La Garnet

Chapter 1: The Portal She Took

       Lily Sinclare walked through the perfect lawn of the Roshonov’s mansion, careful not to attract attention. There was a slight September breeze showing autumn was coming. She reached into her handmade handbag to take out a small gold key, unlocked the door and walked inside. A light shone on a young woman reading a book. This was Viktoria Roshonova Hollidae, who was 19 years old at the time.
      “Viktoria,” Lily said, entering the living room, “Are we doing portals today, then?”
      “Absolutely.” Viktoria replied, “Shapeshift and then walk through my portal. You have to be able to change in a difficult situation. Most of the time, dark wizards will use powerful portals. Mine, however, will not be powerful or dangerous.”
      Viktoria walked to a portrait of herself in jade robes. She raised her hand and a swirl of jade and white erupted out of her palms. It was clear this was the portal.
      “Finished.” Viktoria proclaimed, “I'll meet you on the other side.” She changed into a serpent and slithered right into the portal, leaving Lily in the living room alone.
      Lily shook her head, knowing she couldn’t master this skill in one night. Shapeshifting took willpower. But it was the only way to move on, and if one of Viktoria’s         snobbish neighbors saw a strange girl cowering in front of a portal, there was no telling what could happen.
      So Lily shifted into a golden fox, squeezed her eyes shut, and with a mighty leap, disappeared into the portal.