Page 160 of Shadow Charms

“Aim at the stalactite,” Dewey said.

Paige poked the wand toward the large structure, zapping it. It cracked but did not fall. She quickly reactivated it and shot the base again. The crack splintered farther, threatening to fall as she ducked around it.

With one last shot over her shoulder, the large rock structure broke free and crashed to the floor. The massive pile of rock cut off most of the opening leading from the cave, leaving only a tiny glowing red slit at the top.

A few pixies buzzed through.

Paige whirled to face them, pointing the wand in their direction. “Move and I shoot.”

They skidded to a halt midair, their long arms shooting up over their heads.

“Stay back,” Paige warned as she backed away from them.

She shot another stalactite from the ceiling, trapping the pixies behind it before she and Dewey turned and fled from the cave.

They followed their path back to the main entrance, bursting from the cave into the cool night air.

Paige sucked in deep breaths as she doubled over, leaning on her thighs.

“Wow, that was crazy,” Dewey said between gasps.

“Yeah,” Paige agreed, her lips curling at the edges as she raised her eyes to his. “But we got it!”

She waved the wand in the air with a chuckle.

“Hey, watch where you’re putting that thing.”

“Oh, sorry,” Paige said, lowering it to point at the ground.

Dewey spun in a circle as he searched the area. “I hate to ruin our triumphant moment, but I doubt that block is going to hold them back for long.”

“I agree,” Paige said.

“And we’re hours from the airstrip. We’d better get a move on if we plan to hike to the evac zone.”

“I’ve got a better idea.”

Dewey flicked his eyebrows up as Paige dangled a key fob in the air. “These came out of Drucinda’s pocket when I grabbed the wand. I’d bet there’s a vehicle of some kind around here.”

Paige pressed the red button on the key fob. In the distance, a horn blared.

Dewey grinned at her. “Paige, you are the best librarian ever. Now, let’s get back to Shadow Harbor and throw it in the Grand Archive’s face!”

* * *

Paige descended the stairs with Dewey perched on her shoulder. The wand, Holigramium, and Crystal of Increased Energy rattled around in the carrier that dangled from her arm.

She grinned at Ronnie who waited below in the hangar, flanked by two armed guards prepared to transport the precious cargo back to the archive.

The corners of Ronnie’s lips turned up, and she waved her hands at her sides. “You did it. I can’t believe it, but you did it.”

“You didn’t actually think we’d fail, did you?” Dewey asked.

“Of course not,” Ronnie said, shooting Paige a knowing glance. “I hired the right people for the job.”

Paige handed the carrier off to the two security guards who loaded the items into special containers before placing them in the back of an armored truck.

“Heading home?” Ronnie inquired as the truck pulled out on its way to the library.

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