandage
ThehairsonthebackofmyneckstoodupasMaribel’seyesdriftedacrossthecrowdbutlingeredonmeforasecondtoo long Ohno
“ThethirdcandidatethatwehaveselectedisWillSeymour.”
Thewater pouringdownthewallsintensifiedinmyears.Aball ofdreadknottedinmystomachsofiercelythatIfeared thatI’dgetsick.ItonlygotworseasMaribelspokeagain.“TheGuardiansofthecandidatesmentioned,pleaseremainseated. SorcerersandKnights,weaskthatyoustayaswell.Weneedtocoordinatelogistics.”
Mymindscreechedtoahaltas myfellow Guardians roseandwalkedtowards thewall Afew glancedinmydirection, pityintheireyes.Ihadathirty-threepercentchanceofsuccessatbest,andtheydidn’tknowthatbecauseofmyownliesthatI trulyhadzero Willhadn’tundergoneanyofthetraining
Onebyone,theotherGuardiansdisappearedintothewatercascadingdownthestonewall.Therunningwaterechoedin mybrainasIsearchedforasingleintelligentthought.
Ineededawayoutofthis Now
Ricstaredatme.Istruggledtobreatheevenly.Ineededtocomeclean.No,Icouldstillgetoutofthiswithoutthewrathof theGuardians Ihadto Myentirereputationwouldbeshitifthisgotout EverygoodthingI’ddoneinthelastfifteenyears, gonebecauseI’dchosenmyselfandmyfamilyoverWillandtheGuardiansasateenager.Thiswasthekindofinfractionthat gotyourmindwiped Bydefault,thatactionwouldalsoeliminatemyfriendsfrommylife
Myhands ice-coldasIwaitedforthetruthtomiraculouslyspringoutonitsown twistedatmyside.Theeldersonthe Councildebatedthetiming.
The world was alarming; there was no argument there We needed to get the three candidates into Avalon as soon as possible.HavingtheswordinhandwouldunitetheGuardians,Knights,Sorcerers,andtherestoftheworldunderoneworthy leader Theswordwouldalsotiptheworldfirmlybacktothe“good”onthescaleof‘GoodvsEvil’ ApacketwashandedtoeachoftheGuardianswithalistofthesupplieswe’dneed.IwidenedmyeyesasIflippedthrough thefourpagesofbulletpointsandraisedmyheadtoglanceatGraceandKelsea Theylookedsimilarlyoverwhelmed “We’dliketogetyouallontheislandbytomorrowmorning,”Maribelsaid. Kelseasnortedandheldupthelist.“Thinkagain.I’llneedadaytogetmyhandsonallofthis.” “Agreed,”Gracesaidasshescannedthematerials “Idon’tsupposewe’llgetreimbursedforthesepurchases” Ricpulledthelistfrommyhandsandstudiedit.Hecouldkeepit,forallIcared.MaribelturnedhergazetotheCouncilin thefrontrow Theyseemedtocometoasilentagreement “Fine Morningaftertomorrow” MymindfoundawayoutandIclungtoitdesperately.Iraisedahand.“Cordelia?”Maribelprompted. “We’rein…inawedding…”Istumbledalongthewords.“Thatnight.Forafriend.”
“Wecan’tendangertheworldtoletWillbeagroomsmaninawedding,”oneoftheotherseniorGuardianssaid.Isankinto mychairattheadmonishmentinhisvoice.Afewothersatthefrontshooktheirheadatthemeresuggestion.
“It’snotthat.Someonewill noticeifwemissit.Thatmightbringmoreattentiontothiswholeprocess.Isn’trulenumber onethatwekeepthisasecretfromallnon-Avalon-aware?”
Maribel nodded with her lips pursed “There’s nothing tying him to us yet” Maribel, you have no idea how little involvement Will has with us. “Itmightbebeneficialtostaggertheirarrivals,however.Bringhimtousrightafterthewedding. Thatwillbesoonenough Meanwhile,wegettheothertwototheislandandgetthemstarted”
GraceandKelseashotmecoldlooks,notenthusedwithbeingtheguineapigsforWill’sarrival.
“As youall know,theTrials lastthirteendays Wewill havenowaytocontactyouor observethestatus ofthemission MembersoftheCouncilwillarriveatthebeachtoretrievesurvivorsonthefifteenthday.”Sure.Thirteendaystofightpastthe island’smagicaltrapstoproveourworthinessordietryingbuttwodaystogetbacktoberescued.
Amannextto Maribel rose “Guardians, youare welcome to leave to prepare your candidate Onyour wayout, please grab a vial that will carryyouto the openingportal. Sorcerers and Knights, please remainseated as we discuss who will accompanyeachparty”
Igotto myfeetand stumbled. Lindensteadied me as his brother handed me the supplylist. “Don’tworry,” Lindensaid. “I’llmakesureyougetagoodteam”
Mymouthopened,butIhadnowordstosay.Nothingthatwouldn’timmediatelygetmekickedoutofsomethingthatwent backgenerationsinmyfamilylegacy.RicandLindenrightfullythoughtthattheideaofamythicalTrialwasdauntingtome.But Iwasmoreconcernedaboutmyownpartinthisdebacle
Whyhadn’tIbelieved enoughinWill? Fromthe firstmoment, I’d looked for his faults and nothinghe’d done since had changedmymind MyownhighstandardsforwhatIlookedforinaheroandalegendhadmadesurethatWillneverlivedup toit.
Iwas lastinline as Kelsea, Grace, and Iheaded towards the wall. Apair ofGuardians waited. “The openingpointfor Avalonrequires youmeetus atthe secondarylocationwithyour candidate. Youand the candidate need to drinkthis a sip should be enough and the two ofyouwill be transported to our location.” Another Guardianpressed a large vial ofclear liquid into myhand “Remember, be atthe beachonthe fifteenthdayor youwill remainonAvalonuntil the nextsabbatical portalisopened.Ifnooneispresent,wewillassumetherewerenoworthycandidates.”
Maribeljoinedusaswestewedintheclinicaltonethathadskatedpasthowmany,ifnotallofus,coulddieonthatisland Approvalwarmedherbrowneyes.
“Letyourcandidatesknowthatwearedeeplygratefulfortheirpartinthis,”shesaid.“Thiswon’tbeeasy,butwepromise todoeverythingwe cantomake this successful.Iwasn’texaggerating.Ifa new Arthur doesn’twalkoffthatislandwiththe sword ina few days’time, the world is doomed to slide further to the side ofevil, whichwill cause these disasters to get worse”
KelseaandGracedisappearedintothemist.Maribelcaughtmesoclosetomyescapethatwaterdropletssprayedonmy skin “Rightafterthewedding,”sheremindedme “Wehavenotimetowaste” “Rightafter,”IrepeatedasItightenedmygriponthevial.
RightafterIbrokethenewstomybestfriendthatI’dliedtohimoverhalfofourlives.Noproblem.
IT WAS A CLOSE COMPETITION OVER WHICH SHOOK MORE: THE HAND SLICKING LIP GLOSS ON OR MY STOMACH AT THE THOUGHT OF Will comingsoonto pickme up. The time to getWill up to speed oncenturies oflore grew smaller and smaller witheach passingmoment Alltobetoppedoffwiththecherryontopof‘Yougetafree mostlikelyone-wayticket ridetoAvalonto overcomedeadlyobstaclesuntilyouwin…ordie.’
Ihad no one to blame butmyself. Ihadn’twanted to riskour friendship or chance relocation onthe low chance that he’dgetcalleduptotryhishandattheTrials I’dliedtothefacesoftheGuardianCouncilandsaidthatI’dtoldhimandthat he’daccepteditall.
Tocompoundonthat,I’d embellishedWill’sbettermomentstomakehimseemmorenoble Maybehehadn’tstoodupto bulliestoprotecttheweakerstudentsinhighschool.Orrescuedthatcatonthesideoftheroad.Andhischoiceoflaw firm, onethatprovidedfamilylawassistancetovictimsofdomesticabuse,hadbeendesperationtofindapositionaftergraduating andnotastreakofaltruism.
Willwasagoodperson.Ididn’tdoubtthat.Butthesecond-comingofKingArthur’slegendaryheroism?Abletoleadthe forcesofgoodagainsttheforcesofevilwhilethefateoftheworldhunginthebalance?
Iclipped the bride’s giftofa daintynecklace andadjusted itso the drop ofsilver fell downmychest. Igrimaced atmy reflectionasaknocksoundedonthedoor Mytimewasabouttobeup
“Coming,”Icalledasitsoundedagain,dreadsendingasicklyfeelingovermyskin. Igatheredmyskirtinmyhandsandjoggedtothedoorinmybarefeet.Ikickedthehalf-dozenbagsofsuppliestotheside as I swung the door open. My brain spluttered to a halt at Will looming in my doorway in his dark grey suit. The lean quarterbackofthe football teamhad transformed into the well-dressed lawyer withbroad shoulders thattapered to his lean waist
Hisblueeyespoppedagainstthematerialashegrinnedatme.“Readytogo,Cordy?”heaskedasheranahandthroughhis blondwaves
“Almost,”Isaid.IshookoffthefeelingthatIwastheallelbowsandkneesgirlwithbraceswho’dfollowedWillaround. He wasn’tthe onlyone who’d grownup, butsometimes myesteemliked to poke atme. Apparently, ithad decided Ididn’t haveenoughtodealwithtonight “Ihavetograbmypurse” “Andyourshoes,apparently.”
Igrinnedathimovermyshoulder “Youwouldunderstandifyouhadtoweartheseheels” “That’swhatItoldhimwhenItookthemoffinthecar.”
It took every ounce of control in my body to not make a face at the new voice Ingrid was another bridesmaid in the wedding, and Will had become smittenwiththe redhead withthe contagious laugh. They’d beeninseparable at everypreweddingeventtothepointthatthebride-to-behadjokedtomeaboutanotherweddinginourfuture.Igatheredmyclutchand myshoesbeforeIturnedtofacethem
Thesightofthemtogether addedabitterness tothenauseainthepitofmystomach.Will,tall andbroad-shouldered,his easy-goingsmileevenbrighterasheglancedatIngrid Sheclungtohisside,hercopperwavespinnedtocurllooselyoverone shoulder.
Thetwoofthemseemedsooutofplaceonmyraggedtancarpet,gleamingagainstthesmudgedwallsthatfaintlycarried thescentofnicotinefromaprevioustenant.
Ingrid’ssea-greeneyessparkledasshestudiedme.“See,Ilikeyourshadeofdressbetterthanmine.”
Iglanceddownatthesilverdressthatputmeinthemiddleofthesilverspectrumthebridehadselectedforourwardrobe Thefitwassimple,withthinstrapsandasweetheartneckline.Thematerialgatheredatmywaistandflowedlooselytosweep onthe ground Tinysparkles littered everyinch, shimmeringwitheverymove Mydarkhair was looselygathered ina low ponytail,asitwasaboutalltheeffortI’dhadinme.
“Yours makes your hair pop,” Isaid witha playful shrug. Itwas the truth. Afew shades lighter withas manysparkles, Ingrid’sdressmadeherhairgleam.Shepulledatthelowhemlinetoadjustitasshesmiledatmywords.
