Page 32 of Goody Magic Academy: Year Three

Simon headed toward the door. “Come along, Marsha. Quickly. We have other merchandise to inspect.”

Merchandise? Was he talking magical objects or…people?

The door slammed shut with a finality that echoed in the empty room. The sound of the lock clicking into place reverberated through my very bones. I was alone again.

This was it—the moment of truth. Could I really do this with panic rushing through me like a tsunami?

I took a deep breath then whispered, “By moon’s light and shadow’s might, Let chains of magic take their flight. Bracelets break, release the power, Return to me in this hour.”

For a heart-stopping moment, nothing happened. Then, with a soft click, the bracelets fell away from my wrists.

Relief washed over me like a cool wave, momentarily drowning out my fear and despair. Even through my panic, my magic had worked. It was only a small victory, but one that kindled a spark of hope in my chest.

I still wasn’t free, though. The other manacles still bound me, cold and unyielding against my skin. Jaxon’s words echoed in my mind: draw on the power of my dragon. I had never attempted this before, and doubt gnawed at my insides like a rat chewing on old shoe leather. Would it even work? Marsha had said the manacles would make me unable to shift.

I closed my eyes. The frantic thoughts racing through my mind were a cacophony of fear and desperation, but I forced them to quiet, drawing on every scrap of knowledge I’d gleaned about shifters and shifting at Goody Academy.

Deep breaths. In, out. In, out. With each exhalation, I pushed away the terror, replacing it with focus on the following inhalation.

In my mind’s eye, I pictured myself transforming. No longer a helpless girl chained to a bed, but a majestic black dragon. I envisioned scales rippling across my skin, obsidian and gleaming. Wings, powerful and vast, unfurling from my back. I was wild, untamed, a force of nature just waiting to be unleashed.

The image crystallized, becoming more vivid with each passing second. I could almost feel the weight of the horns onmy head, the strength in my clawed limbs. And then, unbidden, a new vision blazed to life.

Fire. Not just any fire…dragon fire. White-hot and all-consuming, it danced behind my closed eyelids. I could almost smell the smoke, feel the searing heat on my face. In the vision, the flames licked at the manacles, the metal glowing red, then white, then beginning to warp and melt.

Burn, burn, burn, manacles.

I chanted repeatedly, silently willing the imaginary fire to become real.

My entire body tensed up, my muscles straining against the restraints. Sweat beaded on my forehead, rolling down my temples. The air around me felt like it was thickening, charged with magical energy.

“Come on,” I muttered through gritted teeth, my jaw clenched so tightly it ached. “Work, damn it. Work!”

I poured every ounce of will, every shred of desperation and determination into my command. The manacles simply had to melt. They had to break. My life, my freedom, everything… It all depended on this moment.

A tingling sensation began in my fingertips, spreading slowly up my arms. Was it just my imagination, or did the metal around my wrists feel warmer? The air felt like it shimmered, as if distorted by intense heat.

My heart raced, pounding so hard I could feel it in my throat, and the tingling intensified, becoming a burning that surged through my veins. It was overwhelming, like liquid fire coursing through my body seeking release.

I clenched my fists, my nails digging into my palms. “Break,” I hissed, no longer sure if I was speaking aloud or just in my mind. “Break!”

The burning sensation reached a violent crescendo, and for a moment, the world seemed to hold its breath. Then, with asound like a thunderclap, energy exploded outward from my body.

My eyes flew open, blinking against the sudden brightness. Spots danced in my vision, and for a terrifying second, I wasn’t sure if anything had changed. But as my sight cleared, I saw the manacles lying in twisted, smoking heaps on either side of the bed.

I stared in disbelief, my wrists raw but gloriously free. A hysterical laugh bubbled up in my throat, equal parts relief and shock.

It had worked. Against all odds, it had actually worked! I wasn’t powerless after all!

A new determination settled into my spine. I wasn’t just a victim anymore. I was Peyton, witch and black dragon, and I was going to bust my way out of this prison.

And then I was going to find the Dragon Nexus.

Chapter

Seventeen

Isat up in the bed, my body still thrumming with residual energy. The room spun slightly, and I took a deep breath to steady myself. Freedom was within reach, but I needed a plan.

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