Lion of Fire: Riley Jordan and the Fire Prophecies Book 1

By Brittany Ranew

Riley Jordan, a college senior, goes from "least likely to succeed" to the world's most dangerous wizard. After uncovering a plot to destroy humankind, Riley is plagued by dark visions of destruction involving an unsuspecting human girl he just met named Emma Clark, who he can't get out of his head. Struggling to control his powers, Riley and hi

• Language: English
• Publisher: St. Petersburg Press
• Release date: Oct 4, 2023
• ISBN: 9781940300788

Brittany Ranew

Brittany Ranew resides in St. Petersburg, Florida with her husband, Stephen, and their two golden retrievers, Piper and Parker. She runs a successful real estate business and celebrates the St Pete small business community on her podcast and social channels. As a self-proclaimed foodie and wine lover, she and Stephen love to embrace the local hot spots in St Pete and travel with friends and family. You can often find Brittany park-hopping at Walt Disney World, or cheering on the Tampa Bay Rays with Stephen.

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This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, businesses, places, events, locales, and incidents are either the products of the author’s imagination or used in a fictitious manner. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events is purely coincidental.

Published by St. Petersburg Press

St. Petersburg, FL

www.stpetersburgpress.com

Copyright ©2023

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, including photocopying, recording or other electronic or mechanical methods, without the prior written permission of the publisher, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical reviews and certain other noncommercial uses permitted by copyright law. For permission requests contact St. Petersburg Press at www.stpetersburgpress.com.

Design and composition by St. Petersburg Press and Isa Crosta

Cover design by Amy J. Cianci

Paperback ISBN: 978-1-940300-77-1

eBook ISBN: 978-1-940300-78-8

First Edition

To my husband, Stephen, my rock, my love, my best friend.

None of this would be possible without you.

1

Riley Almost Ends

Up in a Drainpipe

Riley Jordan was pretty sure life after college was going to suck.

Riley never liked the idea of becoming an adult in the real world, but he was sure that’s what college graduates were supposed to do. He should have had a plan by now—you know, the Plan, with a capital P. But what would happen if he got to the end of school and still didn’t know what that elusive Plan was? He felt like such a failure sometimes. Like there was something keeping him from finding his place in the world.

He could hear his dad’s voice in his head saying, Now, Riley, don’t be so hard on yourself, son. It’ll all work out fine.

Easy for him to say, Riley thought. His dad wasn’t a colossal failure. Riley now had his own nagging voice in the back of his head, reminding him of the real reason why he wasn’t ready for the real world.

No big deal, you might think. Lots of college graduates don’t have it all figured out before graduation. He had time. But you’d be wrong.

Riley was no ordinary college student. He lived in a world full of magic. He was supposed to be able to do cool magic tricks. Great things were expected of him. So, naturally, he was screwed.

But today was just going to be about having fun. That was what college was for, right? He gave himself a once-over in the bathroom mirror in his New York City apartment. He ran a hand through his coal-black hair, trying to smooth it out. His hair was so thick, it tended to look poufy if he didn’t use the right products to keep it in check. He straightened his green polo shirt over his jeans. He had made sure to wear short sleeves. It would be a lot warmer where they’d be traveling tonight.

Riley glanced over at his best friend, Logan Reese. They’d been friends for as long as he could remember, both born and raised in Brooklyn. Logan was currently standing in the middle of their bedroom, shadow-fighting with a long sword, hacking away at some imaginary enemy. Riley just chuckled at him. Logan was definitely a free spirit. One might even call him a troublemaker. Introducing, Logan Reese, Supreme Troublemaker! Riley thought to himself with a laugh. Unfortunately, that meant Riley was the Supreme Idiot for going along with him. But they had so much fun, he didn’t really care… most of the time.

The thing that always got them into trouble was Logan’s impulsivity. Riley, on the other hand, liked to be more careful, to at least plan things out before he did something that might get him kicked out of school or thrown in jail. But consequences never seemed to cross Logan’s mind.

