“You weren’t killed with magic?” Annie asked.
Jason shook his head and unbuttoned his shirt exposing a large purple scar where he had been stabbed.
“Oh,” Annie cried out.
“Rathbone blocked my magic and stabbed me. To put off the investigation.” Jason sat shaken at the memory. “It’s so fresh, like it happened yesterday,” he said.
Annie reached inside the drawer on the left side of the desk and pulled out Gibbs’s personal case file for Jason Pearce’s murder. “Gibbs had been working your case for years. There was something off with your body just like with mom’s. It’s like there was a magical trace, but it wasn’t what they expected.” Annie pushed the folder toward her father. He pushed it back.
“I was there. What I remember, I remember. I don’t want to know anything else.”
“It’s probably better that way,” Spencer said. Spencer wasn’t a guard when Jason was alive. He was curious more than anything, but refrained from pursuing any questioning.
“Anything else in there?”
Annie glanced inside the empty drawer and slammed it shut. She opened the bottom drawer where Gibbs stored case files. “These need to be transferred to the Wizard Guard files and distributed. We can go through those on another day,” she suggested. “I’ll take the boxes to Artifact Hall. Unless you want to come with.”
“Three boxes, three of us,” Spencer said.
*
Artifact Hall was an expansive room in the basement of Wizard Hall. It housed and displayed artifacts from the earliest of wizard and witches and documented history with its glass cases and museum quality information cards. They walked through the front door and down the wide main hallway toward the back, where a new exhibit was being built. All the artifacts Annie collected in ancient England would be displayed here, including the talismans that Robin had managed to acquire from the Jorvik Viking Museum in York, England, the sword Annie used to get blood from the demon, clothes worn by the coven, Bega’s original Book of Shadows, and Annie’s family tree.
Annie placed her box on the floor, opened the back of the display case, and took out the book.
“Isn’t that part of the display?” Spencer asked.
“When we were there, we were helped by a young girl named Bega. As it turns out…” Annie took out the letter from Bega and handed it to Spencer.
He read the letter and glanced at Annie. “You’re kidding.”
“Not every day you get to meet your many times great-grandmother,” Jason said proudly.
Annie placed the note back inside the book. “It’s weird and a little disconcerting. Her husband was a Viking named Svenson.”
“I thought I heard voices out here,” Robin said, coming out as he saw them with their boxes. “What do you have?”
“We just went through Gibbs’s stuff. They’re laced with magic that shouldn’t be out and about,” Annie said.
“No problem. I’ll take these and lock them in the vault until I have a chance to review the items.” He glanced at the book Annie held. “That book belongs to you. Are you ready to read it?”
“Yeah. I’ll return it when I’m done if that’s okay?”
“It’s yours. You really don’t need to return it.” Robin waved his palm and floated the boxes on top of each other. “I’ll take these away. If you don’t need anything else, I’ll talk to you soon,” he said as he floated the stack toward the back of the hall. Annie watched as Gibbs’s life’s work was taken away.
“We still have the other things,” Spencer said.
“I know. Still, it’s like we’re wiping him out of our lives.”
“Never,” Spencer said as they walked from the hall, leaving behind a part of their friend.
*
The day felt long. In Annie’s weariness, the magic was overactive, itchy, and rendered her exhausted. Not in the mood to stroll from her teleportation spot at the end of her block, she teleported directly to her back porch and entered the quiet house.
“Zola,” she called out, but the fairy didn’t answer; Annie assumed she was at Samantha’s house for the evening. As she walked through the hallway and checked the mailbox outside her front door, sorting through the letters, she again couldn’t shake the feeling she was being watched. There was nothing out of the ordinary as she scanned her neighborhood; two cars drove down the street, one stopped in front of her neighbor’s house, another continued further down the street and turned right at the first stop sign.
And yet she sensed eyes on her.
I’d watch if I was planning to kill someone.