Ifthere was a positive inIngrid crashingour pre-weddingplan, itwas thatitmade itimpossible for me to tell Will the truth.I’dclingtoeverymomentofthispre-ArthurianTrialslifethatIcouldget.
Ifollowedthemtomydoorbutwheeledaroundmid-steptoreturntothekitchen “Ididn’tknowwewerebringingflasks,” Willsaidasheclosedthedoorbehindme.
Ingrid eyed it as her lips curled into a smile “Ididn’t pegyouas the flasktype” Iglanced downat the sparklysilver container.“Whatdoyouhaveinthere?Vodka?Whiskey?Tequila?”
“Somethinglikethat,”IsaidasItuckedtheflaskinmymatchingsilverclutch
Bythetimetheelevatorhitthelobby,myshoeswereonandourwell-dressedtriocrossedtheblandbrowntilestoexitmy apartment building. I dreaded the car ride with little miss bubbly-pants. It took too much introspection to determine if my irritationwithIngridwasduetothehighstressIwasunderorifitwasburiedresentmenttowardsherforintrudingonwhatI’d thoughtwouldbeafunsituationwithWillasmembersinthesamewedding.
Inthebackseat,IwatchedWillashecarriedonananimatedconversationwithIngrid TheknowledgethatIwasaboutto cutshortthisromancesqueezedmylungs.Topreventtearsthatwouldonlygivemeaway,Iturnedmyattentiontomywindow. Myphonevibratedinmypurse Iexpectedanotherremindertohurrybutfoundamessagethatcompoundedonmyguilt
Forwhateverreason,Iwasnolongerincludedinthemission.IwouldaccompanyWilltotheinitialsitebutanothermore experiencedGuardianwouldtakehimtoAvalon.
Tearscloggedinmythroat Yes,Iwasnolongeratrisk,butIfeltlikeI’dsignedWill’sdeathwarrantandnowcoastedinto thesunset.Whyhadtheybrokentraditionbyremovingmefromtheteam?Ahorrible,sickfeelingsettledinmystomachas I guessedthatsomethinghadgonewrongwiththepartiesalreadyonAvalon Weretheydead?
Ingrid’sphonepinged.“Dramaalready,”shesaidoverhershouldertome.“Thephotographerisbitchingabouthavingto photoshopoutthesister-of-the-bride’stattoos.”
“Goodthingyourtattooisn’tvisibletothecasualobserver.”WillgrinnedasIngridchoked.Shereddened.
“Don’tworry,”Iwaveditoff.“Willhasnoclass.Whatdoyouhave?”
“It’sthisbirdrightbelow ”
“Will,”Ingridcuthimoff.“Idon’tthinkCordeliawantstoknowaboutmytattoo.”
Inodded “Probablynot”
“I’veseenyourtattoo,”Ingridsaid.“Doestheswordreallyextenddownyourentirespine?”
“Yes.”ThelikenessofExcalibur wastattooedontoeveryGuardian,althoughminewasoneofthelarger pieces.Thehilt startedatthebaseofmyneckandthepointofthebladeendedatmylower spine.Theinkwas thesourceofmymagicas it containedwaterdrawnfromLakeAvalon.Thewatermixedwiththemagicinmybodyand,asaresult,Icouldbendanywater tomywilltoacertainextent Asmymagicdepleted,thetattoowouldfade Luckily,eachtripthroughthesiderealmrecharged mymagicalbattery.
“It’sreallypretty Where’dyougetitdone?”
“Uh ” Luckilybefore I had to lie about mymagical tattoo that had beeninked onto myskinbya fellow Guardianof Avalon,Ingrid’sphonedingedagain.
Thenextmessagepoppeduponmyphone
Maribel Theycouldn’twaitanylonger Therewasnowayaroundit Ineeded totellWillbeforeMaribeloranotherirritatedGuardianshowedupandmadethissituationworse.
IgnawedonmylowerlipasWill parkedthecarandwegatheredourthings Ingridleanedovertowhispersomethingto WillasIfollowedthemtothevenue,hereyesflickinginmydirection.Asheheldthedooropenforher,Igatheredmycourage. “Will,canwetalk?Outhere?Alone?”SomethingflashedacrossIngrid’sface
“I’llletthebrideknowwe’rehere,”Ingridsaidasshereleasedthedoor.
IsteeredWill towardstheoutdoorpatiotogetdistancebetweenusandanyonewhomightwalkby.AsIsteppedthrough thegateofthewrought-ironfence,Inotedwithreliefthatthepatiowasotherwiseempty Lightscrisscrossedaboveus,casting aglowupontheglasstables.WillsatbutIremainedonmyfeet.
“Thenwhatisit?You’vebeenweirdsincewepickedyouup Ingridnoticeditalmostimmediately”
“Oh, well, ifIngrid noticed,” Isnapped. “Sorry. That was bitchy. Remember inhighschool whenIcouldn’t tryout for cheerbecausemyparentssignedmeupfordance?”
Willnarrowedhiseyes.“Yes.”
Ipacedinfrontofhim,wringingmyhands.“Iwasn’tactuallyindance.”
“Areyouworriedaboutdancingtonight?Look,Cordy,nobodycareshowawkwardyoulook”
“Fuckyou,Idonotlookawkward.You’veseenmedancebefore.”Iexhaledslowly.“ThetruthisIwasactually ” “Will, theywant to start group pictures ofthe groomsmen” Iturned around and sighed at Ingrid’s interruptionfromthe directentrancefromtheballroom.
“We’llberightin,”Isaid,withapointysmile.“Onesec,Ingrid.”
Ingrid eyed me but stepped inside. I turned to Will. “What I’mabout to tell you is almost unbelievable. I need you to promisemethatyouwilllistentomecompletelybeforeyoufreakout.”
“Ok,”Willsaid,drawingouttheword.“ButcanIsaysomethingfirst?”
“No.IfIdon’ttellyounow,I’mnevergoingtosayit.Will,I’mguardingyoubecauseyou’repotentiallythesecondcoming ofKingArthur”
“Cordy,look,I’mflatteredbutIdon’tfee Wait.Whatdidyousay?”
Iwheeledaroundtoraiseaneyebrowathim “WhatdidyouthinkIwasgoingtosay?” Willgottohisfeet.“Idefinitelydidn’tthinkthatyouwouldcrackajokeaboutKingArthur.”
MylipstwistedasIthoughtaboutallthetimesI’dhadtobreakthistohimovertheyears Instead,Ihadalimitedamountof timetoconvincehimthiswasn’tajokeandthatheneededtodropeverythingtoriskhislifeonamythicalisland.IfIcouldgo backintimetosmackpastCordelia,I’ddoitinaheartbeat.
“Weshouldgetinsideforthephotos”Willgesturedformetoleadtheway “Wedon’twanttothrowofftheitinerary”
“Forgetabouttheitinerary,Will,”Isaid,myvoiceraisingenoughthatWillarchedabrowatme.
“Listento the girl, Will,” a voice said behind me Mybreathcaughtinmythroat Ididn’trecognize it, butIsensed the menacingpresencebehindme.“You’vegotbiggerproblems.”
Iturnedandtookastepbackwards Asmyheartracedinmychest,Ismiledatthethreemenwho’dapproachedwhileI’d focusedonWill.Iglancedovertheirshouldersandsawafewmoreinsimilargreygarbloiteringattheentrancetothestreet. Whileafencestoodbetweenthispatioandthecasualpasserby,itwouldn’ttakemuchefforttojumpoveritandjointhefight.
“Look, we don’twantanytrouble,” Will said behind me As the mandirectlyinfrontofme slid his eyes towards Will, silentlystudyinghimwithhatred burninginhis gaze, Imoved to putmyselfinthe center ofitall. “We don’thave anycash. We’retryingtoenjoyourfriends’wedding”
Theonetomyleft burly,broad,withscarsacrosshisknuckles rolledhissleevesuptorevealthedarkcrowtattoo,its wingsoutspreadtoobstructthesunbehindit.IswallowedpastthefearinmythroatatthesightoftheCorvineBrotherhood,no longerthefacelessboogeymanintheGuardiantrainings.Instead,therewereseveralofthemstaringatme,thesoloGuardian withacluelesscandidate.“Will,goinside.”
“Will,areyouokay?”Ingrid Shehadn’tmovedfarfromthedoor,soshe’dprobablyspottedthisbrewingmess Itwouldn’t takemuchtodrawfurtherattention.
“Takeherinside,”Iordered ThetattooonmybacktingledasItappedintotheaccessitgrantedmetothemagicsharedby theLake.
IknewWillobeyedwhenhebumpedintoachairinhisrushtogetawayfromourcompanions.
Itriedthelogicalapproachfirst.“Idon’tsupposeyouwouldlistentoreasonandbackoffsincewe’reoutsideawedding venueandtherearewitnesses.”Thethunderstormovernighthadleftsmallamountsofstandingwaterinnumerousspotsaround the patio Withmyhands behind myback, Ipulled the water to me, sensingitas ittrickled throughthe cracks betweenthe bricks.
The manto myright, whose hood still hid his features, flicked his hand and a fireball appeared inhis palm The use of magiccaughtmyattention.TheBrotherhoodhadlosttheirmagicalbloodlinedecadesago.How’dtheygetaSorcerer?
“Ididn’tthinkso,”Itsked.
Iraisedmyhandsandexpelledthewatertowardsthem Myhairblewinfrontofmyfaceasthewallofwaterrushedpast Dropletsfellonmyskin,butthemajorityhittheintruderswiththeforceofabatteringram. Astheytumbledbackwards,Iturnedandran “What’sgoingon?”WillaskedasIdashedbreathlesslyinside.
“Go, go, go” I pushed him away from the doors I glanced over my shoulder and saw them stumbling to their feet Somethingabouttheir magicuser struckachordwithme.Thewayhecarriedhimself.Therewasnotimetostopandassess whetherwehadatraitorfromtheSorcerers.
“We’reinside,”Ingridsaid,caughtupasWillsteeredherinthesamedirection
“Whataboutthosesterlingcharactersmakesyouthinkthatthey’renotgoingtofollowusinhere?”Ipushedhimtowardsthe exitoftheballroom,ignoringthecuriousstaresofthestaffandtheearlyguestswholoiteredintheroom Ingridtrailedbehind us.ShewasaproblemthatIhadn’tplannedfor.
Someonecriedoutaswereachedthedoorway Asthedoorsswungshutbehindme,Isaw thefirstoftheintrudersshove pasttheemployeefinalizingtheplacesettingsatthetablenearestthepatio.Hiseyesmetmine.Iceranthroughmyveinsatthe sightofhisleer.
“Notthemaindoors,”Isaid,asWillheadedtowardsthenormalexit Ourcarwastoofaraway “They’llexpectusoutthat way.”
“Who?”WillexclaimedasIpulledhisarmandledthewaydownthehallthatI’dseenthestaffusingthroughouttheevent “Youactlikethey’rebrilliantcriminalmasterminds.”
“Somethinglikethat,”Isaid.
Severalemployeeslookedupatmyclickingheelsaswepushedthedoorsintothekitchen.Igrabbedabottleofwaterfrom thecounterandreachedforanotheronsecondthought.
