Aria & Liam: The Magic Chalice: Aria & Liam

By Coline Monsarrat

This Halloween, Aria and Liam have ditched trick-or-treating for a spine-tingling escapade in Sommetville's most notorious haunted house. Liam's convinced he'll stare Dracula down without flinching, while Aria rolls her eyes in playful skepticism. But neither expects actually to test their bravery against the real Count Dracula!

But their spine-chilling evening suddenly twists when they are whisked away to Wallachia, a realm under the sinister reign of Count Dracula himself.

 

In a frantic race against time featuring a high-speed sled race through shadowy forests and their delightful quarrels, Aria, Liam, and their furry companions, Pingo and Pippa, are on a daring mission. Their goal? Force Dracula to sip from the Magic Chalice, reverting him to human and freeing Wallachia from his dark clutches. But victory is uncertain, as not everyone in Wallachia wants them to succeed.

 

Will they manage to uncover Dracula's deepest, darkest secret and save the long-suffering people of Wallachia? Will Aria and Liam be brave enough to face Dracula himself?

 

Laugh, gasp, and feel your heart race in this spooktacular installment of Aria & Liam's adventures—a journey so thrilling, it's scary! Ideal for fearless adventurers aged 8 to 12 who love humor, excitement, and a dash of the supernatural.

 

Aria & Liam is a series of standalone middle-grade books allowing young readers to enjoy each adventure in any order they wish.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Apicem Publishing
• Release date: Oct 5, 2023
• ISBN: 9781959814122

Book preview

Chapter 1

The Haunted House

It’s a snowy night in 1452. Count Dracula stands in the Wallachia forest, surrounded by endless snow-covered trees. Winter has come, and glistening snowflakes are falling from the sky. Soon, the entire forest will be blanketed with a layer of sparkling white powder. The days will become so short that the sun won't even peek its head out—perfect for Dracula.

His ever-growing quest for territory and power spans Wallachia and the Ottoman Empire. He won't let anyone get in his way! A mocking chuckle slips out of his mouth. Pretty soon, he'll rule over the world, and everyone will be scared of him and his great power.

Liam stares at his reflection in the mirror. Halloween is his all-time favorite holiday! For months, he's been brainstorming his costume for the spooky night. He and his best friend Aria are getting ready to join their friends for a thrilling evening at Sommetville's scariest haunted house ever! What better way to have a blast than dressing up as Dracula—history's most notorious vampire!

He lifts his head high and pulls his cape halfway down his shoulders. The red color on the inside of his black cloak gives it style. The frilly shirt sticking out from beneath his velvet waistcoat looks cool, even if it makes him a bit hot. But it's all part of the style!

Liam! Are you getting your face done or what? shouts Aria from the bottom of the stairs, growing impatient. Her lightning-fast enthusiasm is legendary; she was able to get dressed up as the Dracula Countess in a blazing five-minutes flat!

Why would I want to do that? My face is perfect. Who would want to destroy a work of art? Liam grins. From his bedroom, he hears his best friend's foot stomping on the floor, letting him know her annoyance.

He stares back into the mirror. The costume isn't quite as cool as he had hoped. Suddenly, he gets an idea. I know, he says to himself. I need two fake fangs and some special makeup! He rushes to the bathroom and searches through the cupboard until his hand lands on the last piece of his costume: two plastic vampire teeth and a bottle of spooky-looking red makeup. Now he'll be the scariest Dracula ever seen in Sommetville!

He brings the canines to his mouth, and as he is about to drop some fake blood in the corners of his mouth, his dog Pingo's sudden, cheerful arrival startles him. The tube slips from his grip, sending a stream of blood-red makeup all over his face! His right cheek is dripping with a giant splash of fake blood.

Liam doesn't even have time to rectify it when Aria bursts into the room. She stops short, her face a mix of shock and amusement as she stares at Liam's face. He looks like a walking tomato with all those bright red splotches. Aria can't help but laugh, making Liam feel more annoyed.

Your face is indeed a work of art, my dear Liam! she exclaims, her eyes full of tears of laughter.

It's not my fault; Pingo popped up while I was trying to polish my costume! Liam replies in dismay.

Come on, don't blame Pingo. Just admit you're clumsy!

