13 King Nidus

CHAPTER 13 KING NIDUS Nova flew over to her father. "Please, Father—Tag, Skyla, and Blaze saved me," she said. "You can trust them." The king's eyebrows knotted together as he thought hard. "Fine. Your friends may take their piece of the Ember Stone. But the firehawks hid these pieces across Perodia to keep them safe. And they trusted us to guard our piece," he told her. "That one must stay here at the palace."

"But, Father," Nova said, "I am sure Thorn's spies have told him everything by now. That means Thorn knows there are two pieces of the stone in our lake. He will send even more spies. They already tried to kidnap me today. I'm sure that was just the beginning. Thorn will not stop until both pieces are his." Skyla stepped forward. "Can't you Just put Thorn to sleep if he tries to enter the lake?" she asked. Nova frowned. "Thorn's powerful dark magic allows him to resist our magic lullaby." Tag turned to the king. "If you give us both pieces, then maybe Thorn will leave you alone?" he said.

The king shook his head again. "Thorn will never stop. But you cannot have our piece," he said. "Now follow me. I will take you to yours." The friends followed Nova and King Nidus down a spiral staircase, then along a hallway that led to a tall, silver door. The king pulled out a golden key and slotted it into the keyhole. When the door opened, a bright purple light shone out.