Doorways to Infinity: Book Five of the Wizard Born Series

By Geof Johnson

Complications begin to grow for Jamie and his friends when they agree to use their magic to stop a mercenary-turned-assassin from starting a major war. College life is harder than Jamie imagined. Keeping up with classes, training with his track team, and still trying to maintain the Rivershire School and the clinic on Eddan's world are taking a heavy toll on him. Jamie is struggling to keep it all going, and in doing so, he's had to tell more people about his magic — too many, he's afraid. The secret he and his friends share is perilously close to being exposed, and their way of life, and possibly their liberty, are now at risk. He realizes there's no turning back after he learns of the cold-blooded murders of several diplomats and oil ministers. The killer is Phillip Cage, a former special ops soldier who has become an assassin, with skills and training beyond what the average killer possesses, and something extra — magic. Jamie, Fred, and Rollie are the only ones capable of stopping this dangerous man before the world crumbles into chaos. In the exciting conclusion to the Wizard Born series, events of epic proportion are converging that will force Jamie to make a choice that could affect all of humanity.

• Language: English
• Publisher: BookBaby
• Release date: Mar 29, 2021
• ISBN: 9781098371920

Book preview

Epilogue

Chapter 1

Jamie shifted in his seat, struggling to focus on the professor at the front of the room. Out of the corner of his eye, he could still see the young woman watching him from the chair to his immediate right. She wasn’t staring at him, but she was casting sideways glances his way, often enough to make him nervous.

The class was Environmental Science, a freshman-level course with 125 students. Jamie preferred being near the front, but when the young woman started sitting near him two weeks earlier, he’d become uneasy and moved to another seat farther back. Today, he’d gotten up in the middle of the lecture and moved to the last row, and the woman had followed him.

Dr. Tindall was lecturing about the melting of the West Antarctic ice sheet, a topic Jamie normally found fascinating, but he wasn’t getting much out of it at the moment. He was too distracted. When the professor finally dismissed them, Jamie bolted to the door, stuffing his pen and spiral notebook into his backpack as he went.

He’d almost made it to the exit of the building when an insistent female voice called from behind him, Excuse me! The young woman from his class was heading his way, pushing through the crush of students in the hall. He pretended he didn’t see her and shoved the door open, but she caught up with him just as he stepped outside. Jamie?

He stopped and turned on the broad, concrete landing. Do I know you? he said irritably.

I’m Ashley. From Enviro Science. They had to move aside to let other students get through the door, and she maneuvered around him so that she stood between him and the wide steps that led down to the sidewalk. Can I ask you something? I noticed you’re really great in that class and you seem to know all the answers, and the teacher calls on you a lot. I was wondering if you could help me study sometime.

Jamie looked past her to the courtyard. Fred and Nova were coming toward him. Fred glowered at him and her mouth tightened so much that her lips disappeared. Great. Now Fred is mad. Jamie turned back to the young woman. She was athletic-looking, with a nice face and medium-length dark blonde hair tied in a ponytail, but up close, he could tell that she was older than he was. And she was a little too close. Barely a step away.

Jamie cleared his throat. I’m busy with classes and cross country practice and everything else.

Oh, you’re a runner? I ran track in high school.

By this time, Fred and Nova had nearly reached him, and Fred appeared angry enough to spit fire.

The young woman moved even closer to Jamie and he edged backward, bumping into the building, trapped against the wall. The brick felt harder than it should, and rough. She put her hand on his arm and said, I could really use the help with that class. I’ll make you a nice dinner and then we can study.

Jamie gulped. Look, uh, Ashley, I’d love to talk, but I’m meeting my girlfriend right now. Fred and Nova were climbing the five concrete steps and Jamie gestured at them. She’s here now.

A flicker of annoyance passed through the young woman’s eyes, then she spun, smiled, and extended her hand in one motion. Hi, I’m Ashley. Which one of you is Jamie’s girlfriend?

I am, Fred said coolly, without accepting the handshake.

And her friend is Nova, Jamie said. "I mean, our friend. She’s my friend, too."

