PIPER RAN ACROSS the Stronghold common room with Choko in her hands. He was curled up into a ball, so every few feet she bounced him off the floor. She dodged Em, spun around, and dunked Choko into a portal bag that hung on the wall. There was another portal bag right next to it, and he traveled between them, popping out of the other one.
“Slam-dunka-bunga!” she cheered.
Piper and Em had been playing portal bag with Choko all morning. He’d gone from one to the other again and again. Arkayna sat there, trying to enjoy herself, but it was no use. Since they’d discovered she and Proxima were twins, the Astromancers had decided it was too dangerous for them to be together. Arkayna was forbidden to spend time with her, for fear that the prophecy would come true. Nova Terron had guards watching both of them.
Arkayna and Proxima had managed to sneak away from the Astromancer Academy for just an hour. In that short time, Tazma tracked them across the city and attacked them, putting the whole realm in danger. After that, Nova Terron felt he had no choice but to send Proxima to another realm. Malvaron’s aunt, Auntie Yaga, accompanied her to Earth. Now Arkayna was waiting to hear when she could return. How long would it be before they saw each other again? Would Arkayna ever get her sister back?
She sat on the couch, resting her head in her hands.
“Hey, you stressing about Proxima?” Zarya asked, walking over to her.
“You know me so well,” Arkayna said. She looked at Zarya gratefully. “We’ve come a long way, haven’t we?”
“A loooong way,” Zarya agreed. “A princess and a pauper? BFFs?”
“You saying ‘BFFs’…” That made Arkayna smile.
Zarya wrapped her arm around Arkayna. “Your sister’s gonna be fine.”
They sat there for a moment, watching Piper and Em play ball with Choko. Then, without any warning, a portal swirled open beside them. Auntie Yaga’s van came screeching out of it. All the girls ran behind the couch, ducking for cover.
As the van slowed to a stop, Auntie Yaga stumbled out. She was a large, round woman with curly black hair. She fell into the girls’ arms.
“Necrafa captured Proxima…” she said.
Arkayna’s heart sank. As the other girls helped Auntie Yaga up and called for Malvaron, Arkayna tried to process what it all meant. Necrafa, the most powerful villain in all of Gemina, had her sister. It was only a matter of time before something terrible happened. Proxima was in grave danger already.
The girls were helping Auntie Yaga onto a stone table as Malvaron rushed in. Em grabbed her hand and held it tight. “Is she going to be okay?” she asked.
“We can only hope,” Malvaron said. “This is some seriously dark mojo.”
Arkayna stared down at Auntie Yaga, her anger building. Tazma and Necrafa had hurt her and kidnapped Proxima. They had to act.
“Okay, girls,” she said, turning to the others. “Let’s hit Necrafa’s lair and save Proxima.”
“Wait!” Malvaron said. “If Necrafa captures you, she’ll have both twins.”
“Right—and she’ll be able to raise the Spectral Dragon,” Em added.
“And our realm goes kablooey!” Piper cried. “Kapow! Kablammo! Kaboom!”
Everyone turned and stared at Arkayna, waiting for her to speak.
“Maybe you should sit this one out?” Malvaron asked.
“Proxima is my sister,” Arkayna said, more certain than ever. “I’m bringing her home.”
“We’re bringing her home together.” Zarya put her hand on Arkayna’s shoulder and smiled. Arkayna let out a deep breath, relieved she could count on her friends. Together they headed out to the stables to get their griffins.