Stardust by Linda Chapman

down from the sky into the woods. There was a loud bang and suddenly a column of flames shot up into the air. ‘A tree’s been hit!’ Allegra exclaimed. ‘Come on! We’d better go and check it out!’
    They raced towards the fire. It was coming from a nearby grove of alder trees and hawthorn. ‘There!’ Lucy exclaimed, spotting a tree on fire.
    She swooped towards it. They would have to put the fire out in case it damaged the surrounding trees and bushes. The tree that had been hit was on the edge of a small clearing. It was burning brightly, orange flames lickingup into the black sky. Lucy started in shock as she saw two figures standing in the dancing shadows of the flames. One of them was pointing their hands at the blaze.
    With a shock of recognition, Lucy realized that it was Joanna and Robyn. Magic was beating through the air. She could feel it swirling and growing. What was going on?
    â€˜What are you doing?’ she cried.
    â€˜Putting the fire out!’ Joanna shouted. She waved her hands and the fire died down until there were just a few flames licking at the grass. ‘We were just flying past and we saw the flames.’ She looked round, her face uneasy. ‘We should get away from here. Something strange is happening. Can you feel it in the air?’
    Lucy landed. ‘Yes.’ A wave of iciness swept over her. She stepped back. ‘It’s you, isn’t it? You’re doing something!’
    Joanna frowned. ‘What?’
    â€˜Lucy, shut up!’ Robyn said fiercely. ‘You don’t know what you’re talking about.’
    â€˜I do,’ Lucy exclaimed. She looked at Joanna. ‘You’re a dark spirit!’
    â€˜A dark spirit!’ Joanna sounded as if she couldn’t believe her ears. ‘But…’
    â€˜Mum, just ignore her!’ Robyn said, grabbing her mum’s arm. ‘It’s just ’cos of…’
    â€˜A dark spirit!’ Joanna repeated, her eyes flashing with anger. She stepped towards Lucy. ‘You think I’m a dark spirit?’
    For a moment, Lucy felt her nerve failher, but she made herself look Joanna straight in the eye. ‘Yes!’ she declared. ‘Why else are you stopping my magic? I know it’s you!’ she went on. ‘You’re always there! Don’t try and say it’s not.’
    â€˜I won’t,’ Joanna snapped. ‘It
is
me!’
    â€˜Mum!’ Robyn exclaimed in dismay.
    Joanna ignored her. ‘But I am not a dark spirit.’
    â€˜Mum, be quiet!’ Robyn said, looking really upset. She flew into the air and

    glanced round to see if her mum was following. ‘I’m going!’
    â€˜Wait for me in the next clearing!’ Joanna commanded. ‘Don’t go any further on your own. I need to talk to Lucy. I will
not
be accused of being a dark spirit!’
    Joanna sounded so angry that Lucy began to feel a prickle of uncertainty. She was right, wasn’t she?
    â€˜What have you been doing to me?’ she demanded.
    Joanna hesitated and then sighed. ‘I have been stopping your magic from working, Lucy,’ she admitted. ‘But it’s not because I’m a dark spirit. It’s because…’ she took a deep breath. ‘It’s because I’ve been trying to help Robyn.’
    â€˜Help Robyn?’ Lucy echoed inastonishment. She exchanged looks with Allegra.
    â€˜But how? Why?’ Allegra sounded as confused as Lucy was feeling.
    â€˜It’s hard for Robyn,’ Joanna said, rubbing her forehead. ‘I move around so much with my job and she always has to make new friends. It makes it easier if you are powerful and can use magic well. People are interested in you – they accept you more.’
    â€˜Is that why you make Robyn practise so much?’ Allegra asked.
    Joanna nodded. ‘Robyn is naturally powerful, but by practising she has learned how to do things that impress