“How many of these did he have?” Owen cut me off. He held the necklace in his hand, staring at it in horror.
“I didn’t count them, but there were a bunch.”
“No wonder I got so tired this afternoon. He must have been tying up every magical circuit in the area to make these. It also explains how he was able to magically teleport earlier, if he already had one.”
“What is it?”
“He’s turned this into a power magnet. It draws in available power and directs it to the user. It would have the effect of making the user more powerful while limiting access to power for everyone else around. And you said he had a bunch?”
“Yeah, probably enough for every member in his group. He was going to cheat!”
“This is bad. I’m not sure we can fight this.”
“But he doesn’t have them right now. Nita kicked him out of the motel, and she wouldn’t let him get his stuff. He’ll be back tonight, I’m sure, but we may be able to get to them before then. Remember, I have a key to his room.” I turned to Teddy and said, “Go to the motel and grab every one of these that you see. The key to his room is in the drawer of my nightstand. Oh, and Nita may still be watching his room.”
“I’ll just tell her you dropped something when he attacked you and I came back to get it.” He ran off to the house.
“I suspect I know what’s on those towels, but it wouldn’t hurt to verify,” Owen said, walking around to the trunk of the car. I unlocked the trunk, and he opened the plastic bag and took a whiff. “Yeah, this was the potion that gave the amulets the power. We’ve got to make sure they don’t have them.”
Teddy came running out of the house, waving the motel key, and got into his truck. We watched him go, then Owen handed the necklace I’d given him to Dean. “You should have this, since you’ll be in the middle of them. This should make any protective spell you do more powerful than almost anything they could throw against you. He did teach you at least one protective spell, didn’t he?”
Dean nodded. “Lesson three.”
Owen shook his head in disgust. “I really need to take a look at his curriculum. It’s not what I’d recommend.” Then he looked up at Dean. “You’d better go. Be careful, and try to warn me if anything else odd comes up.”
As we watched Dean leave, Owen said, “I think he’ll be okay. Not just tonight, but in general. We scared him straight on the magic front, and I think having the magic might make him more motivated in other areas. It’ll force him to be more disciplined. Do you think you can distract your mother?”
The abrupt change in subject made me blink. “What?”
“We need to leave well before sunset, and I need to get some supplies out to the car, but I can’t hide anything from your mother magically.”
“I’ll see what I can do.”
Mom was busy in the kitchen when we went back inside the house. “Mmm, something smells good,”
I said. “What’s for dinner? I’m starving.”
“I’ve got a pot roast cooking. It’ll be another hour before we’re ready to eat, but don’t go snacking and spoiling your appetite.”
“Let me get cleaned up from working at the motel and I’ll give you a hand.” Owen followed me into the living room, where I headed for the front door. “We never use this door,” I whispered, “but it should be a good way of sneaking in and out rather than going through the kitchen.” I tugged at it without much luck, but he waved a hand and it opened easily for him. Then we went up to my room. I took off my baseball cap and went to the bathroom to wash my hands while he got busy with the magical case under my bed. I left him upstairs working as I went down to the kitchen.
“You can peel those carrots and potatoes,” Mom said, gesturing with a meat fork from the stove, where she tended the roast. I sat at the kitchen table and went to work. Mom immediately took advantage of the opportunity to have me as a captive audience. “I hope you two have plans for this evening. You should get out and have fun. I can’t believe you’ve spent so much of his visit working or hanging out at home.”
“We are going out tonight, right after dinner.”
“I’m glad to hear it. And I hope that’s not what you’re planning to wear. That boy came all the way from New York to see you, and you go around dressed like a farmhand.”
“I’ll change clothes before we go out. I just wore this to clean at the motel.”
“And put on some makeup, too. I’ve got a new lipstick shade that should look good on you.” She wiped her hands on a towel and turned as though to go get it, just as I looked up to see Owen coming down the stairs with his backpack and an armload of other supplies.
