The Power of 9

Chapter 2

The group came into a clearing where a rock sat, soaking up the sun. There were flowers scattered around. Emily and Kara had made them with magic to remind them of Phel. Ashton bent down, holding her hair out of her face so she could smell the flowers.

"What's that rock for?" Carter asked skeptically. All of a sudden, a roar split the air. Everyone screamed, except for the tour guides, who grinned, exchanging glances. Lyra leapt through the air, spreading her wings to make it seem like a long jump. Their guests were awestruck. They were talking in excited whispers.

"Let's see if I pet her, without getting eaten," Emily said.

"Ooh, be careful!" Rosalina warned.

"Don't worry, I work with animals all the time," Emily assured. She crept up to Lyra.

"Don't worry, it won't actually eat her," Carter said. The she turned to Adriane. "Will it?" The black-haired guide shrugged. She smiled seeing how nervous the sisters and their friend were getting.

Adriane liked the performances they did. First they got everyone nervous, then when they saw how harmless the animals can be, they developed a better understanding of wildlife. That was their goal after all, wasn't it?

Suddenly the girls were clapping. Adriane realized that, while she'd been spacing off, Emily had gotten up to pet Lyra. Adriane added in her small claps, all the while focusing on Storm. She quickly made contact with the mistwolf.

Are you ready? She asked with her mind. We're coming your way. The answer from Adriane's friend was clear in her mind.

I'm ready. Emily stepped back to let Adriane take charge as Lyra padded gracefully back into the trees.

"Ok, so you've seen some pretty cool animals, right? And I'd love to tell you what's up next, but, sadly, I can't," Adriane said. "So, coming up this way, look around for some animals you'd see normally in a forest."

The visitors looked on, fascinated by the sudden burst in wildlife, compared to the quiet forest that had been just before Adriane had said that. It was like magic.

Then again…. maybe it was.

"Ravenswood isn't only about exotic animals," Adriane started.

"We want to teach our visitors about all sorts of animals!" Emily continued.

As the three guides explained Ravenswood's goal to their guests, their feet took them, almost automatically, along the path they needed.

Soon the forest had grown quiet again. They were entering Wolf's Run Pass. Suddenly Adriane stopped, putting her arm out.

"Wait," she ordered. The others stopped. "Can you feel that?"

"F-feel what?" Ashton asked.

Emily shivered. "It's like something's watching you," she answered eerily.

"What is it?" Rosalina asked.

"Maybe it's a-" Before Carter could finish, a white shape leapt out of the trees growling.

"Wolf!" The sisters and their best friend screamed at the same time.

"Stay calm," Adriane answered.

Behind her, Emily whispered to Kara, "Wow, she's good!" Kara stuck out her tongue.

"Show off," she muttered good-naturedly.

Storm disappeared again, through the trees on the other side of the path. A light purplish mist rose up around the girls.

"Where did it go?!" Someone shouted. It was hard to tell which of the girls it was. Then a growl came from behind them. The group swiveled around.

"Now what?" Carter shouted.

Just then, an owl swooped out of the trees emitting a fierce call. The magnificent bird swooped down on the wolf. As feathers flew the wolf disappeared into the trees once again.

"Will it come back?" Rosalina asked hopefully. The mist had faded away, and now a much smaller pup came from the opposite side of the path from where Storm had disappeared.

There was a whimpering noise and Storm came back out. She licked Dream's ear and the three visitors awed. Adriane turned to Kara and Emily to see what they thought. To her surprise, Emily wasn't there.

"Where's Emily?" Adriane mouthed. Kara shrugged. Then the blonde pushed her friend forward to take her moment in the spotlight.

Adriane stumbled forward, and walked up to hug Storm. "Great job," she whispered.

"You didn't do so bad yourself," the mistwolf said, with a noise the girl recognized as wolf laughter.

Adriane picked Dream up and stood by Storm's side, taking a bow. The much-relieved visitors clapped.

"Woo!" Ashton cheered. "Great show guys!"

Kara stepped up and bowed dramatically while Adriane rolled her eyes. Ariel the owl had flown back out and was sitting on Storm's back, acting cool although she was really loving it.

"Well, that just about wraps up-"

"Um, guys…?" Emily called.

"Where'd you get to, Emmy?" Kara asked.

"There's a slight problem," Emily said, ignoring her friend's question. All the girls were instantly alert.

"A duck…" the girl paused.

Storm sent a quick thought to Adriane and Kara: "Quiffle."

"… has gone missing!"