Would you quit fighting your imaginary friend and be more careful? Riley asked, glaring at his friend. Riley silently wondered if Logan had even bothered to look in the mirror, because his shaggy blonde hair was sticking up all over the place. He was rocking the roll-out-of-bed college guy look pretty well today.

Logan stopped his swashbuckling antics and held up the palm-sized red crystal he was holding in his left hand. He flaunted it for Riley to see. Dude, he answered. "Chillax."

Logan was so confident in himself. Riley didn’t always feel that way, personally. He wondered if maybe that was a good thing. Feeling confident in getting yourself into trouble probably wasn’t the best goal to shoot for. And practically growing up next door to each other meant Riley knew Logan very well. He also knew that after three years of sharing an apartment with him, it was sometimes best just to go with it.

Riley had really been looking forward to the concert they were sneaking into, so he decided this time it was best not to take any chances. If they were going to travel such a far distance, they didn’t have a choice but to use the crystal. Neither was strong enough to use teleportation magic to make it without some kind of help. So, if the crystal was mishandled… Riley shook his head. He didn’t want to find out what those consequences would be.

Yep, no taking chances, Riley thought. He held his hand out to Logan. Man, give it here, he ordered. You’re going to break it.

No way, Logan replied in disgust. He magically sheathed his sword, which disappeared from his side. He gripped the crystal more firmly. This was my idea.

Why does it matter whose idea it was? The point is to get there safely, all in one piece. So obviously, I should be the one using the crystal.

Riley heard the door to their one-bedroom apartment open and shut, interrupting their argument over who would screw up less. Riley knew who it was without looking when he heard the agitated huffs and quick shuffling of feet. It was their good friend Caleb Fields. Caleb was someone who didn’t like to be late, as he currently was, and he was quick to become anxious when things didn’t go to plan. Riley always considered him a bit of a rule-follower—reluctant to do anything that might get him into trouble. Unfortunately, as a friend of Logan’s, that ideology got thrown out the window on day one.

Okay, Caleb called down the hall, as he walked into their room. Sorry I’m late. You guys ready? He was out of breath. Riley figured he must have run all the way down the street and up the stairs to their room instead of taking the elevator. He was typically more put-together than this, but his shirt was untucked and he had a brightly colored hoodie thrown over his shoulder. Riley wouldn’t say Caleb dressed nerdy, and he certainly had a cool style all his own, but it was always polished, had a certain flair. Caleb’s crisp white shirt accentuated his mocha-colored skin, and it was obvious he had taken a lot of time to pick this outfit, with his black jeans and bright green sneakers pulling in colors from the vibrant hoodie. He must have gotten a haircut earlier today, because he had fresh design fade on the sides of his cropped black hair. Unfortunately, he was now sweating profusely and looked annoyed to have ruined his look. He shrugged on his hoodie to complete the outfit.

Logan tsked at his ruffled appearance. We’re ready. Are you? You look a little disheveled, bud. We didn’t interrupt your plans with a lady friend, now, did we?

Caleb rolled his eyes. Ugh, no. You weirdo. I was running late so I practically jogged all the way from the Central Park portal. Nothing exciting happened, I promise. He adjusted his outfit and wiped sweat from his forehead. He primped in the mirror that hung on the nearby wall. Can I just say for the record that I can’t believe we’re doing this? You know, Logan, Duncan has been watching you like a hawk since the whole bomb-scare-in-the-chemistry-lab thing. He probably has spies out there watching you, knowing him. I wouldn’t be surprised if he found out we were using magic to sneak into a concert without tickets.

Dr. Duncan was the president of the college they attended, and everyone on campus knew he had it in for Logan. Riley stifled a laugh at the memory of Logan’s magic experiment gone wrong last semester, involving a block of C-4 and a frozen chicken.

Dude, Logan groaned. "That guy’s a stick in the mud when it comes to harmless fun. What’s wrong with a little bomb-making spell, eh? It’s not my fault that when the chicken came back to life it decided to run off on its own, terrorizing the entire campus. I mean… what would you do if you came back to life without a head and had a bomb stuck inside you?"

