Cry of the Wolf (Avalon: Web of Magic #3) (18 page)

“Happy birth today you, happy you to birth, too, happy day haay, hey you hoot, happy birthday to you, too!”

The animals stopped and waited expectantly. Zach looked happily bemused.

Adriane clapped, laughing. “Wonderful!”

Cheers filled the meadow.

Zach bowed graciously. “Thank you, all.”

Adriane stood in front of him and held out a bright package wrapped in yellow and pink leaves.

“What’s that?” he asked.

“It’s your birthday present.”

“Say, how do you know it’s really my birthday?”

“Because I said so. Here, open it.”

Zach took the small package and studied it. He held it to his ear and shook it.

Adriane rolled her eyes.

He smiled and unwrapped the carefully folded leaves. His eyes widened as he took out a red stone. It was round and rough-edged, but the tiny, faceted crystals in the center flowed with red fire. “It’s… it’s… ”

“I found it in Drake’s egg. The Fairimentals confirmed it. It’s a dragon stone.”

“I can’t take this!” he whispered in wonder and sudden fear.

“Yes you can, Zach.” She put her hands on his and closed them over the dragon stone. It pulsed with red light. At her wrist, the wolf stone sparkled in response. “Make it yours,” she smiled.

Zach broke out in a wide grin. He held the stone up high so everyone could see. “It’s a dragon stone!”

Everyone cheered.

“Tummy rubb!”

“Huh?” Zach stared at Drake in amazement. The dragon was lying on his back, gazing at Zach expectantly. “What did you say?”

“Tickle, Zaaakk!”

“Hey, I can hear him!” He grinned at Adriane. “This is the best present ever!”

She looked past him. “Zach…”

He turned around and saw Moonshadow and Silver Eyes standing with Ambia and Gwigg. He walked over to join them.

“You have a leaf on your head,”
Moonshadow observed.

Zach blushed. “It’s my birthday.”

The black wolf cocked his head curiously.

“Happy birthday, son,”
Silver Eyes said.

Adriane and Storm joined them.

Moonshadow lightly pawed the ground and then spoke.
“It has been decided.”
The black wolf’s keen eyes moved from the Fairimentals to the animals.

Everyone waited.

“With the safe return of our pack mother to guide us, we will put aside our differences. The mistwolves will stay and work with the Fairimentals.”

The animals gave a resounding cheer.

“What about Storm?” Adriane asked, her heart suddenly beating faster.

“The choice is hers.”
Moonshadow’s gaze settled on Storm.

Storm stepped forward and addressed the wolves.
“Since I was a pup I have dreamed of running with the pack. But the bond I made with my human packmate makes me who I am. My heart beats with hers.”
The wolf stepped to Adriane’s side.
“I belong with her.”

Joy filled Adriane’s heart.

“You are always welcome here, packmate,”
Silver Eyes said to Storm, and then addressed Adriane. “
As are you… wolf sister.”

Silver Eyes turned to Moonshadow. The black wolf pawed the ground then lifted his head to Adriane.
“You honor us, warrior.”

Adriane smiled and bowed to the pack leader. “The honor is mine.”

“There is much to be done.” Ambia hovered by Adriane’s side. “You must continue your work with your friends. The magic web is full of mysteries and the search for Avalon must continue.”

“We will continue our work to protect Aldenmor,” Gwigg said. “Together.”

Moonshadow nodded at Zach. “
My brother’s fight is my fight.”

“Good, then you’ll need this.” Zach quickly pulled a giant pink leaf hat over Moonshadow’s head.

The black wolf snarled, shaking his head.
“I am not wearing that!”

“Oh, yes you are!”

The boy tussled with the wolf, trying to pull the hat onto his head.

“Oh, no, I am not!”

Moonshadow pulled the boy down and they rolled around in the grass, struggling with the leaf.

Silver Eyes watched with a twinkle in her eyes.
“Boys, what can you do?”

“Adriane,” Ambia said, her fresh voice cool and breezy. “You have proved yourself far beyond what we could have hoped for.”

“Close your eyes and picture what you want most,” Gwigg rumbled.

Adriane closed her eyes.

A gust of wind blew across the meadow, filling it with soft, twinkly lights. The lights swirled into a glowing circle that expanded before them. Everyone gazed in wonder as a picture formed inside. It was a grassy field. Two girls, a large cat, and a small furry creature stood there waiting.

“Emily, Kara, Ozzie, Lyra!” Adriane called out, waving.

“Adriane!” Emily yelled, looking back through the portal.

“Gahhh!
It’s the Fairy Glen!” Ozzie started hopping about excitedly.

Zach peered into the portal curiously.

“Who’s that?” Kara asked, tilting her blond head forward to get a better look.

“Are you all right?” Emily asked.

“Who is that?
”
Kara persisted.

“This is my friend, Zach,” Adriane said.

“Hello.”

“Helllooo,” Kara called out. “Nice souvenir, girl!”

Adriane turned to Zach. “You could come with me…” she said.

“No, I belong here. This is my home.” He hugged her. “Thank you, Adriane.”

“Hey, remember me?” Ozzie was jumping up and down.

“Ozymandius,” Ambia called to him. “The things you do for us do not go unnoticed.”

“Well, that’s nice, but I itch!”

Ambia fluttered over Adriane. “Adriane, what is it you most desire?”

With one hand on Storm, she turned to her friends at Ravenswood. “I just want to go home.”

Together, Adriane and Storm stepped through the portal and went over the rainbow.

Dragons are an ancient, winged reptilian race known and feared for their size, physical prowess, and powerful magic. Fast and sleek, there are few creatures that can keep up with a dragon in flight. Dragons usually only associate with other dragons, but the lucky mage that bonds with one finds exceptional empathic understanding and fierce loyalty.

Drake is a rare red crystal dragon (crystal refers to the Dragonstone jewel that formed from his shell). Imprinted on Adriane and bonded to Zach, Drake shares the love of two humans making his magic particularly powerful.

Half-lion, half-eagle, griffins are ferocious avian carnivores. Though not as fast or sleek as other flyers, a griffin’s muscled lion’s body allows exceptional endurance and stamina for long distances. Keen eagle eyesight and sense of smell make griffins excellent trackers. Griffins are brave and very loyal to those mages lucky enough to bond with one.