03 Spies Attack!

CHAPTER 3 SPIES ATTACK! The three friends hurried after Grey. "Where are we going?" Skyla asked. "Somewhere safe," Grey replied. "Stay on the ground so we won't be spotted." They started to run, but the ground shook! A loud marching sound filled the air. Tag looked at Blaze and Skyla. Then—

SCRITCH! SCRATCH! Hundreds of shiny black beetles with beady orange eyes and razor-sharp horns headed toward them. "Crag beetles!" Tag shouted, holding out his dagger. "They must have broken through the wall before the nixies' shield went up."

"This way!" Grey yelled, turning down a different path. But a river of red flowed toward them. "We can't go this way either!" cried Skyla. "Those are prickle ants!" Tiny red ants covered the path. Their orange eyes glowed in the darkness. The crag beetles were closing in behind them. "We'll have to fly," Grey ordered. "Stay low."

"Hop on!" Blaze told Skyla. The friends took to the sky. Below them, the prickle ants and crag beetles marched toward the center of Valor Wood. In the distance, Tag could see the Owls of Valor fighting more crag beetles and prickle ants. There was a loud sound above— CLACK! CLACK! CLACK!

Tag glanced up. Tiger bats snapped their sharp beaks, circling the dome of light. They flew at the magic shield. When they touched it, they shrieked as though it had burned them. "Hurry!" Grey said. "We don't have much time. Blaze must get ready to fight!"