Caleb looked at Riley. Are we actually having this conversation right now?

Riley grinned. Yes, but I have no idea why. Speaking of the chicken-bomb experiment, Logan, I really don’t think—

Logan huffed, as Riley questioned his abilities again. Hey, don’t worry ’bout a thing. I know what I’m doing.

Famous last words, Riley heard Caleb mutter under his breath. But it was too late. Before Riley could protest further, he felt that strange tug in his gut, like his insides were being turned outside. That weird sensation of being trapped between space and time. And just when he felt the anxiety welling up inside, the sensation was over. They had made it—or so he thought.

Ouch! You’re on my foot! Logan screamed.

Riley rolled his eyes at Logan’s hysterics, as he tried his best to lift his foot off of Logan’s, but it was pitch-dark, wherever they were. Sorry! he apologized. I can’t see anything. He felt along the wall for a light switch. Logan, I’m going to kill you! It’s like you’ve never used magic before or something!

Logan quickly protested. Hey, that’s not fair! I’m off my game a little, that’s all.

Off your game? Riley shouted. You gotta be kidding me. This would have worked if you had just let me—

Their argument halted when a light suddenly came on. Caleb had managed to find the switch. But Riley was almost tempted to turn the light back off so he wouldn’t have to look at Caleb’s shocked and disgusted expression.

Well, unless the men’s bathrooms at the Staples Center come equipped with women’s hair products, Caleb quipped, I don’t think we’re in the arena bathrooms at the Post Malone concert!

Gee, ya think? Logan asked, sneering. Thank you, Captain Obvious.

Ugh, Riley said as he looked around, noticing a hair comb and various cosmetic products. "Well, you sent us to a bathroom, all right, just the wrong one. We’re in a girl’s bathroom. In someone’s house, for crying out loud! he whispered forcefully. There’s no telling how close we are to the Staples Center. Logan, I really am going to kill you."

Logan put his head in his hands. I don’t know how this happened.

Caleb shook his head. This is what happens when you use a traveling crystal wrong, dumbass! You got the bathroom part right, but nothing else! We’re lucky we’re not crammed into the drainpipe.

Let’s think, Riley interjected. Can we figure out how to get there, still? We most definitely don’t want to end up in a drainpipe.

I don’t know, Logan said, defeated. I’ll have to think about it.

We could also find our way out and see if we are within walking distance, Caleb offered.

Except we don’t actually have tickets to the concert, remember? added Riley. I don’t think the security guards will believe us when we tell them we teleported into the wrong bathroom by mistake.

Suddenly they heard a thud outside the door. Riley put his finger over his lips and shushed them as he quickly switched the light back off. Too late now. Someone’s coming, he whispered.

They grew quiet, and Riley wondered how they were going to get out of this mess. What if someone saw them? What if President Duncan found out? They could be kicked out of the college—and in their last year, too.  But that was only if they didn’t experience death-by-hairbrush from some crazed girl first.

The footsteps grew louder and the guys backed up against the wall, as if that would keep them from being seen. Riley was too scared to think straight. And it was too late to try a new spell as the doorknob was turning.

When the light came back on, a pretty girl about their age was standing there. Naturally, her immediate reaction was to start screaming her head off. Riley was the first to speak, desperately trying to calm her down. It’s okay, he pleaded. We aren’t going to hurt you! We’re sorry. We didn’t mean to—

The girl stopped screaming as she backed out of the doorway slowly, in shock. Who are you, and how did you get in my bathroom? I was just in my room, a-and…

She was obviously scared and confused, but she hadn’t grabbed a weapon or a hairbrush yet, so Riley kept talking. We promise we aren’t going to hurt you, he said in a soothing tone. He put his hands up to show her they were unarmed. We got here by accident. We, uh…

How was he going to explain this? Magic had been kept a secret from the human world for centuries. He couldn’t just say, Well, a spell went wrong, and we landed here by accident. No harm done! Sure, that would clear everything up, he thought.  

Yeah, you see, it’s very simple, Logan started.