“You don’t have to get it now,” I hurried to say. “I’m going to take a shower before dinner. I’ll put on makeup then.” I held my breath, hoping she wouldn’t insist on getting the lipstick now while she had a free moment. Owen had just reached the bottom of the stairs. Apparently, he’d used Granny’s stair-silencing trick because I hadn’t heard the telltale squeak.
The back door opened, and Granny came barreling into the kitchen. “Anything good for dinner tonight?” she asked.
That distracted Mom well enough that she didn’t notice the sound of the front door opening and closing. “We’re having pot roast, and you’re welcome, as always, Mama,” she said.
Granny caught my eye and winked. “I brought some tea,” she said. “I think Owen might like it.
Where is he?”
“He’s resting, I’m sure,” Mom said. “He hasn’t been feeling well.”
“That’s why I brought the tea, to make him feel better.” She winked at me again and headed out of the kitchen. “I’d better go bring some to him.”
She was in on the secret, but I didn’t trust her not to go blabbing it to everyone, so I stood up and got in her way. “That’s okay, Granny. I’m sure he’ll be down in a little while. Now, why don’t you help me peel these carrots? That way I’ll have time to go clean up and look nice before dinner.”
“Oh, that reminds me,” Mom said, “I was going to get that lipstick for you. Mama, can you watch the roast and do those vegetables? Katie’s going out with Owen tonight, and I’d like her to look nice, for a change.”
“I think he likes her fine the way she is,” Granny muttered.
I figured this was the safest window of opportunity while Owen was outside, so I hustled Mom out to the living room and then up the stairs to her bedroom, where she kept her makeup samples. Mom jumped when I shut the bedroom door behind us. “I want to surprise him,” I said.
“Oh, good point!” she said with a laugh. “Now, sit here.” She patted the end of the bed, and then I had to endure her smearing and brushing stuff on my face. “See, you need to highlight your eyes more, and then some blush makes you look fresher and more alive.” She dug in her case for a tiny tube of lipstick. “I think Rose Blossom is the best shade for you. It’s pretty natural. Now, don’t you look nicer?” She waved toward my reflection in her dresser mirror with a flourish.
I cringed at the look but forced a smile. “It’s great. Now I’d better go help Granny peel those potatoes.”
When we got downstairs, Owen was sitting at the table with Granny, who was pouring him a cup of tea. His eyes went wide when he saw my painted face, and then they went wider when he tasted the first sip of tea. Then he frowned thoughtfully and forced himself to drink the whole cup. I took that to mean he thought it might be beneficial.
Granny took off immediately after dinner. Owen and I headed out next, after Mom approved of my attire, hair, and makeup. At least I’d look good, whatever happened in the battle. When we got into town, Owen parked in the public lot behind the square, then we walked over to the park where we would make our last stand. The same creek where we’d met the local magical creatures the night before ran along the back of the park, with a steep slope leading to the water. A walking path led from the park to follow alongside the creek all the way through town. A small gazebo stood in the middl
e of the park’s open space, and trees rimmed the park’s perimeter, sheltering it from public view. In short, it was the perfect place for a romantic picnic. Or a magical battle.
Owen opened his backpack and spread its contents out on top of one of the park’s picnic tables, then went about warding the sides of the park to keep out innocent bystanders and keep in any wizards we happened to trap. After he was done with that, he said, “We’d probably better summon our friends to give them time to get here.” He took my hand to help me down from the table, then we walked hand in hand toward the creek. I wasn’t sure if he meant to summon our friends the same way he had the night before, but I trembled in anticipation. I was sure he could feel it from holding my hand, and even if he didn’t feel me shaking, he had to notice how clammy my hand got.
If he noticed, though, he didn’t let on. We walked silently to the path that led down to the water’s edge, where I waited for him to do something incredibly disappointing like putting his fingers to his lips and giving a sharp whistle or chanting a summoning spell. Instead he turned pink and stepped toward me. “You, ah, um, remember how this worked last night?”
