The next time you have a crazy idea like that, bring me with you, Henry insisted.

I can take care of myself, she said, grouchy.

Obviously not, he snapped back.

Enough! We have decorations to finish, Dulcea interrupted. Valerie, why dont you lie down and visit some friends on Earth or something.

With that, she and Henry left, and Valerie slumped down in her bed. But after a minute, she sat up. There was someone she had been meaning to visit. She concentrated, and opened her eyes to see Mings room inside the Oakland Childrens Hospital. On the bed was a little blue suitcase. She smiled"she wasnt too late to catch Ming before she left.

Youre here! I thought I might never see you again, Ming said, and ran to her for a hug. She covered her mouth with her hand when she went right through her. More magic! I knew it!

Valerie couldnt help laughing. Are you better now?

Much better, but no one would believe me. They made me have so many tests, Ming said, sticking out her lower lip.

But youre going home now? she asked, nodding toward the little suitcase.

Mings smile was dazzling. Yup! Moms doing some boring stuff with papers and then I get to go home. She made me a cake!

Yum!

I wish you could come home with me.

I can visit, if you tell me your address. And Ill tell you all about the place I live now, Valerie said, wishing she could pull Ming onto her knee like she used to.

She and Ming chatted for a while, and Ming filled her in on everyones amazement and joy over her recovery. It was almost as good as getting to see it for herself.

But what did Dr. Freeman think? Valerie asked curiously, remembering their last meeting.

I questioned how you knew, his deep voice said from the doorway. She turned around in surprise and saw him standing with his arms folded.

Are you angry that I ran away?

No, Ms. Diaz. I understood. But you havent answered my question.

I already told you! It was magic, Ming interrupted. She stamped her little foot and turned to Valerie for help.

Valerie sighed. This wasnt going to go over well. Its true, Dr. Freeman. And for that matter, Im not sick. I have magic, too.

See! Ming exclaimed triumphantly.

Of course, you both want something to explain this incredible miracle. But there is a scientific answer, and if we can find it, who knows how many more children we can help?

Despite his confident words, Valerie could see that Dr. Freeman was shaken. It was within her power to vanish before his eyes and prove that magic existed, but she didnt want to upend his entire world. Logic and science were the masters of his universe, and it would be cruel to take them from him.

Mings mother came into the room and scooped her daughter up in her arms. She didnt see Valerie in the corner of the room as she thanked Dr. Freeman profusely and gave him a hug, which he returned awkwardly.

Valerie gave Ming a little wave and put her finger to her lips. Then she slipped out the door into hall, and let her mind return to the Globe. She opened her eyes, and even though she still had a deep ache in her back, her bad mood was gone.

Chapter 13.

The next day, Gideon insisted that she train despite her injury in order to learn how to fight when she was at a physical disadvantage to her attacker.

Picture the pain in your mind"give it a shape and form, he instructed.

She imagined that it was a bright glowing ball like a little sun that was burning her from the inside out. She nodded.

In your mind you will find a box. Do you see it?

She envisioned a steel trunk with a huge lock, and she nodded.

Now take your pain and wrestle it into the box. It may be slippery and strong, but you are stronger.

Gideons suggestion reminded her of how shed learned to compartmentalize her pain after shed been attacked when she lived on the streets, or a few times when shed been beaten by her foster parents. Shed learned quickly that showing weakness only led to being a target more often, so she became an expert at masking her pain. Over time, it became more than faking stoicism. She learned to ignore that part of her mind when she really needed to.

She concentrated, trying to pick up the ball, but when she touched it, it burned her fingers. She was annoyed with herself. Why hadnt she picked something simpler to be the embodiment of her pain? Frustrated, she kicked it, and it skittered toward the box. She threw open the lid and grabbed the ball, but she couldnt lift it. It weighed a ton. She grunted and strained, getting sweaty in the process.

Someone laughed"it sounded like Claremont, the other recruit who was close to her and Juniper in age. She was seven feet tall and had a tendency to use her height to try to intimidate the other recruits. Whats taking so long? Are you showing off?

Shut it, Monty, Juniper said, using the nickname that Claremont couldnt stand.

Annoyance flashed through her at Claremonts comment, and she channeled it. She heaved her pain into the box and slammed it shut. Then she locked it. She opened her eyes, and saw that the recruits were all staring at her.

I can still feel the pain, but I can move around it, somehow, she said.

Lets see how tightly youve trapped it, he said.

Without waiting for her to get her bearings, he drew a practice sword from the weapons rack and tossed it to her. Then he grabbed a second practice sword for himself and began to attack. Valeries magic pooled inside her and her response was automatic. She parried with Gideon, stopping his first blow an inch from her shoulder.

She was surprised that he was pushing her this hard, but she trusted that he had a reason, so she gave it her all. Her focus sharpened and her magic raced through her veins. Their practice swords flashed in the sunlight, moving so quickly that they were a blur.

Amazingly, she landed a light blow on Gideons stomach. He leaped backward, on the defensive now. She faltered. It was the first time she had ever hit him with her sword. Was he okay?

Her distraction cost her the fight. Her hesitation was all he needed to knock her sword to the ground, and she fell, her pain returning with a deep throb in her back. She stifled a groan.

Gideon stood, watching her, and then smiled proudly. Well done, Valerie. You truly did trap your pain inside your mind. I have never seen it done on the first try before.

He shook her hand, as he insisted that the recruits always do at the end of a sparring match. She could see that he was sweating as much as she was. She was still stunned that she had landed a blow, and when she turned around, she could see her surprise mirrored on the faces of the other recruits. Even Monty gave her a grudging nod of respect.

She was intensely uncomfortable under their scrutiny until Gideon changed the subject.