“What’stheplan?”
“Gettothenearestopenbusinessonthisstreet,”Isaid.Inoddedtowardstheglowingredsignproclaiminganexitfromthe building
“Whataboutthewedding?”IngridwrungherhandsasIopenedthedoor. Willsteppedoutsideandwasimmediatelytackledbyagreyblur IshovedIngridoutofthewayasshescreamed,rushing to Will’s aid and sidesteppinga blade justas itarced throughthe air towards mychest. Itsliced the skinofmyupper arm instead Igrabbedmyattacker’swristandbroughtitdownasIliftedmyknee Bonescrushedasheletoutapainedyelp Iknelttograbthefirstbottleofwater andtwistedthelidoffasWill wrestledwithhisattacker.Ithrew thecontentsina spraytowardstheoncomingtrioofCorvineBrotherhoodmembersasIpusheditwithmymagic.Theystumbledbackwardsas thewatertwistedandhardenedintotinyspikes
Igrabbed the second bottle ofwater and gotto myfeet. Will’s attacker hauled himto his feetand pressed a knife to his throat
“Dropthebottle,”Mr.Knifesneered.Ireluctantlyobeyed,anditrolledaway. IstretchedmybleedingarmouttoholdIngridbackassherushedforWill “Lethimgo,”Isaid,narrowingmyeyes “WhywouldIdothat?”Anamusedgrinspreadacrosshisface.“Yougaveupthelastbottleofwater.Seemslikeyou’re defenseless.”
Igrinned “Clearlyyoufailedyourbioclasses Thehumanbodyisseventypercentwater,jackass” Beforehecouldregistermywords,Iraisedmyhandsandclenchedoneintoafist.Theman’sfacegreyed ashadealmost identicaltothatofhisshapelesssweatshirt andhishandreleasedtheknife WithmyotherhandIheldhisfriendsinastasis, albeitapainfulonethatfeltlikeneedlesjabbedtheireverycell.
“Will,getoverhere,”Isnapped.
Willtrippedoverhisfeetasheputdistancebetweenthem.Heturnedtostareatourattackersandthenbackatme.Hisjaw dropped. Iignored him. “Ingrid, inmyclutch, please remove the flask. Take a sip. Will, grab itfromher and take a sip as well”
“Idon’tthinktequilaisgoingtohelpushere,”Ingridsaidhesitantly,givingmealooklikeI’djustgrowntwoheads.
“Justdoit”AbeadofsweatgatheredatmybrowasIstaredatthemenmymagicheldinplace Althoughitwasonlyahandfulofcaptives,themoremagicIexpended,theharderitbecametoholdoveralengthoftime.It was alsoriskytoutilize this muchanddrainmysource withouta guaranteedreplenishment.Icouldn’tshare this detail with WillandIngrid,butwewereonborrowedtime.
Ingrid fumbled with the latch but managed to open it. She eyed the glittery flask skeptically. “Drink it. One sip,” I instructed
Herhandsshookassheremovedthecapandtookaquickswallowofwater.ShehandedtheflasktoWill.Willtookasip asIngriddisappeared IgrabbedtheflaskjustasWillgasped,“Whatthehell?”
He,too,vanishedintheblinkofaneye.Idrankfromtheflaskasdarkspotsburstinmyvision.Myentirebodywentnumb. Theflaskdroppedfrommyhandsandtheremnantsofitscontentssplashedonmydress.Airbecametrappedinmylungsand pressuresurroundedmeonallsides
I blinked as the pain became blinding and found myself standing on a sunlit knoll. “What the hell is happening?” Will shoutedatMaribel Hespuntowardsmeandpointed “Cordy,ifthisissomebullshitpranktogoalongwiththeKingArthur bullshityoujustdroppedonme,I’mnotentertained.”
Maribel’sbrowneyesfixedonmyfacewithdisapprovalbeforedroppingtothebloodstreamingdownmyarm Ipresseda handtothesliceandopenedmymouthtoadmittoitallasmyshoulderscurled.
“They’recoming,”anotherGuardiansaid.
MaribelpushedWilltothesideandstrodetome Herlipsathinline,shegrabbedmyarmandstudiedthewound “You’ll live.Who’stheredhead?”
“Will’sdatetothewedding Wegotattacked CorvineBrotherhood”
“Theywereclosewhenyoudrankthewater?”
“Yes Theyattackedus IheldthemoffbutonceIdrankit,Ilosttheflask”
MaribelnoddedandlookedpasttheotherGuardians.Theairseemedtowhirlinaperson-sizedpatternabouttwentyyards away. “Theygrabbed your portal. We need to hold themofflongenoughto getWill and his three Guardians into the water. Howmany?”
My mind sluggishly caught up to Maribel. “Six. Seven maybe?” I struggled to kick off my heels. They’d throw off my balanceifIhadtofight
Maribelnodded.“Yourjobistokeeptheredheadsafe.TheotherGuardianscanhandletheBrotherhood.Wecandealwith yourliesabouttellingWillthetruthyearsagowhenwegetback.Ifwedon’t,you’llhavebiggerfishtofry.”
She referred to the guiltover Will dyingonAvalonall while tryingto thwartanapocalyptic eventwithno leader. Ifthe Guardiansallowedmetoremainapartoftheorganizationinlightofmylies,thatis.Maribel’ssimplistictermsdidn’tdomy
situationjusticeifthiswentbadly.
AlumpformedinmythroatandIswipedatmyrunningnose.“Maribel,I’msorry.” “There’snotime”
Maribel movedtowards Will,andIfollowedinher footsteps.“Will,Iapologizefor therudeawakeningtoyour destiny, butwedon’thavetimetosugarcoatit YouandthreeGuardiansaregoingtojumpintothewater” “Jump?”Willincredulouslyrepeated,hisvoiceraisingslightly.Panicgleamedinhiseyes.
IleanedpastWillandwidenedmyeyesatthesteepcliffsidebeforethewaterbelow Waveslappedattherockyshoreline “Youwon’tbeharmed.ThewateristheportaltoLakeAvalon.”
Willshookhishead.“Wait,wait.Ican’tdothis.Thisisimpossible.You’reall…”Hiseyeslandedonme.“Delusional.” “They’rehere!”
Maribelturned,anditwasherturntowidenhereyes.“Ithoughtyousaidsix.” “Orseven,”IsaidasIturned Iswallowedheavily
TwodozenCorvineBrotherhoodmembers,allindarkgreycloaksthatcoveredtheirfaces,formedaline.Ourbackswere tothecliff TherewasnowayoutunlessyouwantedtohopintotheportalandtakepartintheTrials Ifwealljumped,there wouldbenoonetoholdofftheCorvineBrotherhoodandthey’dhaveaccesstoAvalonforthefirsttime.
Ireachedfor Ingridandpushedher behindme.Maribel swore.“Ihavetoholdthemoffwhiletheyopentheportal,”she saidtome “Keepthemhere WhenIsaygo,Willjumps” “Gotit,”Isaid.
“Willdoes not jump,”Willhissedatme “Haveyouseenthatdrop?Whatthehellisgoingon?Cordy?” “I’ma little busy.” This close to the water, mymagic feltstronger thanever. As myinsides quivered, Ikeptmyeyes on Maribelforthesignal.
Maribel’s magic formed a blade. Her water-based weaponcollided withthe firstflamed sword ofthe Brotherhood. To theirleft,anotherpairclashedasaGuardianstruggledtodeflectabattle-axofflames.
AgroupofthreechantedsteadilyinalanguageIdidn’trecognize Magiccurledthroughtheairandtingledalongmytattoo astheirvolumerose.
Iformed myownblade as the firstofthe Brotherhood broke throughthe initial shield ofGuardians and ranfor us Pain reverberated through my arms as my blade met his. I gritted my teeth and shoved him away with all my might. Another Guardian’sbladestruckhisside,andhefell.
ItoremygazefromthebloodpoolingonhisgreycloakandlookedforMaribel.“Go!”sheshouted.
Willhadtheobstinatesettohisjawthattoldmehewouldn’tlistentoreason.Peoplefoughtaroundhimwithmagicalwater andfireweaponsandweweretrapped,yetIknewhewouldn’tjump Whetheritwasfear,stubbornness,orsomethingelse,I madethedecisionforhim.Withoutaword,Ibackedhimtotheedgeofthecliffandshovedhim.
Will’sshoutdiedawayandIturnedforIngrid Iwasn’tsurewhattodowithherbutshemadethedecisionforusall As shereachedoutforWill,hisnameslippingfromherlips,shestumbledandwentovertheedge.
IturnedtoseewhereIwasneeded.TheBrotherhoodforcesoutnumberedoursmallgroup,especiallywithourfocustorn. MaribelfoughtthreeevenasoneofourGuardiansfell,bloodspillingfromtheirmouthsanddrippingdowntheirchins “Who’sgoing?”IshoutedatMaribel.Ineededtointervenesothattheycouldjump.
Maribel’sjawclenched SheglancedattwooftheyoungerGuardiansattheedgeofthecliff,oneofwhichwasatrembling Hali,heretoprovideasourceofpowertothethreeopeningtheportal.Maribelnoddedherhead,andagustofwinddrovethe twoofthemovertheedgeofthecliff
Iknew whatshewasdoingastheburstofwindstruckme.Dreadhardenedinmystomachlikeananvil asIrealizedshe wassacrificingherselftolettheyoungerGuardianshaveafightingchanceonAvalon.Thiswasmyfault;I’dhadtoparticipate intheweddingandthenIhadn’teludedthemwellenough I’dledthemrighthere She’dwarnedmetwodaysagotowatchmy back.AndIhadn’t,insteadtooabsorbedwithmyownproblems.Idugmyfeetin,butMaribelintensifiedherpower.
MywaterbladefellfrommygraspasItumbledtowardstheedge IcriedoutasabladeofflamesoutmaneuveredMaribel andjammedintoherstomach.ThelastthingIsawasIfellbackwardswasMaribeldroppingtoherkneesandfallingforward, herfaceblankandlifeless
Thenwatercareenedoverme,andeverythingwentdark.
WHEN MARIBEL HAD SAID THE PORTAL WOULD CARRY WILL TO THE LAKE OF AVALON, I THOUGHT SHE MEANT SHORESIDE, NOT literallythelake.
MyskirttangledaroundmeasIplungeddeeperinthecoldwater Hundredsoftinybubblestrailedinmywake Istruggled tobreakmydownwardstrajectoryandswimupwards.Itookadeepbreathasawaveloomedovermeandroughlypushedme underagain.Myhairbrokefreeofitslooseponytailandfannedaroundme.Myarmstreadedwater,andIbrokethesurface.I hadasplitsecondtoscanmysurroundingsandsawnothingbutbuffetinggreywaves
Theroughwateroverwhelmedmeoncemore.Ikickedmylegstodriveupwardsasmylungsbegantoburn.Ibarelybroke throughbeforeaparticularlyviciouswaveknockedmetothesideandpushedmeunder Ilostmyfeelingofwhichwaywasup ordown.Itwasjustmeandmysilverdressethereallyfloatinginthedarkwater.
