Quinn the Jade Treasure Dragon Read online

  Contents

  Title Page

  Chapter 1

  Chapter 2

  Chapter 3

  Chapter 4

  Chapter 5

  Chapter 6

  Chapter 7

  Chapter 8

  Chapter 9

  Chapter 10

  About the Authors

  Copyright

  Quinn hummed to herself as she put her shiny golden trumpet back into its velvet-lined case. Around her, the other band kids chatted loudly as they packed up after practice. Everyone was excited. The big concert was tomorrow night!

  Quinn was extra pleased because she had a new tune in her head. Quinn loved writing her own songs. She looked around. She was too shy to play her own music in front of anyone else. But no one was paying attention. Maybe she could try it now?

  Quickly, she pulled her trumpet back out of its case. She loved the smooth metal in her hands. It sometimes felt like her trumpet was a part of her. The loud part! Quinn began to play. The tune in her head flowed through the trumpet and out into the air. She repeated it, building on the melody as she went along. Quinn felt warm inside. It sounded even better than she’d hoped.

  “That’s beautiful, Quinn! What is it?”

  Quinn spun around. Her band leader, Ms. Tran, smiled at her.

  “It’s not a real s-s-song,” stammered Quinn. “I just made it up.”

  “Oh, it’s definitely real,” Ms. Tran said. “And it’s great. Quinn, I’d like you to play it tomorrow, to kick off our concert. Would you do that for me?”

  Quinn’s hands went all sweaty. She loved playing in the school band. The way the different instruments all worked together felt like magic. They created something bigger and better than any of the musicians could create on their own. But playing a solo in front of everybody? She really didn’t think she could do it.

  But Ms. Tran looked so excited, it was hard to say no!

  “Maybe,” she said, fiddling with the jade-green bead in her friendship bracelet. She had made it with her jewelry-class friends, Mei and Aisha. They were both very brave. They wouldn’t be scared about playing a solo.

  Ms. Tran looked at her kindly. “You don’t have to, Quinn. But it would be lovely to let others hear your music. Think about it and let me know tomorrow?”

  “Okay.” Quinn nodded as Ms. Tran strolled off, whistling Quinn’s new song.

  Quinn was about to return her trumpet to its case when she heard singing. It was familiar but very faint. Where was it coming from? She glanced around the room, which was now empty apart from Ms. Tran, who was stacking music stands.

  Outside the window, Quinn saw the forest trees swaying. They seemed to be calling her. Quinn’s heart began to beat faster. She was pretty sure she knew what was happening. Recently, she, Mei, and Aisha had discovered that they shared more than a love of making jewelry. They were also Treasure Dragon Girls! It was their job to protect the treasure in the Magic Forest. When they were needed, the ruler of the forest—the Tree Queen—called for them.

  Quinn had a feeling this was happening right now! The words of the song grew clearer.

  Magic Forest, Magic Forest, come explore …

  Excitement swirled inside Quinn. She was definitely being called to the forest! She glanced down at her friendship bracelet. The jade bead at its center glowed bright green. As she watched, a warm, green light beamed out. The light whooshed around her and then shot into the mouthpiece of her trumpet.

  Instantly, the trumpet turned an enchanting shade of green. Then the light beam flowed from the trumpet’s bell, wider and brighter than before. The words of the song filled Quinn’s ears.

  Magic Forest, Magic Forest, come explore …

  Quinn glanced over at Ms. Tran. Even though the music was getting louder, her teacher didn’t seem to hear it. She was now busy arranging chairs.

  Quinn gave her trumpet an affectionate pat. “I’ll be back soon,” she whispered. “But right now, the Magic Forest needs me.”

  Quinn looked at the beam of light. She could see trees inside it now! But these were not the bare, wintry trees like those outside the rehearsal room. These trees had the fresh, green look of spring. Quinn closed her eyes and breathed deeply as a warm breeze wafted past, heavy with the scent of mangoes, coconuts, and vanilla.

  When she opened her eyes again, the beam of light was big enough to step into. The song filled her ears and she opened her mouth and sang loud and true.