It’s nice to meet you, Ashley said. I was just telling Jamie how I could use some help in that science class. I registered late for it, and I’m struggling to keep up, but Jamie always seems to know what’s going on. The teacher calls on him all the time.

Fred’s eyes narrowed further, to mere slits. Why are you taking a freshman course? You’re too old for that, aren’t you? You must be at least thirty-five.

Ashley’s face tensed for a split-second, then she tossed her head and laughed. Oh, I’m a freshman, but I’m twenty-two. I worked for a few years out of high school so I could save money for college.

Jamie checked his watch and said, Look, I don’t mean to be rude, but we have a meeting with somebody, and we’re late already.

All right. Think about my offer?

She skipped down the steps and walked away, and Fred focused her ire on Jamie. What offer?

She said she’d cook me dinner if I helped her study.

"Did she now? Fred said icily. And did you take her up on it?"

No! 

You certainly were standing close enough to her.

She chased me down and cornered me. I was stuck until you came along.

How convenient.

Fred, you know me better than that. She was stalking me, that’s all. I didn’t encourage her.

Pardon me, Nova said, I hate to interrupt a good fight, but he’s telling the truth. He wasn’t using the block just then, and I could feel anxiety pouring off him like crazy. She was referring to the special technique, the block, as they called it, that Momma Sue and Mrs. Malley had taught them for hiding their emotions from Nova’s power.

Fred sniffed. You didn’t have to let her get so close, Jamie.

I wasn’t enjoying it.

Something else you should know, Nova said. She lied about almost everything, except for the part about registering late. Her name’s not Ashley, she’s not a freshman, and she’s not twenty-two.

I don’t need a Reader witch to tell me that, Fred said with a scowl. She’s old as the hills.

"She’s not that old," Jamie said, and Fred shot him a sharp look, broken glass and daggers.

Seems like she’s in her late twenties, Nova said.

Jamie glanced at his watch again. Can we talk about this later? We’re going to miss the meeting with Dr. Tindall if we don’t hurry.

Fred’s scowl faded to a frown. Where’s her office?

Second floor of this building. Can we go now?

There was a note taped to the professor’s office door: Jamie — had to run. Something came up. Let’s try Wednesday — Dr. T.

Jamie, clustered in the hall with Fred and Nova, said, We were too slow.

That’s because somebody was busy talking to a floozie, Fred said.

Jamie ignored her comment. Can both of you come back here on Wednesday, same time?

Are you sure you want to do this? Fred said.

We need Dr. Tindall’s help. I wish I had thought of it sooner.

You’re going to have to give her the magic oath, you know. It seems like an awful lot of people have done that lately. Aren’t you worried about somebody slipping up and blabbing about our magic?

I don’t think they can, Nova said. "After I took the oath, something changed inside me. I couldn’t spill our secret if I had to. If I just think about saying something about it to a stranger, I feel this…thing, clamp down inside my brain. It’s strong."

That’s good, Jamie said. And I believe that Dr. Tindall is the right person to help us with my problem. Uncle Charlie said I should trust my instincts, and my instincts say I should get Dr. Tindall to help.

* * *

Sammi climbed to the top of the basement stairs and was greeted by the delicious aroma of something cooking. She went into the kitchen, where Lisa was stirring a pot on the stove with a long wooden spoon.

That smells good, Mommy. What are we having?

Rosemary chicken. It’s in the oven. Lisa set the spoon aside. These are butter beans, we also have rice, and everything’s almost done. What’s your father doing?

He’s checking his genealogy site on the computer. I was helping.

Why don’t you run back down there and give him a five-minute warning? Sammi started to leave, and Lisa said, Wait. I’ve been so busy with dinner that I forgot to ask you how school was today.

It was fine. We practiced for the Thanksgiving play.

That’s this Thursday night, isn’t it? Gosh, this year is flying by. She leaned her hip against the counter, cocked her head at an easy angle and smiled wistfully. Seems like only yesterday that you’d just run away from that horrible foster father of yours, knocking on our front door, with that dingy backpack and worn-out clothes, scared as anything.