Riley saw Logan raise both his hands. It all seemed to happen in slow motion, but Riley couldn’t make his voice work. He felt the power radiate off of his best friend and saw the transfer of energy. A wave of blue arced from his hands and encapsulated the terrified girl mid-scream. Her mouth hung open at a sideways angle and her eyes looked like they might bug out of her head. Logan’s energy source swirled around her, keeping her frozen in place.

Riley felt like he had to unfreeze himself from the shock of what he had just witnessed. First you almost kill us by using the traveling crystal wrong, and now you have likely scarred an innocent girl for life by using magic on her! This day just keeps getting better and better, doesn’t it? Riley’s voiced had reached another octave by the end of his rant. He couldn’t remember a time when he was madder at Logan than he was right now. Last summer when they got stampeded by angry elephants on the savannah in Zimbabwe was bad, but this took the cake.

Caleb finally spoke after what seemed like forever. I stand by my earlier statement, Logan. You are a dumbass.

Logan growled. Guys, relax. Like it or not, I did the right thing. There’s no way she wouldn’t have called the cops on us. I didn’t cause her any harm; I just bought us some time. You may question my crystal skills, but don’t question my combat magic. You know I’m the best one here with defensive skills.

Riley took a deep breath in and exhaled through his mouth. It was not the way he would have handled it, but Logan did have a point. They couldn’t have the girl calling the cops on them. Now they just needed to come up with an exit strategy that wouldn’t make matters worse. This was not a situation that had been covered in any college course so far.

Okay, Riley said. First of all, let’s move this party out of the cramped bathroom and into the room here so we can get some space to work, and then figure out what to do with a frozen, scared human girl.

2

Brainwashing 101:

What Not to Do

Lesson number 1,000 today on things you really shouldn’t do: Never accidentally unfreeze a screaming person. The sudden noise will probably make your heart stop and you’ll go deaf.

That’s what happened when Caleb and Logan got into a shouting match, and Logan lost his concentration just long enough to have all their ears ringing for a week. Thankfully he was quick to refreeze the poor girl.

Enough! Riley demanded. We are going to have to unfreeze her eventually. So, we need to figure out a way to do a memory wipe or get her to understand a made-up story.

I’m sorry, guys, Logan said with a sigh. This is all my fault.

Logan was not one to apologize, usually, so Riley knew he felt bad. It’s okay, man. We will figure this out.

I hate to say it, Caleb started. But I think we need to call in reinforcements. He looked at Riley and then over to Logan.

Logan groaned. "Oh no, not Madeline. She will never let me live this down."

Riley smirked. Madeline was Logan’s girlfriend. They had met two years ago at a campus party, and Riley always wondered how Logan ever scored her. She was way cooler and smarter than all of them, really.

Caleb’s right, Riley agreed. I think we need her expertise on this one. Your embarrassment is a bonus, he said with a laugh.

After a brief but tense conversation over the phone with Madeline, Logan managed to convince her to help. She made quick work of tracking the trail of magic their traveling crystal left behind and using her own teleportation magic to join them in the room with the frozen human girl. Her teleportation skills had always been stronger than theirs, but she tended not to want to do crazy shit like busting into concerts across the country, so they usually did these stunts without her.

She walked around the girl, examining her, with one hand on her hip and one rubbing her chin thoughtfully. They had obviously interrupted a fun-filled evening she had planned with her friends, because she was all dolled up in a brightly colored top with jeans and heels on. Her brown wavy hair bounced along her shoulders as she shook her head in disbelief.

Well, Logan, Madeline said. I think this might be the dumbest thing you’ve ever done.

Logan walked up and put his arm around his girlfriend. Good thing you can always help us out of these jams, eh?

She pushed him away in a flirty manner. Yeah, yeah. You can make this up to me later. She scanned the room for a moment and her eyes landed on a small black purse sitting on a side table. She walked over to it and reached inside to retrieve a wallet. She opened it up and pulled out the girl’s license.

Here we go. It helps with the magic if we know the girl’s name. She tapped the license with her index finger. Emma Clark. Blonde hair, blue eyes. Twenty-one years old. Oh, and by the way, you are in San Dimas, California.

