Tara Duncan and the Spellbinders by Princess Sophie Audouin-Mamikonian Page A

who had banged his head in surprise.. “What did you say?”
    â€œI said there’s a Bloodgrave in the Castle. I just glimpsed part of his gray robe.”
    â€œWhat?” Chem roared again, making the walls shake. “In the Royal Travia Castle? In my domain? Do you mean to say that those sawed-off runts in gray nightshirts dare to challenge me on my home ground? I will track them down, I will find them, I will break them, and I will eat their hearts! This is war! ”
    Tara decided not to argue with him, not at all.
    â€œRight—war. No problem. But it would be nice if you could stop yelling,” she added politely, pulling her fingers from her ears. “So while we’re waiting for the festivities—destroying, crushing, eating their hearts, and so forth—what can I do to help?”
    â€œNothing,” said the dragon. “Just keep me informed of anything that strikes you as unusual or strange. And if you ever see that twerp in gray rags again, let me know right away.”
    Tara shrugged helplessly. The old wizard was asking a lot, since everything in this world seemed unusual and strange to her.
    â€œI don’t know why a Bloodgrave would walk around the Castle in a gray robe,” she remarked. “Wouldn’t that be the best way to get caught?”
    â€œHe’s defying me,” rumbled the dragon, also shrugging his shoulders, which fanned a small tornado, since the shoulders in question were attached to twenty-foot wings. “The Bloodgraves are among us, and we have no way of knowing which of us has joined their alliance. He also wants to frighten you. Let you know that he’s here, watching you.”
    Tara shivered. In regards to her that was a complete success. She was frightened.
    â€œBut isn’t it possible to recognize them? From their size or their build?”
    The dragon sighed, barely containing a blast of fire so as not to burn Tara to a crisp.
    â€œYou don’t understand, I see,” he said. “By Alakazam transform this state, from my dragon to my human shape.”
    Tara turned pale. Standing in front of her instead of the dragon was a powerful Bloodgrave, the dark gray of his robe stretched across broad shoulders. He was taller than the old wizard, and a mirror mask hid his face.
    Before she could scream, the Bloodgrave waved his hand and the mask disappeared, revealing Master Chem’s face—but looking thirty years younger! Even his voice was different. His hair was no longer white but brown, and his eyes were green instead of gold.
    â€œThe reason we can’t identify the Bloodgraves is that they could be any one of us,” he explained. “With magic we can change our bodies and our appearance, and fool people. You see?”
    Still rigid with fear, Tara nodded. Satisfied, Chem reverted to his dragon shape. Tara briefly wondered which she was more afraid of, the enormous dragon or the Bloodgrave. Right now it was about even.
    â€œIf the Bloodgraves wear gray, what would their base be called?” she asked. “You know, like their headquarters?”
    â€œNo idea,” rumbled the dragon. “And believe me, if I knew I would have destroyed them a long time ago.”
    So Master Chem didn’t know about the Gray Fortress either. Tara would apparently have to find it by herself.
    With the old wizard’s warning of caution ringing in her ears, Tara rejoined Cal, who led her to her room.
    â€œSo, did you get to talk to Chem?” he asked, struggling to contain his curiosity.
    â€œYeah, I did,” said Tara laconically. “Hey, this Castle of yours is huge! Is my room still far?”
    â€œAll right,” said Cal, who caught on fast. “I can tell you don’t want to answer, so I won’t ask any questions—at least not now. Here we are! If her ladyship would be so kind . . . ”
    When the wall opened before Tara, she saw a comfortable lounge with large windows,