The Secret of Spellshadow Manor 6 by Bella Forrest (books for men to read .TXT) 📕

it fails—what if the mist escapes? What are we supposed to do then?” she added, deflating those hopes.

Alex had been so excited about the prospect of doing the spell, now that they had everything they needed, that he had almost forgotten what could go wrong if it didn’t succeed. He chastised himself for allowing his confidence to overtake his focus again. That was what had gotten them into trouble last time.

“Evacuate?” he suggested. “We’ve got a better chance of evacuating the people of Starcross before the spell even takes place than we do with the people at any other havens. We could get them out of the way before we start, so nobody is at risk?”

Ceres sighed heavily, her shoulders sagging.

“I know it’s a lot to ask, and I wouldn’t dare to ask if I didn’t think this was our best shot,” Alex continued softly, his voice full of regret.

Virgil chimed in. “For what it’s worth, I think it’s probably our best shot too.”

She looked up, her face strained. “My brother will take the people here, if we are forced to evacuate. I can take them to the portal and hold them there. One of my riders will wait by the entrance of the castle for a signal—be it bad or good news, they will ride to us and tell us what has gone on,” she said quietly. “No matter how quickly the mist here might be released, the Kelpies can outrun it.”

“Where will Hadrian put all these people?” Alex asked, wanting all the logistics out of the way, even though he hadn’t even seen the castle yet.

“There are secret places at Falleaf where he can keep them safe,” Ceres explained. “In the early days of hiding students away after graduation, we started somewhere else. It’s big enough to hold most, though some of the people you brought through may have to reintegrate with the Falleaf students, until you can try the spell again. If you fail a third time, we’re doomed anyway.” She gave a tight smile.

“Doomed?” Virgil questioned through the bars of his cell.

Ceres flashed him a withering look. “Given the essence situation, the lack of magical children being born, and Spellshadow falling to the mist, it won’t be long before the Great Evil takes hold of everything. There isn’t enough essence to keep it at bay anymore, unless Julius starts taking it from anyone and everyone,” she said bitterly. “Even if he manages to reinstate the essence system between three havens, somehow, the cycle will never end. If this is the best chance we have, we have to take it… though I’m not happy about it,” she added for good measure, though a wry smile pulled at the corners of her lips.

“You should hurry,” Venus said suddenly, her charming voice surprising all of them. In all their time there, she hadn’t spoken once. “The sands of time are running swiftly, and you’re down to a handful of grains,” she added, every word like a symphony. With that, she turned her back on the others, opening a book on her lap. Where she had obtained the book, Alex could only guess, but he knew nobody would dare take it from her either.

“She’s right,” Ceres agreed. “We should hurry to the castle now—scope it out, see if it’s any good.”

Alex nodded, and the pair left the windmill. Virgil called after them, pleading to be allowed to go too, but they ignored him as they stepped out into the warm sunlight, the gentle breeze whipping their hair. Striding ahead, Ceres led them to the edge of the riverbank, removing the glinting bridle she wore on her belt. She held it out and began to sing—the tune a low, Celtic ballad, sounding so sad and mysterious Alex felt his heart grip, despite the fact that he couldn’t understand the words.

Below, the fast-running surface of the water began to stir and froth. A moment later, the slick mane of a Kelpie emerged, followed by the beast itself. It rose, bit by bit, the water drying immediately as its rough hide met the cool breeze, until it had mounted the bank and was standing in front of Ceres, beating its hooves against the hard earth. Its white eyes glared in Alex’s direction, forcing him to look away, but Ceres held its gaze, her voice still singing delicately as she slipped the bridle around the beast’s face and fastened it into place.

With that, she jumped up, swinging lithely onto the huge beast’s back. Once she was settled, she held out a hand to Alex, who paused uncertainly. It wasn’t on his bucket list to ever ride a Kelpie.

“Come on, he’s fine,” Ceres encouraged.

Taking a deep breath, Alex gripped Ceres’s hand and allowed her to haul him up behind her. The steed’s back was broader than he had anticipated, and he felt his thighs straining as he struggled to get a comfortable seat. It was nowhere near as comfortable as Storm’s back. The Kelpie flicked its tail in annoyance, causing Alex to stop squirming and sit still.

“You’ll get used to it,” Ceres laughed, digging in her heels as the mighty beast set off at a terrifying speed, the world flashing past Alex’s eyes as he clung onto Ceres for dear life. They headed toward the ruins of Starcross Castle.

Chapter 14

They tore through the countryside, Alex’s nerves calming as they settled into a rhythm. He hadn’t seen this part of the realm before, but it was just as breathtaking as the fields they’d walked through to get to the encampment. Beautiful forests rose on either side of them, teeming with wildlife. A stag emerged, its fur a pure white, its antlers gleaming like ivory, its brown eyes watching them curiously as they passed by. Behind it, just visible in the trees, he could see the ghostly shapes of other deer, not quite as bold as their leader.

The Kelpie sprinted with ease, the heavy muscles rippling beneath Alex. If he closed his eyes and imagined