Part 22 (1/2)

Friend? We were a little more than that, werent we? As of last summer? Sh.e.l.ley asked, sounding a little offended.

Yeah, um, of course. So what are you doing here, anyway? Cyrus said, obviously desperate to change the subject.

I work here, duh, she replied, pointing to her s.h.i.+rt, which was st.i.tched with the museums logo. The real question is, what are you doing here, since its obviously not to see me? Sh.e.l.ley pouted.

Cyrus relented and smiled. It is really good to see you. I miss everyone. Think your mom will ever let you visit me?

I wish. I bet you have such a rockin good time in Arden. Is that where youre from? Sh.e.l.ley asked Valerie.

But before she could reply, Cyrus jumped in, Yup, shes an Arden native. So, are there any good parties going on tonight? We could use some fun.

Yeah, theres one at the Where-o-well. Should be cool”Frankies got some new Earth music that he says is pretty good. So if you two are up for dancing, come! Sh.e.l.ley said, and then scooted off Cyruss knee.

Definitely. And hey, good to see you, really, Cyrus said before he and Valerie walked away to find Cara and Kanti.

After Sh.e.l.ley was out of earshot, Valerie said, Old girlfriend of yours, player?

What? No. Well, yes, kinda. But now were friends. What are you getting on my case for? Cyrus asked, fl.u.s.tered.

Whoa, relax. Sh.e.l.ley seemed cool. Im excited to go to my first Messinian party and meet your friends.

What party are we talking about? Kanti asked as she and Cara joined them. Cyrus filled them in, and they were both excited to go, Kanti for the music and dancing, Cara for a chance to hang out with the older crowd.

Gideon soon joined them, and the group left the museum. The rest of the day flew by as Cyrus and Cara took them around the city, pointing out the major sights, such as a set of giant, five-story statues of the Globes founders, including Azra, and an elaborate garden in the middle of the city where botanists from around the world came to study. Gideon insisted on scouting every location for signs of anything suspicious, but if he saw anything out of the ordinary, he didnt mention it.

Chapter 36.

For dinner, Valerie, Cyrus, Kanti, Gideon, and Cara went to a popular restaurant that served Earth food, and Valerie relished her hamburger and fries, which were at least as tasty as any that she had eaten on Earth. It was nice not to feel like such a newbie in Messina, like she did when they were in Arden where every new feat of magic astonished her but didnt make anyone else look twice.

After they finished their milkshakes, they headed back toward the car. Its a little early, but why dont we head over to the Where-o-well for the party? Its less than a mile away, Cyrus said, pointing.

Yes, I ran past it last night while scouting. Since its close, Ill run over, Gideon said. It will give me a chance to make sure the surrounding woods are safe. Ill meet you there in fifteen minutes.

With that, Gideon took off at a speed that Valerie would have sworn required magic, if she hadnt known that he didnt have a power. A twinge of worry pinched her as she watched Gideon race off. Something about having him near made her feel safe. But she forced herself to shake the feeling off as she and the rest of the group piled into the car.

Where-o-well is such a funny name. What is it? A park? Kanti asked.

Actually, its one of the most famous landmarks in Messina. Its the only magical place on the whole island, Cara said importantly. It looks like a normal stone well, but its filled with magic, not water. Eighteenth birthdays here are marked by a special ceremony. The birthday person jumps into the Where-o-well. Instead of hitting the bottom, the well spits the person out at a random location somewhere on the Globe. Then they have to find their way back to Messina with only what is in their pockets. Its kind of a rite of pa.s.sage to prove that youre an adult. By coming back, youre saying that you accept the rules of Messina and you want to live here. Of course, some people cant wait until they turn eighteen to jump in, Cara said, giving Cyrus a significant look.

What does she mean, Cy? Valerie asked.

It wasnt my fault! When I was six, I was visiting the Where-o-well on a fieldtrip. When the guards werent looking, I sneaked past them so I could peer down the well, because I was curious about what the magic in there looked like. Well, I leaned over the edge, and sort of fell in. I wound up in Arden. Luckily, Azra found me and delivered me to an aunt who lives there. But as soon as I saw Arden, I fell in love and never wanted to leave. My parents finally let me go to school there because I kept trying to run away after I came back.

I cant wait till its my turn! Cara said excitedly. Youre supposed to make your mind completely blank, so that the Where-o-well sends you where fate says youre meant to be or something. But Im going to think of Arden, and hope it sends me there!

So you can control where it sends you? Kanti asked. I thought you said its random.

