The Songs Of The Flames (The Curse Of The Thirteenth Series)

Chapter 19

"Priscilla!" She heard calling down the hallway. Priscilla turned to see Juniper running to catch up with her. The girl was winded when she finally slowed down.

"What's wrong?" Priscilla asked concerned.

"Nothing. It's good news." Juniper beamed. She grabbed Priscilla's hand and tugged her towards the dorm rooms.

"What's going on, Juniper?" The delicate girl had a strong hold upon her wrist as she dragged her up the dormitory stairs. Priscilla stumbled ungracefully up the stairs after her.

"Wait. I'll tell you when we are inside our room." Priscilla followed her to their dorm room, and shut the door.

"Now tell me what's going on?"

"I found it." Juniper beamed up at her. She jumped up and down on the balls of her feet. A bright smile lit up her freckled face.

"Found what?" Priscilla asked confused.

"A way to get past the wraith." Juniper placed her bag on her bed and began tearing through it looking for something. Scattered notebooks and pens were thrown aside in her search.

"What is it?" Priscilla peaked over Juniper's shoulders as the girl pulled out of her bag a black leather bound book. The book's title read 'The Forest of Zazz.' Juniper began flipping through the pages quickly, and stopped on a page a quarter way through. An illustration of a red stone laid at the bottom of the page.

"The stone of Zazz can block the aurora of any wraith. The power of the stone allows witches to concur wraiths without being frozen by fear." Juniper read from the passage. "The stone is said to be buried in the roots of the everblooming rhododendron tree in the heart of the forest. The forest within is haunted by a banshee who seeks revenge for it's death on any who dare to enter."

Priscilla examined the page with the stone. "Where is it located?" She asked.

"Just north of the academy. Priscilla, you can't possibly think we can go there." Juniper snapped the book shut. She replaced the book as well as her other belongings inside her bag.

"Why not?"

"Didn't you read the part about a banshee seeking revenge in the woods? We can't go there, we will die." Juniper said.

"Fine. I'll go alone. I can't sit by and let more people die." Priscilla stubbornly said.

"You can't go, it isn't safe." Juniper's usual wide eyes were even wider with fear and worry.

"I'll be fine. Juniper I need to do this."

"Why?" She asked timidly.

"Something tells me I need to do this." Priscilla said. She refused to back down.

"Banshee's are dangerous creatures. We are not equipped for this." Juniper persisted. Priscilla brushed it off. Her mind raced with planning.

"Do you think I can make it there and back before the Winter Solstice?"

"Perhaps. It's a day's journey. I can sense you won't give up. This seems senseless, Priscilla, but if you're going, I will go too. I don't like it though." Juniper crossed her delicate arms across her small frame. "I can call for a car to take us to the nearest town, but it will still be a day's walk to the forest."

"Can we collect food for the trip?" Priscilla asked.

"Yes. I know where the kitchen is. The brownies will give us food."

"Brownies?" Priscilla asked confused.

"They're small magical creatures that love to cook. They create all the food in the academy." Juniper explained to Priscilla. Priscilla's mind raced with thoughts. What would they need? Obviously, they would need to bring warm belongings. The weather outside dropped to low temperatures at night.