I’m not scared anymore. Sammi offered a smile in return, but it dimmed quickly and her gaze fell to the floor. I…I heard voices again today.

Oh, no. Was it during school?

It was when I was riding home with Mrs. Sikes. I’ve been using that new block Momma Sue and Mrs. Malley came up with just for me, so I don’t hear things with my magic during class.

Whew, that’s good. I don’t want to get any more calls from your teacher, thinking you’re having a seizure. What did the voices say?

I don’t know. They sounded funny. I guess they were talking in another language.

I think we should call Fred tonight and tell her.

* * *

Fred waited while Jamie materialized in her dream. She had decided to use her dream-living room for the setting, one of his favorites, so that he was lying on his back with his head in her lap, on the gold sofa.

Hey, he said, once he got his bearings, and reached up with one hand and wrapped his fingers in her red curls.

Hey yourself, she said, completing their ritual greeting.

Something’s up. I can tell by the look on your face.

I wanted to talk some more about what happened with that woman who calls herself Ashley.

I wasn’t flirting with her. I promise.

I know you weren’t, it’s just…it’s weird, don’t you think? I can understand her lying about her age, but lying about the other stuff doesn’t make sense.

I have that class again on Wednesday. Will you meet me out front with Nova, in case she tries the same thing?

I already said I’d come, but I’ll bring Melanie, too. I talked to her about it before we went to bed, and she wants to question that lady and find out what else she’s lying about. She’s a suspicious character. Fred put a hand on his forehead and gently brushed his blond curls from his face. Sammi called me tonight. She heard the voices again, the ones she can’t understand.

This is probably something important. I don’t think she’d hear them if they weren’t.

They’re in a foreign language again, so how do we go about figuring out what she’s hearing?

Didn’t Sammi say that she can remember every word of every conversation she’s ever heard with her magic?

What good will that do if she doesn’t understand the language?

We can find somebody who does. Let’s see if Sammi can repeat the words, even if she doesn’t understand them. Think that’s possible?

It’s worth a try. But what if she can? Then what?

We’ll record it and get somebody to translate it.

What if it’s about magic?

I hadn’t thought of that. I guess we’ll worry about that when the time comes.

Fred pressed her mouth into a narrow ribbon and closed her eyes for a moment. Jamie, the real reason I made this dream tonight is so I can apologize for getting so jealous today. That was immature and totally uncalled for.

Apology accepted, he said with a grin.

I’m not done, yet. She patted his forehead. It’s hard, being in college. I didn’t expect there to be so many pretty girls here, and some of them are interested in you.

No, they’re not.

Yes, they are. They’re checking you out all the time, but you don’t notice because girls are sneakier about it than boys. It’s even worse when you’re walking through campus with Rollie and Bryce. You’re not just cute anymore, Jamie, you’re handsome. Girls can’t help but look at you, and it’s hard on me.

Fred, two things here. One, you are the most beautiful girl I’ve ever seen. You’ve always been beautiful, and now that you’re getting older, you are even more so. You make the angels jealous, you’re so pretty.

You really think so?

"Absolutely. When you walk through campus with Melanie and Nova, every guy turns to stare, I mean, all of them. They can’t help it, with three pretty girls together."

You’re just saying that to make me feel better.

Nope. And also, because of our special bond, I couldn’t possibly be happy with anyone else. I’d never be able to forget the magic tingle we get when we kiss. I just wish we got that when we kiss here in dream land.

Are you saying you don’t like to kiss me when we’re dreaming?

I like to kiss you anytime.

Prove it.

And he did.

* * *

Early the next evening, Jamie, Rollie, Bryce, Fred, Melanie, and Nova packed into the dorm room that Fred and Melanie shared. It was only thirteen feet wide and twenty feet long, and it had two single beds, two dressers, two small desks, and two closets. When Jamie and his friends gathered in that tight space, there wasn’t much room for them to move around.

