Shadow of the Sacred Islands

By Keara Barron

After facing many dangers, Korina, Sage, Elijah, and Teressia have miraculously made it to the Sacred Islands, the presumed source of dark magic that threatens their homeland. While exploring the islands, the group stumbles upon the terrifying truth of the dark magic, a force that can destroy their country and life as they know it.
Meanwhile, August and Headmaster Ignatia witness the horrors of the mutations back in Elementa. With the country of Lux on the brink of a civil war, time is running out for the four young mages to put a stop to the advancing evil.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Balboa Press
• Release date: Jul 29, 2016
• ISBN: 9781504362023

Keara Barron

Keara Barron is currently a high school student in Plano, Texas, and wrote Shadow of the Sacred Islands when she was fourteen years old. She has a passion for reading and writing and a particular interest in the fantasy genre. Keara also enjoys playing the viola, mathematics, running, and volleyball.

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Copyright © 2016 Keara Barron.

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The author of this book does not dispense medical advice or prescribe the use of any technique as a form of treatment for physical, emotional, or medical problems without the advice of a physician, either directly or indirectly. The intent of the author is only to offer information of a general nature to help you in your quest for emotional and spiritual well-being. In the event you use any of the information in this book for yourself, which is your constitutional right, the author and the publisher assume no responsibility for your actions.

Any people depicted in stock imagery provided by Thinkstock are models, and such images are being used for illustrative purposes only.

Certain stock imagery © Thinkstock.

ISBN: 978-1-5043-6201-6 (sc)

ISBN: 978-1-5043-6203-0 (hc)

ISBN: 978-1-5043-6202-3 (e)

Library of Congress Control Number: 2016911694

Balboa Press rev. date: 07/15/2016

CONTENTS

Chapter 1 Teressia

Chapter 2 Elijah

Chapter 3 Korina

Chapter 4 Sage

Chapter 5 August

Chapter 6 Teressia

Chapter 7 Elijah

Chapter 8 Sage

Chapter 9 August

Chapter 10 Elijah

Chapter 11 Korina

Chapter 12 Teressia

CHAPTER 1

TERESSIA

I crouched behind a piece of the broken helm. How the sailors were going to repair the ship after the serpents left, I had no idea. It seemed that they couldn’t even steer the ship now, since the helm was in pieces.

I trembled as I fiddled with my mage’s rod. It was a miracle that I was still alive and unharmed as it was, and every moment I lived in fear. I prayed and prayed the serpents’ attention would remain elsewhere. And that Korina wouldn’t do anything rash. From my hiding spot, I watched her clamber onto one of the green serpents and ride it like a wave. Then she had wrapped herself in a waterspout she had made before plummeting into the sea. A few sailors and Mage Isaac had rescued her, but now they were nowhere to be seen. I hoped Korina was alive and sheltered still, and hoped that the two mages were also safe.

My heart dropped, pulse fluttered, and hope shattered as Korina bolted out of a pile of debris and raced to a serpent. She had sweat plastered on her forehead, nasty bruises and cuts all over her, and black matted hair dancing wildly in the wind, but she had a determined face. Determination wasn’t the only thing her face carried—rage was apparent as well.

No, no, no, Korina. No. Don’t do anything. Go back, go back, I pleaded in a whisper. Korina trudged forward.

Her facial features contorted in anger and concentration as she swept her arms up and jerked them forward.

A loud roaring and swishing thundered from over the side of the ship. I gasped as half of the sea rose up and up, until it looked as if a tsunami was frozen above the ship. The water held itself above the remaining foremast, above the serpents. Then Korina let go.

The water surged forward and exploded like a volcano that had just blew its top off. The serpents were instantly swamped, and were knocked into the sea. The wave also struck the foremast and it snapped in half, just as the mainmast had.

Many objects, crates, barrels and other debris were swept along with the enormous wave. Korina was drawn in as well, but she used her magic to ride on top of the flooding water. But the wave had sucked the strength out of her. Korina fell back, disappearing in her own flood.

I got up and raced down the damaged steps of the quarterdeck. Most of the wave had subsided, leaving behind seawater that reached up to my knees.

Korina? Korina! I called.

Tres!

I turned around. Elijah was stumbling up behind me, his jerkin and shirt drenched in some mysterious clear, green liquid. Water and sweat had caused his hair to fly in every direction.

Elijah! I rushed to him. You’re alive, thank the heavens. I threw my arms around him, convincing myself he was really there, really alive.

Uh! He pried my arms off of him. Couldn’t breathe there. But yes, I’m alive.

