The Darkness that Follows: The Magic of the Woods: Book Two

By Rebecca Avati

In a world of magic and danger, thirteen-year-old Nora Gregory makes an innocent mistake that threatens her town. With her ragtag group of friends, she devises a plan to save their homes. But a hidden enemy and unexpected challenges get in the way. Nora must find her courage, and lean on the strength of true friends and family before she loses e

• Language: English
• Publisher: Steam Engine Productions
• Release date: Jul 7, 2023
• ISBN: 9798986933016

Book preview

1

Nora and Ben: In Soluna's Home

I wouldn’t call my great-great-great grandmother Soluna’s home a house. But calling it a cave doesn’t do it justice either. It could be called a magical cavern cottage that serves as a portal to tunnels and chambers, linking thousands of Protectors from around the world. Only, that name's too long. Plus, it’s so much more than that to me. 

Nora, being separated all winter is also tough for me. My great-great-great grandmother Soluna leaned back in her rocker with her eyes closed.

I know. I frowned. But I wish I could still come up here while you're in Athara. 

Soluna cracked one eye open. Maybe you can help me convince her, Ben? 

My best friend’s eyes narrowed as he took a moment to think. Okay, so if you try to come up the mountain during the winter, you’ll get stuck in the snow—and I will too since I always follow you everywhere. Then you’ll have to use heat magic—which you’ve never been good at. So, you’d set off an avalanche and bury the whole town.

Ben—nearly laughing—looked at Soluna, who he claimed as a grandmother as well, then added. I don’t want to get buried alive.

That’s the weirdest worst-case scenario ever–I hope. You win. We won’t hike above the grove until spring. But I’m still worried about a Dark Nimbus finding me. I took in a slow breath and caught the scent of the bunches of drying lavender, sage, and camomile tied up in ribbons and hanging from the rafters. 

I understand. Soluna’s tone softened. She leaned forward and her long silvery-white hair spilled over her shoulders. I couldn’t shake the thought that something might go wrong while she was gone because she knew so much more about being a Protector than I did.

We’ll be alright, Nora, Ben said, helping himself to another cup of cocoa.

In order for any creature of darkness to be a threat, they need at least some energy from heat. Soluna yawned. Her body had aged dramatically in the past few weeks. I couldn't believe that by spring she’d be a young woman again.

We hadn’t seen a Dark Nimbus for over a year. But the image of the towering figure of smoke and vines still haunted my dreams. I wanted to stay in Soluna’s home, which was hidden from the rest of the world, filled with magic, homemade bread, and cozy chairs. But I could tell even talking to us had exhausted her, so I nodded at Ben. 

We should get going. Ben stood. We both gave Soluna a hug before heading toward the door. 

Just before I stepped outside, Soluna cleared her throat and spoke. Oh, Nora, be careful with your magic. But don’t be afraid to store some of it away as I showed you. You never know when you might want to share your powers. I’ll see you in the spring. 

Ben and I tread down the mountainside toward our neighborhood.  

I guess it’s going to be like this every fall. I kicked at a pile of autumn leaves and watched them rustle in the breeze. 

Ben sighed, then rubbed his chin. Why do you think Soluna told you to store your magic?

I don't know. But I hope it doesn't mean trouble is coming.

***

PRESENT-DAY, WINTER

Dusty ribbons of light spilled into the attic through a circular window nestled high among the wooden rafters. I rubbed my hands together, summoning as much magic as possible. Electrical sparks pooled in my fingertips, waiting for my command. Now! 

Sea-blue magic burst from my palms, lighting the room with a brilliant cerulean glow. It spun around, crashing into the walls and sending scraps of old papers and fabric flying through the air. I directed the energy toward the glass jar in Ben’s hands.

When the last glimmers slipped into the container, Ben snapped on the lid and tightened it. The attic dimmed as the magic condensed inside the clear jar. The lone window and an old lamp were, once again, the primary sources of light. 

I let out a huge breath as I flopped into a dusty wingback chair. How many bottles does that make?

That’s eight. He wrote February seventeenth with a permanent marker on the bottle. We’re probably good for today. Right? 

