by Jaleta Clegg
She just had to believe in magic. At least long enough to open the portal and send them home. She squared her shoulders. "What do I do?"
Shondeen smiled and patted her back. "Stand here. Repeat after me." She spouted strange words.
Tess repeated them as best she could. Sparkles of purple light started to gather in the air, swirling thicker as she spoke each word. The magic rose inside her, tingling and fizzy and heady with power. It rushed through her like a massive dose of caffeine.
"Keep it steady," Shondeen said. "And release it now!"
Tess's hands flicked out. The purple light swirled into a flat disk that spun on its side, rising as it opened like a glowing flower. Tess saw a magical forest on the other side, impossibly green and gold and shimmering with light. A centaur and two satyrs waited with a blond elf. All four wore badges on sashes across their chests.
Shondeen drew in breath, pulling power from the open portal. Tess saw it flickering through the air, a stream of golden light that the black elf breathed in.
Beavis and Roxy tossed their prisoners through the portal. Shondeen twitched her finger at them, whispering under her breath.
"Good thing the FBI is taking those two off our hands," Beavis said. "I don't think our jail could hold two serial bombers at the same time."
"Glamour," Shondeen said to Tess. "They see an FBI van and agents. They'll remember the fight in the barn as a bomb lab explosion. They're the heroes, let them have their moment of glory."
"I was planning on it. They get credit for the arrest." Tess stuck out her hand. "I can't say it was a pleasure working with your agency. I hope we never have to work together again."
Shondeen shook her hand. "You don't really mean that. Do you? You've got power. I could use a partner on this side. You'd be surprised how often fey creatures slip across the border."
Tess licked her lips. She had enjoyed the magic. Her grandmother had always said it was real. Now Tess could believe her. She'd seen it, felt it herself. "Would that partnership include field trips to your side?"
"Paperwork would require it. Keep your job here, though. It makes a great cover. I'll send your police chief a letter requesting you as an FBI consultant."
"And he'll see exactly what you want him to see and draw his own conclusions about what FBI means."
Shondeen grinned. "Now you're catching on." She clapped Tess on the shoulder. "Watch yourself." The tall elf stepped through the portal. It snapped closed behind her.
Tess blew out a long breath. A wave of longing swept over her. Fairyland, elves, magic. Only her grandmother would ever believe the truth.
"Hey, Tess," Beavis called. "Give us a ride back to the station. I gotta report a destroyed vehicle. Think the FBI would reimburse the department for it? I mean, they got the perps and all with our help."
"I'm sure we can work something out with them," Tess answered as she walked to her car. "But I'm going to have to call in a ride, too."
Roxy shook out a fresh cigarette as she parked one hip on the hood of Tess's car. "Got a light?"
Tess smiled as she lit a match.
