Skilled in Magic: Five Discover a Secret

By Gemma Kirkman

A fiery teen, a magnificent winged Fae, a city melting into the sand.

Separated from her family by time travel, Enid, the youngest of the Delliks, has spent ten years with the Fae Bellator not knowing if her brothers and sisters are dead or alive. Now fifteen, and formidable, together with Bellator she must travel through the Magic Worlds to piece together a troubling mystery.

Meanwhile, Julian, Edward, Lee and Maggie are on their own journey with the Professor towards the fascinating Sinking City. Will the Delliks siblings be reunited? Can Enid overcome the pain of growing up alone? And what is the dark force that is rising again in the Magic Worlds?

FIVE DISCOVER A SECRET is the third book in the Skilled in Magic fantasy series for young readers. If you enjoyed the first two instalments, you'll love this one.

• Language: English
• Publisher: BookBaby
• Release date: Dec 3, 2020
• ISBN: 9781922409928

Book preview

1

Bellator’s wings trailed softly on the forest floor as she stalked her prey. Another potential suitor for Enid. Since she’d turned fifteen, they were coming by the house in droves, posing with some flimsy excuse to see Bellator.

This one … Bellator snorted when she saw him … This one was wearing a large, floppy hat with a bright blue feather poking out of it. It was tilted at an angle and designed to look debonair, but it just made him look foolish. His trousers hung low on his hips as he swaggered through the forest, kicking up leaves with his scuffed boots.

Arghh! the boy cried, almost strangling himself by running into a low hanging branch. Sweeping it to one side with a low growl, he released it too early and managed to smack himself in the face with it instead.

Bellator sighed. Her predatory prowl changed to her usual confident strut as she approached the boy, now lying flat on his back on the ground. He looked young, perhaps thirteen or so.

Standing above him, legs astride his body, Bellator raised an eyebrow. What do you think you’re doing?

The boy blinked up at her, eyes glazed from the fall. Bellator, he rasped. I have to tell you something. Something important.

You know not to come here, Bellator responded in a throaty voice.

I had to, he coughed.

She’s not here, Bellator stated.

I’m not here for Enid.

A likely story.

He spluttered as another coughing fit caught hold. I’m here for you.

Bellator narrowed her eyes. With one swift movement she grabbed him by his collar and hauled him to his feet. Speak. She gave him a rough shake as he stared at her, cheeks turning pink.

My … my name is Brand, he managed to say.

I know. So what?

He blushed furiously and stammered, Libertas … Libertas is in trouble.

Bellator released his collar and Brand fell back to the ground with a thud. He rubbed his head and gazed up at her. Scrambling to his feet, all dignity forgotten, he clutched at her arm. He’s back!

Bellator froze in the act of flinging off his arm. Her mouth tightened as she cupped his cheek tenderly. Brand swallowed hard, his neck muscles taut.

Speak, the Fae said in a low voice.

His words came out garbled. Mr Lennon told me to come see you. You must come to Libertas. He’s back, that’s all I know, I promise.

Bellator dropped her hand and turned on her heel. Her wings shimmered as she stalked off into the forest. With one hazy glimmer, she was gone. Brand stared after her, the outline of her hand burning on his cheek.

2

Edward groaned and blearily opened his eyes. It took him a few seconds to register where he was – lying on the ground with trees floating above him. He grunted as the events of the previous night came flooding back. For some reason, he’d thought it’d been a good idea to turn grapes into a liquid drink.

His pounding head and dry mouth told him exactly how that idea had turned out. He sat up and grabbed a water bottle that lay nearby, downing its contents in one go. Wiping his mouth, he glanced around him, grinning as he listened to his siblings snore.

His older brother Julian lay next to him, concealed under the blanket they shared, with just his floppy brown hair and one bare foot peeking out. Maggie, his younger sister, was half hugging and half sprawled across her older sister Lee. Edward noticed how much Maggie’s reddish-brown hair had grown since they’d visited Rome. It was catching up to Lee’s long, dark mane. He watched as their chests rose and fell in unison, and his vision blurred as he thought of their youngest sister, Eenie.

Ten years! The thought shook Edward to the core. Ten whole years had gone by since they had seen their sister – well, for her, anyway. To them, just a week had gone by. It had been an unexpected result of their adventure in the eerie world of Consecutio.