Caleb groaned. We are not even in L.A., Logan.

Yeah, yeah, yeah, Logan waved him off.

Riley smiled and looked at the blonde girl again. Emma. Pretty name to go with a pretty girl, he thought. He chided himself. Now was not the time for all that.

Madeline stepped in front of Emma carefully. She motioned for Caleb and Logan to flank Emma while Madeline flicked her wrist, making the blue energy keeping the poor girl frozen mid-scream disappear. Thankfully, Madeline knew what she was doing, and there was no deafening noise this time. Emma’s head lolled and her arms went slack as Caleb and Logan kept her from falling sideways. They gently carried and placed her in a brown leather chair in the bigger part of the room. Madeline told them each to take seats on the matching leather couch and chair while she sat on the floor facing the unsuspecting human. Only then did Riley take a moment to look around the place.

He could tell by looking out the window that they were in an upstairs loft or bonus room that she had taken over to be her bedroom. The house was too nice to be living here with just roommates, so he figured it was her parents’ house. He glanced over at a small desk in the corner and noticed a laptop and some schoolbooks, so she must still be in college. Now that she was sleeping soundly and not about to call the cops on them, Riley could appreciate how beautiful she was, in an understated way. She was dressed casually in gray sweatpants and a pink tank top, but her arms looked tan and toned like she was into athletics. Her hair was almost white it was so blonde, and it fell well past her shoulders. Under normal circumstances, Riley would have been tempted to ask her out.

But the circumstances were far beyond normal at this point.

Okay guys, Madeline said, startling Riley out of his daydream. I’m going to speak an incantation over her, and when she wakes up, she will think we are some new friends she met earlier today and not a bunch of crazy wizards who might have been trying to kidnap her. Madeline threw a glance at Logan, who rolled his eyes.

He proceeded to bend forward and wave his arms repeatedly in a mock bow. Thank you, Oh Mighty One, for saving our butts. We are eternally grateful.

Riley chuckled and changed his voice to sound like the little green aliens from Toy Story that worshipped the claw in the arcade. Yes, Oh Mighty One, we are eternally grateful.

Madeline laughed. You guys are never living this one down. She turned her attention back to Emma. She took a deep breath and closed her eyes, palms facing up. Madeline’s special brand of magic was healing, which meant she was good at any kind of magic that dealt with manipulating the mind or body.

Riley listened as Madeline chanted in a low voice the ancient tongue of the tribe of the Healing Wizards, from which she had descended. After a few minutes, Madeline looked at the guys.

Okay, she said. Incantation is done. She thinks we are just friends hanging out. So, when she wakes up let’s laugh or something, like we are in the middle of a fun conversation.

Madeline snapped her fingers and they all laughed on cue. Riley watched as Emma’s eyes fluttered open groggily and looked around at each of them. It was hard to stay in character when he knew Emma’s brain was having trouble catching up to the situation. She smiled briefly and held his gaze. That’s when he noticed her ocean blue eyes and dazzling smile. He smiled back and was about to get lost in the moment when he saw a cloud pass over her eyes and panic seize her expression.

Oh my God, what’s going on?! Who—

She started hyperventilating.

Madeline was quick to recover and shouted a command word and snapped her fingers. Emma’s head lolled back onto the chair again.

What the hell was that? Caleb asked.

Madeline’s eyes were wide in shock. I have no idea. She resisted the magic. That shouldn’t be possible!

Riley scratched his head. No, that shouldn’t be possible. Well, maybe this situation calls for stronger magic?

Madeline pursed her lips. Riley, I know what I’m doing. I used strong magic on her. She shouldn’t have been able to resist it. She sighed. But let me try it one more time. Must have been a fluke.

Riley let out a breath he hadn’t realized he was holding. He felt so bad for putting this poor girl through all this. Her brain was probably fried from all the hysterics. He prayed they wouldn’t do any real damage.

