All the ostreagles stopped mid-flight, casting their hawkish gazes around the court, waiting for the ball to reappear somewhere else.

It did, right beside Hazel. Shed used her power to make the ball jump from one location to another. The claxon sounded out for Hazels block point and below Coach Finkle announced, One point, Hazel Kerr. Oliver was thoroughly impressed, not to mention glad that Edmund hadnt scored.

Hazel went to grab the ball. But a sudden pulse went through the atrium, like the rippling of a pebble on water. It pushed the ball away from Hazels fingers and floated it right into Esthers hands. Her ostreagle raced to the closest hoop. Esther dunked the ball for a bucket. The claxon sounded.

Three points, Esther Valentini.

Awesome, Oliver said aloud. He was getting a feel for the game now that he could actually see what was going on.

Far below, Coach Finkle was ready to launch a ball up to begin play.

Clutching onto Mabel, Oliver asked her, Are you ready? I want to join in this time.

She snorted happily.

Coach Finkle threw the ball. Mabel went flying. Olivers stomach flipped as he plummeted through the air.

Suddenly the ball disappeared. Mabel stopped soaring downward, making Olivers stomach flip again. Then the ball reappeared right beside Oliver. He suspected Hazel had done this, to give him a chance at a shot.

Mabel surged for the ball. From below, the other ostreagles also surged upward. Oliver didnt have time to think. He grabbed the ball and threw it with all his might at the nearest hoop.

It soared through the air, right on target. But suddenly electricity zapped all around the hoop, completely melting it. The ball sailed onward, where the hoop had been, but no points were awarded to Oliver.

As the claxon sounded for the block point, Oliver glanced around to see who had blocked him. To his irritation, it was Edmund whod blocked his point by melting the hoop. He punched the air with frustration.

One point, Edmund Branner.

Nice try! Hazel called to Oliver as she swooped past.

Oliver knew shed done everything she could to help him but without using his powers, hed never get any points.

Once again, Coach Finkle had the ball. He shouted up, Cavendish! Get involved!

From the highest point of the atrium, Simons ostreagle hovered. Simon waved languorously from its back. He clearly had no intention of joining in the game at all. But Oliver wanted to. He wanted to get a bucket. Three points would be more than Edmund had, and beating him would feel like winning to Oliver.

Coach Finkle threw the ball. Oliver charged downward on Mabels back. Edmund got to it first. He grabbed the ball and threw it immediately to the nearest hoop, which just so happened to be at Olivers right shoulder.