Page 35 of Goody Magic Academy: Year Three

I nodded, feeling a blush creep up my neck despite the gravity of our situation. “I figured it was the only way. But I... I don’t know if I can do it.”

Jaxon’s expression softened. He reached out, his hand warm on my cheek. “You can,” he said, his voice full of a confidence I wished I felt myself. “And I’ll be right there with you.”

The sound of voices in the distance made us both tense. We were out of time.

“Ready to spread your wings?” Jaxon asked, his eyes glinting with excitement.

I took a deep breath, steeling myself for what was to come. “Ready as I’ll ever be.”

Chapter

Eighteen

Armed guards streamed out of Ravenwood Estate like a frenzied swarm of ants, their boots pounding the earth in a chaotic rhythm. The acrid scent of sweat mixed with gunpowder filled the air as they fanned out across the grounds.

My heart thundered in my chest as I stripped off my undergarments. Adrenaline surged through my veins, every nerve ending alive with anticipation and fear. Jaxon didn’t turn around, but it didn’t matter. He’d already seen me in my birthday suit.

The shouts got closer to our hiding place. My muscles and bones twisted and lengthened faster than ever before. A searing heat spread from my core to my extremities. The sensation was both exhilarating and terrifying, like being unmade and reborn in an instant. Shifting was becoming easier and easier for me.

Simon came out of the building and stood on the front porch, scanning the grounds. “Find her, you idiots. She can’t have gotten far.”

A tall, muscular, meathead of a man looked over his shoulder. “You sure she can’t shift into a dragon?” he asked dubiously.

“Positive.” Simon put his hands on his hips. “Marsha says she’s completely powerless.” Such a lie. How did he explain me burning off the manacles, melting the bars, or smashing through the window? Looked like he didn’t give a shit about what happened to his men so long as his little fanny was protected. What an asshole!

He walked down the steps to the long driveway. “I need her caught. Maximo Barone offered to pay one million for her.”

I narrowed my eyes and hissed, smoke puffing out of my nostrils.

Some of the men heard me, stopped, and scrambled back.

“She’s in there.” One of them pointed, his voice shaking with terror. He turned and ran back toward Ravenwood Estate. “I don’t care what Marsha says, she’s a fucking dragon.”

“Get Simon,” Jaxon said as he climbed onto my back. “I have an idea.”

I burst out from our hiding spot. My massive, powerful wings unfurled, sending leaves and debris swirling in chaotic eddies around me.

The night sky embraced me as I soared upward, the cool air rushing over my scales. Deep within my chest, I felt the inferno building. With a savage, primal roar, I unleashed a torrent of flame that lit up the sky even more brightly than the sun. The heat seared the air, the acrid smell of smoke and burning vegetation filling my nostrils as I reveled in my newfound powers.

My blood thudded between my ears like a bass drum as I swooped down toward Simon, my talons outstretched. The wind whipped past me, carrying his terrified screams as I snatched him off the ground.

“No! Let me go!” Simon shrieked, his legs kicking wildly at the air. His fists pummeled against my scaled legs as I carriedhim higher. It felt like a moth’s wings fluttering frantically against me.

With a quick twist, I dropped him onto the roof. The impact forced a painful grunt from his lungs as roof tiles clattered and cracked beneath him.

Jaxon jumped off my back, his boots crunching as he landed on the rooftop. He grabbed Simon by the throat and lifted him off the roof, bringing their faces close together. “I’m only going to ask you once—where’s the Dragon Nexus?”

Simon clawed at Jaxon’s grip. “Let go of me, you bastard.” He lashed out, slapping and kicking at Jaxon’s face and torso.

Jaxon broke out into a surly smile. “Listen to me, you prick.” He shook Simon like a rag doll. “I’m counting to three…actually, no, I’m counting to one…then I’m going to drop you and Peyton’s going to burn you to a crisp.”

“No, please. Don’t.” Simon’s voice cracked with panic. “Here! Take it!” He fumbled in his jacket, pulling out a purple pouch and handing it to Jaxon.

Jaxon opened the pouch and emptied the contents in his hand, revealing a large almond-shaped golden jewel with a big green eye.

The moment the jewel came into view I felt a wave of energy wash over me. Enormous power radiated from the stone, an otherworldly warmth that pulsed like a heartbeat. I don’t know why I hadn’t felt it earlier, when it was in his pocket. Maybe the purple pouch was enchanted—Marsha’s doing, no doubt.

Jaxon snatched the Nexus and stuffed it into his jacket. “Thank you,” he said with exaggerated politeness, dropping Simon onto the roof. “We appreciate your cooperation.”

---