A Wish So Deadly – Marilize Loxton

Harry says. “It really is,” Fritz agrees. “Congratulations, folks. You’re all here because the stars deemed you worthy. But it’s not the stars you need to impress tonight. The Introduction is a show of talents. Your chance to make a good first impression.” Two stable boys emerge from the shadows, carrying an odd assemblage – a wooden post, potato sacks and hay.

When they set it down, I realize it’s a mannequin. The moment they place it in front of us, contorting its head to unveil a crudely painted face, the realization hits me. We’re not showcasing our talents but rather our proficiency in killing. “Behold your target,” Fritz says. “When introduced, your team must step forward and inflict as much damage as possible in a single blow.

That’s all you have, so I suggest you make it worthwhile.” I feel like I’m watching from a distance as he calls out and introduces competitors, one team after another – a bizarre spectacle, to say the least. The first few teams seem to falter under the pressure, managing only to nudge the mannequin with their assaults. After each presentation, Fritz and Harry allow the observing crowd a moment of contemplation. Should anyone wish to bet on a team, they simply raise a little yellow card for collection.

Mei and Rhius are the twelfth team to go and, even though they only manage to topple the mannequin, they still garner two bets. Both cards are collected through the air, fluttering like butterflies into Fritz’s hands. “Next up, we have the Young Prince Cyrus, fourth in line for the Solaran throne, and his teammate, Gideon Kepper,” Fritz announces, allowing the pair to step forward. “We know the Young Prince as a formidable Helio” – mocking laughter ripples through Cyrus’s siblings on the periphery – “while Gideon’s records show he’s been a valiant volunteer in the fire brigade, using his Aqua talents to save lives.”

Cyrus sweeps his hand over his head, gathering light from the spotlight and weaving it into a radiant spear. Behind us, the fountain gurgles. I turn my head to see Gideon coaxing a stream of water through the air. One nod from the Young Prince and Gideon manoeuvres the water like a ribbon, enveloping the mannequin before letting the water seep into the hay-stuffed core. Like he’s twisting a knife, Gideon rotates his hand and the mannequin puffs up, like a bubble swelling from within.

Originally from South Africa, Marilize Loxton holds a BA in English Literature and Creative Writing. With over five years’ experience in the marketing industry, she’s especially intrigued by the power of social media to connect readers and sell books. Now based in Hampshire, England, Marilize can often be found exploring countryside trails with her beloved cocker spaniel. When she’s not writing young adult and adult fantasy novels, she’s likely savouring a perfectly brewed cup of coffee.

1kitap1.com/en Published in the UK by Scholastic, 2026 This electronic edition published by Scholastic, 2026 Scholastic, Bosworth Avenue, Warwick, CV34 6UQ Scholastic Ireland, 89E Lagan Road, Dublin Industrial Estate, Glasnevin, Dublin, D11 HP5F SCHOLASTIC and associated logos are trademarks and/or registered trademarks of Scholastic Inc. Text © Marilize Loxton, 2026 Cover illustration by David Gardias © Scholastic, 2026 Author photo © Alex Kyle The moral rights of the author and photographer have been asserted by them.

eISBN 978 0702 34474 9 iISBN 978 0702 34475 6 A CIP catalogue record for this book is available from the British Library. All rights reserved under International and Pan-American Copyright Conventions. By payment of the required fees, you have been granted the non-exclusive, non- transferable right to access and read the text of this ebook on-screen. No part of this text may be reproduced, transmitted, downloaded, decompiled, reverse engineered, or stored in or introduced into any information storage and retrieval system, in any form or by any means, whether electronic or mechanical, now known or hereinafter discovered or invented, or used to train any artificial intelligence technologies without the express written permission of Scholastic Limited.

Subject to EU law, Scholastic Limited expressly reserves this work from the text and data-mining exception. This is a work of fiction. Any resemblance to actual people, events or locales is entirely coincidental. Scholastic does not have any control over and does not assume any responsibility for any third-party websites or other platforms, or their content. www.scholastic.co.uk For safety or quality concerns: UK: www.scholastic.co.uk/productinformation EU: www.scholastic.ie/productinformation 1kitap1.com/en 1kitap1.com/en GLOSSARY OF ELEMENTAL TALENTS Emotergy (Emo) The ability to sense, shape and project emotions and energies.

Astrovoyance (Astro) The ability to perceive thoughts, glimpse the past and project multiple versions of oneself.

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Book Information

• Unique ID: af865cdd4b2a168a
• File Extension: .pdf
• File Size: 3,312,478 bytes (3.159 MB)
• Title: –
• Author: Unknown
• ISBN: 9780702344749, 9780702344756
• Pages: 280
• Language: English (en)

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• Estimated Reading Time: 450.06 minutes
• Total Words: 90,012
• Total Characters: 502,163
• Average Words per Page: 321.47
• Average Characters per Page: 1793.44

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