Page 77 of Monster's Mystery

I had entered the forest now, only half my usual height. The trees loomed over me, even more intimidating when I was alone. I swallowed my fear and pushed onward, Bruce’s trail veering toward the right.

“This is the same trail we followed with that spell that tracked the flow of magic!” I fumed. I paused for a moment, changing the spell on my vision. All the little threads of magic were firmly attached now, pulsing with energy. “He cut them!” I gasped. “He didn’t want me to find his hideout, so he cut them on purpose so that they wouldn’t lead me anywhere!”

I shook my head. “He must have come back after Aiden and I left him, and reattached them. What anasshole!”

Even more careful now, I took my time following his path. I was worried that if I misstepped, the spell would ricochet off of me. I wasn’t sure of the end result if that happened, but magic was unpredictable. I could end up staying small, or I might explode.

I was no taller than the plants at this point, and I was starting to worry about what might happen if I met any animals.

Would they see me as predator or prey?

Fortunately, I didn’t need to worry too much about that, as the footsteps led me up to the base of a giant tree. I could still see the academy when I looked to the right; I was only about five steps into the forest.

I stood in Bruce’s footprints and examined the tree in front of me. “If I was a doorknob, where would I be?” I murmured to myself, reaching out with my right hand. It went right through the bark and I scowled. “Illusioned or a portal?” I took a deep breath, set my shoulders, and walked through.

It took a moment for my eyes to adjust to the bright lighting inside the tree. There was a staircase to my left, winding up around the inside edge of the tree and to the level above me. Right in front of me, though, was the statue of Clarissa Blackthorn.

I walked up to her, able to examine her face up close for the first time. What I had always thought was a noble expression was actually fear. I could see it in her eyes. She had known what was coming for her, and although she looked outwardly calm, she had still been afraid.

“I’m sorry,” I whispered to her. “But I can’t let Bruce go through with this.”

“Siobhan!” exclaimed a voice, and I whirled, casting a defensive spell as I did.

It was Aiden.

“Oh my God,” I choked out. “You’re all right!” I dismissed the shield and threw myself at him, crying with relief.

Aiden caught me. “Of course I’m all right. What are you doing here? I thought—”

“I’m here to rescue you before Bruce drains your soul to bring his wife back to life!” I blurted out. “Is Hazel here? And the others? We’ve got to go before Bruce knows I’m here!”

“Too late for that,” Bruce said, exiting a door behind the statue that I had missed on my first glance around the room. He crossed his arms across his chest. “You shouldn’t have followed me. You shouldn’t have beenableto follow me.”

Aiden let out an exasperated snort. “You don’t know her as well as I do. I’m impressed it took her this long to put the pieces together.”

“You knew?” I gasped, pulling away from him.

Aiden pulled me back to him. “He told me last night when he asked for my help.”

“You’re willing to give upeverythingto bring his wife back?” I asked, slapping his chest for emphasis. “Don’t I get a say in this?”

Aiden looked confused. “I’m supposed to only be gone for a day. We’re going to cure her tonight when the full moon rises.”

“Gone for a day?” I gaped at him. Then I took a deep breath. “How, exactly, are you going to cure her?”

“That’s the real question,” Bruce said, stepping forward. His eyes were glinting with mischief. “Did you really think that I would drain a single soul, let alone thirteen souls, to save one person?”

“I don’t know what to think,” I exclaimed, exasperated. “You shouldn’t even be here! How are you here?”

Bruce checked his watch. “We’ve got plenty of time for a story. Why don’t you come up to the common room and I’ll tell you all about it. You can also see for yourself that everyone else is safe, including Hazel.”

I brightened at the mention of her name. “She’s here?”

“Of course she is,” Bruce said. “She’s been helping me from the beginning. I needed a plant witch who really knew their stuff. She’s brilliant, you know.”

“I know!” I preened on behalf of my friend. “Okay, I’m ready to hear your story.”

Bruce gestured to the staircase, and Aiden led the way up.

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