The Magi (The Magi Series) by Kevin M. Turner

mountain firmly, but the incline was so steep that Elijah thought he was going to fall backwards. He was sure he was going to slip and fall off during the climb, but he forced himself to trust the boots with each terrifying step, even though his body was telling him not to.
    Samuel, on the other hand, was having a rough time without the boots. He slipped over and over, and if it hadn’t been for Master Roddick’s quick reflexes, he would have slid off the side a number of times.
    After an hour of climbing, the ground leveled off slightly. Elijah’s legs burned with every step as his muscles quivered. The trio had been on the move without rest since the early morning, stopping only to drink from a water pouch Roddick carried. Elijah struggled to catch his breath the higher they went. He found the view exhilarating and terrifying altogether. For miles, he could see nothing but snow with a few green treetops peaking out from underneath the whitened world.
    As the hike gradually became routine, Elijah began thinking of the place they were traveling to. He tried to connect his past with this new world. The first place he encountered the term Magi was in a tattered book that belonged to his parents. Did that mean they knew of the Magi too? If they did, why did they keep it a secret? Elijah then thought of the last entry of Kyria’s diary that talked about a secret she knew. It was something she couldn’t tell him. Was that last entry about the Magi? Did Uncle Stan know too?
    Upon reaching the summit, Master Roddick paused and gathered Elijah and Samuel to him. “This is the most challenging part of the journey,” he said slowly and seriously. “We call it Air Walker’s Pass. Many people have died on this ridge because of carelessness. Pay attention where you step. Samuel, you will be between me and Elijah on the way down. Stay as close to the mountain as you can.”
    It was easy to see why this was called Air Walker’s Pass. The path was so narrow hugging the mountainside that Elijah couldn’t see anything in front of him. It gave him the illusion that he was actually walking on air, which he did not like because the bottom was hundreds of feet below. He could only see the switchbacks and the world under him. His heart stopped a couple of times as he felt himself become unsteady on the skinny path, but his boots held.
    Samuel, however, was far from slightly nervous. He was beginning to seriously panic. After walking for just a few minutes on the narrow pass, he hugged the mountainside to his right and refused to move. He closed his eyes and stiffened up.
    “I CAN’T DO THIS!”
    Master Roddick turned around.
    “It’s okay, lad. I’ve got you. You just have to go slow and be careful!”
    “NO! YOU’LL SLIP TOO! THIS ISN’T SAFE!” As Samuel shouted, he began to backpedal up the mountain path toward Elijah, not looking where his feet were going as they inched closer and closer to the edge of the ridge. His eyes were crazed and wild. His breathing was short and quick.
    “Lad, stop and look at me!” Master Roddick warned, his tone taking on a hint of fear as Samuel was obviously not thinking clearly.
    Elijah flattened his back against the mountain and started to take off his boots. “Samuel, here! You can have these!” Elijah had gotten both boots off and he raised them up to show Samuel he was serious. Standing precariously between Roddick and Elijah, Samuel stared at the boots for a long time, still a little out of sorts. His panicked state began to slow as he eyed the boot Elijah held out in front of him. How Samuel had not fallen off the edge, Elijah didn’t know. His back was facing the sudden drop off, and it looked as though half of his foot was hanging over the edge. A half a step back and he would tumble off the side.
    No words were spoken as Samuel stared blankly at the boot dangling from Elijah’s hand. All three were afraid to say or do anything. Samuel’s expression slackened, and his eyes came