Itwistedandturned,lookingforasignofwhichdirectionheldsurvival.Therewasnotraceoflight,nosignofthebottom. EverywayIlooked,itseemedlikeequalamountsofdarkwater.Myhandbrushedsomethingsolidinthelake,andIgrippedit like it was responsible for mysurvival. Years ofGuardiantrainingrecognized the cold steel ofa sword hilt as myfingers lockedaroundtheobject MylegskickedpastthebladeasItreadedwaterandsearchedforasigntoescape Itwasawkward maneuveringaroundthe sword,anditweighedme down,butIcouldn’tjustifydroppingitandlosingthe onlyweaponIhad beyondmyfinitesupplyofmagic
Soon, Ispotted somethingdarkapproaching. Large and flat, Irecognized itas a boatwhenIsaw the paddles dip inthe water.
Rejuvenated by the thought of rescue, I pushed upwards. The hand holding my mystery object broke the surface first. Something gripped my armtightly. Another armwith dark sleeves rolled up reached in and grabbed my other arm. I was unceremoniouslypulledfromthewaterandhoistedoverthesideoftheboat
Sprawled onthe bottom, Iturned myhead and coughed water. Iretched a few times before Irested myface againstthe bottomoftheboat
“Shegoingtomakeit?”IfIwasn’trecoveringmyordeal,histonewouldhaveinstantlyraisedmyhackles. “Ithinkso.”Somethingnudgedmeinthethigh.“Yougood?”
Ismacked atthe intrusion, and the footpulled back Witha grimace, Ipulled myselfupright Froma boat, AvalonLake didn’tlookintimidating.Flatgreywaterasfarastheeyecouldsee.Thewaveslappedattheboatbutdidn’tseemaslargeas whenI’dbeenfightingthemonmyown
SoberedbythememoryofMaribel,Iliftedmygazetotheotheroccupantsoftheboat.Astony-facedWillsatontheseat farthestfromme Hissuitclungtohim,andhiswhitebutton-upshirtwastranslucent Onthenextrow,herbacktome,Ingrid satrigidly.Waterdrippedfromherhairtothewoodenseatbesideher.
LiamstudiedmeasIshivered.Hisbronzehaircurledbackfromhisface,perfectlydried.Reliefwashedovermetohave Liamwithme “Cordy, finally,” he said to someone Icouldn’tsee “She’s gota sword, butthat’s aboutit She doesn’teven haveshoes.”
“Great We have time for one last ultimate Trial and the teamhas no gear Love it” The voice that was unmistakably Linden’sswore.“Will,there’sablanketortwobyyourfeet.Wouldyoumindpassingthemout?”
Will leaned forward and lifted a maroonblanket fromunder his seat Ashiver wracked mybody, and Ilonged for that scratchywoolagainstmyskinmorethananything.WillhandedittoIngrid,whobarelyappeareddampatthispoint.
Inarrowedmyeyes briefly,bothatthetoneandatWill blatantlyignoringmydiscomfort,andstifledthenextshake.The irritationhelpedmefindthestrengthtoliftmyselffromthebottomoftheboatandtakeaseatnexttoKai Ididn’tknowmuch aboutthem, onlytheir name. One ofour more reluctantparticipants inthe Guardians, theytended to sitinthe rear ofevery meetingandbethefirsttoleave
Isqueezedwaterfrommyhair.“Hey,Liam.Ibetyouwishyouhadn’tpickedmyteam,huh?”
Liamfroze withhis mouthopenas Lindencutoffhis response, his voice behind me. “Cordy, youmind tellingme whyI havezerosuppliesfromthatlistIwatchedyouread?”
IpressedmyeyesshutandmetLiam’ssympatheticglancebeforeIturnedtofaceLinden.Ijumpedathowclosethesecond boatwastome.Althoughinaseparateboat hiscontainingastrangerandHali hecouldtouchmewithoutstretching. Why did my brain go right to touching?
Obviously,ithadtodowithhowgood-lookinghewas.Maybethefallfromthecliffshadjarredsomethinginmybraininto ignoringthedangeroussituationathandtoogleLindenasthebreezeruffledhisdarkhairfromhisforehead Hisbrowneyes piercedintomineasIfidgetedwithmyskirt.
Iclearedmythroat “Iboughtthem They’reinmyapartment TheCorvineBrotherhoodattackedusbeforeIcouldcircle back.”
Behind him, the stranger waited withhands still onthe paddles and frowned atthe mentionofour enemies. He seemed youngerthantherest Tanfromtimeinthesun,blondstreaksdustedhisotherwiselightbrownhair Athinslice,stillredand healing,marredanotherwiseperfectlychiseledcheekbone.
“I’mGalenofAvalon,”hesaidasherealizedmyeyeswereonhim “Yourguide”
Asmidgenofreliefwashedovermethatatleastwehadaguide,ifnothingelse.Hishelpwouldbecrucialinnavigating thesaferareasoftheislandandreachinganyencampmentsoftheAvalonians
“Beforewehittheisland,IneedtotalktotheGuardianincharge,”Lindensaid.
MystomachchurnedasIrecalledthetextmessagethathadremovedmefromthisTrialinanycapacity.“Iguessthat’sme,” Isaid
“I’dsayyou’retheclosestwe’vegot.”
LiamhelpedHaliclimbtothisboatwhileIheldthepaddlesinplace Iliftedmyskirtandsteppedontotheseat,swayingas the waves jostled the boat. Ahand reached for mine and steadied me. The warmthtraveled up myentire arm. Once myfeet settledintheothervessel,IturnedtothankmyhelperandpausedwhenIsawitwastheSorcererandnotGalen.Galennimbly hoppedtojointheothers.Hehandedmethesword,andIawkwardlysettleditontheflooratmyfeet.
Lindenslidintoplacewiththepaddles.Long,evenstrokescarriedusawayfromtherestofthegroup.Will didn’tcasta glanceinmydirectionandleanedforwardtosoftlyspeaktoIngrid Herfeaturesseemeddrawnasherpalefacestaredatthe expanseofwater.
IfacedforwardagainandstaredatLindenasherowed Cladinathickwhiteshirtthatlacedatthecollaranddarkpants, hisbroadshouldersflexedashemaneuveredthepaddles.Smallscarscrisscrossedhislongfingersthatclenchedthewooden oars.Ishiveredasaslightbreezeruffledhisdarkhairandpressedmysoakingdressintomycoldskin.
“There’sablanketundermyseat.I’llgetittoyouwhenwe’vegotsomedistance.I’llalsolookatyourwound.”
Iliftedmyarmtogetabetterlookatthesliceonmybicep.“It’sfine.It’snotverydeep.”
“Idon’tneedfreshblooddrawinginanycreepyAvaloniancreaturelookingforasnack Humorme,please” “Fine.”
Heglancedpastmeandseemedtomeasurethedistance Hepulledtheoarsfromthewaterandlockedtheminplace “You lookgood,Cordy.Howlonghasitbeensincewe’vespentanysignificantqualitytimetogetheroutsideofmeetings?”
“IthinkthelasttimeIwasaroundyoulongerthananhourwasmysophomoreyearofcollege.ThatwasthelastyearIwas onthesummerstaffforcamp”
“Ah,yes.GuardianandSorcerercamp.”Lindenpointedatmeashereachedunderhisseat.“YousuckeredRicintoitevery yearandhe,inturn,forcedmetosignup”
Myeyesnarrowedslightly.“Iforcednoone.”
“Ithinkyouforcedsomeonetoparticipateinthis”IopenedmymouthtoarguebutLindencutmeoffwithasmallshakeof hishead.“YourealizethatprettyboychosetheuselessredheadoverhisGuardian.Yourteethchatteredandhegavetheblanket tohisdrygirlfriend.”
Lindenmoved to myseatand wrapped the blanketaround myshoulders, careful notto touchmywound Inestled inthe woolandletoutadeepbreath.“Will’salittlemadatme.”
“Theother GuardiansandArthuriancandidateshadatightrelationshipwhentheyhitthewater,”Lindensaid “Andfrom whatIknewuntiltoday,IwouldhavesaidyouandWillweretheclosestofthebunch.”
Hereachedformyarmandangleditsohecouldexaminethewound Callusedfingersproddedmyskingently “Ikindof didn’ttellhimhewasacandidate.”
Lindenlaughed,andIhissedoutabreathasitjarredmyarm.“Isn’tthatdiscussedwhenbothpartiesturnsixteen?” Isulkilyraisedmyothershoulder “Ithoughtaboutit ButIalsothoughttheoddsofhimeverbeingcalledtotheTrialswere slim.Lifewasgrandwhenweweresixteen.”
Lindenglancedupatme,lipstwisting “Youdidn’twanttowreckanythingwithhim” Bloodflushedinmycheeks,andIhadtoremindmyselfthatweweren’tbackatcamp,althoughthiswasaconversationthat heandRichadputmethroughseveraltimeseachsummer.
“Ididn’t. We were bestfriends. Iturned sixteentwo weeks after one Arthuriancandidate freaked outto the pointwhere theyhadtowipehismemoryofit.TheGuardianhadbeentoldtokeepherdistanceandwasmovedhalfwayacrossthecountry.
Ididn’twanttodothat,tomeor myfamily.Iknow Iwasselfishbut…whoknew theendoftheworldwouldhitduringmy lifetime?”
Tinglesradiatedfrommywound Lindenreleasedme “Notevenascar Damn,I’mgood” IpressedmylipstogetherasIstudiedmyarm.“Idon’tknowhowyoucantellifthere’sascarwiththebloodonmyskin, butsure”
“You’reontopofabodyofwater.Spongeyourselfoff.Don’tputthisbackinthewateronceyourbloodisonit.”Linden tossedmearag Iwrinkledmynoseathimbutleanedovertheboattodampenit “Don’ttakethispersonally,butwhyamIhere withthreeinexperiencedGuardians?”heasked.
AsIwipedthebloodfrommyarm,Iexplainedtheattack,falteringasIdescribedMaribel’sdeath.“I’mnotsureifanyone madeitoutalive,”Isaid “Andthere’snotellingwhatdamagetheCorvineBrotherhoodwilldonowthattheyknowwhereour portalis.”
Lindennodded “Ithinkit’ssafetosaythatthey’regoingtofigureoutawayontotheisland That’ll bethefirstinalong time,sonotonlywillwebefightingAvalonwithtwelveandahalfdaystogo,butwe’llhavetoworryaboutthem.”
“Haveyoudealtwiththematall?”Iasked,foldingtheragtoconcealthebloodstains Ineatlyplaceditnexttomeonthe seat.
“No.Inmytraining,muchlikeyours,we’retrainedhow toidentifythemandtheirhistory,butI’venevergoneupagainst themdirectly Ric’stheonewho’sgoneundercover tolearnmore,buthenever shareddetailsbeyondbeingcalledAlaricin thosecircles.”
“OtherthantheBrotherhood,whatarewelookingat?”
Lindenstudiedme,andIshrankintotheblanket.Waterpooledatmyfeetfromthelakestill drippingfromthehemofmy dress.“I’ve gota promqueenina sparklydress andher barefootrunner-upleadingthe parade ofinexperiencedcandidates. We’relowontimeandshortonhope.EspeciallysinceI’vegotanArthurwhohasnevertouchedasword.”
