Magia!

By Emily Cooper

Orphaned, a young boy and his even younger sister are magically transported from the world you and I know to another -- one that is just as real but is inhabited by witches and warlocks and tragically threatened by an evil wizard, the Dark Sorcerer -- Azazael. After six years of intensive training, the burden of destroying the Sorcerer falls on the new, young wizard, Ryan. Will he be able to triumph? This is a story of growth, with a bit of a love story included, a work that will leave you satisfied at the end, but not until you have lived through the trials and tensions of both growing up and rising to leadership in a time of great strife.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Emily Cooper
• Release date: Feb 27, 2011
• ISBN: 9781458139894

Emily Cooper

Emily Cooper became a published author at age seventeen. She has written nine manuscripts, published eight, and is in the process of publishing another; she has many more novels to follow. Born in Dahn, Germany, Emily grew up as a military brat, traveling all across the United States of America. In 2010, she wrote a poem called 'Emily Cooper?'. It was chosen and published in the Arizona Teen Zine magazine. She graduated from Queen Creek High School in 2011 and enlisted in the United States Army Reserves two years later. She was married in 2018 and now has two sons. Despite the demands of a family, she remains dedicated to school and writing. All of her novels are now available in print as well as ebooks. Magia! (Mad-GEE-uh) and Nicole Sastasha and the Kingdom of Anasazi (Suh-STAW-sha) are now available as audiobooks. She can be found on Facebook and Instagram. Emily invites all to visit her website at https//www.inspiredproductions2011.com. As for her works, you can be sure to see many more to come.

Book preview

Magia!

By Emily Cooper

Copyright 2010, Inspired Productions and Emily Cooper

All rights reserved.

ISBN-13: 978-0-615-42965-6

Library of Congress Catalog Card Number: 2010918534

This is a work of fiction. None of the characters portrayed herein represent actual people, living or deceased. Reproduction or transcription of this work in any form, electrical or mechanical, other than short quotations in conformity with the Fair Use provisions of United States copyright law, is prohibited unless authorized by the publishers, Inspired Productions and Emily Cooper. To contact the publisher or the author, please visit the Inspired Productions website at http://www.inspiredproductions.wordpress.com.

Printed in the United States of America

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This ebook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. It may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each person you share it with. If you're reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, then you should return to Smashwords.com and purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the author's work.

Discover other titles by Emily Cooper at Smashwords.com:

Nicole Sastasha and the Kingdom of Anasazi – https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/77690.

Nicole Sastasha and the Fire Dragon Disease – https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/172549.

Cursed Brothers I: Legend –

https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/100146.

. . . A few minutes later, Ryan realized that he was passing the park he had visited the day before. He forced himself to keep moving, even though he was by this time breathing heavily and could feel a painful cramp forming on the left side of his ribcage.

He was running for his life. There were at least five men after him and Ryan could not defend himself against all of them at once. He could perhaps handle three, four at most.

Suddenly, Ryan felt a strong sense of déjà vu. He somehow knew what was about to happen. At the same time, his peripheral vision confirmed what he anticipated. However, he could not react in time. Without warning, man appeared, seemingly from nowhere, and tackled Ryan from the side, crashing into his knees. Ryan slammed into the ground, the wind knocked out of him, and he struggled for breath while fighting to free himself from the clutches of the man who was still holding him in a viselike grip, making sure Ryan could not get away . . .

PROLOGUE

There was happiness and joy all around us once . . .

. . . but that changed when a wizard named Azazael decided to take control of all the magical folk. He challenged any witch or wizard who wanted to de-throne him. He killed countless magical folk, whether they were enemies or not. Many have tried to defeat him, but they all disappeared and not one has ever been seen again. Nonetheless, there is still hope.

Years ago, an old witch—a hag—prophesized Azazael’s downfall.

There is a boy, she said, a boy who will become more powerful than Azazael could ever imagine.

Thereafter it was said that the boy would be the new leader of the magical worlds and would become the greatest man who ever lived. Unfortunately, before the hag could describe this magnificent boy in detail, she was murdered—by Azazael!