Getting to his feet unsteadily, Edward thought back to when they’d last seen Eenie. She’d been a tiny five-year-old gulping back sobs, long blonde hair covering her face as tears fell. She’d tried to be brave when they’d told her they had to leave her in Bellator’s care for just a few days.

Just a few days, Edward thought, biting back a bitter curse. It wasn’t their fault. The key they’d been given had taken them to the wrong world and they’d paid a dire price. He sighed. Feeling like lead, he lurched towards the other side of the fire, nudging Julian’s foot back under the covers as he passed.

An old grey-haired man lay snoring by the fire, arms sprawled, taking up far too much room for his size.

Professor … Edward hissed.

Mmmmgh.

Professor!

MMMMGH. One of the old man’s hands scrabbled around in the dirt for a pair of spectacles. Pushing them onto his nose, he sat up and stared morosely at Edward. His normally bright blue eyes were dull with sleep and annoyance.

Why? the Professor muttered loudly. Edward gestured at the others furiously and raised one finger to his lips. Why are you waking me so early? the Professor finished in a lower tone.

You told me to wake you before the others, Edward whispered.

Oh. The Professor stared at the empty bottle they’d drunk the night before. A reluctant grin tugged at his mouth as he caught Edward’s eye. Right, he mustered, sticking out a hand, which Edward grasped, hauling the old man to his feet. With a heavy groan, the Professor grabbed his walking stick. Come on, then, he gestured with the stick, catching Edward slightly on the shin. Grimacing, Edward led him out of their makeshift camp, careful not to wake the others.

You weren’t really supposed to drink that, you know, the Professor said, nodding at the bottle behind them.

Edward gave a short bark. I’m probably not supposed to kill evil sorcerers or ride in a flying bathtub either. The Professor chuckled and raised his cane in reluctant agreement.

They found a secluded spot several metres away from camp and sat down on the springy, green grass.

I’ve been thinking, Edward went on. They watched a tree float past, several green leaves breaking off to spin lazily mid-air. The Professor said nothing but shifted to indicate he was listening. Edward stared unseeingly as a large lion floated by, fast asleep in the dawn light. If we were gone for so long in our world, Edward said, why didn’t they come looking for us in the Magic worlds? Surely they would have searched Partior, Consecutio, Libertas – or here in Aequalis.

The Professor sighed.

They watched the sun rise over the horizon, a yellow slit that gradually widened against the murky ink of night sky.

Bellator would have combed the worlds looking for you, the Professor said finally. But remember, she had a small child to take care of. That would have limited what she could do enormously. He shrugged. And in any case, no one goes to Consecutio. It’s hardly spoken of and pretty much forbidden. He sighed again. As you found out. Twice.

Edward hung his head.

The natives know how to get in and out of Consecutio, the Professor continued. Hardly anyone else does. He lightly squeezed Edward’s shoulder. You were lucky to even find a gateway.

Edward’s usually bright blue eyes grew dim, and tears threatened as he thought back over the last few days: first, their exhilaration at finding the Professor, then the rock-hard boulder that had been in his chest ever since.

Magic works differently in each of the worlds, explained the Professor, seeming to understand Edward’s teeming thoughts. One hour in Consecutio is a month in the other worlds.

Edward closed his eyes as he thought back to the five long days he’d spent there with Maggie, Lee and Julian.

The sun broke completely free and burst out over the rolling countryside. As the bright rays crept across the meadows, Edward’s lips twitched. It was a strange sight, watching everything float by.

A lion hovered in the distance, seemingly content to be cartwheeling mid-air. Another tree drifted by, its leaves lazily spinning. Several brightly coloured flowers floated gently in the air around them. Edward plucked one of them and squinted at its striking red petals.

The Professor rubbed his neck. He looked much older than when Edward had first met him. Although he’d always had wrinkles, they now seemed to be deeper, etched into his face as permanent grooves.

Time-travel magic was bound to Consecutio and another hidden gateway, many years ago, explained the Professor. I actually had a hand in it. He nodded at Edward’s raised eyebrows. ‘I knew the damage it would cause,’ the Professor said sadly. ‘But don’t worry’ he said, brightening. ‘The time travel gateway is well protected." He put a reassuring hand on Edward’s shoulder.’