I pulled back in disgust. What is this slimy goop? I slung my arms down and wiped my hands over my chest. It’s all over you.

Serpent spit, he laughed. I almost made a snack for one of those ruthless monsters. I guess I owe one to Korina. She’s the one that diverted its attention.

Are you okay? Injured? I hurriedly surveyed his clothing for dark blood spots.

Completely fine. You’re starting to sound like Mage Melody.

We stared at each other in realization.

Where is Mage Melody? I asked slowly.

Elijah shook his head. I have no idea where anyone is. You were looking for Korina?

Yeah, she should be in the mess somewhere. You saw the wave, right?

Elijah briskly nodded.

And it was like it drained all her strength right out of her. She just kind of collapsed. I sloshed around in the seawater, looking for a body.

We should stay together. I’m sure we’ll find everyone else soon. They couldn’t just have disappeared off of the ship.

Unless they were eaten or thrown overboard, I muttered grimly.

We have to keep believing.

The two of us walked further along the main deck, which was covered in holes. Some of the seawater from Korina’s wave had plunged into the hold from the openings in the deck. Almost nothing was left untouched. It was a wonder how the ship stayed afloat.

Korina!

Korina!

We echoed each other until we heard a groan.

Where did that come from? I demanded.

Elijah looked around and shrugged. I don’t know, but I heard it too.

The groan sounded again. I dropped to my knees and threw a board aside. Under it lay the drenched body of Korina, face down. Her black hair stuck to the sides of her face and drifted in the water. Elijah and I pulled her off of the deck, until she sat up.

You okay? I asked.

I don’t know, she admitted groggily, rubbing her temples. That wave took most of my strength and magic. My head hurts. She slumped back, her face staring absently at the sky.

I shook her. Come on, Korina. Sit up, or you won’t get up again.

She groaned. That doesn’t sound too bad right now.

Sit up, Korina. You can do it, Elijah encouraged.

I’ll just lay here for a while. The serpents are gone, right?

I nodded. Thanks to you.

As if on cue, two loud growls split the atmosphere. A surge of water shattered the calming waves and two snake-like bodies emerged from the depths of the sea. The serpents glared at the Naviganti in fury and roared, flashing long fangs.

Oh my waters, Korina gasped and her eyes rolled back.

Korina! My voice shook. Korina, get up! Hurry!

Tres … Elijah warned.

I know, I know. I turned to Korina and grabbed her wrists. Help me, Elijah!

Elijah was there at my side, taking Korina’s legs and lifting her with me. Let’s move her under the forecastle, he grunted.

We staggered to the upper deck and slid her under the steps.

Stay here Korina, okay? I ordered. No matter what happens, don’t move. I don’t think you have enough strength to fight off the serpents, anyway. Don’t follow us or anyone else.

Korina nodded, though I doubted that she really meant it.

Let’s go, Elijah.

Where are we going to go? We can’t just waltz on up to the serpents and kindly ask them to leave. We should just stay here.

We should go find the others, at least Sage. I have a hunch that she’s in the hold. Where else where Sage be?

Elijah shrugged. Fine. But stay low and try not to let the serpents see you. Go slowly.

I obeyed Elijah’s directions and slipped through the ship’s wrecked deck, darting behind crates and boards to avoid being seen in case the serpents slipped an eye our way. I realized how rattled I was. I was shaking, scared. Elijah seemed completely calmed, maybe a bit rushed.

I walked right over it.

Whoa, Tres, stop!

What? I looked questioningly at Elijah.

You passed right over the hatch. He fumbled his hands over the hatch that led to the hold, tossing broken pieces of wood out of the way.

The hold was flooded, just as I had expected. Water still poured down from openings in the deck, and the seawater reached up to my shins.

Sage? I called.

Elijah turned to me. Shh! The serpents will know we’re hear if you don’t keep quiet.

Sorry.

We found her huddled on the mattress in her cabin. Sage’s hazel eyes were wide with fright. Her short red hair was ragged and plastered to her face, not unlike Korina’s. Her hair and dark green skirts were drenched, and her clothes had a few tears. The wrap around her hand was tattered and coming undone. Dark dry blood had seeped through some of the bandaging. Sage looked horrified.

Are they gone? Please tell me they’re gone. Her voice was full of panic, on the edge of hysteria.

No, they’re—

The ship rocked. The serpents let out a frustrated growl.

Sage squealed. They’re coming for me!

Get a grip, Sage. They’re not going to be able to get into the hold, Elijah assured.

