Chapter 9

Tom flew across the room, trying to shut Malamon’s power off forever. He had just reached in, but it was different than any he had ever touched. Crushing just one, Tom was thrown across the room. Panicking, Malamon fired at Tom and was gone. After deflecting the blast, Tom cursed that Malamon had gotten away. Finding Frilly and freeing her, Tom laid her on the talisman.

Now Tom started to search everywhere, opening every door. He found nothing. Damn it! Where was she? “Frilly? Have you seen a small woman with golden hair?” Tom asked. Frilly shook her head no. Tom sat beside her, thinking he had missed something.

Reaching out, he searched the whole building again, even seeing into the secret rooms. Still, he couldn’t find her. Defeated, Tom collected a semi-conscious Frilly and walked out of the building. Azel and the whole council were waiting for him.

“I thought I had him. Damn it! I had ahold of his magic center. The dark thoughts were so hard to ignore. I managed to shut one power of his off, but I have never seen power strands as thick as his,” Tom spat in bitterness.