Her gaze stopped when she caught movement behind the bushes in the yard across the street. She tossed her mail on the floor and closed the door behind her, stepping out on the small front porch. She crossed the yard and strolled down the sidewalk, realizing it was nearly impossible to be inconspicuous as she was still dressed in a blazer and work slacks. But her curiosity got the better of her. She strolled past the house, glancing at it quickly, and walked to the end of the block, past Janie’s childhood home.
Turning right, she heard footsteps clacking behind her. She turned quickly to find herself alone on the cement walkway. Chiding herself for being paranoid, she returned home—but her eyes focused on the house where she thought she saw movement. Annie blinked several times, thinking she saw the top of a head of red hair, much like the color her mother wore. Annie picked up her pace, no longer feeling safe in her neighborhood. She ran up her sidewalk and slammed the door behind her.
*
“I’ll change the protection around the house,” Cham said.
Annie paced across the fireplace, stopped at the television, turned and repeated.
I imagined it.
“If I overreact, they have an advantage,” Annie said. She didn’t want her mother or the Fraternitatem to witness her anxiety or have any sense of what Annie might have planned for them.
“The Fraternitatem is watching you, studying you. They probably have been most of your life,” Jason said.
Annie glared at him. It wasn’t something she wanted to be aware of, and yet it was probably true.
“Update the protection around here,” Jason said.
Annie scratched at the magic under her skin. It reacted to her racing heart and churned up emotions. As it rushed through her, it left her dizzy and nauseated. She lifted her left hand, and the golden mist billowed from her palms. As she moved her hand, the magic trailed after, like a shimmering tail. She flicked her wrist, and the magic flew from her hands, exploding a pillow across the front room.
“Awesome,” Annie grumbled as she put her hands in her pockets. Still, the magic wafted out and up.
“It’s worse when you’re upset, isn’t it?” Cham asked.
Annie nodded. “If I had killed the human Sturtagaard, none of this would have happened. None of it.” She stomped to the sofa and plopped herself on the cushion.
“He told you he knew where the market was. You trusted your gut like you always do. That bastard came through for you again,” Cham said.
“Yeah, he did. I’m still vacillating between letting him stew in his meaningless life and staking him now,” Annie said.
“I’d like to stake him. He was a pain in my ass for years too. Now I know why,” Jason said. He fiddled with his fingers.
“You look like you have more to say,” Annie said.
Jason nodded. “I did try to get Emily out of there, but she was so brainwashed, I didn’t know her anymore. I walked away, left her behind. They killed me anyway.”
“You didn’t pursue it?” Annie asked quizzically. “I was under the impression you pressed them. Put her first to bring her home.”
Jason shook his head. “No. I wanted to talk to her. I wanted to understand. But the threat from them was big, and I worried they’d come after you and Sami. You were my priority, and I left like they asked. It didn’t matter.”
Annie watched him thoughtfully. “You finding her back then was good tim
ing for them. They could get rid of you without having any ties to the prophecy or to them. Eight years later, if I hadn’t found your folder, I wouldn’t have linked it. Even if you hadn’t met her and the Fraternitatem, they would have killed you before I went to the past so you wouldn’t get in their way.”
Jason nodded. “I believe that is correct. I’d be dead one way or another. But the Fraternitatem underestimated you and the magic. You conjured me. You move your hands, and the magic explodes things.” He chuckled and slapped his thighs. “And because of that, I’m here now. That’s all that matters. I have a second chance to make things right.” He smiled gently and walked from the room. Annie listened to his footsteps as they made their way down the hall and to the basement where he was staying.
It was the first time in weeks his presence didn’t make her anxious.
*
The local wizard bar called the Witches Brew was run out of a house owned by Douglass Rand, an adventurer like Robin Price. He had settled down years ago with his wife Wilma, opened the bar, and entertained young witches and wizards with his stories ever since.
