Full Circle (Avalon: Web of Magic #12) Read Online Free PDF Page A

the blazing star.
    She remembered Lucinda’s coronation in the Fairy Realms. Lucinda was the youngest ever to get the honor, made even more incredible by the fact she was a halfling, half fairy, half human. Many in the realms protested, but she won them all over with her pure heart and golden magic.
    Sylvan swore her allegiance to the Fairy Queen. Lucinda instantly trusted Sylvan. The shining queen never doubted for an instant that Sylvan was the healer mage needed to complete the quest for Avalon.
    But now Lucinda was dead, killed in the explosion that had transformed Sylvan into a spidery monster. Sylvan had tried to protect Lucinda, absorbing the dark magic. But she had not been strong enough.
    It was better that way. Sylvan could never bear to see the beautiful Fairy Queen so horribly mutated.
    Lucinda’s death had killed Sylvan’s last glimmer of hope. She never had a true friend before, and she’d loved Lucinda like a sister.
    Everything would have been different if Lucinda’s real sister had felt the same way.
    Miranda had always tried to come between Sylvan and Lucinda, insisting the only way to be powerful was to be a dark mage. Sylvan had never believed that, until the magic of Avalon had turned her into the Spider Witch. Then she was alone, filled with a dark magic that twisted her healing powers beyond recognition. Since that day there had only been one path for her. Only Avalon’s magic could free her from the prison of her mutated body. She had come so close, tasting once more the incredible power beyond the Gates of Avalon. But it was all happening just as it had before.
    Now she was backed into a corner, trapped in her own web, outsmarted once again by Miranda.
    Spiders swarmed over their mistress, sensing her distress. The skittering sounds of their legs calmed her. She focused on the center of the tapestry: Avalon. Instead of her own aura filling the home of all magic, it gleamed with the glowing green and black power of the Dark Sorceress.
    Suddenly, dark clouds erupted along the weaving, a storm of creatures headed directly for her lair.
    In minutes the army of shadow creatures would be on her.
    The Spider Witch’s legs scratched the stone floor as she scuttled back. Without the dark mage to do her bidding, the sorceress would have need of her old friend. The witch could not stand the thought of helping her enemy, but her survival depended on it. Perhaps the sorceress would give her enough magic to complete her transformation. And even if she did not, resisting Miranda had done Sylvan no good before; it would be madness to try now. Whatever the Dark Sorceress’s plans, the Spider Witch had no choice but to acquiesce.
    S HE BASKED IN the glorious magic. Red, yellow, orange, and green fairy dust swirled through a clearing of wildflowers.
    Her sister, Lucinda, had told her to come here, promising to give her something that would enhance her magic tenfold. Lucinda was the blazing star. She knew all about enhancing magic. If she had something, Miranda was eager to get it.
    Lucinda appeared in the glade like a vision, magnificent golden magic emanating from her slender figure. One year younger than Miranda, yet she was the Fairy Queen, adored by all who laid eyes on this extraordinary young mage. Why should she have been chosen to lead the Fairy Kingdoms? Because she was always more beautiful, more powerful than Miranda, just by the magic of her blazing star goodness. No matter what Miranda did, Lucinda had always eclipsed her without even trying. A second figure trailed after Lucinda, the healer mage. Envy dug at Miranda as she saw the look of adoration Sylvan cast toward the blazing star.
    Lucinda smiled, excitement making her blue eyes even brighter. “I know how you long to bond with an animal, sister.”
    Miranda nodded. She lacked the connection her sister had with animals. It was her greatest wish to experience the real magic only a true bonded could provide.
    Lucinda’s delicate hand reflexively