Fred sat at her desk and waited while her laptop booted up. Sammi just texted me from my mom’s phone. She should be in front of the computer in the basement now.

Jamie? Melanie said. Wouldn’t this be easier if you just made a doorway to Fred’s house?

No, because then I’d have to go visit my parents, or they’d get their feelings hurt, and Rollie would have to go see his parents, and this would take an hour instead of ten minutes.

Bryce grunted sourly. I don’t have an hour. I gotta study for a test.

Exactly. Let’s just do this by video chat, if you don’t mind.

Fred pressed a key on her laptop and Sammi’s smiling face filled the screen, all big dark eyes and dimples. Fred!

Hey kiddo. Where are Mom and Dad?

Mommy’s cooking and Daddy’s on his way home from work. When are you coming here?

Friday, after my last class. Jamie’s making a huge doorway for us so we can drive our cars back.

Nova, are you coming then?

I have to go home to Hampstead, first. I’ll probably come to your house on Sunday afternoon.

Sammi’s lower lip poked out and her dark eyebrows drew down. Why don’t you come on Friday with Fred?

I wish I could, but I have to spend a little time with my mom, or she’ll get mad. It was the only way she’d let me stay with you for a few days instead of going with her to visit her crazy old aunt for Thanksgiving.

Fred, are we going to Momma Sue’s on Sunday for witchin’ lessons?

No, Sammi. She’s going to see some friends in Mobile.

Oh. Well, Nova, is your daddy still coming up to visit from Atlanta?

Thanksgiving night, then he and I are going up to a cabin in the mountains for the weekend and do some hiking, just the two of us.

Sammi counted silently on her fingers and then frowned. But that only give us four nights. Can’t you stay longer?

You’ll be sick of me by then, and it’ll be good to spend some time with my dad, since I never really have, you know? Nova had only recently reconnected with her father, whom she hadn’t seen since she was a baby.

Sammi’s frown remained in place, so Nova added, But while I’m at your house, I’ll spend as much time with you as I can. We can watch movies together if you want.

Little Mermaid! Sammi said cheerfully.

Yeah, sure, Nova said flatly. Little. Mermaid.

For the fifty-millionth time, Fred muttered.

Rollie tapped Fred’s shoulder with the back of his hand. Can we get on with this? It’s almost dinnertime and I’m hungry.

"You’re always hungry."

Jamie scratched his cheek absent-mindedly while he stared at Sammi’s image on the screen. Sammi, tell us a little more about the strange voices you’ve been hearing lately.

I don’t know what they’re saying. It’s a man talking in a funny language to another man and a woman.

You told me once that you can remember every word to every conversation that you’ve ever heard with your power. Can you remember these strange ones, too?

It doesn’t do any good if I don’t understand them.

Can you repeat the conversations anyway?

Why?

I think we can record the most recent one and find somebody to translate it for us. If it’s about magic, we can always say that we recorded it from a TV show.

Good idea, Bryce said. I wondered how we were going to deal with that.

Will you give it a try, Sammi? Jamie asked.

Okay…uh…here goes. She closed her eyes and spoke a long string of words that Jamie didn’t recognize.

The first part sounds like a Slavic language, Melanie said.

Sounds a little bit like my roommate, Rollie said, when he talks to his parents on the phone, or his Bulgarian buddies.

We can start with him, Jamie said, since he’s already done the special oath. Then it won’t matter if it’s about magic. Maybe we’ll get lucky and he’ll understand it.

Or know somebody who does, Rollie said.

Sammi, Jamie said, I want you to say it again and we’re going to record it. Okay?

Hold on. Melanie pulled her phone from her back pocket and touched the screen. I’ve got to find the app.

We don’t need it. I can record it and play it back with my magic. Jamie wiggled the fingers of one hand. One of my magic apps.

How’s that work? Fred asked. Is that like the way you make music for us when we’re dancing in the sky?

Yeah, when we don’t have a boom box with us.

Melanie tugged at her lower lip with the fingers of one hand while she regarded Jamie. Do you force air molecules to create sound waves in the same way that a stereo speaker does?

