The Shadowseeker - Victor Kloss Page 0,63

up to a large circular hole in the ceiling. Through the hole Ben could see clear blue sky.

“Here we are!” Ben said, rubbing his hands.

“I think I know where this is going, and I don't like it,” Charlie said, as he followed Ben up the staircase.

“Well, feel free to suggest an alternate plan,” Ben said. The stairs were so steep he had to use hands and feet to climb them.

“Politely giving ourselves up comes to mind,” Charlie muttered. “I mean, we're just kids. Are they really going to imprison us?”

“Yes,” Natalie said firmly. “SpellWorks can be ruthless. I know a guy who tried to steal a prototype of some invisible armour. SpellWorks locked him away for two years.”

“Wow,” Charlie said. “That's just what I needed to hear moments before our inevitable capture.”

“A little optimism wouldn't go amiss,” Ben said.

He reached the top of the stairs and poked his head through. A pleasant breeze greeted him and he took a deep breath, relishing the open air and potential freedom.

Just like the Royal Institute of Magic, the roof of SpellWorks Inc. consisted of paddocks. These ones were smaller than the Institute's, but at the same time more spacious and infinitely nicer. There was no smell of pooh, and the grass intersecting the paddocks was perfectly cut. There were sprawling trees at regular intervals, creating an almost park-like feel.

Ben stood up and surveyed the scene, while Charlie and Natalie scrambled up through the hole. The paddocks were primarily filled with pegasus. Their white coats and gold wings gave them a majestic, almost regal look.

“Can you fly one of those?” Ben asked Natalie. She was staring at them with a half-open mouth, and had a peculiar starry look in her eyes.

“I've always wanted to fly an Egyptian Pegasus. Yes, I can ride them.” She seemed so eager that she almost started walking without them.

“I know I'm going to sound like a pessimist again, but isn't this a bit easy?” Charlie said. “You really think they're just going to let us walk up to one of those things and fly away?”

Ben didn't answer. He had been wondering the same thing. Other than the animals, the place was completely deserted. His skin started to get tingly; something didn't feel right.

“Come on,” Natalie said, grabbing both Ben’s and Charlie's arms. There was a wondrous look in her eyes that was clearly blinding any danger she might have sensed. “Let's go and saddle up. I want to see if the wings are as soft as I've read.”

They took one step forwards.

The security guards materialised from nowhere. One moment the path to freedom was clear; the next, they found themselves surrounded by five fully armoured elves. The one directly in front of them stepped forwards. He looked identical to the others, except for a long, blue feather protruding from his helmet.

“We have been expecting you,” the guard spoke, in a calm, measured voice. “It will be easier if you come quietly, but, of course, that is up to you.”

“I say we go quietly,” Charlie whispered, trying to limit his mouth movement.

“I bet we could make it back down the hole,” Natalie said.

“No,” Ben said firmly. “There's no way out that way.”

His hand went into his pouch and he started feeling for the spells. There weren't many defensive spells left, and his options were limited.

“When I give the go-ahead, we run to that pegasus on the left,” Ben said.

He had hoped the security guards would come towards them, creating a scene of disorganisation, but these guards were a cool bunch, and stayed their distance. Ben cursed. He was going to have to make the first move.

“Ready?” he said softly. The little pellet in the pouch touched his fingertips and he rubbed it gently.

“Of course not,” Charlie said, with a hint of anger. “Ready for what?”

“To run,” Ben said. He took out the pellet and threw it on the floor in front of them. Immediately a silky, ethereal net surrounded them, hovering inches above the ground.

“Now!” Ben shouted.

Ben started running, Natalie and Charlie right behind him. The net warped to encapsulate all three of them as they ran. From the corner of Ben's eye he saw two small missiles, cutting through the air and leaving a smoky trail. They cannoned into the field and exploded. The net saved them, but the vibrations nearly threw Ben from his feet. He barely had time to recover when two more hit the net, and Ben saw its fibres start to weaken.

They were less than