Heart of the Hill by Andrea Spalding Page A

the mist thickened around her, and she was drawn down and tumbled onto the island’s shore. He spotted two cloaked figures waiting in the shadows, one reeling Holly in, the second watching. They stepped forward as Holly sprawled on the pebbles.
    Owen glided silently through the mist and landed on the hilltop above them. He concealed himself behind a crag.

    The taller of the cloaked figures smirked. “I told you my powers were strong. Here comes your proof, Vivienne. I entered this child’s dreams.” Zorianna drew her cloak more closely around her body and shuddered. “Though why the child dreamed of the Tor this far back in time I do not know. What a miserable place it was, always wet.”
    â€œThis is the time of the Lake Villages, when the Tor was a island sanctuary called Avalon. The child came here when she walked my labyrinth. It is still in her mind,” said Vivienne.
    â€œNo matter. Watch me take control.” Zorianna stretched out her hand and beckoned with a long finger.
    Holly’s body jerked, and her head and shoulders raised from the beach. She looked toward the two figures, shuddered and dropped back again.
    â€œSee! Do I not keep my promise?” hissed Zorianna. “The girl is under my control. There lies your replacement, Vivienne. Feed her with crumbs of power and soon you will taste freedom, and I will have the first of many humans under my command.” She beckoned Holly again.
    Vivienne said nothing but watched with interest as Holly’s body jerked liked a robot and tried to rise.

    Holly felt stiff and clumsy. The cold seeped through her skin and chilled her bones. Even her blood ran slow. She pressed her hands into the pebbles, forced her shoulders up and made an effort to bend her stiff knees so she was crawling. She stopped as a wave of nausea made her retch.
    Nothing made sense. She remembered returning from the doctor’s and falling asleep in the guest bedroom at Myrddin’s house. She remembered floating through mist. But where was she now, and why was she feeling so wretched? Why did she feel like a puppet on a string?
    Her body jerked again.
    She was a puppet! Somebody was making her body move!
    A wave of hot anger thrust her to her feet. This was a nightmare. Who was jerking her around?
    Shivering, Holly turned toward the cliff. Two cloaked figures lurked in the deep shadow. Another wave of anger gave her some strength. “Who do you think you are, pulling me from the dream-mist like a fish on a line?” she demanded. “Where am I? What do you want of me?” She shook sand and gravel out of her curls with hands that trembled, but her eyes glared.
    A faint smile hovered on Vivienne’s lips. Zorianna had yet to experience cantankerous humans and their concept of free choice. This might prove amusing.

    Owen watched from the crags. “Go easy, Holly,” he muttered. “I’m not sure who you’re dreaming about, but those two women look nasty.” He drew back behind the rock and tried to think of a way to help. I wish I could ask Myrddin about them, he thought. Memory of Myrddin’s words rang through his head: “Watch over her from a distance. Do not approach or interfere unless she calls for assistance.”
    Owen peered down again. Holly wasn’t asking for help yet; she was just plain mad. He gave a little grin. Holly didn’t get mad very often, but when she did, boy, was she stubborn!

    â€œThe girl resists. How dare she?” said Zorianna.
    Vivienne smirked. “Humans are complex beings. It might be better if we make her dream more comfortable. Then she will relax.” She stepped forward. “Welcome, child.”
    Holly swayed, a puzzled look on her face.
    â€œCome,” encouraged Vivienne. “Let us show you the wonders of this place, but first you need food and warmth, for your journey was long.” She gestured toward a cleft in the cliff behind her.
    â€œDo I know