Violet Wings by Victoria Hanley

Author:Victoria Hanley
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2010-09-23T16:00:00+00:00

"But you're okay now. Call it even."

Jason shook his head. He reached into his jacket. "When I see her again, I'll give her something to remember me by." A gun with a rounded tip waved in his hand.

We had learned about guns in Human Culture class. Bloodstone had said humans used them to hurt each other, sometimes even kill each other. But this gun looked different

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from those we had studied. It was sleeker and completely black.

"Is that what I think it is?" Sam sounded alarmed.

Jason grinned. "Isn't it a beauty? My dad got it."

"A laser gun?" Sam took a step back.

"With this, I can put a mark on that girl's forehead." Jason aimed up the hill toward the grove. A red beam of light shot up the rise and hit the great blue spruce near where I'd buried my mother's spellbook. As Jason held the gun steady, a branch ignited.

"What the heck are you doing!" Sam yelled. He began pelting up the hill.

I gathered my strength and flew past Sam, reaching the tree before he did. The small fire was taking hold on the end of the branch, helped by the wind. I didn't understand where the spark had come from. Was this more "technology"?

I flew close to the blaze. Rising smoke made me cough as I pointed my wand. "Resvera den," I said. "Break."

With a loud crack, the flaming branch broke near the trunk of the tree. It caught among the thick blue-green needles of the branches just below. I grabbed the broken branch and flung it away. Sparks bounced over the ground below, and several hit my gown. I flew higher, shaking out the cinders that clung to my skirts.

Sam pounded toward the burning branch, pulling off his jacket as he ran. When he reached it, he beat at the flames with his jacket. He moved very fast, whipping his arm up and

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down, breathing hard. I hovered above him, flicking sparks from my gown while he smothered the fire.

Then Jason strolled up.

"That was close," Sam said.

"Sorry," Jason answered. "I'm still learning how to use this thing."

He gazed at the tree, his eyes narrowing. He touched the spot where the branch had snapped when I cast the breaking spell. "Look at this."

"Look at what?" Sam glared at Jason. "The way you almost started a forest fire?"

"Branches don't break that way by themselves." Jason lifted his weapon again.

Sam faced his friend. "For God's sake, you'll set the whole ridge on fire!"

"Come out, come out, wherever you are," Jason called, ignoring Sam. Another red beam blasted the air just above my head.

"Stop!" Sam shouted.

I shot toward the portal.

I wish now that I had flown to the other side of the ridge instead. I wish I had calmed myself and then watched over the portal.

But fear makes fools of us all, and I am no exception. The bolts of red light had terrified me, and all I could think of was escape.

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CHAPTER THIRTY-THREE

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