If I remember the sound clearly enough, I do. I inherited the spell from Eddan. They didn’t have audio recorders in his day, so he came up with it.

Awesome. Wizards can be handy guys, sometimes.

Almost as handy as us witches, Nova said.

Speaking of witches, Jamie said, let’s get our Shadow Witch to do her thing. Are you ready, Sammi?

She repeated the short foreign language conversation that she’d overheard, and when she finished, Jamie said, Got it.

Play it back, Rollie said.

Jamie gestured with his fingers and Sammi’s voice could be heard again, exactly like when she was speaking moments before.

"Way cool," Nova said.

Sammy frowned on the computer screen. That doesn’t sound like me.

Yes, it does, Melanie said. You hear yourself differently than we do because the sound from your larynx is carried through your body tissues and skull. It’s called bone conduction.

Sammi didn’t appear to be convinced, so Fred said, Don’t worry about it, kiddo. It sounds just like you.

Bryce rose from the edge of Melanie’s bed. Let’s go play it back for Rollie’s roommate.

Wait, Jamie said. I’ve got something even cooler to show you, a new spell. It’s a variation of the sound-reproducing one, only I can recreate visuals. Wanna see it?

I do! Sammi said from the laptop.

This is something I’ve been working on. Now, photons are produced when electrons in an atom move to a—

Jamie, Fred said, keep it simple.

I understand what he means, Melanie said. He’s going to use his magic to force atoms, probably in air molecules, to emit light. Right, Jamie?

Something like that. I can use the atoms in the wall behind us, too. The trick was getting the spell to modulate the wavelength of the —

My stomach is growling, Rollie said. Just skip the science lesson and show us.

Jamie stepped aside so that Sammi could see from the laptop’s camera. I can only create scenes that I have a clear memory of, so they’re always from my point of view. Here’s how I saw Fred dancing at the Young American Talent Search. I was watching her from the wings at the time.

He held out both hands again and the air shimmered for a couple of seconds, then an image formed. The view was from the far edge of the stage at the Thomas Wolfe Auditorium, looking down its length. It was brilliantly lit, and on it was Fred, twirling and tapping, wearing a short black tuxedo jacket over a sequined leotard.

Impressive, Nova said. But where’s the sound, Jamie? Can you reproduce that, too?

The scene vanished. I haven’t tried that yet. Let me see if I can do both spells at the same time. He stared at the floor for several seconds, then raised his arm and gestured with his left hand, and the sound of music and rapid tapping could be heard. Then he held up his right hand and flicked his fingers, and the scene reappeared, just as before, Fred dancing in all her glory.

Everyone in the room watched silently until the end of the sequence, when Fred finished her dance routine, doing a split on the floor while the audience roared applause.

Yay, Fred! Sammi said from the laptop. That was awesome!

The dancing or Jamie’s spell? Melanie said.

Both. Do it again!

Rollie groaned. Can we do it later? I’m about to starve to death.

Come on, Bryce said. Let’s go to the dining hall before Rollie dies. Then we can go to the dorm and see what his roommate can tell us about what Sammi overheard. Then I gotta study.

Rollie’s on-campus housing arrangement was like Jamie and Bryce’s. It consisted of two single bedrooms that shared a short hall and a bathroom, and it was in the same building as his two friends, on the floor above theirs. Rollie’s roommate was named Radislav, who everybody called Rad. He was born in Bulgaria but moved to North Carolina with his family when he was three years old. He spoke fluent Bulgarian, but his English was perfect, complete with a southern accent.

He had an angular face, short blond hair, and piercing blue eyes, though every time Jamie had seen him, they were bloodshot. He was a whiz at math and made good grades even though he never seemed to study. He also smoked prodigious amounts of pot, in his dorm room at first, until Rollie persuaded him to do it elsewhere, usually with a couple of other stoners down the hall.