Iwrinkledmynose.“WhyamItherunner-up?”
“Nooffense”Heshrugged
“Taken.Ignoreallthat.WhatabouttheTrials?Howmany?Whatarethey?”
Lindensmirked atme “This is perfect The factthatyouwould askthatatall tells me all Ineed to know Ishould just drownallofusrighthereandputusoutofourmisery.”
Istraightenedmyshouldersandsquarelymethisgaze.“Getoveryourself.Andanswermyquestions.”
Lindensighedandleanedagainstoneofthepaddles.“TheTrialsaretheTrials.Whatevertheislandfeelslikethrowingat us,itdoes.Thecloser tothecenter,andthecavesupposedlyholdingExcalibur,theharder things get.We’ll haveafew safe spaces,butthey’refewandfarbetween”
“Howmanysafespacesexactly?”
“Twothatweknow of SomelittleclearingandGalen’s village It’s torestup,butwithtwelveandahalfdays togetus there,wecan’trestmuch.There’snosetnumberofTrials,soAvaloncouldtossanythingitwantsatus,everystepoftheway.” “Seriously?There’snomysticalnumber?LikethreeorhowevermanyKnightshehad?”
“Nope Avalondoesn’tcare Avalonwantsthebest Itwill gettobeasdisappointedasmewhenthissadgroupstepson shore.”
Inarrowedmyeyesathim “Haveyouconsideredthatyourattitudeispartoftheproblem?”
“HaveyouconsideredthatI’vebeenoutonaSorcerersabbaticalformonthspriortothis,livingoffdeerjerkyRicmakes inhis downtime and switchingbetweenthe two outfits Ihad packed? I’mrunninglow ontoothpaste and deodorant Idon’t thinkIrememberedtoDVRnewepisodesofmyshows,andIgotsummonedbeforetheplayoffs.I’mtiredandI’mpissed.All hope Ihadofsleepinginmycomfortable memoryfoammattress depletedwitheachpersonwe pluckedfromthe water.The sword was excitingbut ” His gaze dropped to mybare feetwiththe pale pinknail polish “Itdoesn’tbalance outagainst otherthings.IknewIshouldn’thavevolunteeredforyourteam.”
Theguiltoverfeelingresponsibleforhimbeingherebecausehe’dwantedtohelpafriendwrestledwiththepreeningthat he’dfeltstronglyenoughaboutmetoraisehishand.“Nooneelsefoundasword?”
“Nope MaybetheghostoftheLadyoftheLakepitiedyousodeeplythatshetriedtoputyououtofyourmiseryearly Orit probablyreleasedfromthedecayedhandofwhatevercorpsehelditatthebottomofthelakeandhappenedtodriftpastyour handatanopportunemoment.Whateverthecase,IdoubtitgivesusalegupontheTrials.”
“Whatwill?”
“TheonlyadviceIcangiveyouistogoagainsteveryfiberofyourGuardianbeing.TheArthuriancandidateGuardianhas beenthefirsttodiebothtimesaccordingtothepigeonsGalen’sfellowguidessenttous ThefirsttimeKelseasteppedinfront of anAvalonianroostingspider to take its pincer to the chest and save her candidate. He died two hours later of a blood infectionafterapoisonousplantshotadartathim.”
Linden’sfacelostallirritationasmymouthdropped.ThesteadyslapofthewavesagainstourboatwastheonlysoundasI struggledtoprocesstheinformation.“Theothersarealreadydead?”
“I’msorry,”hesaid.“IthoughtMaribelwouldhavetoldyou.” “No.TheysaidIwasout.Nothingelse.Plantsshootdarts?”
“Avalon It’sbettertoaskwhattheislandwoulddoinyourworstnightmaresandthenthinkbigger” “How did Grace die?” Grieftightened the backofmythroatas Ipictured her inour lastcombattrainingrefresher and I realizedI’dneverpairwithheragain
Lindenlookedevenmoredowncast.“Theywerepaddlingupthestreamthatgoesdirectlytothecave,thinkingthatitwould decreasetheirnumberofrisks Somethingattackedtheboatandpulledherunderthewater Jordanwentinafterher Neitherof themcamebackup.”
Tearswelledinmyeyes.Jordandiedtryingtosavehersister.Andthathadn’tbeenenoughtomakeherworthy. “Haveweconsideredthatmaybenooneisworthy?”Iasked Afattearsliddownmycheek,andIdasheditaway Lindenloweredthepaddlesintothewater.“Itrynotto.Ifthat’sthecase,thiswasallawasteandtheworldasweknowit isdestinedtogoupinflames We’rethefinalhope Youdon’tgettogiveupbeforewestart” “Whynot?Itseemslikeyoualreadyhave.” “SnottycommentsarehowIcope Ihavefaith We’reinthistogether So,mybarefootrunner-up,areyouin?”
Iflippedhimoff.“I’mnoone’srunner-up.I’min.Let’sgettotheislandandstartkickingsomeAvalonass.” Lindengrinned.“That’sthespirit.”
I SAT AT THE FRONT OF THE BOAT AND KEPT MY EYES PEELED FOR SIGNS OF AVALON I’D READ ABOUT THE MYTHICAL HOME TO theLadiesoftheLakeandArthur’sfinalrestingplaceallmylifebuthadneverthoughtI’dseeit.Mystomachquiveredwith anticipation Perhaps itwas a byproductofmyheritage as a Guardian,perhaps itwas the seasickness Ifoughttoovercome Fewpeoplehadseenthislegendaryisland,andfewerlivedtotellthetale,yetIeagerlyawaitedsettingfootontheisland. Lindenandhis teamexplainedthe rules toour party.Will glaredatme pointedlyseveral times,butIignoredit.Ingrid’s features brightened as Lindenand Liamsteadfastlypaddled our boats throughthe teemingwaves She, too, seemed eager to spotland,butmaybeshethoughtshecouldgetawayfromus.
HaliandKaiabsorbedtheinformationquickly “OurgoalistogetourcandidatetoArthur’sfinalrestingplaceandremove Excalibur fromthestoneasquicklyaspossibletobeattheclock.We’reattwelvedaysandsomechangenow,”Lindensaid. “The only strategy is teamwork and make sure Galen stays alive since he’s the only one who knows the basic layout of Avalon.”
“That’stheworststrategyI’veeverheard,”Willcomplained.“You’vebeenhereawhile.Galen’slivedontheisland.Isn’t therealittlemoredetailwecouldapplytothesituation?”
IglancedovermyshoulderatGalen.Hisruddycheeksreddenedasmosteyeslandedonhimforananswer.Heseemedto measure his words, searching for the best way to explain “The island changes,” he said slowly “The only landmark that remainsthesameisthecaveandtheriverleadingtoit.Evenoursafespaceschangepositionandtheirsurroundingscandiffer byday.Seasons,even.AvalonwillchallengethisgroupinamannercateredspecificallytotheArthuriancandidate.”
“Isthe‘onfoot’thingsetinstone?”Willasked.“Whycan’tweusehorses?”
“Wecould,butwouldyouwanttotrytocontrolatwelve-hundred-poundanimalwhoseflightinstincthasbeentriggered?It wouldn’tgowell”
Willclenchedhisjaw.“Fine.Theriverthen.Ifit’soneoftheconstantsanditleadsusrighttothecave,whydon’twerow toit?Wouldn’tthattakelesstime?”
“Theytriedthatwiththesecondone.”Ifoughttokeepmyfaceblankevenas Ichokedonthelumpinmythroat.Ididn’t needWillfindingouttwocandidateswithmorepreparationthanhimhadalreadydied.
“Whathappened?”Kaiasked
“Let’sjustsaythattheriverhidesallsortsofnastiesthatwanttoeatanothercandidate.”
IclosedmyeyesatLiam’scarelesscommentandhopedthatWillwouldn’tfixateonit Iknewthathebarelyheldonand thisconversationwasmerelyhisattemptatpatronizingus.Ifwethrew deathbyAvalonTrialinthemix,thiswouldgosouth fast
“Whatdoyoumean?”Willasked.
There was no sound but the water lapping at the boats and the steady splash of the paddles. “Oh, he doesn’t know anything,”Liamsaid “Guardian,wanttofieldthisone?”
Not really. I turned to Will, for the first time grateful for the distance between us, and explained. “At each Trial, the Guardianssendintheirelectedcandidates TheTrialsonlyendwiththesuccessfulremovaloftheswordfromthestone or thedeathoftheArthuriancandidates.”
“AndifIdiehere ?”
“You’redead,”Liamsaid.“Deadeverywhere.” “Great.Thanks,Guardian.”
“I’dwatchthetone,”Lindenadvisedevenlyfrombehindme “YourGuardianshaveledtheirentirelivespreparingforthis moment.Her onlyjobistogetyoutothatsword.We’reall preparedtodiefor thismission.For anyofustosurvivelonger thanourcandidateisafailure”
Bigtalkfortheguywho’dtoldmetoignoremyinstinctsorI’dbethefirsttodie. Ingridraisedherhand,andIrolledmyeyesattheoncomingwaves.“Whataboutme?”
“You’reinitfortheduration,unfortunately.Thespellmakestheportalone-way.”
“That’sfine.AslongasIcanchangeintosomethingwarmer andsomebetter shoes ”ShebrokeoffasLiamcoughed.I grimacedatmyownbarefeet.ThismiserableexperiencewouldgetworseifIngridstartedwhining.Shehadeveryright,this trulysucked,butitwouldbepointlessandIhopedshewouldseethat “What?”
“PerTrialguidelines,wecanonlyusewhatwebroughtwithus.Innormalconditions,youwouldn’tbehereandWilland theGuardianswouldhaveenteredwithbagsofsupplies”
Iwriggledmybaretoesandcontemplatedmyoddsofsurvival.Theygotslimmerbythesecond.
All conversationceased as darkgreenblotches appeared inthe mist ahead of us I straightened as the ancient trees of Avaloncameintofocus.TheblanketslippedfrommyshouldersasIsurveyedtheexpanseofpristinewhitesandsobrightthatI hadtoshieldmyeyes.Notevenarockmarredtheshore.
Thefogmeltedawayaswereachedtheshallows LiamandGalenleaptoutoftheboatandstoodintheseawatertotheir knees to hold us inplace. Lindentookthe blanketfromwhere itpooled around me and folded ittightly. He stuffed itinto a knapsack
Iturnedtofacehim.“Whatcanweexpectnow?”
“It’sgoingtostrikehardandfast We’vebeentoldthatthemomentthecandidatetouchesshoreforthefirsttime,it’sgame on.Thisisthefirsttimewe’velandedonthisbeach.”
I nodded. Inthe other boat, Ingrid struggled to breakthe heel off her shoes. There was nothingI could do about being barefoot Icould,however,improve mystride I’msure this whole thingwas goingtoturnintoa marathonofrunning,andI didn’tneedtheskirtrestrictingme.
Myhands shookas Itried to tear the hemofthe skirtinfrontofmyrightleg For suchtranslucentmaterial, itdidn’trip worthadamn.Ireachedforthesword,pausingandbitingmylowerlipasIstudiedthebladeandtheskirt.HowcouldIbest dothiswithoutseveringmyleg?
