All's Fairy in Love and War (Avalon: Web of Magic #8) (7 page)

A richly colored dress materialized and spun in the air. It looked exactly as Kara had envisioned it.

“Marvelous!” Skirmish cried.

“Inspired!” Angelo exclaimed.

Puffdoggy barked in agreement.

“Wait!” Tapping fingers to her lips, Kara considered. “It needs something else.” She put her fashion sense into overdrive. “Emerald, sapphire, and yellow topaz beading along the bodice.”

“Ooooo.” The accessories swooned at the swirling patterns of glittering gems.

The color theme gave Kara another idea. “Peacock feathers along the back of the neck and embroidered on the cuffs, and a violet satin mask with peacock feathers to match.”

Kara’s alterations magically appeared, until the most amazing dress she’d ever seen twirled gracefully before her eyes.

“She is a genius!” Whiffle cried. “An auteur!”

“I
so
have to get one of these closets at home,” Kara exclaimed, overawed.

“Shoes!” Goldie squeaked.

“How could I forget the best part?” Kara gratefully hugged the mini. “With matching purse!”

By the time she was through, she had a pair of purple satin slippers with two-inch heels, each glittering with a jeweled peacock feather.

“Amazing!” Mirabelle exclaimed. “Your fashion magic is unequaled in the Fairy Realms.”

“And on Earth.” Kara bowed.

“Come, we must bustle!” Angelo clapped his feet. “Princess, in there!” Angelo pointed his comb-teeth to the steam-filled bathroom and the large golden tub in its center. “The rest of you.” He pointed to the others. “Let’s get busy!”

The accessories quivered with excitement as they prepared Kara’s magical makeover.

Once totally scrubbed and squeaky clean, Kara sat in a fluffy pink robe at the vanity, munching on sweet fruits and flaky pastries. Skirmish dove into her hair with a wild cry and twirled among her tresses, creating gorgeous looping curls on the right side of her head. Angelo combed the left side straight until it gleamed like a sheet of gold. Comb and brush glared angrily at each other when they saw what the other had done, and started tussling.

Mirabelle flapped open, and iridescent sparkling eyeshadow soared out, dusting Kara’s lids. The eyeshadow’s opalescent shine highlighted her blue eyes perfectly.

With a bark, Puffdoggie leaped and bounced off the back of the vanity, sliding open a rear panel. Dozens of crystal lipstick tubes swirled in elegant loops, displaying colors from ice pink to deep mulberry red to glittering violet. Kara chose a shimmering shade of dusky rose that would pick up the purple of her dress and bring out the natural pink of her cheeks.

“And now for the dress.” Kara disappeared behind a vine-covered dressing screen in the corner of the room and emerged a moment later. The enchanted objects stood in awe as she examined herself in the mirror. She reached up to the curls piled high atop her head.

“No!” Skirmish cried. “I’ve been fighting tangles all my life, and I know what’s what. Don’t touch anything!”

Kara smiled, tugging free a lock at her temple. It spiraled down, gently framing her face.

“Except that!” Skirmish was beside herself. “You are a diva, my lady!”

“One final touch.” Whiffle spritzed a pink mist. A wonderful scent of jasmine enveloped Kara, with a hint of citrus to balance the sweetness.

“It’s incredible, Whiffle!” Kara exclaimed.

“I know,” the crystal atomizer sniffed. “I call it ‘Morning Pew.’”

Carefully arranging the peacock mask, Kara surveyed the final effect. The rich colors of her dress ser off her gleaming blonde hair and sparkling blue eyes.

“Hey, where’s Goldie?”

The closet door swung open, and Goldie appeared, decked out in a glittering silver and gold lame` tuxedo, complete with a feather mask.

“Perfect!” Kara squealed, clapping her hands.

Unable to control themselves, the accessories burst into a rousing cheer as Kara and Goldie pirouetted in front of the mirror.

“Da bomb!” Skirmish and Angelo cried happily, for once in absolute agreement.

Something darker than the night alighted just outside the window. Large as a horse with shimmering black wings, a giant bat creature turned bright green eyes to Kara.