Rollie liked him because he was easygoing and loved basketball and played pickup games with Rollie and Nova in the gym. Rad often could be found in his room, reeking of marijuana and watching videos on his computer. He was there, red-eyed and smoky, when Jamie and his friends came. Rad already knew about their magic, and he always appreciated any spell that Jamie did, in a whoa, awesome dude! kind of way.

Jamie and his friends squeezed into Rad’s tiny room, and Jamie played his magical recording of the strange conversation that Sammi had overheard. Rad smiled and nodded, sitting in the chair by his desk. That’s excellent.

Do you have any idea what it means? Jamie asked.

Not a clue. Part of it sounds like Russian.

You know anybody who speaks Russian? Melanie asked.

My dad. He had to serve in the communist army for two years, right before the Soviet Union collapsed. That’s when he learned it.

Did he ever have to fight in any wars? Bryce asked.

I think he pretty much just guarded a radio tower at this crummy little military base near the Arctic Circle. He said it was the worst two years of his life. Freezing cold all the time. He chuckled. That’s why he won’t drink vodka.

Do you think he could translate this? Jamie said.

Probably. Let me record it. Rad picked up his cell phone from his desk and tapped the screen a couple of times. I’ll see my dad on Friday when I go home for Thanksgiving. I can play it back for him and text you after he translates it.

Tell him you got it from a TV show, Fred said, in case it’s about magic. It easily could be, since Sammi heard it.

I still think it’s cool that she can do that. Rad snorted a short laugh. A Shadow Witch. You think she’s listening right now?

She can’t, Fred said. We’re not in a shadow. She lightly elbowed Jamie. Hurry up and do it. I need to study, too.

Rad tapped his phone again and Jamie repeated the spell for the magical audio playback. When Jamie finished, Rad scrutinized the display on his phone and nodded again. I’ll play it for my dad as soon as I get home, then I’ll let you know what it means.

Chapter 2

Rachel, Lisa, and Adele sat together on Adele’s front steps and watched Sammi and her two new friends, Ariana and Britney, while they tried to shoot on the basketball goal at the edge of the driveway. The sky was overcast, and the air was cool and breezy and smelled sharply of burning leaves.

Gosh, Rachel said, sure does bring back memories, doesn’t it? I remember watching our kids play on that when they were this age.

Adele pushed her hands deeper into the pockets of her coat. Rollie will probably want to play some basketball with Nova when she’s here. Garrett will play with them, too, no doubt.

Are you excited about having her over for Thanksgiving dinner? Lisa said. That’s serious, isn’t it?

I hope it’s serious. Garrett and I like her a lot.

I do, too, Rachel said, and Lisa agreed.

A smile settled on Adele’s face. She’s a piece of work, that girl, but in a good way. She’s smart and pretty and has such an interesting personality, you know? She’s edgy but still nice. I enjoy talking to her, and she gets along well with Garrett, which is funny, considering that he used to hate witches. And Rollie seems to be crazy about her.

According to Fred, Lisa said, Nova’s just as crazy about him.

Adele leaned back and rested her elbows on the step behind her. I used to be jealous of you two because your kids were so obviously meant for each other, even before they started dating.

You mean, obvious to everyone but Jamie, Rachel said.

Well, he definitely knows now. Adele rubbed her chin on her shoulder while keeping her hands tucked in her coat pockets. I always felt a little sad for Rollie because he didn’t have a relationship like that, and when I found out about Jamie and Fred’s magical connection, it made me even sadder. And the way you two touched your bellies together when you were pregnant and got that weird tingle and everything? I felt left out, but not anymore. I think Rollie and Nova are meant for each other in the same way that Jamie and Fred are. You can just tell. I see a light in both of their eyes when they’re together, and I think it’s the real deal.

But they’ve only been dating for a few months, Rachel said.

Doesn’t matter. I know what I see, and I see my son in love. Her smile widened to the entire horizon. And I couldn’t be happier for him.

* * *

As soon as his Environmental Science class ended on Wednesday, Jamie hurried from the room to the front of the building, and the young woman who called herself Ashley followed him as if she were on a tether. He let her catch up to him as he neared the door, and they walked outside to the landing.