“Whatareyoudoing?”LindenaskedasIdrovethebladeintothehemoftheskirtandtriedtosawthroughthematerial. “RippingmydresssoIcanrun.”
“Withthewayyou’regoingaboutit,Ithoughtyouweretryingtochopoffanappendage”Lindenkneltonthefloorofthe boatandremovedtheswordfrommyskirtwithashakeofhishead.IwasremindedofhowmyGuardiandutiesleftverylittle timefordatingwhenmyfingerslongedtorunthroughhishair Lindengrippedthehemandmetmyeyeswithhiswarmbrown ones.“Here?”
“Sure.Nottoomuch.Maybetomyknee?”IgapedasLindenpulledalllayersoffabricapartwithease.Tinglesranalong myskinintandemwithhisknucklesbrushingagainstmybaredleg.Islammedmyhandsdownasthetearshotabovemyknee.
ThesightofLindengrinningasheheldmycalfmademychesttighten.MymouthrandryasIspoke.“Thanks.You’vetornit sofarnowtheentireislandwillgetashowwithmyeverymove”
Lindenshrugged. “If I have to go out onAvalon, at least I’ll have died seeingflashes of the finest legs I’ve seenona Guardian”
“Seenalot,haveyou?”Iaskedprimly.
“No.Typically,theGuardianswearpants.”LindenmotionedformetostayintheboatasheleaptoutandhelpedGalenpull ittoshore Thehullformedgroovesinthesand,theonlyimperfectiononthebeach
“Cordyand Will, I want youto be the last out,” Lindeninstructed. “Everyone else, start movingtowards the tree line. Avalonshouldn’tattackuntilWilltouchesdown,butIwantyoutohavedistance Keepaneyeoutforanythingstrangeandstick closetoGalenorLiam.”
Ingrid reluctantlyreleased Will’s hand and tookLiam’s as he helped her step onto shore She immediatelysankinto the sand. Kai and Hali quicklyfollowed. Liamand Galenlifted bags onto their backs and led the group towards the tree line a hundredyardsaway.
Istoodontheseatoftherowboatandstudiedthetoweringtreesbeyondthesparklingexpanseofwhitesand Thetreeshad grownsoclosetogetherthatIquestionedifwe’dbeabletofitthrough.Mossdarkerthantheleavesgrewalongthetrunksand lowerbranches,someofitreachingtheground
LindenstudiedWillbeforeheturnedhisgazetome.“I’dgrabthesword.Youmayneedit.”
MyupperlipcurledasIglancedattheblade Forsteelthathadbeenunderwaterforanunknowntime,ithadheldupwell There were no signs of rust, but it wasn’t as shinyas I imagined for mystical island blades. Eventhe handle was simple, matchingsteelcurlingaroundthebase.Nosignofjewels.
“Whatifitslowsmedown?”
“Youcanleaveitifyouwant,butI’dsayiftheislandgaveyouagift,Iwouldn’tturnmybackonit.”
Lindenhad a point Avalondidn’tdo anythingwithouta purpose, so Ishouldn’tspitonthis blade and leave itbehind I stoopedtograbit,weighingitinmyhandasIsurveyedthebeachonelasttime.Itseemedimpossibleforanythingtoharmus hereundertheclearestblueskyI’deverseen.Icouldseeformiles;nothingbutperfectlyflatbeach.Thetreeshadtoholdthe threat.
“Youready?”Lindenasked.
IglancedovermyshoulderatWill.Hesethisjaw,determinedtobelievethiswasanelaboratehoax,andnodded.“Onthe countofthree,”Lindensaid.“Onceyourfeethitsand,bereadytorun.”
AlthoughheaddressedWill,Inodded Willmetmygaze Ismiledandhopedthatmysupportwouldcarryhimthroughthe nextfewmoments.
Lindenstoodbetweenthetwoboatsandsteadilycounted Ibracedmyhandsontherimoftheboatandpreparedtoleap down.Ashesaidthree,Ijumpedoutoftheboatandlandedinthesand.Itwassurprisinglysoftonmybareskinandthewarmth soakedthrough,eliminatingthelastofthechillfrommytimeinthelake
TherewasasplitsecondwheretimestoodstillandthepurestmagicI’deverfeltracedthroughmytattoo.ImetWill’seyes overtheboats.MygazewasdrawntoLinden,whostaredatme.Andthenthebeachshook.
“Run!”Lindenshoutedassomethingeruptedfromthesand Ididn’tneedhimtotellmetwice.
The sand slipped under mybare feetas Iscrambled towards Lindenand Will Somethingscrabbled over myskinand I realizedwithhorrorthattiny,whitecrabsscuttledovermyfeet.
Thatwasn’tsobad Itwasdisconcerting I’dgiveAvalonthat tofeelthepinpricksastheirsharplegsdugintomyskin Anyonewearingshoeswouldn’tevenendurethisdiscomfort.Thenthebiggercrabscameintoplay.
Thesandshifted,andthemotiondrewmyattention.Dozensofdisturbancesinthebeachsprangintolifearoundusandthe groupalreadyhalfwaytothetrees Somewerethesizeofmyfist,othersroughlythesizeasmyentirebody Aclawemerged fromoneandsnappedintheair.Iskirtedaroundit.
The entire ground rumbled as the sand tumultuouslyrolled and swayed under myfeet Itdisappeared as the Avaloncrab stood and lifted me withit. Iscreamed as the beadyeye swiveled inmydirectionand Itookaninstinctual step back. Solid footingdisappeared,andItumbledfromthecrabandplummetedtothesandatitsfeet.Oneofitslegs massive,halfthesize ofthetreesI’dneverreachatthisrate liftedaboveme.Icurledintoaballandclosedmyeyes,ahandreachingtowardsthe laketopullittowardsme.Itwouldnevergethereintimetoshieldme.
Insteadofacrushingdeath,somethingrainedonme Warm,thick,andreekingofrot Somethinggrabbedmeandpulledme tomyfeet.“Run!”Lindenyelled.
Ibarelyhadtimetoputtogetherthathehadmyswordinhandandthattherewasaseveredcrableganarm’slengthfrom mebeforeheshovedmetowardsthetreeline.Thecrab’sclawsswungatus,andweducked.
Willhadcaughtuptotheothersinthepartyandtheywerealmosttothefirstofthetrees.Anothercrabsizedlikealarge horse advanced towards them. Sand cascaded fromoverhead as the reigningcrustaceanpursued us. Ittowered over us and blockedthesunfromviewaswedodgedbetweenitslegs.
Wedoveoutofthewayas thecrabtriedtosquishus under its shell Irolledover andpushedtomyfeet Smaller crabs pinchedmyhairanddressandtriedtocrawlalongmyarms.IshookthemoffasbestIcouldasIranfortheforest.Onetwisted my earlobe, and I cried out The pain distracted me, and I came to a stop to wrench it off I ducked as the bigger crab abandonedpursuitoftheothersandturnedtowardsmewithaswipeofitsclaw.
ThesandbeneathmyfeetbecamesofterandcoolerasInearedthetrees.Lindenracedbesidemeinmyperipheralvision. Hebrushedmybackandacrabthesizeofmyhandtumbledtotheground
Lindengrabbedmyhandandpulledmethelastlengthintothetrees.Thelargerofthecrabsjabbedatthetreenearestus. The trunk snapped like a toothpick Linden pressed me into the ground and covered my body with his own The imminent dangerhadnothingonhishandagainstmybackandtheotherpressedintomyhairtopullmeunderhisprotectiveframe.His breathwarmedthebackofmyneckasIsqueezedmyeyesshut
Thefallingtreeseemedtogoonforever as itcollapsedanddisruptedits surroundings.Smaller sticks andleaves rained aroundusasthetrunkstoppedafootaboveus,thetopcaughtonanearbyjunctionofbranches.
Lindenmovedandpushedmeforward Wecrawledbetweentheskeletonofthedownedtreeasthecrabswipedblindlyin theforest.Thetrunksweretoocloseforittopursue.
Oncefreedfromthedebris,Iclimbedtomyfeetandran Branchescutmyfeet,butIbarelyregisteredthepain Something caughtmyskirtandItorefree,notwantingtolosesightofLinden.Hecheckedoverhisshoulder.
Thedirtgavewaytolooseleaves Thescrabblingofthecrabsfadedaway “Linden,Cordy!”Liamshouted “Overhere” It sounded like he’d beenmiles away, but Lindenand Iburst uponthe other halfof our group steps later. Ingrid’s eyes widenedatthesightofme.
“Whatisonyou?”
“Avaloniancrabblood,”Isaid,wrinklingmynose.“Don’taskhowithappened.Idon’twanttothinkaboutit.”
“Whyisitmoving,though?”
“What?”Ishrieked.
Lindenrolledhis eyes andhandedtheswordtoLiam.Hesteppedforwardandswattedatmyskin.Ishiveredas thetiny clawsbecameallIcouldfeel.Pinpricksoftheirsharpfeetcoveredmyentirebody,accompaniedbytheoccasionalpinch.
“They’reinmydress,they’reinmydress,”Igasped,tryingtobatthemoff.
“Whatdoyouwantmetodoaboutthat?”Lindenaskedashepickedonefrommyhair. “Unzipme.Hurry.”
Galencoughedandturnedhisbackas Lindensteppedbehindmeandpulledthezipper down Thetantalizingskimofhis knuckles againstmyskinservedas a wonderful distractionfromthe tinycrabs climbingupmybody.Will andIngridmoved awayashortdistanceandengagedinconversationwithKai
Halisteppedcloserandhelpedpullthepestsfrommyhair.“Thisisthestuffofmynightmares,”shesaid,cringing. “Tellmeaboutit,”IcriedasIshimmiedoutofthedress ThebackofGalen’sneckreddenedasLiamwhistled IflippedLiamoffasIscannedmybodyforfurthersignsofthecreepycrawlies.Iflickedoneoffthestraplessshimmery brathatI’dwornunderthedress.I’dneverguessedthatthebraanditsmatchingsilverpantieswouldbethestarofashowon Avalon
“Checkme,checkme,”IurgedHali.
Shepulledafewmorefrommyhairandmovedmytressesthoroughlytosearchforanyevadingremoval “You’regood” Lindenbentto pickmydress up. He stepped awayand thoroughlyshookit. Ihissed outa breathatthe sightofthe tiny crabs,theirwhiteshellsstarkagainstthedeepgreenoftheforestunderfoot Goosebumpsprickledovermyentirebodyatthe thoughtofputtingthedressbackon,butitwasallIhad.
Lindenofferedittome,butIwaveditoff.“Shakeitsomemore.”
He rolled his eyes but abided mywishes Whenno further crabs dropped to the ground, I nodded, blowingout a deep breath.“Okay.Ithinkwe’regood.”
ItookthedressfromLindenandsteppedbackintoit Imaneuveredmydarkhairoutofitstanglesandstretchedtozipthe dressmyself,muchlikewhenI’dputitonoriginally.Lindenmotionedformetospinaroundwithasinglefinger.
Hislipsbrushedmyearasheleanedforward.Lindenslowlypulledthezipperbackintoplaceandpulledmecloseruntil mybackwasagainsthischest.Linden’shandlooselycurledaroundthebackofmyneck,almostasifgrippingthehiltofmy inkedsword.