CHAPTER ONE

Broken Dreams

Once upon a recent time there lived a boy named Ryan and his sister, Jaelynn. Ryan was eight years old with darkish-brown hair and chocolate-brown eyes. Jaelynn, almost three, had curly blonde hair and luscious green eyes. Ryan carried the characteristics of his father while Jaelynn took after her mother.

Everything was perfect in their lives until Jaelynn neared her third birthday. Then, on an overcast and threatening Wednesday, Ryan found himself and Jaelynn at an orphanage—for some reason he could not fathom—watching their parents drive away in the rain. The tiny raindrops falling on his face hid his soundless tears. The matron who had come out to meet them brought them inside even before the car carrying their parents was out of sight.

The orphanage’s plan was to split them up because of their age and gender differences, but Ryan would not allow it. He stuck to his sister, holding tightly to her tiny hand until the matron finally understood that it was futile to attempt to separate them. From that day forward, Ryan stayed with Jaelynn. He was always very protective of her, even though the orphanage offered sufficient physical protection.

The days turned into weeks as Ryan watched his sister grow. Soon, she could talk and be understood, and she herself learned to understand a little bit more every day. Ryan was impressed with how Jaelynn spoke with him, as though she was much older than her age. He also realized that she never spoke to anyone else as she spoke to him, nor would she speak at all when there were other people around who might eavesdrop.

Ryan read his sister stories every night before bedtime. One evening in particular, Ryan knelt by his sister’s bed, preparing to read to her. Looking momentarily toward the floor, he was surprised to see that there was something lying under Jaelynn’s bed.

Noticing his expression and his diverted eyes, Jaelynn asked What is it? Some kind of monster?

Calm down, it’s not a monster, Ryan replied. He pulled the object from under the bed. It was a comic book! Ryan had never seen it before in all of the months that he had lived in the orphanage.

Ryan saw that there were women on the cover, wearing dark cloaks and pointy hats. One was holding something that looked like a stick. Ryan was awfully curious about what they were wearing. They looked very strange in those cloaks. Suddenly it hit him; they were witches, and the stick was actually a wand. Ryan was so fascinated that he forgot all about Jaelynn, so much so that it startled him when she spoke.

Me, she said excitedly, reaching out with her little hands but grabbing only thin air. Even though he wanted to look at it some more, Ryan handed over the comic book. Read me? Jaelynn was very good at putting on a sad puppy face and dropping back into her baby voice, which always seemed to work with Ryan. Noticing, also, that Jaelynn was speaking at her normal age level, he was not surprised when he saw that other kids were getting into their beds for the night.

Sure, why not?

Jaelynn handed the comic book back to her brother and he started to read. The story was about four witches, friends, who had to defeat an evil wizard who turned his own head into a pumpkin to scare everyone off. In the end, the witches were victorious and the evil wizard was never seen again.

When Ryan was finished, he was surprised that Jaelynn was not scared a bit. Instead, she asked him to read it to her before bedtime every night for the rest of her life. So, Ryan tucked the comic book under his pillow to keep it safe. The lights went off a few minutes later and they both soon fell asleep.

Ryan dreamed of witches and wizards. Even Jaelynn was in his dream. She kept turning bugs into white lilies. That was the happiest dream he had experienced since they had arrived at the orphanage, and it served as the beginning of his obsession with witches and wizards.

* * * * *

The next couple of days went by quickly, and each night, when it was getting close to bedtime, Ryan began to get excited. He could not take his mind off of that comic book. All day every day, he looked forward to reading it.

On the third night, he headed for his bed ahead of the other children so he could read for a few minutes without interruption. When he got to his bed and reached under his pillow, however, the comic book was gone! He searched under his bed; it was not there. He looked under his sheets and his mattress; it was not there. He re-checked both places, feeling helpless.

As he stood up, wondering where to look next, he realized that he was not alone in the room. From under the bedcovers a couple of beds to his right, a boy was staring at him nervously. When Ryan spotted the other boy, clearly surprising the boy because Ryan had found him, the boy tried to hide his surprise by directing a scowl toward Ryan.