It doesn’t matter! They’ll still find us eventually! Sage wailed.

Sage, Elijah said firmly. Calm down. We have to get through this and if you can’t stay calm, it’s not going to get any easier. Korina almost got rid of the serpents. They can’t stand much more of our magic if we keep attacking. Tres and I are going to go look for Mage Melody and Mage Isaac and then we’re going to get rid of the serpents for good. Coming?

Sage nodded. I suppose. She sniffed and wiped her sleeve over her face. Though I don’t know what good I can do. I can’t use my magic.

Do you know where the mages are? I asked.

I think they’re in the hold. They came down to bandage some wounds. I think Mage Isaac might have gotten hit when the mainmast fell.

Let’s go then, I said, twirling my mage’s rod.

Sage and I followed Elijah to Mage Melody’s cabin. Inside, Isaac was dabbing ointment on a cut and Melody was stirring a mixture. She tossed in pinches of herbs and some chalky material, and crushed it all up. She poured in a couple of liquids, sniffed the result, and continued to stir.

Mage Melody? Mage Isaac? Elijah said at the doorway.

Mage Melody turned around. Oh, you three. Are any of you hurt?

We all shook our heads.

Good. Isaac and I have been in here for some time after failing miserably to chase away those serpents. Sorry to abandon you all, but we didn’t see anyone and figured you would be smart enough to find your way to the hold. The rest of the sailors and Serulean are hiding in the captain’s cabin. I’m trying to make a quick healing solution that soothes cuts and bruises and stops bleeding. I don’t think anyone has any broken bones, do they?

We shook our heads again.

Oh, Sage! You need new bandaging on that hand. We don’t need an infection. Come here now and let me take care of it. Melody tended to Sage while Elijah and I sat on the mattress.

I think we need to figure out a way for all of us to work together to get rid of the serpents, Elijah began.

Unfortunately, Melody and I are unable to carry out that suggestion due to ill-fated circumstances, Mage Isaac announced.

Elijah stared. I’m not sure I understand.

Sage rolled her eyes while Melody dabbed at her hand with a cloth. He means that something happened to their magic. What, did it disappear again because of the dark magic’s presence?

"Our magic did not disappear, Isaac said, stressing the word as if Sage were an immature child, it is merely inaccessible. Whether or not that is caused by the current location we are in or the amount of dark magic that’s at hand, I do not know. I do know, however, that it is occurring quite often. I am taking note of when our magic is inaccessible and what our coordinates are when it happens so that I can determine if there’s a connection when I have the proper resources."

Sage scowled at the way Isaac talked to her. I could see it on her face, the way she despised being treated as if she were mindless, perhaps like Elijah. Korina was similar, taking offense when someone considered her a child. Korina. Were the mages wondering where she was?

Here, Melody was at Sage’s side, helping her tie the bandage.

Thanks, Sage muttered in reply.

So … everyone seems to be fine. Where’s Korina? Melody asked.

She used a lot of energy to make a huge wave that she sent tumbling down on the serpents, Elijah explained. The wave flooded the deck and that’s why a lot of seawater is down here in the hold.

How big was the wave? Melody asked seriously, squinting her eyes.

Very large, Elijah said.

To be more specific, I began, rolling my eyes at Elijah, it towered above the foremast and the two serpents, and was about half the ship’s length.

Melody groaned. She’s too young and inexperienced to be using that much magic! Is she okay, is she conscious?

No, she’s unconscious. Elijah and I slid her under the steps of the forecastle and told her not to move.

Melody groaned again. Why didn’t you bring her here? The serpents could be eating her right now!

I doubt it, Elijah said. The serpents seem distracted right now. They probably won’t find her if she doesn’t move or make any sounds.

And what were the serpents doing when you left Korina?

Elijah shrugged. They were just nosing around I guess. Looking for people.

They were angry, I think. The wave apparently knocked them out for a bit, and then they reappeared. Korina sent a really powerful wave. I glared at Elijah, who was giving a rather vague account of what Korina had done.

Mage Melody ran a hand through her chestnut brown hair. We need to go get her. Now. Isaac and I will go. The three of you will stay here.

No! Elijah protested childishly. We’re the ones who still have our magic, as Korina demonstrated. Tres and I should go. Sage is a bit frightened, I think, and she doesn’t have any earth or plants around her so she can’t use her magic.

Mage Melody sighed. Very well. But be quick and silent. We can’t afford to draw attention to ourselves. This is a matter of life and death. Come along, Isaac.