After Madeline’s second incantation was done, he noticed she was sweating and shaky. She must have put some extra magic into the spell that time and overexerted herself. She hesitantly snapped her fingers again, and Riley watched Emma’s eyes fly open for a second time.

Emma took a deep breath and scanned the room. She found Riley’s eyes again and he felt his heart hammering away as she bore into him. He watched her brow furrow and her eyes well up with tears.

Please, what’s going on? Who are y—?

Her question was cut off as Madeline snapped her back into a sleeping state. Madeline buried her head in her hands. Logan, I really am going to kill you! she cried.

Riley ignored the argument that ensued and continued to stare at Emma. The way she had looked at him just now, he couldn’t help but feel this strange connection to her. He couldn’t quite put his finger on it because it wasn’t like he could sense magic in her, exactly. But still… there was something going on here. Emma had now resisted the magic twice. They were going to have to go about this a different way.

Enough, guys, Riley commanded. I don’t know what’s going on here, but there is something different about this girl. I can feel it. Our magic is not going to work. And I’m afraid if we keep trying, we’re just going to make things worse. We are going to have to tell her the truth, he said, then added quietly, and hope she doesn’t lose her mind.

3

Honesty Is the Best Policy… Right?

Madeline snapped her fingers and Emma’s blue eyes opened again. She slowly sat up in the chair and scanned the room. Her eyes settled back on Riley, who sat directly across from her in the matching leather chair.

Emma. Riley spoke before she could react.

The girl’s breath caught in her throat. How do you know my name? She glanced around at all of them. Who are you guys?

I think you have some idea, don’t you? Riley prompted. You can feel the energy in the room, can’t you?

Emma’s breath was shaky, but her gaze held Riley’s firmly. I-I’m not sure. I feel something, but I’m not sure what it is. Shouldn’t I feel like I’m in danger? Why don’t I feel like I’m in danger? She asked the last question mostly to herself with a little hysteria in her voice, like she didn’t believe what she was saying.

Riley smiled. You have good instincts. Trust them. The energy you’re feeling is magic. Riley noticed some recognition hit her face. She seemed curious but cautious still. We had a spell go wrong and we crashed into your place by accident. We tried to use a spell to ease your mind, make you forget us, but you resisted the magic twice. So, we thought it best to tell you the truth.

Madeline waved. I’m Madeline Gray. Unfortunately, I claim this dork as my boyfriend, Logan Reese. She pointed at him, sitting on the couch. She then motioned at Caleb. This is our friend Caleb Fields; and you already met Riley. Riley Jordan.

Emma took a moment and glanced around again before she took another deep breath and seemed to dial down the panic a notch. Well, I’d be lying if I said this wasn’t a lot to process. A faint smile danced across her mouth. "But if I trust my instincts, they are telling me it’s okay. So, hi, she said with a wave. It’s nice to meet you, even if you did scare the shit out of me, I guess."

Logan raised his hand sheepishly. I’m sorry. It was my fault. He pulled out the red traveling crystal from his pocket to show her. I used the wrong spell with this crystal we were using to teleport and sne— he corrected himself, "attend a concert. That we most definitely had tickets for."

Madeline rolled her eyes at her boyfriend and laughed. I’m sure you had tickets, babe. Just like I’m sure you knew what you were doing with the crystal.

Emma actually laughed. Which concert?

Post Malone at the Staples Center, Riley answered.

Nice choice, Emma responded. You would have had a nice hike to the Staples Center from here, though.

Riley was relieved Emma was engaging in conversation with them. Maybe this meant she was not going to start screaming again and they weren’t going to make her brain explode with more life-altering information. Speaking of which, how had her brain not exploded, anyway? What was this girl’s secret?

Emma, Riley started. Why do you think you resisted our magic?

And also, I was wondering, why you didn’t kill us, Caleb asked. They all chuckled in response.

Emma shook her head. "This sounds crazy to me now, saying it out loud, but my grandmother used to tell me stories about great wizards that lived thousands of years ago. I grew up hearing a million of these stories about wizards who had sworn to protect mankind with their powerful magic and bred a race of wizards to carry on the tradition, yada yada. Sounds cuckoo, right?" Emma paused to laugh.