You lose something? the boy sneered. He had short, golden hair and bright green eyes. Ryan recognized him. His name was Colton.

Where is it? growled Ryan, threateningly. He had never liked that boy. Colton was only a year younger, but Ryan was always surprised at how much a pain he could be.

Where’s what? Colton asked, trying to look innocent. Ryan saw right through him and started toward the boy angrily, trying to intimidate him into giving back his book. When Ryan reached Colton’s bed and realized that the other boy had no intention of giving up the comic book, Ryan started pulling off the bed covers.

Hey, cut it out! whined Colton as he stood up on the far side of the bed. Keep out of my stuff! And then, to his own surprise, he built up enough courage to lean over and give Ryan a shove.

Like you stayed out of mine? Give me back my comic book! yelled Ryan. He moved around the bed, as if daring Colton to push him again. When Colton did not respond, Ryan took one more step forward, bringing himself face to face with the young boy. Now that Ryan was towering menacingly over the smaller youth, he snarled once more, Give it to me!

Okay, Colton squealed. He knelt down beside his bed, reached under it, and pulled out a well-worn knapsack. Digging through it, he extracted the comic book and gave it to Ryan, his hands shaking. Ryan snatched it and, without another word, turned on his heel and headed back toward his bed.

His back now turned to Colton, Ryan smiled to himself. Now he had proof that Colton was a weasel. Ryan had just sat down on his bed when Jaelynn came in. She saw Ryan and a smile spread across her face. She ran to her bed and pounced on it like a kitten on a ball of yarn. She got under the covers and Ryan tucked her in.

As Ryan opened the comic book and prepared to read to his sister, she spoke very quietly, hesitantly. Ryan, how come you didn’t tell anyone that it was your birthday? She had made sure to say it in a near-whisper so that it would be impossible for any unwanted ears to hear.

Well, it doesn’t really matter. It’s not like you get special treatment, he answered.

Okay.

With that, Ryan began once again to read the comic book aloud, sitting next to her on her bed so Jaelynn could see all the pictures. When he finished, he noticed that Jaelynn had fallen asleep. Quietly he crept into his own bed and sank into a sound sleep, as well, the comic book tucked safely and securely under his pillow. Just before he dropped off into slumber, he promised himself that he would never allow it to be taken from him again, no matter what.

* * * * *

As the weeks turned into months, Ryan began to lose hope that they would ever be adopted. Soon, the day came when Jaelynn turned four, and Ryan wanted to make it the happiest day for her that it could be. He told himself that he would read her two stories that night.

When bedtime arrived, Ryan tucked Jaelynn into her bed and read the entire comic book to her. Before she had time to roll over and go to sleep, Ryan invited her to pick out another book and he would read that one to her, as well. She was so happy that she opened her eyes wide, jumped out of bed, and ran to a bookcase in the corner of the dormitory-style room, where she selected one of her favorite fairytales. It was called Rapunzel.

They sat on the edge of Ryan’s bed for the second reading. Once he had finished reading the book, which was not very long and contained really old-fashioned looking pictures, they each got into bed, and Jaelynn was asleep in a matter of seconds. As he dropped into his own sleep state, Ryan smiled to himself, satisfied that he had succeeded in making Jaelynn’s birthday the best it could be.

Within just a few days, without Ryan’s having to put up with any further trouble from Colton – and without complaint from any of the other orphans – Colton was adopted by a couple who looked very nice, maybe even rich. They would have their hands full with Colton, though, Ryan decided.

* * * * *

Weeks later, on a day that started out like any other, a couple arrived at the orphanage, announcing to the head matron that they were looking for a child to adopt. They were then referred after completing all of the paperwork except for the name of the child they would adopt.

The husband, whose name was Dean Larson, was a tall fellow with slightly cropped hair, penetrating, dark eyes and a stern, almost threatening expression. His wife, Charlotte, was a pretty woman whose shoulder-length blond hair was tied back with an aquamarine ribbon that matched her eyes almost exactly.