The bar was set up in the front room and dining room of his house; the walls were lined with shelves that showed off hundreds of artifacts that he had collected over his many years of travels. Pictures decorated the rest of the space including nonmagical and magical celebrity pictures he had collected over forty years.
Annie’s first weeks back had been hectic, not just with work but with her father and learning to live with him again. She was grateful for the respite as she and Cham entered the front door and were blasted by music unheard by the nonmagical community due to several well-placed muffle spells around the property.
“It’s busy tonight,” Cham remarked as he and Annie entered the main front room.
“Last time we were here—” Annie started. They had been there a week and a half ago for the dinner following Gibbs’s funeral. In contrast, tonight was filled with life and the art of living it. She glanced across the room recognizing several fellow witches and wizards, some of whom she had known as far back as elementary school.
She exchanged greetings as they walked to an empty table in the far corner and took a seat. Annie chose to have her back against the wall with a clear view of the front door and entrance to the kitchen.
Anxiously, she scratched her arm.
“Your dad wants to go after the Fraternitatem,” Cham said as he picked up a menu.
“I’m sure he does. He didn’t sound happy when I told him what I thought I saw,” Annie commented.
“He wants to protect you,” Cham said. Milo had made them all promise to keep Jason hidden, out of view of the Fraternitatem. Annie worried he’d go rogue.
“Milo’s mostly retired. The decision is yours to make,” she said as she perused the menu. Her mood was dark when the music changed to something soft and slow. She didn’t want to dance, but the feeling of the drums beating inside of her seemed to overpower the itching. She forced a smile on her face when her best friend Janie and her now, fiancé, Randy, entered the bar and found them in the corner.
“Hey. Look at you guys. Out on an actual date,” Janie cooed as she sat beside Annie. They ordered some beers, sliders, and potato skins. When the loaded plates arrived, they dug into their food.
While Cham and Randy traded work stories, Janie glanced at Annie. “You okay? You seem quiet.”
“Sorry. Dad, Mom, you know, the impending family reunion,” Annie said glibly.
Janie wrapped her around Annie’s shoulders. “Sorry. I wish I could help.” She stared at Annie’s arm. “You’re scratching again.”
Annie looked down at her left arm and the multitude of red, burning lines.
“I’m struggling with it all. I wish I could share but not yet. Tell me about criminal law?”
Janie didn’t have an opportunity to answer; they were joined by Robin. “Hey, Annie and gang.” He was received with a hug from Janie and handshakes from Randy and Cham.
“What are you doing here?” Annie asked.
“Oh, you know, a night out. Visiting old friends.” He tilted his head toward Douglass. “Do you have a sec, Annie?” She nodded and joined Robin at the bar where Douglass filled several glasses with beer and handed them to Sheila, the waitress for the evening.
“Annie Pearce. How are you holding up?” Douglass asked. He reached across the thin bar and shook her hand. “I hear the guard is anxious to find the market,” he said.
“You know something?” she asked.
Douglass Rand pulled a scroll from his pocket and pushed it across the bar. “I hear that symbol you’re looking for has to do with that.”
Annie unrolled the scroll and stared at a very complex potion. “What is this?”
He shrugged. “I assume it’s a potion to open the portal. Those symbols. You’ll find them in multiple locations.”
“The square, circle, and Solomon’s knot?” she asked.
“Yes,” Douglass said.
“We’re not sure what the symbols actually means though,” Annie said.
He nodded. “I’ve got to say, the evil ones are getting sneakier.” He chuckled.
“Putting the portal to the main market inside a smaller one. Yeah, that’s getting sneaky,” Annie agreed. She rolled the scroll and stuck it in her pocket. “Thanks. Care to share your contact?”
“Not at this time.” He offered a grin and turned toward Wilma taking the next order.
“I guess that’s it,” Annie said and returned to the corner table and her waiting food.
Chapter 7
Annie and Janie linked their arms, like they used to when they were kids, and skipped down the sidewalk, laughing. Behind them, Cham and Randy discussed the coming broomstick-racing season and the teams that had a chance to win.