  Magic Forest, Magic Forest, come explore.

  Magic Forest, Magic Forest, hear my roar!

  Taking a deep breath, Quinn stepped into the beam of light. The rehearsal room faded away. The green glow wrapped around Quinn, lifting her up into the air.

  She was off on an adventure!

  Quinn opened her eyes as she landed back on the ground. She was surrounded by trees dripping in shiny, ripe fruit. Vines curled around tree trunks, dotted with bright flowers. The ground was covered in mossy green grass, soft as velvet.

  Quinn sighed happily. She had been to the Magic Forest a couple of times now, and it never stopped being exciting. In fact, it seemed more exciting every time! One of the best parts was turning into a dragon. In the real world, Quinn was often nervous. But when she was in the Magic Forest in her powerful dragon body, she felt like she could do anything.

  Of course, when she was a Dragon Girl, Quinn couldn’t play her trumpet. But that was a small price to pay for the joy of soaring above the treetops with her friends!

  Quinn looked down at her shimmering green legs and paws. And I can roar! Quinn reminded herself.

  To prove it, she let out a loud roar. Flickering jade-green flames leapt from her mouth, and the air filled with a bright and wonderful sound. It just felt so good to roar. Quinn laughed as she fluttered her elegant, powerful wings, lifting gently off the ground. It felt good to be able to fly, too!

  One of the things Quinn loved about the Magic Forest was how it sounded. It reminded her of an orchestra. There were the low, rustling noises of the grasses and the reeds as the breeze blew through them. Then there were the chirrups of insects and the croaks of frogs. Above this rose the melodies of the birds and the whispering treetops. And around all that swirled something that was more like a feeling than an actual sound. It was a kind of happy, humming feeling. Quinn wondered if this was the energy of the forest itself.

  But when the sound of Quinn’s roar faded away, she noticed the forest was almost silent. Quinn couldn’t hear any of the usual sounds. No frogs, no insects, and definitely no birds. It was like the forest soundtrack had been muted! All that was left was an annoying buzzing noise, like static.

  “The forest sounds wrong, doesn’t it?” said a voice nearby.

  Quinn tilted her head to see a little bird hovering in the air. It looked a bit like an owl, but Quinn knew the animals in the magic forest were all different and utterly magical. The bird was green, and under each wing shone a brilliant flash of hot pink.

  “I’m Flutterdash,” twittered the little bird softly. “My voice is normally much louder, but the Shadow Sprites have been stealing all the forest sounds. So I’m losing my voice.”

  “That’s terrible!” Quinn gasped. “Why are they doing that?”

  The little bird flew even closer. “Without our sounds, the harmony of the forest is weakened,” she explained in her tiny voice. “The bees can’t hear the flowers calling to them. The birds can’t listen for currents of warm air to lift them higher. The fish can’t hear the warbling of the water, guiding them safely through the rivers. And that’s only the beginning. It’s a disaster!”

  The little bird began to cough. Quinn had never heard a bird cough before!

  “Better
not talk anymore for now,” said Quinn. She didn’t want Flutterdash to lose her voice. “Just nod or shake your head. Are you here to guide me to the glade?”

  The bird fluttered her wings madly and nodded. Then she flew off, weaving her way between the trees. Quinn quickly launched herself into the air and followed. She didn’t want to lose sight of Flutterdash.

  Flying through the Magic Forest was strange this time. It looked and smelled just the same, but it felt different somehow. Worse, the deeper Quinn flew into the forest, the louder the static sound became. Quinn could feel a headache brewing. Soon she could hear another sound: sharp, whispering voices. You Dragon Girls won’t beat us this time! Right away she knew where that was coming from. The Shadow Sprites!

  As Quinn flew under a low-hanging branch, something dropped onto her neck. Her throat began to feel weird and itchy. She shook herself, but the feeling stayed. Then she heard a sly voice, whispering right into her ear.

  We have stolen most of the forest sounds already, the voice said. Soon we’ll steal your roar and the roar of your friends, too. Then the Shadow Queen will take over the entire Magic Forest!