For some reason, Ryan was instinctively intimidated by the man. Looking around the room, it looked like he was the only one. The woman seemed kinder and more friendly, making up for her spouse’s hard composure.

The couple had come into the long dormitory, full now with hopeful orphans sitting on their beds. Timidly, Charlotte led, with Dean following behind her, apparently at ease. They looked around for a while, speaking to a few of the children. Then Charlotte saw Jaelynn. She asked Dean what he thought, and Dean agreed that the young toddler was very attractive but that he would prefer a boy child for their home.

When they stopped in front of Jaelynn’s bed, the matron automatically looked at Ryan. After hearing Dean’s comment about wanting a boy, she pulled the couple away and explained the situation with Jaelynn. She informed them that Ryan was Jaelynn’s brother and did not want to be separated from her. By adopting Ryan as well as Jaelynn, both Charlotte and Dean could be satisfied.

Charlotte seemed a little unsure, but Dean appeared as though his mind was made up as he observed the siblings. Ryan looked down, unable to hold Dean’s gaze. After a few moments of talking things over, Dean and Charlotte agreed to take both Ryan and Jaelynn. So, unexpectedly and unpredictably, Ryan and Jaelynn had a new home; a new family.

CHAPTER TWO

Ryan the Ridiculous

Ryan would never forget the day he was adopted. He had always hoped his real parents would come back for them and everything would return to being the same, but his hopes were not to be fulfilled.

After the Larsons finished filling out the rest of the paperwork, Ryan and Jaelynn packed up their belongings, and within an hour they were on their way to a new life.

As they pulled into the Larsons’ driveway and Ryan could see the home, it seemed more like a mansion than an ordinary house. He figured they must be really rich. When he asked what they did for a living, they looked at one another, frowning, and Mr. Larson snapped at Ryan, It is rude to ask personal questions after just meeting someone.

So far, Ryan did not like his new parents and he was not particularly trying to make a good impression on them, but this criticism seemed sharp. He would not forget Mr. Larson’s cold tone of voice—ever.

Ryan made sure that Jaelynn was all right with her new room before allowing the Larsons to take him to his own. Actually, Jaelynn’s room was just right for her. It had frilly pink wallpaper, a flowery bedcover, a small nightstand and lamp, and a roomy closet. Any girl Jaelynn’s age would fall in love with it right away. It would have been perfect, except that Jaelynn had never slept in her own room before, so it was understandable that she was nervous.

Ryan’s room was similar to Jaelynn’s, with nothing unusual or out of place, except that the wallpaper was a medium-green shade that he did not particularly like, and there was a clock on the bedside table. It seemed as though this room would be comfortable enough, but Ryan was still nervous. He would have to learn to get used to his new parents as well as his new room.

Mrs. Larson announced that dinner would be ready in an hour or so and then the couple left Ryan to himself. He wondered whether he would ever get used to this place. He felt very alone, since he, too, was used to sleeping with a whole bunch of people. In fact, listening to them as they would fall to sleep helped him to fall asleep. He had assumed that he and Jaelynn would at least share the same room.

He sat down on what seemed like a brand new bed and pulled the witch comic book from his backpack. Ryan did not know why, but he loved to look at the pictures and never tired of them. He started to read again. Suddenly, he realized that the comic was the only thing that was familiar to him anymore, besides Jaelynn.

When the parents came and got him for dinner, he was not really hungry. Nevertheless, Ryan did not want to seem rude by not joining them.

They had homemade lasagna. It turned out to be a silent meal in which death would seem to follow if anyone should speak. Although Dean and Charlotte seemed at ease, Jaelynn and Ryan could not help feeling awkward and uncomfortable.

When dinner was over on that first night, the children obediently washed their plates in the sink and trudged back upstairs. Before bedtime, Ryan went over to Jaelynn’s room to read her the witch comic book.

I don’t like it here, whispered Jaelynn before Ryan could begin. I feel so alone. Can I sleep with you tonight?

