The Wizard's Secret by Rain Oxford Page A

steam. When I reached the
doorway and looked out, I gaped.
    There was a unicorn waiting at the bottom of the
steps.
    “Hello,” I said. I wasn’t entirely sure it was the
same one that had helped me save Merlin from the Dark Forest elves, because as
far as I knew, all unicorns looked the same. Ignoring Asiago’s shocked sounds,
I approached the unicorn. He let me reach out and stroke his mane, but he
stamped his foot when Asiago got too close. “Slow down,” I said.
    “I can’t believe he even let you near him. Maybe you
really are a wizard.”
    “I’m working on it. Are you the same unicorn who
helped me before?” I asked.
    He nodded his head.
    I never learned why the unicorn had come to me or how
he knew I needed his help. I assumed he would want something in return, but he
never came back after he helped me save Merlin. “I’m going to save my aunt. Are
you here to help me again?”
    The unicorn nodded again.
    “Okay. I’m going to try to transport us to Red Rock.”
I didn’t know if I actually could, since it was more difficult to transport
more people. I couldn’t imagine how I transported an entire pirate ship.
    Visualizing Red Rock again, I held out my staff. Take
us there , I thought. My magic filled the staff again and I knew it was
working, but it was slow. When I felt my magic release, I opened my eyes… and
then I bent over as exhaustion tried to overcome me. The unicorn nudged me
worriedly.
    “Are you sick?” Asiago asked.
    I shook my head. “I haven’t done this much magic
without a break in a while. We need to get to Magnus, but I don’t think I can
walk the whole way unless we stop somewhere to rest.” The unicorn knelt,
indicating for me to climb on. I did, but he didn’t immediately get up.
    “I’m not getting on a unicorn,” Asiago said.
    I sighed and laid my staff in front of me. It wasn’t
easy to travel with, and the unicorn didn’t have a saddle. “Just get on or
we’re leaving without you.”
    Shaking dramatically, Asiago got on the unicorn
behind me. The unicorn stood and took off at a full gallop, nearly throwing me
off. He ran so fast it felt like he was flying. After a while, I was able to
lean against his neck and rest without falling. The only explanation I could
come up with was magic.
     
    *          *          *
     
    Thanks to the unicorn’s speed and endurance, we
reached Magnus’s castle by dawn, but when the unicorn slowed to a stop in front
of the gate and I hopped off his back, my legs buckled. Asiago fell in a heap
to the ground as well. I stretched the stiffness out of my arms and neck before
I even attempted to move my legs.
    Light filled the air around us, I breathed a sigh of
relief, and Asiago squeaked with fear. As soon as the light cleared, I saw
Magnus standing over us. “What have I told you about sneaking out?” he asked.
Magnus, Asiago, the unicorn, and I were all in the main room.
    I pulled the letter out of my pocket. “That’s not
important right now. Livia has been kidnapped.” He took the letter, studied the
seal, and unfolded the message. Magnus had faced my six brothers without a hint
of fear. Therefore, I was shocked that he was staring at the letter like it was
a serpent.
    “Who took her?” I asked, using my staff to pull
myself to my feet. My legs were shaky and I was very hungry.
    He folded the letter back up and slipped it into his
pocket. “Veronica.”
    “Livia’s own daughter kidnapped her? For what? What
crystal does she want you to bring her?”
    “Who is your friend?” he asked.
    Asiago had managed to climb to his feet as well. “My
name is Asiago, the Great Necromancer of the North. Ayden rescued me, so I owe
him a debt.”
    He nodded slowly. “Then both of you come and eat.”
The unicorn stayed behind while Asiago and I followed Magnus into the dining
room. When we entered the room, there was bread, soup, roast, vegetables,
potatoes, and sweets.
    “Do you have guests?” I asked.
    “Fluffy