Element Girls 2: The Stolen Star: The Element Girls, #2

By Giulietta M. Spudich

Long ago, a star went missing from the western sky. Legend says, the star was taken to the troll's home, a mountain only seen at sunset. Legend says, the four elements are the only thing that can save the star.

 

After an intense beginning of the year where Tess (Fire), Amelia (Water), Susie (Air) and Elizabeth (Earth) discovered their element powers and freed a goddess, the Element Girls are looking forward to their summer vacation in Iceland. But Amelia's father, an ex-sorcerer who used dark magic, is with them. Has he really forgotten how to do magic, or is he just pretending? The myth of the stolen star, and the four elements that can save her, draw the girls deeper into a mystery full of magic.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Handersen Publishing
• Release date: Nov 21, 2021
• ISBN: 9781647030643

Book preview

Element Girls 2

The Stolen Star

Giulietta M. Spudich

Handersen Publishing, LLC

Lincoln, Nebraska

Element Girls 2

The Stolen Star

Handersen Publishing, LLC

Lincoln, Nebraska

This book is a work of fiction. All characters and other incidents are a product of the author’s imagination, and locales are used in a fictitious manner. Any resemblance to actual events, or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental.

Text copyright © 2021 Giulietta M. Spudich

Cover copyright © 2021 Handersen Publishing, LLC

Cover & Interior Illustrations by Karissa Bettendorf

Cover Design by Karissa Bettendorf & Nichole Hansen

Interior Design by Nichole Hansen

Manufactured in the United States of America.

All rights reserved, including the right of reproduction in whole or in part in any form.

Summary: The Element Girls are looking forward to their vacation in Iceland. The myth of the stolen star, and the four elements that can save her, draw the girls deeper into a mystery full of magic.

Library of Congress Control Number: 2021950520

Handersen Publishing, LLC, Lincoln, Nebraska

Paperback ISBN: 978-1-64703-062-9

Hardback ISBN: 978-1-64703-063-6

eBook ISBN: 978-1-64703-064-3

Author Website: www.ElementGirls.org

Publisher Website: www.HandersenPublishing.com

Publisher Email: [e-mail]

To the elements, in nature and within us.

The Four Elements

by Beatrice McLean Neal

The Fire that danced

On the Earth,

That was washed by the Water,

That was blown by the Air.

The force of them is so strong,

That we dream all night long,

And I’m sure that I’m not wrong,

When I say that we’d all be gone,

Without them and their song.

Chapter One

Tess, Amelia, Elizabeth and Susie, best friends since they were ten, were on summer vacation. Chaperoned by Amelia’s parents, the girls were nearly in Reykjavik, Iceland, at the end of a long flight from San Francisco.

Mountains, geysers, an island full of birds called puffins…Tess thought Iceland looked cool. Unfortunately, the money for the trip came from dark magic.

Amelia’s dad paid for the trip as a thank you to Amelia and her mom for taking care of him. Months ago, he lost his memory, and his health, and now lived in their garage apartment. When they helped him sell his house in Oahu, he proposed a trip to Iceland. And he invited Amelia’s best friends.

Though Tess was grateful for the exciting trip, she didn’t like that the money came from his sorcerer days. Who knew what dark spells helped him get rich.

Not even he knew anymore.

Amelia’s dad just proved that not all magic users were good. And since Tess’ element power was the most destructive of them all, she worried about her own magic. She never wanted to hurt anyone.

Ever since Tess got fire power, she felt more anger and frustration. Luckily she could take the amulet off. She had spent the flight in a calm peace.

But as the plane descended and her ears popped, she took the amulet necklace out of her pocket. You never knew when you needed magic, especially when an ex-dark sorcerer was around. Even if he had lost all memory of magic. Or so he said…

Try to be good this trip, OK? Tess whispered to the Fire amulet.

A bloom of heat filled her as she put the necklace back on. Now that she had fire power again, she felt zips of irritation at the pinching seatbelt. Tess took a deep breath and focused on the good. It was nice to feel warm again on the chilly plane.

Amelia, wearing her Water amulet, was absorbed in an advanced geometry textbook that she brought for fun. Amelia was the only girl in the Brightcubes, their school’s math team. She said it gave her more interesting problems to work with than math class.

Tess thought math class was hard enough.

The plane landed, and Susie leaned over from the seat behind them and demanded high-fives. While Amelia was a math whiz, Susie was the star on the volleyball team. She was even starting to resemble a volleyball these days, with her black hair cut in a bouncy bob.

It was fitting that Susie had the Air amulet.

Tess wished she could be a star too. But she was just plain old Tess.

Elizabeth, wearing her Earth amulet, was too absorbed in Sense and Sensibility to even notice they were landing.

Liz, haven’t you read that before? Susie said, nudging her seatmate. Susie was the only one who could call Elizabeth ‘Liz’. No one knew why, except probably Susie and Elizabeth.

Jane Austen never gets old, Elizabeth said. I always find something new in her books. You should read one someday.

Susie stuck her tongue out.

I’m sure you already made us watch all the movies of her books, Susie said. That’s enough for me!

Tess laced her sneakers up and stretched, ready to stand.

So glad your parents let you come, Earth, Susie said for the hundredth time, rubbing Elizabeth’s arm. She leapt up into the aisle and bounced in the line of people waiting to exit.

Mom and Dad were nervous about me coming, Elizabeth said. But I explained how good it would be for my growth, to experience another culture.

That sounds very…what’s the word for speaking really well? Susie asked, stretching her arms above her head.

Eloquent? Elizabeth replied with a grin. Do you see why I read all those books? She winked.