Sure, Ryan replied. He did not want her to feel afraid on their first night.

Thanks, Ryan.

No problem. They headed for his bedroom, and Ryan was able to make some room in his bed for Jaelynn.

When they were both snug in Ryan’s bed, there was a knock on the door and Mrs. Larson came into the bedroom. At first, she was surprised to see Jaelynn there, but Ryan explained their orphanage life, and their new, blonde mother seemed to understand and said, Well, it will be all right for now, but Jaelynn, you must learn to sleep in your own room. Jaelynn, appearing still somewhat afraid, nodded. Turning her attention to Ryan, she said, I will not be waking you up every morning, you will need to set your alarm for six o’clock. And just for tomorrow, Dean will take you to school. But after that, you will be riding the bus.

The next day, Ryan would start his first day of school. When they lived in the orphanage, Ryan was tutored, not schooled. Even Jaelynn learned a few things, but they never went to an actual school building.

Ryan nodded so that she knew he, too, understood all of her instructions and she stayed for a few more seconds to show Ryan how to properly set his alarm. She then turned out the bedside light and turned for the door. But as soon as she left, Ryan turned the light back on and began to read to Jaelynn.

By the time he finished reading the comic book, he found himself drifting off to sleep. Jaelynn’s breathing must have helped him to fade. Of course, it had been a very long and difficult day for both of them. After turning off the lamp, Ryan wondered what school would be like as he began to drift off.

* * * * *

The next thing he heard was a very loud and annoying beeping sound. It was the alarm clock; time to wake up and start getting ready for school.

Ryan groaned aloud as he fumbled for the little button that turned off the sound. Successful, he looked over at Jaelynn. She was still asleep; she had not even stirred when the alarm went off. He quietly rolled off the bed and into a standing position. He did not want to wake Jaelynn, but just as he turned to assemble his clothes, he heard, What’s the matter? Did you have a nightmare?

No, Jaelynn, it’s time for me to wake up and get ready for school.

Already?

Yup.

But the sun isn’t even awake yet.

I know.

I wish you didn’t have to wake up so early.

Me, too. Sorry I woke you up.

It’s alright. I want you to wake me up so every morning so I can say ‘bye’.

Ok. But now you need to go back to sleep. Jaelynn happily rolled over and fell back to sleep, just like that. Ryan wished that he could do that.

As he opened the door to leave the bedroom, Jaelynn turned over again. Have a good day at school. I want to know everything when you come home. Ryan smiled and promised that he would tell her about his day.

Deep down, Jaelynn desperately wanted to go with him because the house seemed a little spooky, and she was not used to being without her brother by her side.

Ryan was so worried he would forget something that it took him a long time to get everything else done. He did not have to worry, however, because Dean had gone shopping before dinner the previous night and gotten everything that Ryan needed for school.

Dean came down from his bedroom just before they had to leave for school and made sure that Ryan had everything he needed. As a matter of fact, Ryan had added something that was not really needed. He did not know whether he was going to have a good day or a bad day, so he decided to pack the witch comic book. He felt that it would comfort him if he needed comforting.

* * * * *

They arrived at school just a few minutes before the bell rang to tell everyone to start heading for class. When Ryan had been told that Jaelynn would not be going to school with him, he was angry and worried, but he did not want to argue with Dean. Ryan did not know exactly why, but he felt more than a little intimidated by his legal father.

Ryan had been placed in the fourth grade, even though there had not been a proper grade level system at the orphanage. He wondered whether he would like it or not, hoping he would. They checked in at the front office, where Ryan was given his schedule and was soon on his way to his first class: Science. He read his teacher’s name: Mr. Wilkenson. I hope he’s nice.

On his way to the classroom, the bell rang and all of the children began to scatter. It was a real mess. Ryan did not know how many times he was shoved, but it was a lot—and sometimes hard—and he was sure that he would become sore after a while.

Suddenly he was jostled so hard and with so much force that he fell backward. Ryan knew that it was not an accident because the kid who had pushed him was still standing over him.

