Orange Shadow Magic: Awaken. Book 1

Chapter 1: Unwanted Crowds

Gala Geim snapped her fingers quietly behind an old woman's concession stand, her brown locks of hair quickly transforming into lengthy black tresses and her old, black jean overalls changing to a long black glimmery simple dress, the cover of her face hidden among a long, royal purple cloak. Her eyes shimmered from brown into a navy blue. The cloaked figure Gala peeked cautiously behind her shoulder at the eerie and gargantuan castle as she sauntered down the ink black pavement, feeling like the pathway were blazing hot coals which burned her tough bare feet as she headed toward the musty, rickety wooden market stands that stood on the dark asphalt. Gala snapped her fingers with a quick word as tan sandals quickly appeared over her feet. Ladies with simple dresses, grimy aprons wrapped tightly around her waist yelled at the muddy passerby, trying to get them to purchase their handmade goods. Gala slipped gracefully through the sticky caramel-colored mud puddle that stood directly in front of her. Her velvet and delicate silk dress was still oddly perfect with not even a stain of thick mud as she elegantly fixed her bent posture and continued forward with a dainty stride. Suddenly, out of the corner of her eye she spotted a mysterious booth, casual, yet different among the other stands. Her head felt like this stand was different than the other booths. Anger coursed through her veins. This place held the man that had killed her mother! Why was she even here?! Slightly aware of all the townsfolk watching her, Gala raised her hand up, ready to declare something in the ancient language of sorcery. But Gala shuddered at the thought of being discovered, and moved away from the booth, the passerby gaping at her, wanting to see what the cloaked figure was about to do. Gala felt a stern hand clench with hers and a young girl with blond, hair in a bun and teal flip flops mysteriously appeared beside her.

"You should not raise awareness on everything." Coral Geim commented, already knowing what Gala had almost done. "Do not let your temper fly again." Coral said sternly. Gala sighed, aware of the punishment she would receive from her younger sister when they returned home. "Don't worry, peasants. This was just an act to raise some excitement around here. Me and my sister have been practicing this for days, but it seems as if no one enjoys it as we do. Now, get back to work!"

Coral encouraged, and the townsfolk walked away, some saying, "Somebody should teach those two some manners!"

"Of course, mom. I will control my temper," Gala snarkily replied. Gala grimaced dismally and pushed her hand against Coral's head, murmuring some incoherent mutterings. Corals body instantly glowed and her hair grew curly and a pink bow was splashed vigorously into her hair. Her casual sky blue dress was transformed into a fashionably styled maroon T-shirt, with a jean jacket drooping with shiny stones of differing sizes all over the silky fabric. Her legs were complemented with silk tights and her feet were now laced with teal tennis shoes. Her eyes now had a special touch of lavender colored glasses.

Coral gave Gala an annoyed look, and shrieked at Gala, "Look, why this outfit? It is the worst outfit in the history of outfits and you especially know that I don't like the color-"

"Shh!" Gala whispered, interrupting her sister's lecture. Her eyes swept across the crowded town and saw a cloaked figure, just like her, bolting across the city, watching Gala suspiciously. "Look Coral! Do you see that person?" Gala suddenly yelled, pointing at the hidden figure. The caped figure paused and bolted around the trees, fear in her eyes. No one should be messing with her, sister of the most powerful girl in the world, the Sphinx princess. She snapped her fingers, and the figure emerged floating from the trees, struggling against the tight grip of magic coming from Gala.

"What are you doing?" Coral cried, jumping on Gala. "Are you crazy? Do you want to get us killed? What about my life? You are putting me at risk-"