Yeah, I think so. I took a minute to catch my breath, leaning back into the old leather cushion. I hoped Soluna’s suggestion to save some magic might help if another Dark Nimbus attacked. In the last battle, she shared some of her powers with my non-magical friends, so they could help. We also had Soluna and a crystal to trap the creature. But now we only had me. 

Trying Soluna’s suggestion was our only hope in case of an emergency, but left me drained. Summoning loads of magic always left me feeling like a truck had hit me. 

You look exhausted, Ben said as he attempted to jam a crowbar between two floorboards in a dark corner. We needed a place to hide the jars.  

I wish using magic didn’t wear me out so much. I forced myself out of the chair and grabbed a chisel to help him loosen the stubborn old board. Someone probably nailed it in place when they built the house two hundred years ago. 

At least you have powers. Ben flashed his wide, crooked smile. 

True. I fumbled around, trying to shove the chisel under the board, while Ben lifted the end with his crowbar. My arms felt like jello. Maybe we need to pull out a few nails?

The floorboard snapped out of place, leaving us a space to hide everything. Ben carried over the rest of the bottles of shining liquid in an array of gold, ocean blue, and viridian. They lit up his goofy grin. Best best-friend ever. 

He tapped on the brightest jar. I don't know if this is enough magic to battle a Dark Nimbus. But I bet we’d totally scare one or something.

Or something. If only I could forget what happened in the woods last fall. But the Dark Nimbus’s cruel, gray glowing eyes as it tried to drain my magic—and my life—still haunted my dreams.

I shuddered.

We carefully tucked the bottles into the space in the floor. I covered them with a few layers of thick fabric to conceal the soft light—didn’t need my parents finding them—then we replaced the floorboard and slid a heavy trunk over it. 

Cool. One less thing to worry about. Ben stood up and headed to the hatch leading back to the third-floor hallway. 

Wait. Do you worry about the Dark Nimbus? I held the little door open for Ben to climb onto the ladder, then followed him through. 

Of course, it’s pretty much my worst nightmare, and I’ve discovered a love of nightlights and carrying pepper spray. But dwelling on it too much gives me a headache. So… Ben shrugged and pinched his lips together. 

Pepper spray won’t do anything against a Dark Nimbus. We landed in the polished wood hallway outside my bedroom door.  

"I know. But it makes me feel safer." Ben patted his front pocket, which had a faint outline of a small bottle. 

Woah. I didn’t realize you carried that all the time. Hopefully, you never spray yourself on accident. I mean, I understood why he needed to carry something that helped him feel safe, but I could also see him unintentionally blinding himself in the middle of math class—or worse. At the end of the hallway, we had a narrow circular staircase that led to the kitchen. We began the two-story climb down.

Hey, why are you so worried? Did you get a message from the forest? Ben dropped his voice to a whisper so my family wouldn’t hear our conversation. The staircase had a notorious echo.

I always get them. It’s only ever stuff like, ‘Remember the forest.’ Winter’s probably just getting to me. Sometimes February seems more like a year than a month. I had no reason to be more worried than usual, but something in my gut told me to be watchful.

Yeah, Valentine’s Day was awkward, and it’s not like we get the day off of school. Plus, Mr. Jenkins is acting like he did us a favor by assigning science projects. Ben scrunched his eyebrows together and shook his head. 

Ugh, why did you have to remind me? 

We ended up in the kitchen, which looked like it came from a 1950's catalog. Large white appliances lined the soft blue and white pinstriped walls and sat on a black-and-white checkered floor. My little brothers were at the table bickering about comic books while my mom chopped vegetables for dinner. Lily ran around with a pacifier in her mouth, dragging her stuffed dog tied to a string. My cat, Pants, slept in a basket-style bed near a sunny corner.

See you later, buddy. I scratched him behind the ears.

Oh, my Nora. You off to hunt mousies again? Pants blinked lazily at me. Understanding animals’ thoughts didn’t mean they always made sense. I had never once hunted a mouse. But Pants seemed to think I was just a large, clumsy, unskilled cat.     

Ben and I pulled our coats off the hooks next to the front door and headed outside.

A strange vibration hit me when I stepped out onto the porch. I scanned the area, but everything looked like it always did. Overcast skies and several inches of snow contributed to a dreary winter afternoon—typical for this time of year. 

