The Rise of the Dawnstar (The Avalonia Chronicles Book 2)

last defense against the darkness.”
He shut the book and opened another. “I don’t know all the details, but the Sarabine Chronicles, an older text of legends and prophecies, mentions it as well.” The mastermage read aloud from the page he had opened to. “The last of Avalonia’s ancient magic resides within the Dawnstar.”
He closed the book.
“What exactly is the Dawnstar? Is it a sword, a jewel? A ring? How do I find it?”
The mastermage shook his head. “I regret to say I have no idea. The witch tribes also mention the Dawnstar in their ancient scrolls, as do the fae. But no one has ever seen it or knows what it looks like.”
“What do the other texts say?” I was curious to know more about this legendary weapon, Avalonia’s last defense against Dragath’s magic.
“The answers you seek lie in Elfi. The whereabouts of the Dawnstar are buried somewhere within the pages of the Fae Codex. Only the Elder Council of the High Fae and the Queen of Elfi have access to it.” He paused and gave me a pointed look. “The magic of the Dawnstar is the only power that can break the curse on the Dark Dagger. It is, in fact, the only way to get your mother back.”
“How will I know what I am looking for?” There was so much I didn’t know and so much more I had to learn.
“You will know when you see it. I cannot stress enough how important it is for you to master your magic and control it. Get the High Fae to show you the codex and it will lead you to what you seek. If Dragath is ever released, you will find yourself in a nightmare from which you cannot awake.”
I shivered involuntarily at this. “And the Book of Abraxas? Where is it now?”
“It is in Elfi, protected by the fae. But eventually Morgana will find out where it is and come for it. When that time comes, you must be ready to face her. She must never get her hands on the book. It contains magic from a time we cannot comprehend. If opened, it will give her unimaginable power.”
I nodded. I was trying to remember everything I had been told about the Book of Abraxas and suddenly realized it wasn’t very much at all. “Professor Dekela told me the book was a dark grimoire.”
“It is much more than that, Aurora.” The mastermage shook his head and frowned. “The Book of Abraxas is neither dark nor light. It has been called a dark grimoire and can indeed be used to do unspeakable things, but the book is also called the Book of Power by those who know its true purpose.” He paused. “But power corrupts. As it did to the Ancient Fae lord who had the book created for his own ends, which resulted in Dragath coming to this world.”
I gasped. “The book brought Dragath to Avalonia?”
“The magic written in the Book of Abraxas gave the fae lord a great power—to rip apart the veils between worlds as no one had ever done before. He summoned Dragath from an ancient world, a dark world that is a prison for ancient evils that cannot be contained anywhere else. Although the fae lord had the knowledge of the book, he did not have sufficient power to bind Dragath to his will. Dragath broke free and killed him, claiming the book for his own. Using the knowledge within the book, Dragath created the Dark Dagger. Morgana already has the Dagger; if she gets the book as well, there is nothing we can do to stop her from releasing him.”
I nodded. So this was what Uncle Gabriel was trying to prepare me for. If only I had listened earlier. I had to find the Dawnstar before I went looking for the Dagger. It was the only way to battle Dragath’s magic and break the curse imprisoning my mother.
“Go to your fae kin. Your grandmother and the Elders of Elfi will have more answers about the Dawnstar. The High Fae are an ancient race, and the knowledge they possess dates to a time far beyond the age of mages. Work hard and master your fae magic so when Morgana comes for the book, you will be ready to remove your amulet and face her.” He looked at me closely. “For if Elfi falls, there is nowhere in this world where any of us will ever be safe again.”
I must have looked as horrified as I felt, for the mastermage smiled and his eyes softened. “This is your destiny, Aurora. It is what you were born to do. But your fate is not set in stone and is still to be decided. It all depends on the path you take. Choose wisely. The future of this world rests in your hands.”
I got up from my chair. “Great! As if I didn’t have enough on my plate already.”
The mastermage chuckled. “I’m sure you can handle it.”
“I have no doubt she can handle anything,” said Santino from the doorway.
I whirled around.
Santino was leaning on the doorframe, his arms crossed across his chest. He looked regal in his court attire, his jeweled robe open at the front but covering his leather pants and, I assumed, his carefully concealed weapons.
I smiled as Santino walked in and closed the door behind him. “The emir has requested Princess Firedrake’s appearance be changed for the remainder of her stay here,” Santino addressed the mastermage.
I rolled my eyes. “Not again.”
Santino’s lips curved slightly as he turned to me. “It is a better option than being confined to your rooms. At least this way you can accompany me to the banquet tonight, which is being held in my honor.”
Santino was right, it was a better option, and I did want to see the rest of the palace and the people who lived here. I could have done it myself, but my magic still felt weak after using it in Calos.
“Fine,” I said, moving to