Circles in the Stream (Avalon: Web of Magic #1) by Rachel Roberts

grounds and headed over to the baseball fields. The townspeople were wrong—Phel was no monster! But they were also more right than they knew—something evil was in those woods and it was stalking all kinds of animals. How could they fight that ? How—
    “How is this supposed to work?”
    Emily looked up to find Kara standing on home plate. The blond girl wore a silver silk jacket over a pink T-shirt that said ROCK STAR in fake silver gems. Light green shorts and strappy sandals completed the outfit.
    “Oh, hi.” Emily said. In her concern for the animals, she had almost forgotten about Kara.
    “What are we supposed to do?” Kara demanded. “Just wander around in the woods? It's creepy—and dangerous. Do we have a treasure map or something?” Her steely gaze bore into Emily.
    “How ‘bout we just saddle up and follow the old Injun trail?” Adriane had come up from the other direction.
    “Do you always wear black?” Kara remarked, taking in Adriane’s black jeans, black T-shirt, and black hiking boots with clear disdain.
    “Just until they invent a darker color,” Adriane retorted. She tossed her long black hair over her shoulder. “Let’s go.”
    “Where are we going, exactly?” Kara asked.
    “You’re about to get the grand tour of the Ravenswood Wildlife Preserve,” Adriane told her. “We show you around and then take you home. That’s it.” She turned and walked back up toward the road. “And no lectures.”
    “Hey!” Kara ran to catch up. “What about those stones?”
    “If you find one, we’ll throw you a party,” Adriane said.
    “What’s with her?” Kara asked Emily.
    “She’s worried about the animals that live in the preserve,” Emily told her. “And if the place is closed down, she and Gran will have to move.”
    “Why don’t you and Gran just move into a normal house?” Kara pressed.
    Adriane stopped and faced Kara. “Look, just stay behind us and try not to say anything too stupid, please! ”
    “You know, you should really try a little bran in your diet.”
    “Someone shoot me now!” Adriane strode quickly up the path.
    Emily and Kara hurried to keep up with Adriane as she forged into the woods. The sun poured golden beams through the overhead branches and cool breezes blew the leaves, creating shifting patterns of light and shadow across the forest floor.
    Kara had only one thing on her mind. “So, what do I look for? Minerals? Quartz crystals? I have a book on gems in my backpack.” She slung off her leather pack and began digging in it.
    “You do? That’s really cool.” Emily was impressed. Adriane moved on ahead, not wanting any part of the conversation.
    “Here, look.” Kara pulled out a small, fat book. “See? Identifying Minerals and Gems . It’s grouped by structure, composition, and luster. The structure is the shape, composition is the purity of the stone, and luster is color.”
    “Wow.” It struck Emily that Kara might not be as shallow as she seemed. She might even be pretty smart.
    Kara continued. “Here’s the really precious stones, emeralds, sapphires—and my favorite—diamonds!” Kara said. “We can look up your stone in here, too.”
    Emily held up her wrist as Kara flipped through the pages, trying to find a match. “We made our own bands,” she commented self-consciously. “It was Adriane’s idea.”
    Kara barely glanced up. “Not bad. I have some silver chains that’ll look much better. I’ll get you one.”
    “I love silver, thanks,” Emily said.
    “Here, looks like aventurine.” Kara pointed to the page. “Properties include protection and healing.”
    Emily’s hazel eyes widened. What a coincidence that she, of all people, should pick up a healing stone! Sunlight reflected off the stone, sending shimmers of color through it.
    Kara was mesmerized. She softly touched the gemstone. Blinding shafts of blue and green light flared from the stone.
    Both girls screamed and Emily jerked her hand back.
    Adriane wheeled