8 Ch8-A Hard Choice

CHAPTER 8 A HARD CHOICE Drake patted his arms and legs. Weird! Even though I look like a shadow, I still feel solid, he thought. Now that Astrid can't see me, I need to do whatever I can to protect this branch! Then he heard Opeli. "Ka, Astrid can steal your powers, but she can't steal your strength!" she yelled. "Knock that wizard down with your tail!"

"Good idea!" Bo cried. "Shu, help Ka. Just don't use your powers." Astrid spun around and saw the Lava Dragon stomping toward her. Shu came from another direction, riding the air currents.

"You won't stop me so easily!" Astrid cried. She raised her hands to start a magical attack. Tani dived under the waves. Her tail shot up out of the water, sending a foamy wave onto the shore. It splashed on the dragons and knocked Astrid off her feet.

Drake reached out to Worm with his mind. Worm, if you can sense where I am, come find me, Drake said. Transport us back to Bracken. We'll leave the branch there so it will be safe. Then we can return and help the others. I can find you, Worm replied, and he began to crawl across the sand. But before Worm reached Drake, Astrid jumped to her feet. She floated in the air, away from Shu and Ka. Astrid pointed at Manawa, Opeli, and Bo. "You know how strong my magic is, Drake," she said. "Give me the branch. If you do not, I will zap your friends' Dragon Stones. They will no longer be able to control their dragons. I will attack the dragons, and they will use their powers to defend themselves. Then I will capture those powers!"

Drake froze. He knew what Astrid could do with stolen dragon powers. He had seen her breathe fire like a Fire Dragon. He had seen her turn living beings to stone like a Stone Dragon. If I don't do what Astrid wants, it will be bad. She would have the powers of a Lava Dragon, a Sea Dragon, and a Water Dragon. He shivered, thinking about all the damage Astrid could do.

If I give her the branch from the shadow bush, she'll leave us alone, Drake thought. But then she'll also be able to finish the False Life spell. What should I do?