  It took a lot to make Quinn angry. But this made her really mad!

  Flutterdash flew up beside her. She didn’t say a word, but Quinn could tell from her expression that she was worried.

  Quinn felt a roar building up and a moment later, it blasted out of her, as loud as twenty trumpets playing at once. “There is no way you’re getting my roar. Or my friends’ roars! And we’ll get back the forest sounds. You just wait and see.”

  Instantly, the Shadow Sprite fell from her neck and turned to a gray dust.

  “Don’t worry,” Quinn said to Flutterdash. “I seem quiet, but I can really roar when I need to! Now, how far are we from the glade?” Quinn hoped it wasn’t too much farther. Dealing with Shadow Sprites was a lot better when she was with her friends.

  By way of an answer, Flutterdash flew in a loop, then pointed up ahead with the tip of a wing. A warm, glowing light spilled through the trees. Quinn grinned happily. It was the glade, protected by its shimmering force field.

  Quinn had been feeling tired after fighting off that Shadow Sprite, but seeing the glade filled her with energy. She couldn’t wait to see the Tree Queen again. And her friends, of course!

  As they reached the shining force field that worked like a barrier around the glade, Flutterdash paused.

  “I guess you’re not coming in with me, right?” Quinn asked, hovering in midair.

  The small bird nodded.

  “Will I see you again?” Quinn asked.

  Even though she and Flutterdash had only just met, Quinn felt that a special bond had already formed between them. Having Flutterdash flying by her side made Quinn feel stronger.

  Again, Flutterdash nodded, her eyes bright. Then she darted away in a flash of pink and green.

  Quinn turned to face the glade. The force field around it made a soft, special sound. Quinn had a feeling she was the only one who could hear it. She had always had sensitive hearing. She got it from her dad, who was a musician. The sound was a steady, comforting hum that seemed to vibrate in Quinn’s chest.

  As Quinn pushed through the barrier, she felt like she was taking a bath in pure music. Quinn closed her eyes, enjoying the feeling. She wanted to feel like this all the time!

  “You’re here!” cried two familiar voices once she was inside the glade.

  Quinn opened her eyes to see her friends from jewelry class, Mei and Aisha. But they looked very different from how they looked in the normal world. They were both Dragon Girls, just like she was. Mei was ruby colored, with gorgeous gold and silver marking on the insides of her wings. Aisha’s body gleamed blue, like she was covered in polished sapphires.

  Her friends wrapped her up in a wing hug. “It’s so good to see you,” said Aisha. “Did you notice what’s happening in the forest on your way here?”

  Quinn nodded gravely. “Shadow Sprites are stealing the forest’s sounds.”

  As she spoke, something rustled nearby. The Dragon Girls turned toward the magnificent tree growing in the center of the glade. Its branches swayed back and forth, as if blown by a breeze—even though the air in the glade was completely still.

  Quinn’s heart thumped. She knew what this meant. The Tree Queen was about to appear!

  Sure enough, the tree began transforming into an elegant figure dressed in a flowing green gown. Her hair fell in dark waves around a kind and wise face. Her soft brown eyes twinkled as she greeted the group.

  “Hello, Treasure Dragons,” the Tree Queen said. “I’m so glad you’re here. As you’ve already noticed, there is something terrible taking place in the Magic Forest. Our sounds are disappearing.”

  “How are the Shadow Sprites stealing the sounds, exactly?” asked Quinn.

  The Tree Queen waved her branches. “That’s a very good question, Quinn,” she said. “It’s all about the third object that the Shadow Sprites have stolen from the forest’s treasure vault. As you know, they took the Forest Book and the Magic Mirror. You three have done a wonderful job of returning them to the vault. But one object is still missing.”

  Quinn thought about when she, Mei, and Aisha had been in the vault where the Magic Forest’s treasure was kept. There was still one empty column, right in the center. “It’s the Heartstring Violin, isn’t it?” she said.

