Page 54 of Phoenix Academy: Mayhem

Reaching inside my pack, I draw out a thick white piece of chalk and meticulously draw the rune, making it big enough for all four of us to stand inside. It takes several minutes, but I have to be careful here, or the spell won't work. Once the chalk is done, I grab the drawing I did of Lizzy and place it in the middle of the rune, weighing it down with a small rock. Her smiling face stares up at me from the pages, full of mocking.

"Alright, get inside. It's time."

As we gather in the circle, Headmaster Towers, who's been observing this the whole time, speaks up. "Good luck, Ari. If you run into any issues, you have my number. Don't hesitate to call."

"Call me first," Dani responds, piping up from her spot next to the headmaster. "I have four demons. The headmaster has... none. So y'know, I'll be far more helpful."

I smile at both of them, and laugh at the way long-suffering Headmaster Towers turns her head away to roll her eyes. "Everything will be okay. All I have to do is get to her, grab her, and get out. It can't be that hard."

Or at least, that's what I've been telling myself.

Gathering my strength and courage, I look down towards the rune, and carefully speak the words to make the spell come to life. "Alhatraska, morento, bìanna cata, loræ."

Wind stirs around me.

I throw my phoenix flames on the ground and watch them race across the chalk lines, bringing them to life.

The air glows.

Magic grows.

And all at once, a window opens in the air in front of us: woods near a graveyard, a stone church, and a gathering of grey-robed people. A familiar figure in the middle catches my eye.

"Lizzy."

Together, we walk through the portal, and across space and time towards my sister.

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