Jamie, did you think about my offer? If I cook dinner for you, you’ll help me study?

Jamie scanned the wide, busy area between the buildings, searching for Fred, before answering. He spied her rounding the corner on the sidewalk with Melanie and Nova. I haven’t thought about it. I’ve been busy.

Ashley followed his gaze and her shoulders slumped a little. Your girlfriend is coming, I see.

We have a meeting with a professor.

The three girls walked up the steps and joined them. Fred said in a dry tone, "Well, hello, Ashley. So good to see you again."

Melanie extended her hand to the young woman and introduced herself, and Ashley shook it half-heartedly, then smiled, though it seemed forced. So, what are you guys up to? Ashley said.

We’re meeting with Dr. Tindall, Fred said.

Are you taking Environmental Science?

No, Melanie said without further explanation. Fred told me you registered late for that class. Why did you do that?

I needed something to fill out my schedule. I thought it might be interesting. I didn’t realize it was going to be so hard.

Do you need it for your major? Fred asked.

I just need the credit.

What are you majoring in? Melanie asked.

I’m undecided. How about you, Fred?

Education, I think.

I was considering majoring in that. Maybe we could get together and study sometime, if we ever take any of the same classes. Fred’s brow creased and Ashley added, I mean, if that’s okay. I don’t know anybody here, and I can use all the help I can get. Being out of school for four years has made it really hard for me to get up to speed on the college thing. It’s not like high school, is it?

Fred stared at her without answering, and Ashley glanced at her sports watch and said, I gotta go. Think about it, Fred. Okay?

Yeah, sure, Fred replied with little enthusiasm, and Ashley went down the steps and walked away.

When she was out of earshot, Jamie said Well, Nova?

She’s lying about everything, except for the class being harder than she thought.

Melanie looked in the direction Ashley had just gone. That’s really strange. I could understand it if she were actually hitting on Jamie, but she suddenly seemed interested in you, Fred.

Maybe she’s gay.

Nova shook her head, and the little bells woven into her dreadlocks tinkled. I didn’t get that feeling from her at all. It was something else, something secretive.

Gee, Nova, Fred said. You don’t need to be a witch to pick up on that.

But why would she lie? Jamie said. "It’s got me a little worried. You think she knows anything about our you-know-what?"

Melanie spoke in a near-whisper, She didn’t seem interested in Nova, and she’s got plenty of magic.

Jamie pushed his mouth far to one side, then the other. We might have to look into this. But right now, we need to go see my professor.

You don’t need me for this. Melanie started for the steps but paused for a moment. Though I’d love to see the look on Dr. Tindall’s face when you tell her everything.

Jamie, Fred, and Nova waited in the second-floor hall by Dr. Tindall’s office, and Jamie whispered, Fred, did you bring everything?

I’ve got the forget potion in case this goes badly, and I tweaked it to delete about thirty to forty-five minutes of memory.

Are you sure it’s right? We don’t want to wipe out a whole day’s worth if we have to use it on her.

Do I question how effective your spells are?

Yeah, all the time.

That’s different. Momma Sue and Mrs. Malley taught me how to make it, so I’m confident in its precision.

How about the inoculation potion and your Bible?

They’re both in my purse.

About that Bible, Nova said, I’m not very religious and I’ve never helped out with the oath before. Are you sure you need me, Jamie?

I want to make sure it’s as strong and binding as possible, and adding your magic to it should help. I would’ve gotten Rollie to do it, but he’s in class right now.

Jamie knocked on the office door and opened it when the woman’s voice on the other side called them in.

The room was small and packed with shelves, which were covered with books and manila folders and papers sticking out haphazardly. Dr. Tindall, a petite woman in her early fifties, had short, dark hair and a no-nonsense face. She looked up from her desk. Hello, Jamie. Who are your friends?

Jamie introduced Fred and Nova. They wanted to tag along.

They’re not in any of my classes, are they?

