The darkness pressed on her, as if she was deep underwater again. It was harder than ever to remember what waited for her if she could fight her way to the surface. Family, friends, love.

The pain this time was like being torn apart from the inside of her mind to the tips of her toes. She couldnt repress her scream.

It wasnt Thai who waited for her when she opened her eyes this time, but Azras gentle, dark eyes. Her warm breath blew against Valeries face and she revived a little.

Im here, too, Henry said, leaning over her. We have to get out of here before Zunya comes back with reinforcements. Ill keep you safe; I swear it.

As gently as he could, he draped her across Azras back. Then he climbed behind her, holding her waist so that she wouldnt fall off. Azras hooves made a gentle clopping sound against the stony ground.

Despite the uncomfortable position, she slid back into unconsciousness. When she awoke, she saw that they were approaching a grove of trees. Her vision was blurry, and she was as drained and exhausted as she ever had been on Earth.

I thought this wasnt supposed to happen now that Im on the Globe and I can use my magic, she whispered.

Using magic, especially the amount you used to save me, has a price. No ones magic is limitless, and you used up your store. It will take time for it to build back up again.

It was worth it.

Thank you, Valerie. I am glad my time here is not yet over.

Shell fully recover, right? Henry asked.

Yes. But being a vivicus is a rare and powerful manifestation of magic. It is a power that must not be used lightly. Valeries life, and even yours, could be at stake.

She stopped in front of a giant tree. The trunk was five feet in diameter. After Valerie and Henry got off Azras back, they looked up, amazed, at the endless branches and leaves that blocked their view of the stars.

Azra touched her horn against a knot in the side of the tree, and a door swung open, revealing a wooden staircase that led up toward an orange glow. She ascended the stairs with Valerie and Henry behind her.

At the top was a simple room with a fireplace providing warmth and light, and a table covered with fruit and other food that Valerie couldnt name. Sitting in a chair by the fire was an elegant man with dark skin, wearing a tunic made of soft white material. When the light hit his face, she could see that his skin was brushed with gold, just like the trees in Ardens forest. It was unusual but beautiful.

The People of the Woods give you permission to pass through this land, he said formally, rising to his feet. He stood a little taller than she did, and his build was slight but graceful. You may call me Elden.

Thank you for your hospitality.

I wouldnt call it that. I welcome you, Azra, but these two humans have not proven themselves. I am here to guide you safely to Arden, it is true, but also to guard my people from any danger they may bring.

I have vouched for both of these children. You may trust them. It was the first time that Valerie had ever seen Azras eyes flash with something approaching anger. They are not a part of your feud.

Elden nodded, but the alert way that he held himself told her that he was still wary of them. What happened to you, Azra? I sense that you have been through an immense change. The afterglow of powerful magic is coming off of you in waves. His eyes widened. You were touched by a vivicus! Who?

Azra said nothing, but his eyes were drawn to Valerie. He dropped to one knee. I am at your service. And so are all of the People of the Woods, once they know who you are.

Her skin crawled and she flushed with embarrassment. If Azra hadnt warned her about the reaction of the Conjurors to the news that she was a vivicus, she would have been sure that Elden was mocking her. She saw Henry stare at Elden in astonishment, and then he burst out laughing.

Please get up, youre going to give her a heart attack, he said.

Elden rose, but he flashed an irritated glance at Henry.

What you say is true; Valerie is a vivicus. But she is still a child. I ask you not to tell your people she is here. She needs rest and safe passage.

Elden shook his head in disbelief and turned to Valerie. Is this what you want?

She nodded. This is all a misunderstanding. Im only beginning to understand what my powers are and how to control them.

He squinted, examining her. She squirmed, feeling like a bug under a microscope. He shook his head. I had hoped you might help us to defeat Reaper at last. But I can see you are not the person we need.

Reaper? Henry asked.

The name tickled the back of Valeries mind. She was sure shed heard it before.

He has old, powerful magic and has ruled the Black Castle for a very long time. Once he kept to himself, but now he has begun sending his minions into our woods, attacking our people with powers we have never seen before.

You never told me of this. What does he want?

We dont know. He took two of the oldest in our community last season. He sent some strange invisible creatures to take three of our children several nights past, but we were able to drive them back. A life was lost in the battle, and several were wounded.

Why didnt you ask for help? Valerie asked.

We ask no favors from Conjurors, and grant no favors in return. We wish to live apart from your politics and corruption.

Then why help us now? Henry asked.

Eldens face softened. Azra saved my daughter from death with healing waters from her horn. There is nothing she may not ask of me.