“Princess, your ride is here,” Angelo announced.

Kara nodded. She was ready to go.

K
ARA GRIPPED THE
leather saddle as the large bat creature sliced through thin clouds into silvery night sky. Below were lush forests, and every so often, mysterious glades hidden in star shadow. Dark mountains ringed the distance, hugged by billowing clouds, deep and thick barriers at the edge of the world.

With a slight rumble, the bat ducked its head and swooped low, gliding over a huge lake that gleamed like liquid moonlight. In the distance, a mist-shrouded island rose from the luminous waters. Ablaze with lights, the isle twinkled like a floating jewel.

The bat glided onto smooth silver stones near the lakeshore, setting down neatly between a pegasus and a flying carpet. Music echoed across the still waters.

“Thanks.” Kara patted her steed’s leathery neck as she slid to the ground and straightened her dress. She looked up in awe. Hordes of costumed creatures were entering through a crystal archway. She had no idea what kinds of creatures hid beneath the elaborate disguises and sparkling masks; it was probably just as well.

Relax, Kara told herself. Parties were her natural environment. If anyone knew how to handle a tricky social situation, it was her.

Sauntering to the end of the line, she looked around for the Forest Prince, but he was nowhere to be seen.

“… the Queen’s Fairy Ring was, like, completely
destroyed!
” The creature in line in front of her, wearing a floppy headdress shaped like a crescent moon, gestured excitedly as he spoke to his friend.

Word got around even faster in the Fairy Realms than it did through the grapevine at Stonehill Middle School, Kara thought.

“The Fairies are desperate,” the second creature declared. It was smaller than the first, and Kara saw bits of orange fur poking out from its giant fish head costume. “If they can’t find that power crystal, the goblins will declare war. That’s all we need, kingdom against kingdom fighting over the magic. No war! No war!” it shouted, encouraging the others in line to start chanting. The fish head turned to Kara. “What do you say?”

“Um…” Kara quickly glanced down. Her unicorn gem was safely hidden inside her bodice. “War, what’s it good for?”

“Absotootly nothing!” Goldie concluded.

“Excuse me.” Kara hurried up the line looking for the Forest Prince.

“Hey! No cutting in line,” someone called out.

Kara scanned the crowd. “I’m just looking for some—
doof!
”

Had she walked into a wall? Or…

Uh-oh. Kara looked up. And up. And up. A hulking two-headed beast was staring at her. Not in a friendly way. Each of the creature’s heads wore a floppy elephant trunk mask, and beneath the black velvet costume Kara caught a flash of scaly gray skin and bulging muscles. All four of its malevolent orange eyes were trained on Kara.

“Invitation?” One head scowled.

Kara panicked. Everyone else had small invitations made of bark with a mysterious symbol etched onto them. They looked nothing like her black parchment with glittering purple writing. Was she in the wrong place?

“Here ya go.” She casually slipped the invitation from her purse.

The creature snatched the parchment, then turned around and bellowed through both mouths. “We got a PIG here!”

“Hey!” Kara exclaimed.

Goldie blew a raspberry at the creature.

“This invitation says you’re a PIG,” one head growled.

“Pretty Important Guest,” the other head snarled.

“That way,” both heads chorused. The thing pointed to a separate glowing archway up the path.

“Oh,” Kara gulped. “Thanks.”

“Ooooo.” The crowd was impressed. “Who is that? Told ya this is the rave to be at.”

“No conjuring, no enchantments, no spells that last more than an hour…” the two-headed bouncer called out to the crowd.

“Let’s get this party started,” she told Goldie and walked briskly through the arch—straight into the wildest party she had ever seen! Music thundered, pounding across the glade. Floating fairy lanterns strobed deep colors across a mass of partiers rocking out on the dance floor. The place was jammed!

On a stage of carved stone inlaid with gleaming onyx, a costumed DJ was rocking the crowd into a dancing frenzy.

A fierce looking lizard creature raised his head from a mug of steaming liquid and sniffed. Tapping his buddies, he nodded toward Kara.