"My mom used to chalk it up to old age and say my grandmother was going a little crazy and we should just let her talk. But I always could tell she believed what she said was true. The older I got, the more I thought they were just bedtime stories, like Lord of the Rings or something, but whenever I gave her a hard time, she just insisted I’d understand one day. I did think she was a little cuckoo, to be honest. But I guess Nana was right all along."

Wow, Riley said. I’ve never met a human whose grandmother tried to tell her magic was real. We try to keep our world secret because most people’s brains can’t handle this sort of thing.

Yeah, it’s funny—humans used to know magic existed, Madeline explained. But there was an incident back before the 1900s that caused the wizards to wipe everyone’s memories and veil the magical realm from humans’ eyes forever.

Emma’s eyes bulged in shock. Damn, seriously? I can’t believe what I’m hearing. Wow. She took another moment to collect herself before continuing. So, what about you guys, then? Do you live in California, or in some crazy magical realm like Narnia or something?

Riley smiled at her. He still couldn’t get over how well she was taking everything. And he was really enjoying talking with her. He suddenly felt lucky to have an idiot friend that crashed them into her bathroom. Both, kind of. Well, not California, but in the U.S. We are from New York City. Riley motioned to Logan. We live together in an apartment my dad owns in the city.

So, what, your college is just hiding in plain sight, in the middle of Central Park? Emma asked with a snort of a laugh.

Riley chuckled. Actually, yes. There is a portal tunnel entrance in Central Park that takes you to the magical realm where the campus is. It’s called Lestoria. It’s kind of like an overlay of reality.

You’ve heard scientists talk about parallel dimensions in the universe? Caleb asked.

Yeah, but all that stuff is just theories, I thought, Emma answered.

There is a reason those theories exist, Caleb continued. Magical realms are just other dimensions. We can see them because we have magic in our blood.

Exactly, Riley agreed. It’s hidden from human view. So, we have an entrance in the middle of Central Park. New York is a bridge to Lestoria. Since they’re connected, Lestoria mimics New York, its life force.

Whoa, I can see how people’s brains explode with all this, Emma responded, rubbing her forehead like it would help her process things faster. When you say ‘life force,’ you mean Lestoria is literally powered by New York?

Riley nodded. Whatever is happening in New York is happening in Lestoria. Weather is the same. And if something terrible were to happen, like an attack on New York, unfortunately it would affect the magical realm, too.

Yeah, I’ve heard horror stories of what Lestoria was like after the 9/11 attacks, Logan added.

So, what about you, Emma? Riley asked. Are you in college around here?

She nodded. I’m a junior at California State University at Fullerton. It’s about fifteen miles from here. I’m in the theater program there. I guess it makes sense why I ended up loving fantasy and performing arts with my grandmother’s magical storytelling as a kid.

Riley’s eyes lit up. You’re in theater? My dad worked in the theater industry in New York City my whole life! He’s a VP at Disney World now, but you should definitely visit me in New York someday. I can show you all the Broadway stuff. You’d love it.

Riley paused and realized he had just invited a girl he barely knew to visit him in New York. He had already scared her shitless today by crashing into her bathroom and just told her that magic existed. What was he thinking? She probably never wanted to see him again.

Emma surprised him by smiling and clasping her hands in front of her face in excitement. Oh my gosh, seriously? I’ve always dreamed of visiting New York and going to a show! I’m definitely taking you up on that.

Riley smiled back and tried to hide the bit of warmth that filled his cheeks. Emma’s blue eyes bore into his for a second longer than felt normal. She looked away for a moment and then looked back. So, tell me more about Lestoria. What’s your school like?

Riley welcomed the change in subject. Our college is just like yours… just tucked away in a portal world, so we can practice magic without constantly freaking people out, he chuckled. We have all the regular programs of study, business school, et cetera. And the school name is super unique. It’s the University of Lestoria.

Emma laughed at his sarcastic tone. Nice. So, like, what do people do after they graduate? Become Gandalf and start questing?