Azra bowed her head, and her mane shimmered in the firelight. Valerie was starting to think that there wasnt anyone on the Globe whose life hadnt been touched by Azra. Though Zakis life had been lost tonight to protect her, she had saved Azras. It didnt make up for his loss, but it was something to comfort her and be grateful for.

For tonight, there are beds here for you. In the morning, we travel, Elden said.

Valerie tossed and turned that night, thinking about Reaper, until at last something clicked. Reaper was the name that Zunya had mentioned when he found Valerie on Earth. Whoever he was, Zunya answered to him. She couldnt stop the chill that came over her, trying to imagine an evil powerful enough that even Zunya obeyed.

Chapter 8.

Valerie woke the next day physically stronger. Still, her magic was absent"it was like missing a limb. Even on Earth, she could feel the magic trapped inside her, even if she couldnt access it. She quickly met with Thai and Chisisi to tell them what had happened, but her visit was brief. They were making arrangements to ship Zakis body back to Egypt, and they were about to talk to the police about what had happened.

Her mind returned to the Globe, and she stepped back into the little room where they had met Elden the night before. Henry was pacing by the fire, which had diminished to glowing embers. Finally, youre up. I knew you needed your rest, but weve got to get to civilization so we can see if theres any news about Kanti.

She rubbed her eyes and nodded. Lets get moving. Where are Azra and Elden?

No idea, he said.

He opened a door at the end of the room, and Valeries eyes widened at what lay beyond it. They were in the middle of a city entirely settled in the branches of the trees. Houses were perched at different levels, one or two per giant tree. The roads were made of entwined branches that formed living walkways and platforms from tree to tree. Wildflowers in glittering shades of pink, yellow, and purple bloomed everywhere, making the city look as if it was decorated for a holiday. Long ropes woven from a golden material formed ladders that fell to the ground, which was about one hundred yards below.

The people were busy, children racing among the branches, adults pulling wheelbarrows and selling food from little stalls carved into niches of the trees. They heard the gentle clop of Azras hooves come up behind them.

It is a wonder, isnt it?

Are these people"elves? Henry asked hesitantly.

In human legends, that is what they are called. But the People of the Woods would be very offended if you used that term.

This place is beautiful, Valerie said, breathing in the scent of flowers and growing things.

I thank you for your words, Elden said, approaching them from a nearby stall. He handed them a doughy food that crumbled in Valeries mouth. It was warm, salty, and filling.

How did you ever build this place? Magic? Henry asked.

Some. But mainly from patience. We have guided branches and vines into place over hundreds of years to form this city. We never rob a tree of life, but only encourage it to grow in a direction of our suggestion. Now come, we must move quickly. Word of your arrival has begun to spread, and there are those who are calling for you to be cast out before your human ways can spread among us like a disease. Or so they believe.

Valerie guessed that he added his last comment for Azras benefit, but she knew that they should be grateful for his help, however grudgingly it was given. Elden led the way down a vine-covered path, and they hurried after him. The road wasnt easy to navigate, because it wasnt smooth like the roads on Earth. At one point, Henrys foot caught on a root and he fell to the ground.

You okay? she asked.

He dusted himself off. Not the best city for those of us who are spatially challenged.

She had a prickly feeling on her neck, and she saw two people with long, dark hair glaring at them from a nearby branch. She wondered if Henry really had been clumsy, or if they had encouraged the root to trip him.

She and Henry hurried to catch up with Azra and Elden, who had stopped at the edge of the platform that they were currently crossing. They joined them next to a golden rope ladder that went over the edge and fell toward the ground. But they were so high in the trees that the ladder disappeared into fog, and Valerie couldnt see the land below.

Here you are. Its perfectly safe to jump, but most prefer the ladder, Elden said.

Henrys eyes went wide. Leap over the edge? Or go down a ladder so high off the ground? Are you crazy?

Azras laugh tinkled in Valeries mind. Its safe. Allow me to go first, she said, and she galloped off the edge, swallowed by the mist.

You cant be serious! Henry exclaimed.

Youre on the Globe now. Things dont have the same rules here. This isnt the last time that youll have to make a leap of faith. Might as well start today, she said, and gave him a nudge.

He wiped sweaty palms on his pants. All right. Ill go next. Thank you for your help, Elden.

Slowly, he climbed down the ladder, gripping the rungs so tightly that his knuckles turned white. After a few steps down, the fog swallowed him up.

You pretended to be brave for your brother, but I can hear your heart pounding, Elden said to her. This fear, it is why you will not lead?