“Feeling better?” Janie asked when they slowed down. Though there was still a low roar of engines humming on Harlem Avenue, several blocks away, the cool night air blew against Annie’s cheeks. She felt light and free, and she smiled.
“Yeah. I do.” She held Janie’s arm tighter as they headed to Annie’s house.
As they neared home, Annie saw her front room light through the window, lighting the yard and front stoop with a warm glow. She stopped completely when she thought she heard footsteps from across the street. She peered into the darkness, scanning the light and shadows.
“Annie?” Cham asked as he grabbed her arm.
“She’s watching me,” Annie said.
Cham scanned the street. “Let’s go.” He took Annie’s arm as they rushed to their house, opened the front door, and slammed it shut when everyone was safely inside.
“You saw her,” Annie said.
Cham looked through curtains, searching for movement on the sidewalks. “I don’t know what I saw.”
“What happened?” Jason asked as he entered the front room.
“I saw what I thought was a woman—small, thin,” Cham said as he closed the curtains.
Jason opened the door and stepped onto the front stoop, visible under the porch light. He glanced across the street where bushes rustled.
“What are you doing?” Cham asked, pulling him inside and slamming the door. “You’re supposed to stay hidden in the neighborhood and from the Fraternitatem.”
“She was behind a bush. She couldn’t have seen me,” Jason said.
“Stay hidden,” Cham ordered.
“You’re trying to be bait?” Randy asked.
Annie nodded.
“Well, I guess that makes sense, since technically he’s dead,” Randy said.
Annie burst into laughter. They all looked at her as she fell back into the sofa. Cham glanced through thin drapery liners.
“You okay?” Janie asked, concern in her voice.
“Yeah. Peachy,” Annie placed her head on the back cushion and closed her eyes. “I can’t stop Dad from making the first move. He’s a grown man and really not here. Letting them see him might hasten their attempt at
me. What do you suggest, Dad?”
Jason sat on the lounge chair. “I’m assuming they have a way to scry for you. So if you teleport, it will take her time to get to you, unless the Fraternitatem is here.” He grimaced. “I’m guessing she’s trying to find out your daily habits. Change those. Sleep at Cham’s, at Janie’s, Sami’s. Change what time you leave for work.”
“That’s exhausting. At least I know where they are, more or less,” Annie said. She observed her father carefully. For the first time since he’d come back, she noticed that the lines around his eyes, mouth, and forehead had deepened. Gray hair was poking out from his temples.
Why does he look older? Ghosts don’t age.
“Annie?” Cham touched her shoulder. “Okay?”
She nodded and returned her attention to her father. He took out a small notebook, and glanced at the back door.
“You going somewhere?” she asked.
“I’d like to pick up the slack and investigate those locations. I’ve got the coordinates and a picture of the ancient symbol. I’ll be careful. They won’t know I’m there.” He touched Annie’s hand.
“Disguise?” Annie asked. Jason handed Annie a picture and a spell.
No magic?
She stared at the photo taken some time in the 1980s. Annie glanced at her father. “You want me to turn you into Billy Idol?”
“That was my go-to disguise. It was good,” he argued. “Did you ever use one?”
Annie frowned. “Once. I had to infiltrate a group of witches and wizards who used illegal magical boosts like a drug.” She summoned a picture of her in disguise to show him.
Jason frowned. “You look like a severe drug addict.”
“I had no choice. She was in serious trouble, I needed to get at the dealer. I had to play a part. Like you do. You are my secret weapon. Don’t get caught.” She held her hand to her father and chanted the spell. He shimmered and, in an instant, stood before them again. He remained the same size and shape, but his hair was now spiked and bleached blonde, and his eyes were lined with thick eye makeup.
Annie pursed her lips as if she had eaten a lemon.
“What’s wrong with it?” he asked.
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