The Thorn Prison (Avallon Academy Book 2) Read online

  Before she vanished in a puff of smoke, Camilla had handed to me the plain brass ring I was now wearing.

  I suspected that the ring had led me to my sister’s room after it had previously helped me free five inmates: Tristan, Pally, Izolde, Owian, and Percy. Where were they now? Why did I have to get through those challenges to reunite with my sister? Where was Merlin now that I needed the most?

  CHAPTER 11

  *

  Lost in my thoughts, I was not aware we had been followed until I heard a scream behind us, and an iron arrowhead scratched Maleagant’s ear.

  The Carnwennan dagger slipped from Arthur’s hand as he raised his longsword and turned around with a quick move to defend himself from Maleagant who moved to confront his attacker.

  Wielding his falchion with rage and fury, Maleagant ran toward Arthur. Arthur stayed still until his opponent was close enough and then, with a quick move, he ducked and grasped the tall man by the knees. In that game of surprisal, Arthur was the winner. A loud cry escaped Gwynette’s mouth as she ran to her wounded partner.

  “Gwen! Are you okay?” yelled Arthur as he rushed to fold me in his hands.

  “Arthur! What are you doing here?” I swooned over him.

  “Did they hurt you?”

  “No, of course not. They are with me.”

  “What do you mean?” Arthur asked startled.

  “Arthur, may I introduce you to Gwynette, my sister. And this is Maleagant, Gwynette’s husband. You need to apologize to him.”

  Arthur left his sword down and raised his hands at the height of his chest. “I deeply apologize,” he said with a light bow of his head.

  With a grimace of pain on his face, Maleagant nodded that it was okay but gasped when Arthur raised his sword up again.

  “What’s wrong?” I asked.

  “We need to leave; it is not safe here,” said Arthur. “We must get back to the Avallon Academy. Gwynette, Maleagant, you are coming with us. You must talk to Merlin when he gets back about the circumstances you were locked in the Thorn Prison.”

  The calmness on Arthur’s face and the steadiness of his gun-holding hand gave away his confidence. After having met five new persons that suddenly disappeared to be replaced by a newfound sister and her husband, Arthur was the one whom I could trust. I always felt safe when he was around.

  “The Thorn Academy has been shielded with a magic dome,” said Arthur. “We must find the spell that breaks it.”

  “How did you get here?” I asked Arthur. “Did you use magic?”

  “Actually, I did not,” Arthur said. “I was sent by the Avallon Academy to escort a suspect for misuse of magic powers. However, my real mission assigned by Merlin was to find the Big Five and bring them back home.”

  “Who are the Big Five?” I asked.

  “A vampire, a shape-shifter, a fae, a speeder, and a werewolf. I do not know who they are though,” he said.

  Tristan should be the vampire, Percy would be the shifter, Izolde was definitely the fae, Pally would be the werewolf, and Owian... He had not mentioned but he could be the speeder. They were the Big Five whom Arthur had been sent to set free, and I had lost them.

  “I know who the Big Five are,” I said quietly. “I was with them until I was suddenly transferred to the room where I met Gwynette.”

  “That must have been my mistake,” Gwynette said. “When I felt that the magic dome that covers the Thorn prison got thinner, I cast the spell of reunion as Merlin had advised me in my dream. Then I cast another spell to keep the WiZQuards away.”

  “Why did the dome get thinner?” asked Arthur.

  “Someone must have solved the Five Riddles,” said Gwynette.

  “I did. I mean we did; Tristan, Percy, Izolde, Pally, Owian, and I. We solved the Five Riddles,” I bragged.

  “Where are they now?” asked Arthur.

  “I have no idea.” I shrugged.

  “That must be my mistake,” said Gwynette. “When I cast the Reunion spell, I separated you from them.”

  Arthur raised an eyebrow. “How did you manage to cast a spell anyway?”

  “Merlin said that when the Five Riddles are solved, the Dome will get thinner, and then I will be able to cast the Reunion spell using the powers of the ring that Gwen wears,” Gwynette explained.

  “What ring?” Arthur turned to me.

  “Long story.” I smiled. “My ring is still flashing. Could you cast the Reunion spell again?”

  Gwynette nodded before she started chanting.

  ‘Iwissak Niano Ennoa__”

  “Hey, I know this spell!” I interrupted her and my cheeks flushed red when they all shushed me.

  Gwynette started over again.

  ‘Iwissak Niano Ennoa Odakozik Dizaio Araskwicoq!’

  With a whizzing sound, a tunnel of swirling purple and red lights over the ground and five dark figures popped out surrounded by loud lightning strikes.

  Tristan holding hands with Izolde, Percy, Pally, and Owian stood in front of us, looking puzzled and dizzy.

  “Gwen, where have you been?” Owian asked.

  “We’ve got very worried about you,” said Izolde.

  “We think we have figured out how to escape the Thorn Prison,” Pally revealed.

  “If we put our golden plates together, then the Final Riddle will be created,” explained Tristan.

  “And the magic of your ring is the key which will solve it,” added Percy.

  “We have no time,” Gwynette said. “My spell won’t keep them away for long.”

  “Join hands!” Arthur ordered the Big Five. “Weave your fingers together! Gwynette, Maleagant, Gwen! You too! Gwynette, cast the Reunion spell again!” he said as he placed his palms atop our weaved fingers.

  ‘Iwissak Niano Ennoa Odakozik Dizaio Araskwicoq!’

  ‘Iwissak Niano Ennoa Odakozik Dizaio Araskwicoq!’

  A whirlwind of green and lime lights was created in the middle of the cell. The whirlwind grew bigger, white lightning strikes appeared inside the swirl, and a gust of wind and shoved us into the light green vortex.

  After a couple of seconds flight through the bright tunnel, surrounded by lightning strikes and swirling blue and white lights, we landed on the green lawn on the hill that looked over the Avallon Academy.

  “Guys, something is wrong here,” I said as I looked at the Academy premises.

  A whooping sound coming from the other side of the hill made me shudder. Rays of red light flashed towards the sky.

  The Avallon Academy was on fire.

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  Acknowledgments

  I dedicate this book in the loving memory of my grandfather, Ioannis (Yannis) Triantafyllou who passed me the love for storytelling.

  Special thanks to Liana, my editor from Learning to Fly for all the work and effort she puts in my books. She is a pleasure to work with and I could not have done it without her.

  Many thanks to Heather Cardona and The Plot Gennie for the valuable advice on the story concept.

  ABOUT THE AUTHOR

  Penny BroJacquie is a passionate writer, travel
blogger, and life lover.

  After a 20-years career working as a sports reporter for some of the largest media outlets in Greece, she decided that life is more beautiful when you work freelance.

  In summer 2014, Penny BroJacquie published her first book, a travel guide called City Break In Athens.

  The Undead Must Die: The Order Of The Black Rose - Book 1, was her first fiction book.

  When she does not write, Penny pets her dogs, cooks new recipes, and takes photos. You will find her somewhere in Europe enjoying a cup of coffee or watching a movie.

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