The Apprentice & the Lost City

Chapter One

Five minutes into her first exam, Emma Marsh knew she had failed.

Once the spell left her lips, the wick of the slim, white candle exploded before her very eyes. The flame she conjured engulfed the Grand Wizard's beloved oak desk with a mighty roar of laughter. Meanwhile, mischievous embers hopped by. Their sinister giggles burned the tips of her ears as they scattered around the room. 

Emma gaped at the beady sparks that fought to nibble at the curtains, bookcases, and even the dusty wallpaper of the study.

Her wand jumped from one shaky hand to the other, wondering where to go. Though, no long-winded commands came to her mind. Instead, only desperate 'please' and scolding 'shoos' were chanted as she did her best to fight off the sizzling flames.

Before she knew it, a bigger flame had come up to greet her. Amber-colored eyes beamed down at her with a wide, toothless grin. The girl stiffened at the sight causing her rebellious spell to flicker with a chuckle. 

Thick, gray clouds stomped out of the monster's lungs as it laughed, filling the air around her with its steamy breath.

Emma choked on a cough when a loud clatter caught her attention.

"Well, don't just stand there!"

Peering through the smoke, Emma's brown eyes found three mages sitting across the study. Professor Ostrom, who coughed lightly, did not seem at all surprised by the beast Emma conjured. Nor did old Professor Atwood who sat undisturbed and looked positively bored.

Professor Brim, however, had stood from his seat and tore the sleeve of his lilac robe from the teeth of a tiny ember.

"Do something," Brim hissed, "or the whole building will become nothing more than useless ash!"

"R-Right!" Emma jumped, fumbling with her wand. She fought to keep her feet planted on the floor but as the beast crackled with glee, her legs failed to steady her. Her mind raced to remember a spell - any spell - to put an end to the beast she created.

She raised her wand swiftly, hoping the act would scare the flame away. However, the thin, wooden wand she carried only shivered in the face of the bitter blaze. The room rumbled. Pieces of the Grand Mage's colorful wallpaper hissed into ashes as the flame took another mighty step forward. 

Its smile widened hungrily while blistering eyes settled on the tiny stick.

Greedy, red flames nipped at the girl's fingertips, knocking the wand from her shaky grasp. Colorful sparks fizzled from its wooden seams as the pitiful wand hit the ground. The shiny display caused the flaming beast to drool at what would surely be a tasty snack.

Emma waved the stinging pain away with a scrunched expression. When she opened her eyes again, she found the beast's flaming gaze locked onto her precious wand. Long, billowing arms scorched the Grand Mage's flowery rug while the beast struggled to kneel down. She paled as she watched the flame's mouth widen with a roar. And, without a second thought, the young girl dived into the fiery pit to save her wand.

This heroic act prompted Professor Atwood to rise from his seat. While his colleagues grumbled with disapproval, the old mage simply raised his jeweled staff in the air. A soft, purple hue illuminated from the amethyst sitting atop the well-crafted staff causing Emma's blistering flame to turn a fearful expression his way.

Emma, however, failed to notice the flicker of magic coming from the Professor.

Determined to defeat her blunder of a spell, she sealed her eyes shut before wrapping her aching fingers around her splintered wand. With no time left to think, Emma began reciting the only charm that came to mind - albeit, the wrong one.