  The Tree Queen nodded. “The Heartstring Violin is a precious and magical instrument. It is made from a branch of the Music Tree, one of the oldest trees of the Magic Forest. Its bow is made from the same wood. In fact, the Music Tree is an ancient ancestor of mine. A kind of great-great-grandmother. This violin is very old and very powerful.”

  Already Quinn was dying to hear this magical violin!

  “What does it do?” asked Aisha.

  “The violin makes music that guides all the sounds in the Magic Forest. Everything in the forest is in tune with it. The waterfalls, the whistling breezes, the barking of the foxes, and the squeaks of the mice. Without the violin’s music as a guide, everything gets confused. And that confusion makes it easier for the Shadow Sprites to steal the sounds. The Shadow Queen has them locked away in her Ice Palace, up in the mountains.”

  “Well, it’s not going to be easy anymore!” Mei declared fiercely. “The Treasure Dragon Girls are here!”

  The Tree Queen laughed. “That’s exactly right,” she said. “I am confident you will succeed, but I must warn you. This will be your most dangerous quest. Without the Heartstring Violin as a guide, many things in the forest are not working as they should. And the more time that passes, the stranger things will become. You must be ready for anything. Rivers may flow the wrong way, for instance. And the animals may behave differently. You must be on your guard at all times. And you must guard your roars, too. They are your most powerful tool.”

  Quinn looked at her friends. She could see from their faces that they felt the same way she did. The idea of losing their roar was awful! There was no doubt the task ahead would be difficult. But Quinn was determined to return the violin to the vault.

  “Quinn should be in charge this time,” Aisha said. “She’s the musical one.”

  Mei nodded vigorously. “And she seems to be able to hear things the rest of us hardly notice.”

  Quinn felt a little flush of pride. It was nice that her friends thought she should lead the quest. She only hoped she wouldn’t let them down.

  “I agree that Quinn is the right choice,” said the Tree Queen. She bent one of her branches toward Quinn and dropped two objects at her front paws. Quinn recognized them instantly. The first object was the ancient compass that they had used on their previous quests. The second thing was the magical bag that Mei and Aisha had each worn on their quests.

  When Mei wore it, it had turned ruby red to match her, and it was sapphire blue when Aisha had worn it. The moment Quinn put on the bag, a wave of brilliant green rippled across it. Quinn slipped the compass around her neck
. She tingled all over with excitement!

  She saw the Tree Queen looking at her intently. “Listen carefully, Quinn,” she said, “and tell me what you can hear.”

  At first Quinn didn’t know what the Tree Queen was talking about. But as she listened more closely, she realized she could hear something in the distance. “Is that a drum?” she asked. “It’s very low and steady. It keeps going and going.”

  The Tree Queen nodded. “That’s the heartbeat of the Magic Forest,” she said. “Follow the sound. But you must hurry. As you can hear, the beat is very soft right now. If it stops, then I am afraid it will be too late to save the forest.”

  After watching the Tree Queen turn back into a tree, Quinn, Aisha, and Mei soared up into the air. It was time to get started on this quest!

  As the Dragon Girls flew high above the Magic Forest, Quinn hummed a song. She didn’t usually sing in front of others, but she needed something to fill the silence. Even the wind made no noise as it whipped by. Quinn found herself humming her new song, just to break the unnatural quiet.

  “You’ve got a great voice, Quinn,” Mei commented, flying alongside her.

  “You really do,” Aisha agreed, doing loops and twirls as she flew along. “Can you sing a song for us?”

  Quinn was glad that it was impossible to know when a Dragon Girl was blushing. “I only like singing with others. Solos freak me out! But actually, I shouldn’t be singing anyway. We are supposed to be listening for that drumbeat.”

  “Good point,” Mei agreed. “Can you hear it?”

  Quinn strained her ears. For a moment, she thought the beat had disappeared. She wished she hadn’t been distracted by humming her song! That was the problem with music. When Quinn got a tune into her head, she forgot everything else.

  But hang on … there it was! A distant, slow drumming.

  They had been flying high above the tree line. It was faster up there, without any obstacles in the way. But the beat was too faint up that high.