The Ways of Mages: Starfire (43 page)

Once asleep, the
usual nightmare claimed her like an old lover...

***

The hall that held the Keep Stone was dark and deserted. No grumpy Crystal Reader was there to cast judgments. There were no other young people coming to see what strength their magic had and its talent. There was only Terana, Razyan, and his
milbre
Chaya.  Oh, and the Keep Stone.

It still reminded her of a mountain cat. But at the same time, in the darkness, it seemed almost fragile. The others; Kadrean, Liam, Zeeve, and Russy waited outside the doors that Razyan had closed.

“
Now, touch it, but do not hold back. Let the Keep Stone release your magic
.”
Razyan said, gesturing her forward.

Terana hesitated and he marked it. He raised an eyebrow in question
.“
What if it melts? The
kadelle
melted on me and Kadrean said the Keep Stone was like a
kadelle
.”
Terana flushed at her babbling and closed her mouth. After a moment she continued in a quieter voice
.“
What if my magic destroys it
?”
She asked self consciously.

“
Terana
,”
Razyan waited until she looked up at him
.“
You ca
n’
t destroy the Keep Stone. It is impossible. The Keep Stone is old. Older than the school itself. Its from the time of the Dragon Kings. They had powerful magic. It was made by them. You cannot melt the Keep Stone
.”
He finished with a shake of his head.

“
Dragon Kings
?”
Terana asked curiously.

Razyan smiled. H
e gently pushed her toward the Stone
.“I’
ll tell you more
after
you try the Keep Stone.

Terana grumbled but took the necessary step to the Stone. Hesitantly she reached forward and placed her hand gingerly on a facet. She felt the hum and the Ston
e’
s fingers whisper toward the well within her. The hum became a drone. Shivers curled down her spine as her nerves told her she was cold. But she was sweating as well. She felt flushed and feverish. Terana felt too large for her skin. She hunched her shoulders, feeling trapped. A caged creature use to the freedom of the skies. Light flickered in the dim hall. Terana gasped in surprise. There were blue flames lacing over the Stone and herself. It was the blue of starlight. Its nets were also spreading over the floor. Strands were climbing up the walls, reaching the ceiling.

The trapped sensati
on increased tenfold. A tension, a weight, built and built. The trapped creature strained against its chains. Panic was claiming Terana. She grabbed for the chains, unsure if she was going to strengthen them or break them. Either seemed to be the right choice.

A beautiful song cut through her confusion. And with it came help
.“
Terana, let it go
.”
It was a faint call, but she heard it. She hesitated before loosening her hold on the chains. That was all whatever the creature within her neede
d
…

SNAP

The Story Continues in Book Four, The Way of Mages: The Three Swords