Liam's eyes pop out of their sockets. Me, clumsy? You're the one who dares to tell me that? he replies in shock; Aria being the clumsiest person he's ever met in his life.

I'm not the one who looks like I just emptied a paint bucket on my face! she proudly retorts.

Pingo, also wearing his Dracula costume, barks loudly and jumps, making his cloak fly in the air as he sees his two paw-rents fighting. By now, he knows them well. If he doesn’t step in, there is no way they will ever get to the haunted house on time!

Aria sneaks a look at Pingo before walking over to Liam. Let me help you, it will go faster! She grabs a tissue and starts wiping away the extra makeup. Everyone's waiting for us already, and you know I hate waiting in line!

Thank you. I must say, we really nailed it with our costumes this year, my dear Aria! Liam cheers as he looks at his reflection in the mirror.

Aria smiles before retorting, Can you wipe that idiotic look off your face, please? Dracula doesn't smile, and it's very difficult to do your makeup!

Liam's beam disappears, leaving Aria free to take her artistic vision to the next level. He stands there agape when he sees himself in the mirror. His costume is an absolute success! A wide smirk spreads across his face as he lets out a triumphant Yee-haw!

Aria laughs, Yes, my dear Liam, you're very scary! Let's see if you'll frighten everyone at the haunted house!

Let's go, my dear Aria! You'll see that I'll even scare Dracula himself!

Yes, that's right! Move faster instead of talking! she retorts, rolling her eyes.

The trio set off through the dark streets of Sommetville. The mild autumnal breeze tickles Aria and Liam's noses, but Pingo is still full of cheer as he walks on, unfazed by the darkness that shrouds them. The only sound they hear is the rustling of leaves from the trees above, making them feel like they're the stars of an exciting Halloween adventure.

Aria huffs, her eyes blazing. You're so full of it! I bet if you saw Dracula right now, you'd be so scared your pants would be soaked!

Liam stops suddenly, eyes wide, Me?! Oh my goodness, Aria, you've got to put the book away. It's making your imagination go wild!

It's you who needs to stop dreaming, because clearly, you're overestimating your ability to defeat a vampire! Imagine him with his sharp canines, faster than the light, and enticing to add to the mix! You wouldn't last ten seconds, I'm telling you! she retorts as she keeps walking.

Liam quickly reaches Aria, calling her out, A dagger through the heart, and it's a done deal. A piece of cake for me, my dear Aria!

What makes you think you can stab him in the heart when you can't even put makeup on your face? she challenges, a beam spreading across her face.

"It was Pingo who startled me! Liam defends himself before being shut down by Pingo's repressive bark. Sorry, buddy, but I gotta get this out, or else she'll tell everyone!"

The golden retriever's tail wags so fast that it nearly knocks Liam off his feet! Aria and Liam finally turn around and spot Amelia and John, two of their friends, waiting in front of the famous haunted house.

It's about time! We've been waiting for you for ten minutes! Amelia exclaims, dressed in a spooky witch costume.

Sorry, but Liam was being a  princess! chuckles Aria before smiling at her best friend.

Liam sighs before rolling his eyes, No, but...

Your costumes are so cool! John exclaims, whose scary clown costume has Aria and Liam on high alert.

You too... yours is... scary... Liam stammers, making Aria giggle.

Yes, I know, and you haven't seen Alex's! John adds.

The others are already inside. Let's go! Amelia says as she takes the first step toward the old Victorian house, surrounded by pumpkins and spider webs.

The group marches toward the supernatural manor, the moon guiding them through the fog-ridden night. The rusty gate creaks as they pass, and soon enough, they reach the entrance of the wooden house. They can see faint traces of light coming from the windows, almost like ghosts lurking in the shadows. Every crack and crevice in the building's walls emphasizes its creepy vibe.

Aria and Liam hesitantly enter the vestibule, excitement showing on their faces. Pingo begins to cling to the legs of his two masters feverishly. Their other friends are hovering in the dimly lit vestibule. Creaks from the old wooden floors and squeaks of bats fill the air.

Alex's face lights up with delight when he sees them. He's wearing a huge pumpkin costume and trying to carry his little French bulldog, Pippa, dressed in the same way. Finally, you’re here! Alex cries out.

Aria and Liam chuckle, their eyes widening at the sight of their friend in such a silly outfit. Pippa, the most princess-like dog, chimes