Page 58 of Goody Magic Academy: Year Three

Then, with a deafening roar, I unleashed a torrent of flame upon the Bloodborne Brotherhood, making the air shimmer with its heat.

Their sudden panicked cries of “Dragons!” filled the air as they scattered, abandoning my father in their haste to escape.

The high priestess’ face contorted with fear as she aimed the Dragon Nexus at me, its evil power reaching out to me like tendrils, and I felt the veil of its control descending, my body shaking as I fought off its influence.

Twyla’s voice rang out clear and determined, cutting through the chaos of battle.

“By earth and air, by fire and sea,

Shield this dragon, protect her from thee.

Ancient powers, heed my call,

Let no evil upon her fall!”

A shimmering barrier materialized around me. Twyla’s quick thinking and magical prowess had formed a protective cocoon that enveloped me, providing an extra layer of defense.

The spell’s energy pulsed through me, reinforcing my own resistance against the Nexus’ dark influence. I had regained control.

Although her limbs shook and her movement was slow, Raven got up from the ground and approached the high priestess, forcing the high priestess to aim the Nexus at her.

Raven lowered her head, as if trying to shield herself from the powerful, dark veil.

I let loose another stream of fire, igniting the grass around the high priestess. Panic flooded her eyes. “Balthazar—help me.”

But the demon did nothing and simply stood there, as if waiting for something.

The high priestess aimed the Dragon Nexus straight at me again. The evil veil descended over me once more, and I trembled. But then Raven threw her head back and let out another shriek. She got closer and closer to the high priestess, forcing the high priestess to turn the Dragon Nexus away from me and aim it at her.

Finn released a plume of fire at the high priestess, and she aimed the Nexus at him, causing him to falter in midair as he battled it. Kamaron came up behind the high priestess and let out another stream of fire. She screamed as it ignited her robes, then cried out a spell that extinguished the flames.

All three of us converged upon her, sending a wall of fire straight at her and the Dragon Nexus. I could feel its evil trying to survive. Raven joined us and released a white blaze of fire.

The Dragon Nexus turned black, cracked, and shattered into smithereens. A dark cloud burst out of the fragments and swirled around the high priestess. Then she screamed in agony,burst into flames and melted away to nothing, just like the wicked witch inThe Wizard of Oz.

Chapter

Thirty-Two

Lucien landed and instantly ran over to Raven. She was panting and suffering, but alive. The vampires landed next and stood behind them.

“The high priestess may be dead,” Balthazar said, “but I’m not.” He twirled the hellish sword in his hand. “Say goodbye to your mate, Lucien. I should warn you, paybacks arehell.”

I released another stream of fire at the demon. It engulfed him briefly but then died down.

Balthazar threw his head back and let out a sinister laugh. “Did you actually think fire could hurt me? Me, who lives in Hell itself?”

Headmaster Tarus faced him. “No, but I know someone who can send you back there.”

Lightning crackled behind Kamaron, Finn, and I—strange lightning, with a power in it I had never felt before.

Balthazar’s face drained of color when he saw it, his eyes widening in obvious terror. The hellish sword in his hand trembled, its menacing aura diminished by its wielder’s sudden uncertainty.

“No… It can’t be…” Balthazar whispered fearfully.

A blinding burst of lightning split the sky open, striking the ground with a deafening crack. The air was alive with residual energy, the scent of ozone sharp and pungent. As the light faded, a figure materialized where the bolt had touched the earth.

The newcomer towered over everyone else present, his flowing black hair cascading over broad, muscular shoulders. Tight leather pants hugged his powerful legs, and in his right hand he held a sword that glowed with inner light. From his back, a pair of enormous white wings unfurled, stretching out to an impressive span before settling again.

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