CHAPTER FOUR
Sophia had to pinch herself to be sure she was awake. Her eyes, as big as saucers, moved from left to right, trying to absorb every detail. Each of the unicorns standing before her was striking in a unique way, with its own gorgeous mane of colors. She stood, spellbound, as an impressive unicorn with golden hooves and a tumbling golden mane stepped forward. Her rider was a lady with gray hair and kind eyes, dressed in jodhpurs and a navy velvet jacket.
“Welcome to Unicorn Academy!” she announced in a clear voice. “I’m Ms. Primrose, your new head teacher. Before we begin, I think we should make the place look a bit more festive on such an important day. Don’t you agree, Ethera?”
The unicorn she was sitting on gracefully stretched out one leg and knelt the other on the ground, then swooped her horn up toward the academy turrets. The students cried out in surprise as a fountain of glittery magic sprinkled in all directions. Wherever the magic touched, a colorful decoration appeared. Within moments, the academy was decorated with twinkly flags, spiraling streamers, and long, billowing banners.
“Ava,” said Sophia. “This is unreal!”
Once she was satisfied with Ethera’s work, Ms. Primrose began her speech. “This is Unicorn Island. All of the world’s magic comes from here. And unicorns are its protectors—the only creatures mighty enough to keep the island safe from danger.” She paused to study the hushed crowd of young students before she continued, “You have all been invited to join a long history of Unicorn Riders….”
A ripple of excitement spread through the crowd.
“This was definitely not the kind of riding academy I expected,” murmured Sophia.
“Some of you have been chosen for your extraordinary skills and talents,” explained Ms. Primrose. “Others follow in the footsteps of a family member who was a Unicorn Rider before them.”
Ava nudged Sophia in the ribs, pointing to a student standing on the opposite side of the courtyard. Sophia recognized the red-haired girl who had walked past her earlier without bothering to help her up. As the girl stood there smirking confidently, Sophia couldn’t help feeling a little envious. She was clearly a legacy student, while Sophia was still such a newbie.
Ms. Primrose extended her arms to include everyone standing before her. “All of you have the potential to bond with a unicorn. And when you do, it will unlock the unicorn’s powerful magic.”
As if on cue, Ethera’s hooves began to glow. She stamped her feet, and fireworks burst in the air around her, exploding starbursts of color that made the students clap and cheer with delight.
“I look forward to seeing you make the most of this wonderful opportunity,” Ms. Primrose said sincerely, “but for now, please get settled. Unicorn matching begins at dawn.”
The students hurried into the academy building, excited to explore and make friends.
“Let me get this straight,” said Sophia as she and Ava trailed after the others. “We’re going to learn how to ride unicorns and protect magic for the entire world?”
“Yep!” Ava beamed joyfully, dimples appearing in each cheek.
Sophia nodded thoughtfully. She had been wanting an adventure, but this was off the charts!
The students followed the teachers into the atrium, which had a high glass dome supported by smooth marble columns. Crystal archways at the top reflected the sunlight, creating rainbows that moved slowly throughout the day. Ava pointed at a pair of elevators in the center being raised and lowered on magical lotus vines.
“This is even more incredible than my brothers said it would be,” she gushed.
A serious-looking teacher on a silver unicorn clapped her hands to get everyone’s attention. “New students gather here!” she announced in a clipped voice. “It’s time for your rooms to be assigned.”
Sophia, wanting to hear more, stepped forward beside a boy with tousled black hair and a mischievous grin who was noisily taking selfies on his smartphone.
“That’s it, work the hair!” he said to himself, “Hashtag: Rory’s dream life! ”
Sophia and Ava couldn’t help but laugh.
“Rory—that’s me.” The boy smiled, pleased to have an audience.
BAMPF!
There was a blinding burst of light, and the silver unicorn suddenly appeared behind Rory, surprising him so much, he tossed his phone up into the air. The strict teacher reached out a hand and caught it firmly in her grip.
“We take our oath of secrecy very seriously here, Mr. Carmichael,” she said. She slid the smartphone into her jacket pocket as she turned and rode away.
“Oh well,” said Rory with a happy-go-lucky shrug.
He was about to ask for his phone back, when the girl with the glossy red hair interrupted him, cutting to the front of the dorm line as if she was royalty.
“Who is she?” asked Sophia.
“That’s Valentina Furi,” replied Ava. “She’s a super-legacy. Her relatives were some of the original founders of Unicorn Academy. Her aunt is Ms. Furi, the one who took Rory’s phone. She’s the magic teacher.”
Sophia watched the girl smile up at Ms. Furi, who, once she thought no other students were looking, smiled back. So Valentina was basically Unicorn Academy royalty—how frustrating. Sophia decided to stay out of her way for as long as she possibly could.
When the last new student had taken their place in the atrium, Ms. Furi and her unicorn, Ghost, were ready to begin. Sophia listened carefully to the instructions, then watched in wonder as sparkles of color began to pop above their heads. The sparkles fizzed and clustered, forming themselves into bright, glowing gemstones. The atrium was soon filled with dark red rubies, green emeralds, and purple amethysts. Sophia looked above her own head, then at Ava and Rory. All three of them had a blue sapphire floating in the air above them.
“Look!” cried Ava, seeing it, too. “We’re all going to be in Sapphire dorm! It’s fate! I just know we’re going to be besties, Sophia!”
Sophia blushed, then followed Rory up to the stained glass doors that led the way to their dorm.
Sophia, Ava, and Rory found themselves in a light and airy common room with a stunning aquamarine chandelier glinting in the center. There were doorways leading off to the bedrooms and bathroom, and a curving spiral staircase made with marble and gold. Despite the beauty of the room, everything was cozy and comfortable. Sophia instantly felt at home.
“Nice!” said Rory, nodding his approval.
“There are unicorn decorations everywhere!” Ava exclaimed. “Did someone read my diary?”
Sophia’s heart sank as she spotted Valentina Furi come into the dorm.
“Great,” Valentina sniffed, glaring at them. “This is going to be fun.”
She stalked off to her room as the last two Sapphire students appeared: Layla and Isabel. Layla stumbled in, her arms filled with books and writing equipment, which she promptly spilled all over the carpet.
“Hello,” she said as Sophia and Ava helped her pick everything up. “I knew something was going on when I got an invitation to a riding academy. I have never been on a horse in my life! I had a hunch this was some sort of elite, secret school.”
“Layla? I think I’m your roomie!” shouted Isabel, a sporty blond girl dressed in shorts and sneakers. “Want some help carrying your stuff?” she asked, plucking Layla’s books out of her arms. “I’m very strong!”
“Let’s all go find our rooms!” said Rory once they said their hellos. “Sophia and Ava—the door on the left has your names on it.”
Sophia ran to her door and peeked into the bedroom. Inside was the most amazing, magical space she could ever have imagined. Each side of the room had been decorated to match the student’s personality. Ava’s side had pretty green vines curling in a canopy over the sleeping area and lamps shaped like tulip petals.
“I love, love, love it!” Ava cried, falling backward onto the bedspread.
Sophia’s side was lit by twinkly, pointed stars. There were the softest blankets, fleecy cushions, and a cozy chair for her to snuggle up in. She smiled with pleasure when she spotted the string of family photos pinned up above her bed.
At the far end of the room, there was a pair of French windows with a spectacular view across the academy grounds. Sophia pushed the windows open and stepped out onto the balcony just as the first stars were coming out to meet the evening sky.
“This is perfect,” she said quietly, gazing up at them. “Dad, I think I found my extraordinary.”