“Goldie, see if you can spot mystery guy,” Kara said, searching high and low among the costumed throngs.

The d-fly took off just as dozens of small winged fairies glided over Kara, dusting her with twinkles of lights. Goldie twirled in the air, spinning and tumbling happily.

“GaK!”

A large, clawed hand grabbed the d-fly in a huge scaly fist. Goldie burst into sparkles and vanished.

“What do you think you’re doing!” Kara’s temper flared red hot, her jewel pulsing dangerously inside her dress.

“I caught a fairy dragon,” the massive lizard chuckled, revealing a long set of sharp teeth. He opened his empty fist and scowled.

“That’s
my
fairy dragon!”

“Fe, fi, fo, fum. I smell magic, gonna get me some.” The giant creature advanced menacingly, making Kara cringe. Its thick neck and torso were covered in black leather studded with chrome buckles and spikes.

“I smell something worse.” Another lizard monster loomed over her, blocking any escape. “A
human
with magic!”

A golden bubble popped behind Kara. Goldie walked up her shoulder, straightened her tux and stuck out her tongue.

“Who invited you here?” the first creature sneered, fanged smile shining wickedly.

“I did.” The Forest Prince materialized from the crowd, smiling. His silver sword glittered dangerously in its sheath.

The creatures snarled, but stepped back.

The masked boy bowed. “My lady, would you do me the honor of a dance?”

“Totally,” Kara breathed, grabbing his outstretched hand.

He led her onto the crowded dance floor, where disguised creatures of all shapes and sizes whirled, spinning and dancing among the flashing lights.

“Friends of yours?” Kara asked.

“Bulwoggles,” the Forest Prince said, moving to the thudding beat.

“Those are some charming fairies.” Kara swirled, checking out the crowd.

“They’re not fairy. They’re creatures that feed on darker magic, like werebeasts or demons.”

“What do they want?” Kara asked.

“What do you think?” He nodded at the silver necklace around Kara’s neck. “Ever since the web went wild, more and more creatures have come here searching for magic. They’re the bad guys, not me.”

“Everyone seems to think you steal magic, too.” Kara glared.

“A lot of stuff gets blamed on me. That’s okay, as long as I can help those who need magic most.”

“So, sometimes bad is good, huh,” Kara commented.

Goldie was frolicking in milky moonbeams, somersaulting with a small flying bear-like creature wearing a tutu and a pirate hat.

“Goldie’s made a new friend,” Kara said, watching the pair chattering up a storm.

“That’s Spinnel, an evolved form of fairy dragon,” the boy explained.

Kara regarded the strange assortment of creatures. It felt like they were all eyeing her, checking her out. It gave her the creeps. “Your note said I could help Lyra,” she said anxiously. “Where is she?”

“Castle Garthwyn,” he said, spinning away. “But I really brought you here to convince you to go after the fire stallion.”

“Ride it yourself,” Kara said, annoyed. Had he lured her here just for her magic? No way was Kara Davies putting up with that!

“This is a rough crowd, don’t go wander—Princess?” The Forest Prince stopped in mid turn, looking around. “Wait.” He ran to her side, grabbing hold of her arm. “It’s the only way to help Lyra.”

Kara stopped short, cheeks flushed with anger, acutely aware of his fingers on her arm.

“She’s at the goblin castle being treated by Tangoo,” he said quickly, removing his hand. “But I don’t trust him.”

“Why should I trust
you
?” Kara asked suspiciously.

Green eyes shone from behind the black mask as he stared deep into Kara’s eyes. “You are the blazing star. You defeated the Dark Sorceress.”

Kara went rigid.

“But now she’s now working with a dark fairy creature. An elemental magic master, the Spider Witch.”

Fear inched along Kara’s spine. How much did he know about her real connection to the Dark Sorceress?

“I think they’re working to escape the Otherworlds,” he told her.

“And you know this how?”

“I work with the Fairy Underground, a secret group organized to fight them. According to our information, something big is going down. Mirrors have been popping up all over the place, strange creatures roam the lands, and magic is in very short supply.” He looked around and continued. “The Spider Witch had one of the power crystals, but foolishly used it to try and capture a herd of young unicorns.”