I attempted to ignore it and keep walking, but a heaviness hung in the air. Before I could take another step, an electric force zipped through the atmosphere, clashing with my magic. I stood still, watching and listening. The energy was static, like some unseen power coursed over the surrounding radio frequencies. Even though the dull gray winter shadows looked normal, they felt darker than usual.

Ben looked back at me, then stopped in the middle of the snow-covered walkway. There’s something you’re not saying.

Everything's a little off. I can’t explain it. I followed Ben down to the sidewalk, then looked up and down the road. Cozy houses sprinkled with fresh snowy powder ran along our tree-lined street. Ben’s red brick house next door, and Mrs. Witherscomb’s ridiculously perfect two-story, stood across the street. It looked like a postcard picture. Except something slightly beyond the edges of my vision stirred in the shadows. 

Ben let out a pressured breath. Okay, so you’re getting bad vibes for no reason? Even with the magic you saved, we’re defenseless without Soluna. 

Defenseless. That was the word I was looking for. 

The sound of a metal trash can clattered to the ground and pierced the silence. I jumped, but when a shrieking cat dashed around the corner of Ben’s house, we both laughed nervously.

Ben’s eyes were wide. Terrible timing.

I’m sure it’s only my nerves. It’ll be better when Soluna’s back. I shrugged, trying to convince myself things were fine. 

A few hours later, by the time we’d finished our homework and played a few games, I walked home in the dark. The unmistakable stench of burning electricity tainted the air, and the hairs on the back of my neck stood on end.

Alone in the night, I knew something was there. Watching me. 

Be safe, Nora. The voice of the woods faintly pleaded in my mind. I shivered, and my knees weakened. My body froze in place. I drew in a large breath, then pulled my jacket close and darted to my front porch.

When I opened the door, I found my house filled with the comforting chaos of my younger brothers and sister running around and playing. My parents were in the kitchen making spaghetti, and the scent of Italian food and fresh bread made my stomach grumble. Everything seemed so normal and safe—maybe I’d imagined the creepy sensation outside. 

After dinner, I headed upstairs to bed. The wind whistled through the attic above, and I pulled my blanket close and peered out the window beside my bed. Odd shadows scattered themselves across the ground, lurking in the night.  

I squeezed my eyes closed. Soluna said we should be fine. It’s only my imagination. 

I struggled to find sleep. When it finally came, it was anything but peaceful. A Dark Nimbus stood over me–shadows of smoke, branches, and vines, twirling its spindly fingers, pulling away my magic and draining my life force in a long string of glowing, golden thread.  

Delicious, it whispered. Its voice echoed like a creaky door about to snap off its hinges. Oh, so very sweet. 

I woke up with a start. So much for getting a good night’s rest.

2

Nora's House and the Bus Stop

My nightmare clung to me the next morning. The glowing eyes haunted me, and I imagined the Dark Nimbus’s breath on my face. I lay frozen for a moment until I found the courage to turn on my lamp. Then I pulled on my robe, slid out of bed, and scurried to the bathroom. The cold tile floor chilled my feet, and I looked over my shoulder while brushing my teeth, despite the mirror in front of me. 

Something rattled the bathroom doorknob, making my heart race. A little voice called out. Nora, hurry. Pants wants a drink. 

I opened the door to find Max holding my smokey gray cat around the middle, two paws sticking straight out in front of him and his hind legs hanging limply.

My small friend has caught me again. Pants looked at me with wide eyes. 

My breathing settled, and I laughed at myself for being so jumpy. I dried my face. He has a bowl. 

He likes the sink water, though. My brother simultaneously spoiled and terrified that cat. Max had recently started kindergarten and was obsessed with animals. Since Pants was the only one around, Max dragged him around the house like a stuffed animal.

How about you put him down and get ready for school? I crouched down and helped disentangle Pants from Max’s grip. 

Freedom! The little gray cat scampered away as soon as his paws hit the floor. 

Max’s lower lip stuck out as he marched into the bathroom to brush his teeth.

Thanks. I smiled. He didn’t realize that he’d distracted me from my disturbing dream and lifted my dark mood, but he had. He had a talent for things like that. I’m glad you’re such a good friend for Pants.

Yeah. My brother’s muffled voice was full of a toothbrush, and he tilted his head to the side. "I’m Pants’ best friend. He’s so sad when I go