No, it isnt only that Im afraid. You dont know me well. Im not the leading type"what if I make the wrong decision and people get hurt? Im not sure I could live with myself.

You do not understand what it means to be a vivicus. It is a manifestation of magic that resides only in one with a completely pure heart. That is why it is so rare, and why everyone expects you to lead. It is impossible that you could lead us astray through selfishness or corruption. You have honor.

I cant say for certain how incorruptible I am, since Ive never been tested. But even if what you say is true, theres no way I could ever lead other people. I can barely lead myself.

You have been tested. You had the opportunity to justly destroy your greatest enemy, and instead you saved her life, Elden said.

Valerie was surprised that he had heard of her encounter with Sanguina. If the People of the Woods knew, removed from the world up in their trees, then everyone must know.

She shifted uncomfortably, and Elden examined her closely. I can see you are not ready to accept this truth. But if the day comes when you are, you will have allies in my people.

Thank you, she murmured, not sure what else to say. And thank you for your help and protection.

He nodded in acknowledgment and farewell. She stepped to the edge of the platform and thought about going down as Henry had, rung by rung. But then she shrugged, sucked in a big gulp of air, and took a swan dive into the fog.

For several heart-stopping moments, wind rushed past her, blowing her hair back and stinging her eyes. But then she slowed, and the fog lifted. She was floating through the air above Arden, heading gently to the surface. In the distance, she saw the streets of Silva, which was the capital city in Arden, and knew that they must be landing in a nearby forest. When her feet touched the ground, Henry was waiting for her with a huge grin on his face.

That was incredible. Lets go back and do it again, he joked. Azra went on ahead. She said it was urgent to inform the Guild Masters about the threat that Elden told us about"Reaper. But we just have to follow this path back to the city, and she said youd know the way to the Society of Imaginary Friends dorm from there.

They headed down a well-worn path through the trees and came out at the edge of The Horseshoe of Guilds. As they approached the walkway, Valerie explained about the guilds, that each represented a different profession, ranging from music to weaponry to being the imaginary friend of children on Earth. Conjurors apprenticed to a guild when they were young and learned their trade in order to give back to the community.

Theres the Society of Imaginary Friends, she said, pointing to the most interesting of the buildings. Waterslides came out the window, and children chased each other through doors and out windows, screaming with laughter. Thats the guild where Cyrus and Kanti are apprenticed.

Speaking of Kanti, lets go find Cyrus to see if hes heard anything more.

She led him through the streets, pointing out different guilds and buildings as they passed each one. As fascinating as Silva was, she could see that most of his attention was still preoccupied with thoughts of Kanti. She wished that his first glimpse of the Globe had been under happier circumstances, as hers had been.

She stopped in front of a tall, cylindrical building in different shades of blue, which was the dorm for the Society of Imaginary Friends. This is where well live, she said. Its your home now, too.

Val! Cyrus came tearing out of the front door and swung her around in a joyful hug. She squeezed him back. He then turned to Henry and they clasped hands and slapped each other on the back. Cyruss blue eyes sparkled with happiness. I cant tell you how good it is to see you guys. Ive been on pins and needles all day.

How is she? Henry asked.

Kantis the same. Dulcea, our dorm matron, is talking to her mom every day.

My ears are burning! Dulcea said in her sweet voice, whizzing down the building on a platform that she was steering with her mind. Her blonde hair glinted in the sunlight, and her wide smile was a welcome sight.

Valerie! And you must be Henry! This is so wonderful. I do hope youll come to me like your sister does if you need anything at all. Your room is all set up"youll be sharing with Cyrus. Dulcea almost bubbled over in her enthusiasm.

Um, thank you, Henry said, taking a small step backward. Valerie could feel through their connection that he was a little overwhelmed.

Why dont I show you our room? Then Val and I will show you around properly, Cyrus suggested.

Henry nodded gratefully, and they zoomed up to Cyruss floor. Dulcea and Valerie caught the next platform.

Ill join you. How are you"really? Dulcea asked.

Tired and worried about Kanti, but very happy to be back. How have things been with you? Last time you visited us, you said you were in the middle of your big thesis paper on finding your passion through imagination.

Its been frustrating. Our Guild Grand Master isnt supportive of my theories. Im going to need a lot of data to prove myself to him.

He sounds tough.

Dulcea laughed. Rastelli is probably the least tough person Ive ever met. Hes hard to pin down on anything. But he isnt someone who likes change. And any time I try to talk seriously with him, he always gets silly. Which is funny, but not helpful. I guess its why hes Grand Master though"hes a big kid.

I know how determined you are. Youll win him over.