A Mix of Magics — E. Rose Sabin

Marta and Ed Robbins, long childless, are thrilled when their friend Kyla Cren writes to tell them of an orphaned infant in need of parents. They travel to the city of Port-of-Lords where Kyla leads the Gifted Community. That community gathers to celebrate the baby's Naming-Day, a joyous occasion that ends in disaster when an old enemy kidnaps and threatens to kill the child. Marta, Ed, Kyla, and Veronica Crowell, Kyla's fourteen-year-old ward, have all encountered Jerome Esterville previously and know how dangerous a foe he is. Still, although the Community members have differing powers and are at various levels of ability, they are sure that by pooling their magical powers, they can easily overcome a solitary foe. They soon learn that Jerome has honed his own magical skills and has greater strength than their small community is prepared to contend with. Egos clash, powers collide, tempers flare, and buried fears surface to paralyze the power of those who have encountered Jerome previously. Kyla's leadership falters, and Marta and Veronica must step into the gap. The Gifted must be led to cooperate and coordinate their efforts or they are all doomed. This third volume in the Arucadi: The Beginning series continues the story of Kyla, Marta, Ed, and Veronica and introduces as new characters the thirteen members of the Port-of-Lords Community of the Gifted. How many will survive this first encounter with an enemy who desires to destroy them all?