“My friends and I stopped them,” Kara said.

“Yes, you did.” The boy’s eyes twinkled in admiration. “Now they seek the crystal of the Fairy Realms. You have to find it first.”

“The only thing
I
want,” Kara said hotly, “is to help Lyra!”

The Forest Prince continued as if Kara hadn’t spoken. “Rumor has it, the Spider Witch is going to attempt to reweave the web. Starting with the Fairy Realms.”

“Is that even possible?” Kara couldn’t picture it.

“The power crystals are the keys to Avalon itself. I’m not willing to take that risk, are you?”

Kara gulped. She had failed to ride the fire stallion. How was she supposed to find the crystal all by herself, with only Goldie to help her?

“We have to keep moving,” the boy said, scanning a suspicious group that was pushing through the crowds. Kara recognized the yellow silted eyes of bulwoggles as they locked on hers.

“We must leave before the stroke of midnight,” he said worriedly, trying to find the exit.

“What happens at midnight, you turn into a pumpkin?” she quipped, then gulped. The bulwoggles were making their way right toward them. “What now, mystery man?”

The largest bulwoggle pushed masked dancers aside and stomped toward her. But before it had taken two steps, a red and green striped bunny-like creature with dragon-wings flew in graceful figure eights. Glimmering circles on the creature’s body shimmered like a collection of magic gems.

“Out of my way, Elfan,” the bulwoggle snarled.

“Let’s bulwoogie!” Elfan grabbed the bulwoggle and started dancing away.

The other bulwoggles closed in, grinning fiercely.

Suddenly loud chimes echoed across the glade.

“We’re too late!” the boy’s voice held an edge of desperation.

“Fairies, trolls, and hobnobblers!” a voice broke over the speaker system. “Amaze your friends, shock your date, it’s time to take off your masks and reveal your true identities!”

“I see.” Kara smiled wickedly. “What’s your rush?”

“On my count…” The DJ continued.

Giggles of excitement ran through the rave as the crowd eagerly prepared to take off their masks.

“… one, two, go!”

Masks flew high in the air as dwarves, sprites, gnomes, and dozens of other fairy creatures revealed their own grinning faces.

“It’s not much of a surprise any more,” Kara said, taking off her elaborate peacock mask, blinking ice blue eyes at the boy.

The Forest Prince gasped. “Only a fool would not be stunned each time he beheld your beauty.”

Kara blushed. “Stop stalling. Your turn,” she ordered.

He leaned in close and smiled.

Kara reached up and untied the black silk mask. His sharp green eyes twinkled as she pulled it away.

“Hey!” she exclaimed.

He was wearing another black mask, exactly the same, underneath it.

Kara looked to Goldie, widening her blue eyes. The d-fly immediately understood Kara’s thoughts and casually flew by the Forest Prince’s shoulder. With one swift flap of her wing, Goldie snagged the second mask and ripped it off.

“You!” Kara gasped.

“You!” the bulwoggle sneered, towering over Kara.

“You!” Goldie squealed at the flying bunny.

“Hello.” The bunny smiled.

The boy snatched the mask and turned away, quickly tying it around his face again.

It was the Goblin Prince, Lorren! But the handsome boy looked nothing like the primly dressed goblin she’d seen earlier that day in the Fairy Ring. ‘Cept they both were green.

“What is going on?” Kara began, wondering what game Lorren was trying to play.

The bulwoggle chuckled, eyes flashing eagerly as it reached for Kara. The others appeared behind her, separating her from Lorren.

“Unhand that princess!” Lorren grabbed the bulwoggle and spun it around.

Razor teeth flashed as the creature roared, taking a swipe at the boy with a massive fist.

Lorren easily dodged the blow. He turned, giving the creature a kick in the rear, sending it flying. But the others were on him, locking his arms behind his back. The first bulwoggle towered over the boy, ready to rip his head off.

“Let him go!” Kara commanded.

Lorren and the bulwoggles stopped.