Morgan strides out of the building with her head held high and I follow her, my heart full of pride. Ash and rain fall from the sky, littering the ground with steaming mounds of cinder. Smoke stings my eyes as I look in every direction, hoping to see Tom.

Something moves to my right, but it’s not him. A figure with a stump for a leg drags itself along the ground towards me. A familiar burning sensation sparks down my arm and into my fingers. I hold out my hand and rage surges through me, sending a ball of black energy flying at the demon and turning it to dust. My wings beat the air and resettle on my back. Disintegrating the creature has done nothing to release the anger inside me, and my fingers itch with a desire to destroy more of the hateful things.

Maybe Tom’s still inside. I start towards the cottage, but Morgan pulls me back.

‘Are you still able to read one another’s thoughts?’ she asks.

‘No, it only happened while we were in the same room.’

‘I’m sorry, but you can’t see him. Not if there’s a chance his mind is linked to the demons. If he reads your thoughts and learns of our plans, then Merlin will know them too.’

‘Tom wouldn’t betray us.’

She fixes me with shrewd eyes. ‘He may not be aware it’s happening. You’ve spent time with him – have you noticed any changes in him? Anything to make you concerned?’

‘No,’ I answer a little too quickly. I pause and then add, ‘There was something. Tom was reading a book about Merlin and I heard him thinking he’d like to speak to him. He thought you might not be telling us everything and he wanted to hear his side of things.’

‘I see.’

‘Does it mean anything?’ I ask.

‘Perhaps not, but it’s safer for Tom if he remains in the house. I will send someone to check on him and explain why he has to stay away.’

She glances up at the lighthouse and a shadow of unease crosses her face. ‘Merlin will not simply allow us to fly into Avalon and rescue your mother. We can expect a battle. I’ve seen what happens to those who use demonic magic; I can’t imagine what working with them for over a thousand years has done to him.’

She pats my arm as if sensing my dismay. ‘Don’t worry, the demons he sends will be shadows; it takes time for them to become corporeal and they cannot enter us or Tom now I’ve healed him. And we have the element of surprise – Merlin has no way of knowing when we’ll pass through the portal. He’ll expect us to wait a few days to gather our strength and train you in combat.’ She smiles wryly. ‘Only a fool would dare attack him right away.’

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