Tess was thankful her parents had been happy to let her go on the trip. Once they spoke to Amelia’s mom and got the whole itinerary, they agreed. They thought it would be good for her to…what did Earth say…experience another culture.

The girls exited the plane together. Amelia’s parents had to wait for the airline attendants to bring her dad, David, a wheelchair. He was too weak to walk far.

It was strange to think that earlier that year he was a powerful dark sorcerer.

Months ago, he attacked them all in a cave full of dark magic, and tried to steal the life of the mermaid goddess Alanawaiwai. That’s when they truly became the Element Girls, working together to save the goddess.

Tess breathed away a fiery panic and touched her necklace. They were safe now. Even though he was with them.

It took almost no time to go through customs and pick up their luggage. All the signs were in English, which was surprising.

Wow, I thought it would be harder to figure out where to go, Amelia said with a soft smile, echoing Tess’ thoughts. It’s so easy to find our way.

Isn’t it always easy for you to find your way, Water? Elizabeth said. You go with the flow.

And you know how to flow, Susie said, laughing.

Whereas I just don’t know, Tess said. But the girls stopped laughing.

Oh, Tess, you do know, Elizabeth said. You flicker and...

Light up our world, Susie said.

Exactly! Elizabeth said.

What would we do without the fiery Tess energy? Amelia said, rubbing Tess’ arm.

Tess felt her cheeks warm at her friends’ words.

Look, we’re already at the arrivals hall! Susie said. Iceland, high five!

They slapped Susie’s hand in turn.

This place is a lot quieter than the San Francisco airport, Amelia said, taking in the spacious hall with vaulted ceiling and wood floor. And it’s kind of beautiful.

Tess spied a little café, and the group eagerly made its way to it. They put their bags down and pushed a few small tables together.

Amelia crashed into a chair and yawned. Susie bounced from one foot to the other.

Before we order, let’s do the friendship pledge, Tess said, feeling an urge to formally start their vacation the Element Girl way.

Smoothie first, Susie said. I need fuel. She was always hungry, since she exercised so much.

I’m with Tess, Amelia said.

Yeah, we need to honor this moment, Elizabeth agreed.

OK, Susie said and rolled her eyes. As long as it’s quick.

For you I would walk through fire! Tess said, beginning the friendship pledge.

For you I would walk on water, Amelia said, smiling. She loved the friendship pledge as much as Tess did.

For you I would walk on air, Susie said, punching the air with her fist.

For you I would walk the Earth, Elizabeth said with a mock curtsy, holding out the edges of her tan dress. She wore lots more green and brown clothes, ever since she discovered her element power earlier that year.

Tess stretched. The friendship pledge made her feel better. No matter what dangers were around, they’d be OK. They had each other. And they had magic.

Tess breathed deeply and told herself there wouldn’t be any danger here. It would be a peaceful trip to Iceland.

Even though he was here.

Chapter Two

Susie skipped up to the counter to order a smoothie, while most of the group went to find bathrooms. Tess and Amelia sat alone at the table, studying the menu.

Tess couldn’t decide what she wanted. She adjusted her headband around her red curls as she scanned the menu.

Your hair looks good, Amelia said, after telling Susie to order a carrot and banana smoothie for her. Did you get it cut?

It’s because it’s greasy from the flight, Tess said, feeling a blush in her cheeks at the admission. This year it’s gotten so wild and frizzy. It’s kind of nice that it feels tame now even though it’s…slimy.

It did used to look like that more often, Amelia said. These days it’s normally, well… Amelia blushed.

Frizzy, Tess said, completing Amelia’s sentence. You know, I thought getting older meant things would get better. Not worse.

Tess decided on hot chocolate, and waved to get Susie’s attention.

What things are worse? Amelia said. Your hair is wonderful. I wish I had curls like that.

Tess forgot about her hot chocolate desire and coughed. Amelia had gorgeous hair, blond with a slight wave to it. It suited the shape of her face and peach tones of her skin.

The green braid in her hair just made it cooler. That was a gift from Alanaweiwei, the mermaid goddess they rescued earlier that year.

Amelia, your hair is perfect, Tess said. At least three girls in our class copied your green braid.

Her friend shrugged.

It would be fun to have red curls like yours, Amelia said.

Tess felt her heart warm at the compliment.

Anyway, we’re in Iceland, Amelia continued. How cool is that?

We are close to the Arctic, Tess said, smiling. So, it’s very cool.

Amelia giggled.

I can’t wait to get to an outdoor pool, Amelia said, true to her water element. They are supposed to be super-warm and naturally heated. I read that everyone in Iceland goes to them.

Uncomfortable fidgeting energy raced through Tess. She played with the luggage tag on her bag.

I wish I had a thing, Tess said. I mean, I’m excited to be here. But in an unfocused way.

Amelia’s forehead pinched like it did when she couldn’t solve a math problem.

What do you mean? Amelia asked.

You have the outdoor pool thing, Tess said. Susie can’t wait to go running. Elizabeth has three bookstores she wants to go to.

Tess pulled at a curl in frustration.

I want to do all those things too, Tess said. But I don’t have one thing I want to do here in Iceland.

Amelia nodded as she listened to Tess.

I get it, Amelia said. We all have specific things we want to do. But Tess, maybe your way is better. I bet you’re going to find the coolest thing to do, just because you have your eyes open to everything.

Tess felt a glow of happiness. Amelia always understood what she was trying to say. And then said the right thing.

Oh good, Dad’s ordering something, Amelia said, looking towards the café’s counter. "He