“That was my first Guardian strip tease,” he murmured for my ears only Goosebumps prickled along my skin at the sensationofhisbreath.“Nowit’saparty.”
KAI FLICKED SOMETHING OFF MY SHOULDER AS I FOLLOWED LIAM THROUGH THE DENSE BRUSH OF THIS PART OF THE FOREST “Thatgamewasn’tfunnytwentyminutesago,andit’snotfunnynow,”Isaid.
Kaigrinned “Fine NexttimeIseeaweirdbugonyou,I’llleaveitalone I’msureit’snothing” GalensnickeredbehindusasIgrittedmyteethandshookmyarmsincaseanyotherinsectscrawledonme.“Thebugsare theleastofourworries,”Lindensaidfromtherear.
“That’swhatthebugswantyoutothink”KaiwinkedatIngrid Shedidn’treactexcepttopressclosertoWill “Haven’tlostanyonetothebugs.”
“Yet”IrolledmyeyesatLiam’sominoustone
Myskirtsnaggedonabranchforthemillionthtimesincewe’denteredthedensetreescape.Ihissedoutabreathandknelt tofreeit.Linden’slegsappearedinthecornerofmyeye.“How’sthatworkingforyou?”
Ipressedmylipstogetherandtriedtoworkthefabricfreeofthethornsencasingthebranch.“IthinkI’mdoingokay.” “Great.I’monlygoingtosaythisonceasakindoffriendlywarning.Itpaystostayinsightoftherestofthegroup.” IglancedupasGalendisappearedaroundacurve Onlyafew blinksmoreandLindenandIwouldbeleftaloneonthis stretchofthe trail. No time to be delicate. Igripped the fabric close to where itsnared and pulled withas muchforce as I couldmuster ThefabrictoreeasierthanithadintheboatandIfellflatonmyback Linden’smouthtwitchedasheloomedaboveme.Isighedandtriedtopushmyselfup.Thesoftmudatmybackrefusedto freeme.Itseemedasifitdraggedmedeeper.IwidenedmyeyesandreachedforLinden.Hepulledmetomyfeet,usingboth armstotugmeoutofthesoil.
“Thatwasacloseone.”
Lindensmirkedandfollowedthetrail “Yeah Realtouchandgo” Ijoggedtocatchup.“NowthatI’vegotyou,what’stheplan?Dowewalkallnight?DoesAvalonhavenight?”
“Avalonhaswhateveritwants,”hesaid “Itisgettingdarker,though It’sequallydangeroustokeephikingasitistocamp somewhere.Inmytraining,itwassuggestedtocampandtakeshiftssothatwe’dgetsomerest.Theypredictthatthisshitshow getsevenworseifyou’relowonsleepandnotthinkingonyourfeet.”
Inodded “Thatmakessense Mytrainingnevercoveredthat”ThebelieversoftheCamelotcomebackhadalwaysdivided the responsibilities andthe trainingthatcame withit.The Guardians protectedthe candidates andgotthe luckypicks onthe island LiamandGalenwereKnights,trainedtoprotectthecandidateduringtheTrialsandpost-Avalon LindenandRicwere Sorcerers,trainedtofillinasadvisorsandmagicalassistance.ThisgroupwasthestartofWill’sRoundTable.
AsGuardian,onceIgothimtothesword,myjobwasundefined Achill ranupmyspine MaybebecausetheGuardians weren’tlikelytosurvivethejourney.“Now,ifyouneedmetotellacandidatethatthey’rethepotentialsecond-comingofKing Arthur,I’vegotyoucovered.”
Lindenpressedhislipstogetherandglancedatmefromthecornerofhiseye “Ithinkwedid”
“Thatwasthen.Thisisnow.I’mnotthepersonthatIwasatsixteen.”Linden’sshortlaughcarriedtoHaliaheadofus.She curiouslylookedatusaswetrailedbehindthegroupbutturnedherattentionforward “Areyousureaboutthat?”Lindenasked.“You’redressedlikeyouditchedtheHomecomingdanceandleftyourshoesin yourdate’scar”
“Ididn’thaveadatetoHomecoming.OrProm.”
“Letmeguess,youstoodonthewallandhopedthatWillthesuperstarwouldaskyoutodance.”
Igrimaced “Wouldyoudropthat?WillandIwerenevermorethanfriends WhywouldIwanttodatetheguywhoIfelt wasunworthyofbeingareincarnationofArthur?”
Lindenpressedhislipstogetherandshookhishead “Idon’tgetit Iassumeyou’vebeenlyingonyourreportsthisentire time.”
Iburiedmyfaceinmyhands.“Yes.”
“Butwhytheneedtolie?WhatconvincedyouthathewasanArthuriandud?”
IsighedandtriedtopinpointthemomentwheremyGuardiansenseshadtoldmethatWillwasn’ttheChosenOne.“Iguess IrealizedthatIwastheconsciencepushinghimtodoworthythingsandthatifIwasn’tthere,he’dactcompletelydifferent.”
“Whatdoyoumean?”
“Onetimeweweredrivingdownthisroadandheseesakittenontheside.Callsitout.Ihadn’tevenseenit.Andhekept driving Imade himgo back Iheld itinmylap all the wayhome Thatcatlives withmyparents Another time, we had a classmate gettingbullied. Will wasn’t activelyparticipatinginit, but he could have stopped it. The other guys would have listened Isteppedin Oneofhisteammatesgotinmyface ThenWilllaiddowntheultimatumtoleavemeandthisotherkid alone.”
“Whybefriendswithhimatall?”
I paused “He was smart and had this witty sense of humor that charmed everyone No matter how good he was at something likesportsorart,he’sfantasticatdrawing heneverrubbeditin.Formybirthdayoneyearhegavemethissketch he’ddrawnofmesittinginclassreadingabook Istillhaveitinaframe”
Lindenwhistled,lowbutitcarriedtoGalen.HeturnedandmadeeyecontactwithLinden.Hesteppedoffthetrailandthe restofthepartyfollowed “Timetosettleinforthenight,”Lindensaid Good.Thatmeantthisawkwardconversationwasdone.
Iwrestledthroughthelow-hangingbranchesandtriedtokeepupwithLinden.Henimblyhoppedoveradownedtreeand continued towards the small clearing that Galen had managed to find I stopped and swiveled my head in both directions, unabletofindwherethistreeendedorbegan.Itwasuptomyhipsandrottingtothepointwhereitcrumbledinplaces.
Igrippedthestumpofalong-disappearedbranchandtriedtopullmyselftothetopofthelog Myrightfootfoundpurchase andgainedmeafewinches.Asthesupportundermyfootdisintegrated,Ipulledmychesttothetop.Liamtookasteptowards measIbreathedheavily.Imotionedforhimtostayback.
BythetimeIpulledmylegstothetopandwriggledovertheroughbark,theentiregroupwatched.Islidtothegroundand stumbledalittlebutlandedonmyfeet.“What?”Iwipedthetree’ssplintersonmyskirt.
OurAvalonteamhandedtheblanketsoutandbottlesofwater ItookasipandhandedittoHali “Aren’twegoingtostarta fire?”sheasked.
“The flames tend to draw in things curious to see what’s going on,” Liam said “Plus, the Brotherhood has probably droppedthroughtheportalandreachedtheshorebynow.Weneedtokeepundertheirradarforaslongaswecan.”
“Andbecauseyoudidn’tbringsupplies,thatmeansweshareblankets.Wealsoneedtodecideonovernightguardduty.We needaGuardianineachshift.”
“Ifallasleepinnotime,soIcantakethemiddleshift,”Kaisaid.“Itwon’tbothermeatall.”
“Fine YoupartnerwithLiam Hali,you’rewithGalen Cordy,you’rewithme Twohourseachgroupshouldgetustowhat passesasmorninghere.”IchafedattheknowledgethatLindenfelttheneedtokeepmeunderwatch.NotthatIcouldprotest becauseIwasalyingliarwho’dmadetheTrialsanentirelynewballgamebylyingtoWillandnotbeingprepared “Icantakeawatch,”Willprotested.
Lindenshookhishead.“Youneedrest.You’vegottobeatthetopofyourgamethecloserwegettotheend.Therestofus haveitundercontrol”
Wesettledagainsttreesasdarknesssettledinthewoods.Lindenhandedmeadarkstumpofsomething.Icurledmyupper lipasIlookedatit “Whatisthis?”
“Deerjerky.It’sallwe’vegot,soeatup.”
Thegrowlinginmystomachcoulddrawattentionfrommilesaway,soIobedientlytookabite Whileittooksomeeffortto wrestleapieceofmeatloose,thespiceswereunexpectedlydelicious.Ifinisheditquicklyandtookanothersipofwaterfrom Linden’sflask.
Myheadwhippedinthedirectionofmovementinthedarkness,arustlingofleavesontheground “Rabbit,mostlikely,” Lindensaid.“Trustme,ifitwereaproblem,we’dknow.”
“Ifindyourreassuringnaturecomforting”Ispreadtheblanketovermylegs Iofferedthefabrictohim,butheshookhis head.Thattinyrejectionstungalittle,butitwasnicetobeclosetohim.Hiswarmthdrewmecloseruntiltheblankettouched him
“Anyonewanttotellghoststoriesuntilfirstwatch?”Kaiasked.
“Yeah,that’swhatthissituationneeds.”Halisaid.“MaybewecangiveAvalonideas.Thegiantcrabdidn’tgetyou?How abouttheghostsoftheRoundTableKnightsheretokickyourass?”
Kaitiltedtheirhead.“Youdorealizethatyoujustsaiditoutloudandgavetheislandtheidea,right?”
“Someonecouldexplainmoreofwhat’sgoingonhere,”Willsaid Iopenedmymouthtospeak,andhecoldlynarrowedhis eyesatme.“Notyou.”
“Nowseemslikeagoodtimetostartguardduty,”Lindensaidcoldly,narrowinghiseyesatWill.“Cordy,we’reup.Bring yourblanket.”
“Icanansweryourquestions,”Halisaid,givingmeasympatheticglance.“Exceptabouttheghosts.”Liamchuckledsoftly,
breakingtheice.
IpointedatHali andKai menacinglyasIfollowedLindenoutoftheclearing.“Iswear,iftheghostsoftheRoundTable appearatanypointinthis,I’mkickingbothyourasses”
Lindendidn’tspeakaswedidanexploratorylaparoundourcamp’sperimeter.Itrailedinhiswakeandtriedtowalkas quietlyashim Itdidn’tseemtomatterthathewasinsturdyhikingbootsandthatIhadbarefeet Imadetentimesthenoisehe did.
Ipausednexttohim,myblanketcurledinmyarms,ashestudiedastump “Here’stheplan,”hesaid “Thisiswhereyou willstayandkeepaneyeout.Iwillremainnexttoyouexceptfortheoccasionalsweeparoundtheentirecamp.WhenIamnot atyourside,youneedtobehypervigilantbecausethat’swhenweareatourmostvulnerable.”
“Thenwhydon’tIwalkwithyou?”