Logan would love that, Madeline said, glancing at Logan as he and everyone laughed.

Hell, yeah! he replied exuberantly.

"Seriously though, what does every college graduate try to do after graduation? Madeline continued. Find that elusive career path, right? Go on to whatever career they studied? It’s really not any different. Doctors, lawyers, teachers, the list goes on. You have some with special abilities that go into secret government work or crazy stuff like that. Again, Logan would die to do that. But it’s back to the real world after graduation for most."

This is crazy, Emma replied. She continued to shake her head as if shaking it would help her make sense of all this new information. So, Riley, you said you and Logan live in an apartment? What about the rest of you? Does anyone live on campus?

Madeline and Caleb do, actually, Riley answered, motioning to both of them. It’s so easy to move between realms that it’s not necessary to live on campus, but some people do during the school year. There are the typical dorm buildings. I love living in the city because it’s where I grew up. I wouldn’t have it any other way. My dad’s apartment is on East Eightieth Street. It’s on the Upper East Side, so it’s only a few blocks’ walk to the portal in Central Park.

Wow! Emma’s eyes widened. So, what kind of magic do you study there?

Well, every wizard is supposed to be born with a special gift of magic, so that would be your specialization while you’re at school, but everyone is going to learn all types of magic anyway, Riley explained.

"When you say every wizard is supposed to be born with a certain gift, you make it sound like not everyone is," Emma inquired.

Riley felt a lump forming in his throat. He swallowed it down forcefully. Uh, yeah, well, that’s what we’re all told, he said bluntly with a slight edge to his voice.

Emma stared at him for a moment, and he felt his cheeks redden. He looked away and cleared his throat, hoping to change the subject. He was starting to like this girl, and he didn’t want her to think he was a colossal loser just yet. He was saved when Caleb seemed to get the hint.

We’ve always guessed the special paths of magic came in handier back when humans knew about magic, because the race of wizards were supposed to be protectors of the world, right? Caleb explained. Now the world of magic is all in secret, so it’s not as important anymore.

Emma nodded. Yeah, I guess that makes sense.

There was a natural lull in the conversation and Riley sensed their time together was coming to an end.

Logan clapped his hands, breaking the silence. Well, as much fun as we’ve had trying and failing to brainwash you, Emma, I think we’d better get back before I do something else stupid.

Emma laughed. Well, if it’s any consolation, I’m glad you didn’t brainwash me, after all. She looked over at Riley. I hope this isn’t the last time we get to meet.

Riley felt his cheeks redden again, this time for a different reason. He smiled wide. I hope so, too.

Everyone stood up, and Emma crossed the space between her and Riley. She stuck out her hand to shake his. How about next time it’s not in my bathroom?

Deal, Riley said, and they shook on it.

They all said their goodbyes, and formed a tight circle around Madeline holding the red crystal. Riley took one last look at Emma and silently vowed to see her again.

Well, see you around, Emma, he said with a wave.

Madeline spoke the correct incantation, and they disappeared through the traveling crystal.

4

Somehow Logan Makes Things Worse

Logan clutched his stomach as they all landed safely back in the living room of his and Riley’s apartment. I don’t think I’ll ever get used to the feeling of transportation magic, he said.

Riley nodded. I agree. Although, I could get used to seeing Emma.

Logan rolled his eyes. Oh no, Riley; don’t even go there.

Yeah, agreed Caleb. "You aren’t seriously thinking of making that a regular visit, are you? Your dad would kill you."

Riley didn’t say anything. His dad would kill him, but that didn’t make him want to see her any less. He shrugged off their accusations. Look, it’s not a big deal. She probably doesn’t want to see me again, anyway, so don’t worry about it.

Logan, Caleb, and Madeline exchanged worried glances, but no one dared broach the topic. Riley figured they all knew wizard-human relationships were a sore spot for him given his family history.

Well, Logan snatched the red Hysense crystal out of Madeline’s hand as she huffed at him. That was fun, he said sarcastically. He lifted the edge of his mattress and stuffed the crystal underneath, safely back in its