Eye of the Storm

what was happening.
    ‘You looked different when you did the magic just then,’ said Chloe, joining her.
    ‘I felt different,’ admitted Erin. ‘Everything happened so much more quickly than normal. It was weird. There was all this power flowing through me. I felt like I was almost going to explode with it.’
    Chloe crossed her arms, pretending to be annoyed. ‘It’s not fair. You have all the fun!’
    Erin knew Chloe was joking, trying to help ease her tension as they waited anxiously. ‘Yeah, yeah,’ she said. ‘I know you wish you were me. You’re just jealous! You so wish you could fight Marianne later!’
    There was a cold laugh behind them. ‘Not later, Erin. Now! ’
    They both swung round.
    Marianne was standing on the rocks, just a few metres away from them, her silvery-blue dress swirling around her, a spiteful smile on her face.

CHAPTER
Eleven
    Marianne raised her hands and pointed at Erin. ‘Bind her!’ she hissed.
    Chloe leapt out of the way, but Erin didn’t move fast enough.
    Marianne’s magic hit her, knocking her off her feet and slamming her into the cliff face. She was pinned there, as if an invisible giant hand was holding her against the rocks. It was a powerful binding spell. Erin knew the only way to break free was to distract the attention of the dark spirit.
    ‘Hello, Erin,’ Marianne said, triumph glittering in her eyes.
    Chloe started to raise her hand.
    ‘Don’t even think about it!’ snarled Marianne, her eyes flicking in Chloe’s direction. She tightened the fingers of the hand that was pointing at Erin. Erin felt herself being pushed harder against the rock and she cried out.
    Chloe quickly lowered her hand.
    ‘In any case, why bother?’ said Marianne. ‘I know you hate her for having so much power and being able to do more magic than you can. And now she has more magic than ever at her disposal.’ Marianne’s eyes bored into Chloe. ‘I understand you, girl. In your heart, you do not want to save her.’
    Erin saw Chloe start to open her mouth to argue. Then suddenly she seemed to change her mind. ‘You’re right,’ Chloe said softly.
    Erin stared, wondering for a moment if Marianne had placed her under some sort of spell. But Chloe’s eyes flicked towards her and just for the briefest second Erin saw a look that said trust me. Chloe started backing away. ‘I’m sorry, Erin. I can’t help you this time.’
    Erin picked up the faintest tremor in Chloe’s voice, but Marianne didn’t seem to notice. A smile curved at the dark spirit’s mouth as if she was pleased with herself. ‘Go then,’ she snapped. ‘I have no interest in you.’ Chloe turned and flew away.
    Although Erin was sure Chloe had some plan, it was horrible to be left alone with Marianne. The dark spirit advanced on her. Erin felt as if her blood had turned to icy water.
    ‘So, you have my sister’s power now,’ mused Marianne. ‘Everyone said that she was going to be the most powerful weather weaver who ever lived. No one ever gave a thought to me. But that was only because I was younger. I had as much power as my sister did, just no one ever knew.’ The dark spirit’s eyes gleamed. ‘My sister never captured a sky stallion. She never went into the cloud world. She never controlled the weather as I have.’
    ‘That’s because she knew it was wrong!’ Erin burst out, unable to stop herself. ‘She knew you shouldn’t do it! She knew it would make the horses’ magic go. She –’
    ‘Be silent!’ screamed Marianne.
    Erin recoiled against the rock.
    There was a silence then, and when Marianne spoke it was in a hiss, grinding out the words. ‘It wasn’t because she didn’t want to do it. It was because she couldn’t do it. Her power was less than mine. And now I have the chance to prove it. You have Margaret’s hair, but I am in control now and once you are gone no one will stop me from ruling the cloud kingdom. I will defeat the stallion and his son and then the sky horses will do as I demand – always.’ She pulled a hagstone out of her pocket. It had two strands of hair wrapped round it. ‘This is what you want, isn’t it, Erin? The stone that holds my dark gateway. You want to destroy it. Well, here.’ She held it out. ‘Take it,’ she taunted. But Erin couldn’t move. She couldn’t do anything to break Marianne’s hold over her.

    ‘Oh dear,’ Marianne chuckled. ‘You are helpless even with Margaret’s power. This is just too easy.’
    ‘What are