I faked a dramatic sigh. “If I have to suffer for the sake of our cause, well, I guess that’s just my cross to bear.”
He surprised me by grinning in reply. “I have to admit, it’s one of the least unpleasant things I’ve had to do in the line of duty.” I wanted to ask him why, if it was so not unpleasant, he hadn’t done it when it wasn’t in the line of duty since he’d been here, but he was already kissing me and I forgot about saying anything.
Our first kiss had been under an enchantment. Our second had been in the middle of the company Christmas party. We’d had a few more since then, but not recently, before last night. I wasn’t sure if it was because of the long drought or because of the magic in the air, but this was one of the better ones.
When we finally separated, I whispered, “You know, that’s good for more than just summoning nature spirits.”
I didn’t get to hear his response, for a burbling voice near our feet said, “Geez, use a bullhorn, why don’t you? We said we’d be here.” I turned to see the naiad from the night before clinging to the creek bank.
“Thank you for coming,” Owen said. “I’ll lead our enemies to you, and then you and your people should give them a good scare. I don’t want anyone harmed permanently, though. I just want them never to want to have anything to do with magic ever again.”
“We’re looking forward to it,” the naiad said. “The crew is on their way and should be here by sundown.”
“Is anyone there?” a voice called from above. It was Rod. Owen released my hand as we made our way up the path to the park. Merlin was with him.
“Will we have our allies?” Merlin asked.
“They’re on their way,” Owen said. “I’ve just spoken to the naiad who’s been dealing with us.”
“Excellent. It appears that we’re ready.”
Granny arrived then, carrying a bottle with a scarlet thread wrapped around its neck. Teddy followed not too far behind, breathing hard in his effort to keep up with her. He carried a pillowcase with something in it.
Granny went right up to Merlin. “I trapped a sprite a few years back,” she said, holding up the bottle.
“It’ll be mad when I let it go, so I’m thinking I throw the bottle into the midst of all them naughty boys and see what happens.”
I cringed as Rod visibly stifled a laugh, but Merlin bowed gallantly to her. “Thank you for your efforts, good lady. I am certain that will be helpful.”
She brandished her cane. “And if that doesn’t work, I can swat a few backsides.”
I leaned over to whisper to Owen, “A sprite?” In my experience, “sprite” was the term modern male fairies preferred, since there was a stigma involving men and the word “fairy.”
“A legendary wild creature,” he whispered in response. “Not the kind you’re used to. Some don’t even think they exist. They’re right out of folklore and get the blame for all kinds of things. I’m curious to see what she really has in there.”
“If she’s got anything in there.”
“If she caught a sprite, it could help us.” He raised his voice to a more normal speaking level and addressed Teddy. “Did you find the things you were looking for in his room?”
Teddy raised the pillowcase. “Right here. There were eighteen of them. I got out of the room not too long before he came back and packed all his stuff away. There was a lot of yelling and cursing about having been robbed, let me tell you. That brought out Ramesh and his shotgun, so Idris didn’t bother lodging a formal complaint.”
“What is it?” Rod asked.
Owen took the pillowcase from Teddy and drew out one of the necklaces. “This.” He tossed it to Rod, who immediately raised both eyebrows.
“You’ve got to be kidding. It’s a good thing we got our hands on these. We’d have been toast if they’d been armed like this.”
Merlin leaned over Rod’s hand to study the necklace. “Very interesting work, but rather unorthodox.”
He straightened and pinned Owen with a sharp look, then asked, “What did you plan to do with them?”
“I gave one to Dean so he’d be armed while he’s in the middle of them. I hope we can count on him not to abuse it. Otherwise, my main concern was that they not have them. This magic is too dark-tinged for me to feel comfortable using it.” Suddenly, he smiled. “But I do have an idea.”
He took off toward the creek, carrying the pillowcase. The rest of us hurried to follow him. Merlin lagged behind, escorting Granny. The naiad greeted us, not sounding too thrilled to see us. “I said we were coming. Keep your shorts on.”
