Chapter 8

CHAPTER EIGHT "Ms Willow!" exclaimed Valentina triumphantly. "I knew I was right. I suspected that you sent the letters and when my aunt started behaving strangely today, I guessed it wasn't really her but you in disguise!" Isla was astonished that she didn't sound scared. "How did you disguise yourself and get around the protection spells?" Valentina asked. "Prancer cast a glamour, making me look like Ms Nettles. As for the protection spells–" Ms Willow waved a hand– "with the magic I've stored in the lagoon and with Prancer's powers, they were easy to break." "Where is my aunt?" asked Valentina, and now Isla was sure she heard a tremor in her voice.

"Safely out of the way, imprisoned in a secret place. I sent her a letter inviting her to an urgent meeting about Ms Willow and as she rode out of the school, I captured her and her unicorn. Now I shall I bind all the unicorns in this school to me and then they shall become my army and help me take over the island!" "How?" said Valentina. Ms Willow laughed and clasped her hands in delight. "A girl after my own heart. Always asking questions. There is enough magic stored in the Frozen Lagoon to make binding ribbons for every unicorn at the academy. Once the ribbons are in their manes they will obey me, just as Prancer does!" Isla's heart clenched as Valentina chuckled slyly. "So where do I come into all of this and, more importantly, what do I get in return?"

"Money, power and of course you'll get to graduate from the academy. Not that you'll need to after tomorrow night. First, you must prove your loyalty by binding Golden Briar to you. Then we shall work together to bind all the unicorns. We can do this if we work together. What do you say?"

Say no, Isla thought fiercely. Don't agree! Her stomach sank as she heard Valentina say firmly, "Yes, I'll do it." "I knew I had made the right choice!" said Ms Willow. "Fetch Golden Briar, then meet me by the lake. Do not breathe a word of this to anyone, especially not Golden Briar. Once he is bound to you, my quest– our quest– to take over the Unicorn Island will begin!" Isla didn't stop to listen any more. She raced back along the corridor and up to the teachers' lounge, but as she got closer her courage failed. What if none of the teachers believed her? She didn't have any proof. They might just shoo her away or, even worse, they might laugh at her.

So, what should she do? Diamond dorm! If she told them, they would help convince the teachers. She was sure of it! Remembering that they were going to the barn, Isla charged back along the corridor and out into the dark night. As she got closer to the barn, she heard laughter coming from it. She had just reached the door when she caught a movement from the corner of her eye– it was Valentina

leading Golden Briar out of the stable block. Isla felt a rush of fierce anger. How could Valentina be so evil as to work with Ms Willow? "Valentina!" she yelled furiously, changing direction and running straight towards her dormmate. But Valentina didn't hear her. She vaulted on to Golden Briar's back and cantered straight towards the lake– and Ms Willow. Isla charged after her, as fast as she could. "Valentina! No!" she screamed.