Its only a theory, but some people say that they concentrated on a certain spot, and they wound up there. But it doesnt always work. Its definitely not a reliable way to travel. No matter how hard you concentrate, you could always wind up in the middle of the desert. Cyrus explained.

I totally want to see this weird well, Kanti exclaimed.

Me, too, Valerie said. The idea of the Where-o-well intrigued her. If she made her mind blank, would fate send her to someone who could help her find Henry? Then she shook her head. Even Cyrus didnt know exactly how the Where-o-well worked, and the last thing Henry needed was for her to wander around a desert or some remote forest where she couldnt help him at all.

Cyrus pulled into a parking lot at the edge of a large park with an immense expanse of bright green gra.s.s bordered by a dark, dense forest. Valerie could see the Where-o-well in the distance, a cylinder of neatly packed stones about twice the width of her arm span. The park was mostly empty, except for three guards in grey uniforms. They were talking to a group of girls having a picnic while another group tossed around an oddly shaped ball nearby.

They all got out of the car and began walking into the park. Suddenly Valerie had that strange tingling in her stomach. Something wasnt right. The trees at the edge of the park were full of shadows. It would be easy for someone to hide in there. She hoped that Gideon would join them soon to tell them that there was nothing in there to fear.

Guys, I think” Valerie started to say, when light flared behind her eyes and her mind was pulled away from her body. She knew this feeling”Henry was pulling her into his reality. The urgency of his call seared through her body and she fell to her knees.

Who are you? Why are you doing this to me? Henry cried. Fear coursed through Valeries body”it was like there was no separation between her own mind and her brothers. They were inside a dark bedroom, and Valerie tried to absorb every detail, looking for a clue that would help her determine exactly where Henry lived.

Shut up or Ill make sure your daddy doesnt wake up tomorrow, a deep voice growled.

Dont you hurt him! Dad! Are you okay? Please be okay!

Valerie saw through Henrys eyes that a large man lay unmoving on the bed in the middle of the room. A sour smell filled her nostrils, and Valeries stomach twisted. Venu had found Henry. She was too late to save him.

Youll do exactly what I tell you, or Ill add one more drop of poison to his skin and h.e.l.l die, Venu said viciously, pulling a pair of black gloves over his slimy hands. Now get moving!

Henrys arm was yanked in the darkness, and he was dragged down a long, narrow hallway and through a door. Outside, cold hit them in the face like a stinging slap. Valerie tried to will Henry to look at street signs, landmarks, anything that could tell her where they were. But Henry stared up at Venu, watching his hulking shoulders as he yanked him down the street.

Please, I cant leave my dad like that. When he wakes up, h.e.l.l think I abandoned him. He wont know what to do without me, Henry pleaded.

Sanguina suddenly appeared next to Henry, her black eyes staring into his. Henry jumped backward, away from her. But Venus gloved hand was clenched tightly on his wrist, preventing him from going far.

Be glad hes waking up at all, Sanguina said coldly. Starting now, know this: your fathers life is in my hands. If you make one wrong move, hes dead. So youll do everything Venu and I say, without whining. Got it?

Valerie was distracted by a pull on her mind from the Globe. Her friends needed her. But she clung to Henrys reality, not wanting to leave without knowing where he was going. This could be her last chance to save him. Where could Venu and Sanguina be taking him?

Please, Henry, tell me where you are! Valerie thought, trying to will Henry to help her.

Where are you taking me? Henry asked, his voice trembling. Valerie wondered if he had heard her, somehow.

Shut your mouth, Sanguina said coldly, shooting Henry a look that made him tremble. Venu grinned at his obvious terror.

Ask them” Valerie started to think, and then light flashed behind her eyes again, and Henrys world disappeared.

Wake up! Val, look out! Cyrus shouted at her.

Valerie turned and saw a boot coming at top speed toward her head. Her reaction was automatic. Magic rushed through her veins and she caught the boot with one hand and twisted. The Conjuror who was wearing the boot was almost entirely transparent, as if he were made of gla.s.s, and when his body smashed into the ground, with his leg twisted beneath him, she heard the sound of gla.s.s shattering. Her attacker screamed and clutched his leg, which was now shattered into a million tiny pieces.

Alarms started blaring, and Valerie realized that she must have set them off by using her power. She saw that her friends were grappling with two more of the semi-transparent attackers. All three guards lay unconscious but breathing near the Where-o-well, the first victims of these strange attackers. The loud noise of the alarm covered up her voice as she tried to yell advice to her friends. Theyre breakable! Try to shatter them!