Tonight is the ceremony where you will all officially become apprentices to the Knights. Go home and get cleaned up, and be back here at your appointed time.

The ceremony was secret, so none of the recruits knew what was going to happen. They all had to pass some kind of test, and then they would officially be a part of the Guild of the Knights of Light. If they failed, they could test to join another guild, or go on a quest to prove their worth.

She hadnt let herself overthink it. She was prepared that she might fail, since she had only been on the Globe and using her magic for less than a year. She hoped that whatever quest they gave her, if that happened, would be one she could succeed at.

The Laurel Circle was cold and dark on her finger again.

Dont let your fear be your master, Gideon said quietly to her. She twisted the ring as she watched him walk away. If only she could put her fear in a box with her pain. But somehow, she didnt think there was a container in the universe that was big enough for it.

I dont know what to wear! she complained to Henry back at her dorm room.

Dont ask me, he said. Im still wrapping my head around what a guild is, never mind what the dress code might be.

I wish Kanti were here. Shed know.

Me, too. But her parents wont let her leave. Shes going stir crazy. And Im going crazy waiting for her to get back so I can finally tell her that Im in love with her, Henry said, chewing his thumbnail again.

I guess Ill go with jeans and a nice top. My hands are starting to sweat, she said.

Youre going to ace it.

You have to say that. Youre my brother.

Henry left, and she walked over to the Guild, gripping Pathos hilt tightly. She hoped they would let her keep it during the test.

When she reached the arch at the entrance to the Guild, she looked around, confused. It was completely deserted. She knocked on several of the doors that led inside from the courtyard, but there was no answer. Was this a part of the test, or did she miss an instruction that she was supposed to go somewhere else?

All dressed up but no place to go. Zunyas voice made her spin around. His yellow eyes were slits, and he stared at her with a triumphant grin.

He stood several yards away, and her magic vanished like water down a drain. She knew that if he touched her, it would be agony. Her best hope was to outrun him. She had barely formed the thought when she saw Claremont lying on the ground behind him, unconscious. Running wasnt an option.

Once she decided to stay and fight, her fear receded a little and instinct took over. She drew Pathos. Zunya laughed.

Even Azra cant touch me, he said. What makes you think that youll make it through my shield? Heres the deal. You come with me quietly, and she can stay here. He gestured to Claremont. Fight me, and youll both suffer.

She knew that the minute he had her away from Arden, her chances of getting away were microscopic. Choosing not to run was tantamount to a death sentence.

Lets go, Valerie said, refusing to let her voice shake.

Drop your sword first, he commanded, and she did as she was told.

He gestured toward the tree line behind the Guild, and she walked behind him. He didnt even check to see if she was following. When they were about half a mile away, Valerie considered her options. Claremont was safe. But there was no one to save her other than herself.

She could follow Zunya to the Black Castle and hope that they had a reason to keep her alive, or she could take her chances and fight him now, without magic or her weapon. The inevitability of losing hit her like a hammer blow. She wasnt strong enough to fight him or smart enough to outwit him. She gripped the crystal hanging around her neck and her mind returned to Earth.

Thai dropped the book he was holding in surprise. Arent you supposed to be taking your test?

I only have a few seconds. But I wanted you to know why I was never coming to see you again.

His face rapidly drained of color. Whats happening?

Zunyas taken me prisoner and were going to the Black Castle. Once were there, theyll take this charm, so Im going to drop it along the way so they cant find you. If they dont kill me, Ill visit you if I possibly can.

No! You have to fight.

If I fight him, hell beat me. I dont have my magic or my weapon.

Youre giving up? Why have you been training all these months without magic? For times like this!

Thais confidence blazed like an aura. He believed she could do it. Before she could reply, she was yanked back to the Globe as her head hit the ground. Zunya had backhanded her.

She unleashed her anger. It washed away her fear, and she let herself be carried away with it. From the ground, she swept her leg under his feet, knocking him to the dirt. She jumped up and stood in a defensive stance, ready for his attack. He got up more slowly than she expected, but immediately threw a right hook, hard. She ducked and the punch missed.

She grabbed his wrist as it whizzed by and twisted. He howled in pain. She expertly head-butted him, and he dropped to the ground. The air around him shimmered, and his shape changed.

Instead of Zunya, she saw a little brown creature with big ears and beady eyes. He grinned at her.

You pack quite a punch. And you also passed, he said, and reached out to shake her hand.

She took a step back. W-what? It felt like the ground was tilting.

Sorry. Im Mira. Im a shapeshifter. Every recruit has to fight me in the form of their most feared enemy. You passed the first part with flying colors when you didnt abandon Claremont. But it was touch and go there for awhile when you were following me to your doom. Another half a mile and you would have failed.

Why?

Its one thing to find courage to defend others. But you also need confidence in yourself when its your safety at stake. We cant afford for our Knights to act like martyrs.

But my magic disappeared, like it always does when Zunyas around. Did you do that?

He shook his head. You did it to yourself. Your magic was with you the whole time. Sometimes your most powerful enemy is your own insecurity. What finally made you fight back?

My soul mate, she said, and then gripped Thais crystal and was by his side in an instant.

He had his eyes closed and his hands clasped, almost as if he was praying.

It was part of the test. Zunya wasnt real. I passed.

He made a noise that almost sounded like a sob of relief and stepped toward her. She could see the longing on his face to hold her.

I thought I lost you, he said.

Youre my anchor. Youll never lose me.

Mira led Valerie back to the Guild, which was now swarming with Conjurors.

You were the last recruit to be tested, he explained. Now for the fun part.

Valerie saw Gideon, Midnight, and Azra standing at the front of the crowd. All of the recruits from her class were there, glowing. They had made it.