Watch it, new kid, stay out of my way, the boy growled, an ugly grin on his face.

Ryan guessed that this must be a bully, and he was right. His heavy-set attacker had crew cut hair, probably blonde or light brown, and menacing brown eyes. Around him Ryan counted at least three other boys, all of whom were sneeringly gleeful. This must be his back-up support. They would always be there, Ryan thought, because bullies, he had already discovered at the orphanage, never make an even fight.

Finally, after another group chuckle, they left Ryan to himself, still sitting on the ground. At first, he was afraid to get up, in case they came back.

Unfortunately, this episode made Ryan tardy for his very first class. Even more troublesome, the bully and his gang were in the same class.

Mr. Wilkenson looked nice, maybe a little nerdy, but that did not bother Ryan because he knew that he must look like somewhat of a nerd himself. Mr. Wilkenson had long, brown hair that was neatly combed back along either side of his head. Behind the tinted lenses of his rectangular glasses hid light brown eyes.

Ryan was embarrassed when he entered the classroom because everyone turned to look at him. He did not have a pass, so his tardy arrival would count against him. As he headed for an empty seat, Mr. Wilkenson stopped Ryan and asked him to tell the class about himself. Ryan’s face flooded with color again, and he reluctantly turned and headed for the front of the classroom.

What is your name? Mr. Wilkenson prompted.

My name is Ryan Mar . . .uh, Larson. Ryan was about to say Ryan Margol, but he momentarily forgot that his last name had changed with the adoption. He did not like it much, this new last name, but what choice did he have? He thought about keeping his ‘real name’ no matter what anybody said, but he did not want to be disrespectful.

Do you have a middle name?

No.

How old are you?

I’m nine.

Did you just move here?

Sort of.

What do you mean?

Well, I used to live in an orphanage.

Before Mr. Wilkenson could reply, the bully spoke up. Who in their right mind would want to adopt you?

Before Ryan could reply, one of the bully’s friends piped up, Maybe they weren’t in their right minds. The entire class tittered at this.

Mr. Wilkenson tried to settle them down but the bully spoke up again. I don’t blame the people who put you there in the first place.

That was the last straw. Ryan clenched his fists and decided that he would love nothing more than to hit the bully, but before he could act on the thought Mr. Wilkenson sent the boy out of the room, ordering him to go to the principal’s office.

Ryan wanted to go home. But he took his seat, and Mr. Wilkenson did not call him back up.

* * * * *

As the day passed, Ryan caught himself thinking over and over, How could things get any worse? But apparently they could.

When it came time for lunch, the bully and his wolf pack found him once again. Ryan tried to escape unnoticed, but no luck—one of the henchmen snatched Ryan’s backpack from his shoulder. Ryan turned around and tried to get it back, but just when he was about to lunge at the boy who had taken it, the other troublemakers got in front of him and barricaded his way.

Give it back, Ryan demanded, as the henchmen handed his backpack to the bully. Unsurprisingly, the bully started to search through it.

First he found Ryan’s lunch and tossed it aside. But he soon grew tired of searching through pocket after pocket and decided just to dump all of its contents on the ground. Ryan was very nervous when the witch comic book fell out and landed on top of the mess that once had been his school work. The wolf pack seemed to take an interest in the comic book, but once they had picked it up and passed it around, they were all laughing, as was the bully, who said, Don’t tell me you believe in witches! Ryan did not speak. They all laughed again.

His hefty tormentor held up the comic book and Ryan tried grabbing it from him, but the others pulled him back again. Laughing, the bully wrapped both of his hands around the top of it violently, acting as though he was going to rip it in half from top to bottom.

Don’t! cried Ryan. The antagonizers smirked and chuckled . . . and the bully ripped it in half, letting the strips fall to the ground! Then, as though they had not had enough enjoyment, the bully decided to go one step further.

From this day on, you will be known as Ryan the Ridiculous. The boys burst out in derisive laughter, but they were cut short by a boy who was unmistakably the snitch of the school.

Teacher, he warned, and they all hurried