No. Jamie glanced at the two girls and pulled at his earlobe. But, uh, we have something to show you. Together, that is. It’s better if they’re with me.

I only have one other chair. Do we need to go to the conference room? What did you want to see me about?

It suddenly occurred to Jamie that he hadn’t thought through how he was going to present his problem to her, and he pulled harder on his ear while he struggled to find the words. Um, remember last week in class when we talked about the possibility of life on other planets?

That’s Exobiology, but that’s not my field.

Yes ma’am, I know, but you said that if we discovered life on another world, it would have a profound impact on science here.

Of course, but what of it? We haven’t found any evidence yet, just tantalizing hints.

What if we could prove it to you beyond a shadow of a doubt, right now? He glanced at Fred and Nova again. My friends and I, together.

Dr. Tindall, Fred said, just for the record, I want you to know that I tried to talk him out of doing this.

Doing what?

We want to show you something really, really amazing, Jamie said, but you have to swear an oath first.

Why?

So you won’t tell anybody about it.

That makes me more dubious.

It’s worth it, Nova said quickly. I did the oath, too, and I can say from personal experience that you’ll be glad you did.

Dr. Tindall looked at each of them as if assessing their character. I’ve had some unusual requests in my time as a professor, but this one is really weird. I’ll humor you, but this better not be a prank.

Jamie slipped a folded piece of paper from his back pocket and hesitated before handing it to her. I forgot to ask if you believe in God.

That’s a personal question. Why do you ask?

I think it matters, in a way that I can’t explain just yet.

I believe in a higher power. I hope that’s an acceptable answer. She gave Jamie a severe look and took the piece of paper from him. You are a cryptic person.

I have to be. We have some very big secrets that we’re forced to hide.

Secrets? And you’re going to share them with me? Why?

"I need your help. We need your help."

This is becoming more beguiling by the moment. Dr. Tindall scanned the piece of paper and read, In the eyes of God and my friends?

I should have written a new oath. This is the one we give to most everybody.

How many others have done it?

About thirty.

Sounds like I’m joining an exclusive club.

You have no idea how exclusive it is. Fred took the small white Bible from her purse and laid it on the desk in front of Dr. Tindall.

Dr. Tindall loosely waved the piece of paper. I just say this?

We all have to put our hands on the Bible first. Then you can read the oath.

Dr. Tindall laid her palm flat on the white book, followed by Jamie, Fred, and Nova. Dr. Tindall read the oath aloud and Jamie experienced the familiar glow and tingle in his hand, and he was pleased to see that his professor did, too.

Fred put her Bible away and set the inoculation potion on the desk. Jamie, can Nova and I skip the grand tour and explanations? We’re busy, and I think you can do this by yourself.

I don’t have cross country practice, so I’ll see you before dinner.

Fred and Nova left, and Jamie considered Dr. Tindall, who was still staring at her hand, just as most people did after doing the oath. What just happened? she said weakly.

You experienced real magic. I’m a sorcerer, and Fred and Nova are witches. I know it sounds impossible, but I can prove it.

She opened her mouth, but no words came out at first. They seemed to hang there, motionless, until she forced them past her lips. "Are you insane?"

No ma’am. I’ll show you. Watch this. He gestured upward with one hand, and the stack of books on the corner of the desk rose above his head and separated. He twirled his finger, and they began to orbit the room in a wide, lazy circle. His professor gasped, and he lowered them back to where they started from, neatly piled one atop the other.

That’s a trick, she said. You came in earlier and rigged my room.

It’s no trick. Let me show you something else. He stood and held out his hands, and the air shimmered as he formed his shield. Throw something at me. Anything. A pencil or the paper weight or a coin.

She picked up a pen from her desk and flung it at him. It struck the front edge of the magical force field and bounced away. Oh my God! She grabbed another and threw it and got the same result. "What is that?"

It’s my shield. Pretty cool, hunh? I can make myself invisible with it if I want to.

She got up from her chair and approached him cautiously, with her hands held out in front of her. What happens if I touch it?

It won’t hurt you, if that’s what you mean.

She extended