Linden snorted softly. “I think we both know. Anything that didn’t know where we were before does now. I thought Guardiansweresupposedtobeatonewiththeisland”
ImusedoverhiswordsasIhuddledundertheblanket.OveradecadehadpassedfromthedaysmyGuardianassignment involvedreadingaboutour historyandstrengthsandweaknesses Thedrywordshadceasedtoexistinmymemoryoncethe dangerofpopquizzesoverthematerialpassed.
Asinglepagestuckinmymemory,though,evennow.Awomaninalongwhitedressstandingonacliffside,overlooking thevastlakeaheadofher Sheheldasword almostasifsheforgotitwasinhergrasp thatentangledwiththefoldsofher skirt.Wildflowers inbrightpops ofcolor amongstthedeepgreenofthegrass sprinkledtotheentrywayofadarkcave.The bottomofthepage,inscriptsoshakyithadbeenalmostimpossibletoread,proclaimed,‘OnAvalon,sheismostformidable’
Whywasn’tIformidable?Eveninadressgrowingmorefrayedbytheminuteandbarefeet,thisplacewasmydestiny.My blood came fromthis island. Itwould probablyspill onthis island. This teamwas onlyas strongas its weakestlink, and I wouldbedamnedifthatwouldbeme.NorwouldIletitbeWill.No,I’dgottenhimthisfar.I’dgethimtherestoftheway.
Lindenrose to his feetand Iwatched his backuntil he disappeared into the darkness. The sounds ofAvalon’s nocturnal activityimmediatelybecame threatening Crickets chirped, but perhaps theyheralded our positionto the island and invited attack.Somethingstirredinthe brushtomyleft.Inthe distance,a mournful howl struckupa chorus ofaccompanyinghowls untilmymindwasconvincedthisentireislandheldnothingbutwolves
Asmallbranchcrackedsomewheretomyleft.Isatupstraighterandlettheblanketslidefrommyshoulders.Fearsqueezed mylungs,andIboltedupright,readytoshirktheblanket.ItookadeepbreathasIreachedforthenearestsourceofwater,the treesaroundme.
“Don’tpanic.”Linden’svoiceemergedfirstfromthedarkness.“It’sme.”
“Greatideatosneakuponme,”Isaid,“soIthinkyou’reoneofthewolvescircling” Lindensettlednexttome.“They’renotcircling.We’dknow.”
“IsupposeAvalonianwolvesaredifferentfromregularwolves” “Bigger.Faster.Moreteeth.”
Ipressedmylipstogetherathishushedlistandmaderoomforhimonthestump.“Perfect.”
KaiandLiamsubbedinforusjustwhenIthoughtIcouldn’tkeepmyeyesopenanylonger Iremainedseatedonthestump whileLindenquietlypassedoninstructionstothem.ThelattereyedmeasIyawnedandreachedouttoflicksomethingfrommy shoulder
“You’renotfunny,”ImutteredasIstood. “Youhadaspideronyourshoulder” “Mmhmm.”
The exhaustionsetinas Ifollowed Lindento the clearing. Hali’s eyes fluttered as Ipassed her outstretched formonthe ground She sleptback-to-backwithGalen Sandwiched betweenthe restofus inthe center ofthe clearing, Will and Ingrid slepttangledtogetherinthefashionofacouplecomfortablewiththemselves.
IsettledonthegroundnexttoLindenandofferedhimtheblanket “Howdoyouwanttodothis?”Iasked “Yougetcomfortablefirst.Thefirstnightonthegroundistheworst.”
“Youknowjustwhattosaytomakeagirlfeelbetter,”IsighedasIbrushedleavesoutoftheway Ilaiddownonmyback andgrimacedasitpopped.Lindenwaited,browsslightlyfurrowed. “Yougood?”
Iwriggledinthedirtinadesperatesearchforcomfort “Yes”
Lindenstretchedtheblanketovermyframeandsettlednexttome.Heturnedawayfromme.“Don’ttakeitpersonally,”he saidoverhisshoulder “You’recoveredinsomegrossthings,andIdon’twanttosmellyouallnight” Istifledalaughandshovedhisside.“Rude.” “Getsomesleep.”
Althoughmyeyes burned withthe desire to sleep, Icouldn’tpass the threshold into rest. Abranchduginto myhip. The groundwastoohardundermyhead.AndeverysoundseemedamplifiedwhenIwasatthislevelofdefenseless.
IturnedtoputmybacktoLindenandcradledmycheekinmyhand.Withinmoments myarmtingledas itfell asleep.At leastsomethingattachedtomybodycoulddoso.Isighed quietly,Ithought androtatedtomybackoncemore.Thebranch atmyhipwasgonebuthadbeenreplacedbyarockundermyshoulderblade Iinchedupwardsslightly,desperateforrelief
Lindenturnedtofaceme.Iturnedmyfacetowardshimandshrankinthefireofhisbrowneyes.“Ican’tgetcomfortable,”I saidinatinyvoice “Iamnotonewiththeisland”
Hiseyessoftened,andheoutstretchedhisarm.“Usemeasapillow.”
TheoffermeltedmyheartandtossedmebackintothedeependofsummerswhereIcrushedonthesomberolderSorcerer brotheratcamp.TherewasnothingIwantedmorethantogetclosertohim,andthatmademehesitate.Icouldn’taffordtoget distracted.
“Won’tyourarmgonumb?”
“HopefullyI’llbeasleepbeforeit’sanissuebecauseyou’llbeasleep.AllIaskisthatifwegetattacked,youcoverforme untilfeelingreturnstomyarm”
“Deal.”Iscooteduntilmyheadrestedonhisbicep.Chesttochest,IclosedmyeyesasIfeltaflushbuildinginmycheeks. Hissoftbreathsbrushedmyforehead “Linden?”Istaredathischinintently “Hmm?”
“I’msorryyouhavetobreathemeinallnight.”
Linden’svoicesoundedlikehesmiled,butexasperationcreptaroundtheedges “Gotosleep”
Iclosedmyeyesagainandtriedtoclearmymind.Thatdidn’twork.Insteadoffightingthethoughtscompletely,Ireplaced thebadoneswithmorepleasantideas
Thewolveshowlingseemedtooloud?Linden’sslow,evenbreathswerecloserandmorecomforting.Myfeetwerecold? NotforlongbecauseLindengaveoffenoughheattokeepuswarmundertheblanket.Myhandscreptclosertohisbodytoget closertothatwarmth,andItwistedmyfingersinhisshirt.
Irealizeddrowsilythathisfingersabsentlyplayedwithmyhair.Asmilespreadslowlyacrossmyface.“Thatfeelsnice,”I whisperedintohisneck
Lindenimmediatelystilled.“Therewasaspiderinyourhair.”
Abeatpassed “Linden?”
“What?”heasked,atingeofirritationcreepingintohisvoice.
“I’mreallygladyouhaven’trunoutofdeodorantyetorthiswouldn’twork.”
Alaughrumbledinhischestandhisfingersworkedthroughtheendsofmyhairagain.“Fortheloveofallthatisgood,go tosleep.”
CAMPING NEVER APPEALED TO ME THE MULTITUDE OF REASONS FLOODED MY BRAIN THE MOMENT I WOKE UP I KEPT MY EYES closedasItookmentalstockofmyachesandpains.
Myneckfeltlikeitwouldneverturntotherightagain Myhandshadescapedtheconfinesoftheblanketthroughthenight andleftmewithfingertipsthatachedfromthecold.Althoughithadtobeclosetodawn,whichmeantwewereofficiallyone daydownwithtwelve to achieve our goal, I felt as if I’d not gottenanysleep. I’d wokenup at everystir inthe brushor whisperofthewind WhenKaiandLiamhadswitchedwithHaliandGalen,I’dstaredatthedarknessoverheadandlistened tothebranchesjostletogether.
I grimaced as something dripped on my forehead My dress finally felt dry Of course, the island had decided that we neededrainfall.
Theneedtopeeinrelativeprivategotmyeyesopen.Ifrownedatthethickwhiteropesthatwovetogetherdirectlyovermy head.Icouldn’tsitup.Itwistedmyheadandsawthattheropesextendedacrosstheentireclearing.Adarkshapemovedabove WillandIngrid.Istifledascreamasaspidertwicethesizeofmecontinuedtoweaveitsintricateweb.
Anotherspiderhungonlyfeetaboveme Itsrearlegshurriedlyspunthesilkyrope Aglobfelltotheground
I tapped myhand onLinden’s bicep. He woke up immediatelywitha frowninplace. The frowndeepened as myeyes widened
“Oh,thankgod,”Hali’svoicecamefromnearby.“You’reawake.”
“Howthehelldidtwospidersencaseourentirecampinaweb?”
“Wekeptwatchoutwards,”Halisaidprimly.“Thesethingscamefromabove.We’vebeenwatchingandwaiting.”
“Helpful,”Lindenmuttered.Ipinchedhisside.I’dawokenateverythingovernightandIhadn’tnoticedthiseither.Itdidno goodtopointfingers
“Wetriedtowakeyouup,buttoomuchnoisedrewtheirattention.”Halicastafurtiveglanceupwardstocheckthathersoft voicehadn’tcaughtthenoticeofthespiders “Galen’soriginalplanwastopullLiamoutbecausehewasclosesttoanedge, butthedamnbigoneshotawebathim.He’sstucktoatreebyLiamandKai.”
“Whichone’sthebigone?”Iasked,myvoiceshaking.
“Nottheonebyyou,”Kaisaid “ThealtercationwokeLiamandmeup We’reaboutafootawayfromfreedom Slowbut steadyhasworked.”
Lindengrittedhisteeth “WhataretheoddswecanwakeWillandIngridupwithoutafuss?”
Iwrinkledmynoseathim.“Will’saheavysleeper.Ingridisawildcard.”
“Where’syoursword?”
“Behindmesomewhere.”Istretchedmyarmbehindmybackandfeltaroundforthecoldsteel.Igrimacedatthepaininmy shoulderblade.“Ican’tfinditunlessIrollovercompletely.”
Westudiedthespideroverus “Let’snotriskit,”Lindensaid Hisarmundermyheadmovedashesearchedforthesword Myheartjumpedinmychestasthespiderdroppedafootwithnonotice.IflinchedintoLinden’schest.Thespiderpaidusno mindandspunitsweb
Iraisedaquiveringhandtowardstheneareststrandofweb.Lindengrabbedmyhand.“Iwouldn’t.”
“TherecouldbewaterthatIcoulduse,”Iwhispered “Somespidershavetoxinsorparalyticsintheirsilk.Let’snotriskit.”
Thewildcardchosethatmomenttowakeupandscream.Willbolteduprightandbecametangledintheweb.“Shutup,”I urged,tryingnottoraisemyvoiceandgarnerarachnidattention “Stopmoving Stop moving!” “Whatthehellishappening?”Willsoundedpissed,butatleastheheldstill.Iranmyeyesoverhisframe,satisfiedthatthe webonlytouchedmaterialofhisclothing,notbareskin
Ingridstoppedtoo.Nowonherstomach,shecouldn’tseethe‘bigone’descendingtheintricatelayersofwebtoinvestigate themovement.Will letoutachokedsoundasitapproached.He’dhadabadexperiencewithatarantulainabioclassthatI suspectedhauntedhim.AndAvalonhadcluedrightinonit.