Edward nodded and looked away.

The Professor observed the hunched shoulders of the boy next to him. Though just twelve years old he looked as if he bore the burden of a fully-grown man.

It’s not your fault, the Professor said gently. Something changed the key. You were supposed to come here to Aequalis, not to Consecutio.

Edward’s eyes narrowed. His blonde fringe fell into his eyes, and he flicked it away with an irritated gesture. "I don’t think it was ‘some thing’. I think it was ‘some one’. And I’m going to find out who," he said flatly, his eyes like hard blue stones.

You left Enid with Bellator, at least, said the Professor. There’s no one more capable than a Fae.

What is a Fae, anyway? Edward asked.

The Professor chuckled wryly. Ah, the Magics. There are several kinds. Best to tell you when you’re all together so I don’t have to repeat myself four times.

Edward grunted and gave a short nod. His gaze grew distant as he stared blankly at the floating world around him.

We’ll be home soon, the Professor said quietly, as if reading Edward’s thoughts. The gateway in the Sinking City will take us to Partior.

Edward murmured, thinking of the Magic world where everything was blue.

In Partior, the Professor continued, we can go through the blue-moon gateway back into the house. We’ll be home in Eungai then.

Edward nodded again, blinking rapidly.

Come on, boy, the Professor said, pulling himself back onto his feet. Let’s get breakfast ready before the others get up. Edward sighed as he reluctantly stood up and followed the Professor. He was still clutching the red flower.

Their camp was rough and makeshift. Edward had used his powers to build most of it, transforming one of their socks into a tent, and leaves from a passing tree into springy green beds. Pegs made from Maggie’s bobby pins held the camp down to stop it floating away.

There was just enough gravity in Aequalis to stay on the ground. However … Edward bent his knees and pushed off. He rose into the air, grinning at the unusual sensation. This must be what it feels like to fly, he thought, as he used his arms to propel himself higher and send him in the direction of the camp.

Floating back to earth slowly, Edward landed softly, away from his sleeping siblings. He turned a few stones into pots and pans and got to work on breakfast. He transformed sticks into a small grill, which he placed over the fire’s hot coals. His powers to turn objects into anything he wanted had come to great use on their adventures. Although these days I just seem to be using them for chores, he griped to himself.

Edward looked at the flower he’d plucked from the air. Along with its five bright red petals, it had a long green stem with a small leaf at its base. Edward placed the petals into a saucepan filled with water and sat it on the grill. Soon, five poached eggs bobbed neatly in the simmering liquid. The stem he tore into five pieces, which he changed into fat strips of bacon that began sizzling in another pan, spitting droplets of fat. The small leaf transformed into a huge mound of damper bread, which started browning on the grill into a toasty loaf.

While Edward could change objects into anything he wanted, he couldn’t manipulate elements like water or fire. He could have simply changed the objects into a finished meal, but he enjoyed the process of cooking and hummed to himself as he watched his ingredients turn into a delicious breakfast.

The Professor had landed with a thud behind Edward and was watching closely without the boy noticing.

Julian sat up and stretched, his hair a tousled mop. His nose twitched at the smell of frying bacon. Edward placed a plate of food next him, with a good natured, Breakfast in bed, bro.

Thanks! Julian used his magic to levitate the heaped plate towards him, before promptly disappearing back under the covers.

Edward took two plates over to his sisters, who had also woken up to the delicious smells, and thanked him before tucking in – far more delicately than Julian’s loud chomps. Edward passed another full plate to the Professor before sitting down next to his sisters to devour his own breakfast.

Edward turned to Lee, offering her another piece of damper. Her hand was stretched out to take it when her eyes rolled back in her head, the plate sliding off her lap.

The others turned at the clatter. Lee’s having a vision! Maggie exclaimed. Lee’s power was the most unstable of all of theirs. It was unpredictable and her visions were often hard to interpret. The Professor and the Delliks looked on worriedly as Lee’s green eyes glazed over and her head drooped to one side.

After a few moments, Lee gasped and came to. The others crowded around her.

What was it? Edward asked curiously. Lee’s visions of the future always intrigued him.

"A … boy. Or a young man. But he looked like a boy. Anyway, I