“I have a gift for you,” Owen said, upending the pillowcase on the water’s edge. “These will draw power to you and your people. I ask you not to use them too much tonight because the rest of us will need resources, but in the future, they should allow your people to control the magical elements in this area. You shouldn’t face more problems with outsiders draining the power lines.”
She pulled herself halfway out of the water and picked up one of the necklaces. Her eyes went wide as she held it. “This is a generous gift,” she said. “We are in your debt.” She turned her head and made a high-pitched sound that reminded me of dolphins. Soon, we were surrounded by pinpricks of light as all the magical creatures converged. “We will fight at your side tonight.” Then she batted her eyes at Owen and lifted her seaweedy hair off her neck, completely baring her torso. “Now, if you’d be so kind as to help me put one on…”
He obliged, blushing slightly and avoiding looking at me. He needn’t have been embarrassed on my account. I didn’t feel particularly threatened by a chick who lived in the water, unless she pulled some Little Mermaid stunt to be with him. The cheap metal Lone Star necklace looked out of place on her unearthly form, and I tried not to wish that it turned her skin green.
Sam swooped in then and said, “Looks like the party’s about to begin over at the courthouse. And funny, the gang’s a lot smaller than it was.” If he’d had feathers, he would have preened, he looked so proud.
“I guess I’ll go be the bait,” Owen said. “I’ll need Katie with me. The rest of you, stand by.”
Merlin stepped up in front of Owen, staring him in the eye. Most of the time, Merlin seemed like a kindly, cheerful older gentleman, the sort you could imagine playing Santa at the children’s hospital every Christmas. But every so often, without saying or doing anything in particular, there was something about him that made you well aware that he was a legendary sorcerer from more than a thousand years ago. This was one of those times, and I could tell from the way Owen stood that he sensed that, too. “I will be able to rely on you in this?” Merlin asked him.
“Yes, sir.”
“You remember what your priority is, and that your personal concerns have to be secondary?”
Owen glanced ever so slightly at me, then said, “Yes, I d
o.” I couldn’t help but gulp. Merlin was basically reminding him that he was supposed to catch the bad guy instead of rescuing me, and while I was in favor of that in theory, it made it kind of suck to be me.
“Very well, then.” Merlin then stepped aside, and Owen moved to catch up with me.
When we reached the courthouse square, he took my hand. “Do you see anything?”
“Yeah, the League of Extraordinary Dolts is gathered around the Confederate War Veterans statue, with the chief dolt doing his Hitler oratorical impression, complete with spittle. Why, you don’t see it?”
He shook his head. “He must be filtering against me.”
“I guess that goes with the territory of being public enemy number one.”
We moved closer so I could hear what was going on. I relayed the gist of it to Owen, feeling like one of those simultaneous translators at the United Nations must in having to listen and talk at the same time.
“He sounds pretty frantic,” I said. “He’s yelling at them for failing him because they weren’t able to catch you. They’re not fit to call themselves wizards, but at least they’re better than all those who were even weaker and ran away in fright.”
Idris worked himself up into a good fever pitch, then yelled, “I’m finished with all of you if you don’t catch that wizard tonight.”
I passed that on to Owen, who said, “That sounds like my cue.” I led him to where I was sure he’d be visible even if he couldn’t see them. He cleared his throat, then said in a loud, clear voice, “If you want me so badly, Phelan, why don’t you get me yourself instead of sending your lackeys after me?”
It took a couple of seconds for them to react. First, their heads turned in our general direction. Their eyes widened, and they blinked, then frowned, as though they were comparing Owen in real life to the picture Idris had shown them. The ones who’d actually seen him in person earlier in the day during the car chase had already left town, so there wasn’t anyone in the group who could verify Owen’s identity. In all fairness, he was a little shorter in real life than you might imagine he would be, based on his picture.
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