A Slave to Magic by Lana Axe Page A

fingertips.
    As he approached the rocks, he felt magical energy
pulsating through his body. Almost too intense at first, he eventually relaxed
into the feeling and came to enjoy it. It was revitalizing and energizing,
filling his magical stores with a sensation he had never experienced. Was this
what it was like to bathe in pure magic? All he knew was, he would gladly stay
stuck to this spot forever, absorbing the stones’ magic through his veins.
    Taking a seat at the base of a tall, pillar-shaped
stone, Kwil rested his cheek against its surface. To his delight, the stone was
warm, despite winter’s chill. It glowed with a pale yellow light, and he raised
his hand to shield his eyes. When the light became more intense, he pulled
himself away, releasing the bond he had created between himself and the stone.
The light faded, leaving him to wonder what had happened.
    A flat, round stone lay at his feet, and he
decided its smaller size might produce a less dramatic effect. If he could
determine what was happening when he touched it, maybe he could learn to use it
properly. Placing his palm on the flat surface, he felt the stone’s warmth, and
the same light began to glow between his fingers. The image of the cockatrice
flashed in his mind, and the stone emitted an electric jolt. Pulling his hand
away, Kwil tried to shake off the pain. Looking down at the rock, he noticed
its surface had been altered—it was now polished to a mirror-like shine.
    Looking around, Kwil searched for the source of
power at the rocks. He saw nothing besides the plain, gray stones, settled into
the frozen ground. If it weren’t for the intense feeling of magic in the area,
he would never have expected anything to happen.
    Was this part of Rili’s plan? He had mentioned the
rocks after all. Perhaps he knew only a sorcerer would sense the magic in the
stones. Kwil wished Nera were here so he could ask if she sensed anything. Her
disinterest in magic might make her immune to their effects. If so, Kwil would
know that Rili had indeed offered help, though he didn’t make it too obvious.
    Rising to his feet, Kwil observed his reflection
in the rock’s surface. Using this against the cockatrice was a far better idea
than having it look into water. This was portable and just the right size to
serve as a shield. With his heart yearning to study the rock formation further,
Kwil knew he had to move on. He wasn’t going to find the cockatrice sitting
here, and the task was too important to abandon. Hoping that someday Rili would
bring him here and explain the magic of the stones, Kwil forced himself to walk
away, following along the path carved by the monster’s massive form.
    As he approached the cave’s entrance, fear gripped
hold of his mind. No longer certain that he wanted to continue, he hesitated,
staring into the mouth of the cave. Only a few feet inside, the light faded
away to darkness, and Kwil felt a churning in his stomach. Clutching the
polished stone against his chest, he begged it to give him strength. The warmth
returned to its surface, spreading throughout the young man’s body. Steeling
himself, he stepped inside the monster’s lair.
    To his delight, the shield remained lit, providing
enough light for him to easily maneuver through the cave. His feet immediately
hit water, and he paused, observing the pool in front of him. It appeared to go
down for eternity, its depths descending into blackness. Wondering if he would
have to swim across, he became uneasy. Kwil was not the strongest swimmer, but
the monster might be. Stooping low, he grabbed a small pebble and tossed it in
the water. It splashed, landing no more than a few inches from the water’s
surface. Looking upward, Kwil realized the pool was only reflecting the
darkened ceiling with its partially illuminated stalactites. With a quiet sigh
of relief, he continued forward.
    A booming voice echoed against the cave walls,
startling him to attention. “Who wanders so foolishly