Circles in the Stream (Avalon: Web of Magic #1) Read Online Free PDF

her bed and padded over to the pile of clothes she had thrown off earlier. She stared. The glow came from the pocket of her shorts. She reached inside. A pulsing blue-green washed over her face as she pulled out the stone she had found at the glade. It felt warm and reassuring in her hand—smooth and slick to the touch. Smooth? The stone she’d plucked from the pond had been rough!
    Somehow most of the crusty layers had vanished. The stone was shiny and faceted in places. The blue-green surface was shot with clear, sparkly veins of purple. She turned it over and over. How could she not have noticed how pretty it was when she found it?
    It felt… magical.
    “Ridiculous!” she snorted.
    She sat holding the stone, looking at it for answers. But no matter how hard she tried, she couldn’t think of anything that didn’t sound completely insane. Maybe it was radioactive, or part of a meteor, but it felt so…right. More strange things had happened to Emily today than in the whole rest of her life. She hated things she couldn’t explain! Everything had a scientific explanation, didn’t it? Okay, so what had really happened?
    She knew what she had to do. Regardless of what might be in those woods, she was going back, back to that glade to find some answers for herself.
    THE SUN HAD risen, but the dew still sparkled on the grass. It was going to be another beautiful day. Emily walked across the park and playing fields, her long shadow stretching ahead of her as she followed it westward. It fell to her right when she turned up the main road to the Ravenswood Wildlife Preserve. As she approached the iron gate, she hesitated.
    What was she doing? Last time she’d had to go in there—she’d had no choice. This time she was going back on purpose—and she knew it might not be safe.
    Emily was terrified. Had she actually seen a monster in those woods? She thought of the glowing stone. Could it be radioactive? Was someone doing experiments on the animals there?
    She squared her shoulders. She was determined to find that glade. She’d stick to clear trails. Any sign of trouble, she’d turn back immediately.
    She swung the heavy iron gate open and passed through.
    This time she followed the main road. There was no sign of the magical puff flowers. And no sign of the ghosty mist, either. The path turned into a pebble driveway that sloped downward through an expansive lawn. And at the far end stood the imposing structure of an incredible mansion, nestled in the woods. As Emily approached, it rose up like an ancient castle complete with ivy covered, stone turrets. The main house was huge, and there were smaller buildings that could have been guesthouses or stables. Two large front windows seemed to watch her like dark eyes. She had the oddest feeling that the house itself was alive.
    Yeah, right! Houses were not alive. A light flared from a second-story window. That was strange. Could Mr. Gardener have returned? Or maybe it was a witch with a big cauldron! Maybe she was a good witch, like Glinda. Or maybe she ate little children like in Hansel and Gretel. Stop it! Emily scolded herself. You’re being silly. Those’re fairy tales, kid stuff.
    Then she heard the scream.

“OWEEEIIIOO!”
    What was that ? Someone was in pain!
    “Ooooweeeiooooo!”
    Frantically Emily looked around. The high-pitched moan was coming from somewhere in the woods!
    “Heeellp!”
    Emily turned and ran in the direction of the voice. She zigzagged through the trees, making her way around thorny thickets and muddy hollows. The cries were nearer now and more distinct.
    “ Ow! Ow! Heeelllppp—gah!”
    Emily crashed into a small clearing—and stopped, panting hard. Kneeling by a tree was a girl. She had her back toward Emily as if doubled over in pain. Long, shiny black hair fell over her dark T-shirt. She wore black jeans and hiking boots.
    “Are you okay?” Emily gasped, out of breath.
    The girl turned her head, fixing startled dark eyes on Emily. It was