“I couldn’t get too close, because my daughter-in-law…” Papa Hal laughed. “Your mother could tell when I was near. I can fool humans but not amphamorts.” “Ampha whats?” “Amphamorts.” A man with silver hair stepped from the shadows. He had the same shimmer to his skin as Mom. The same as mine. Finny tipped his…
“Now we’ll see what that little…” She couldn’t think of a word low or disgusting enough to describe her feelings toward her nephew. “Never mind, we’ll get rid of them all. Then things can get back to normal.” “What? What?” Cyandre’s squeak brought attention back to her. “Where do I go? I’m ready now.” Swirl…
Now, to get on with the plan, she thought. To begin with, I need to strengthen powers I already have. With the container of web cradled in her right arm, Swirl made her way through cold stone hallways that twisted and turned deep into the center of her prison fortress. At the end, a solid…
The window frame swung out and an image shimmered, then sharpened. Swirl stretched her arms toward the stronghold that had been her family home. “No!” The proceedings grew dismal. Strands of silk retreated through Papa Hal’s cavern and out into the dark sky. The fine trail spread to twinkling lights in the wide expanse. Spirals…
He did know what to do. But did he have enough of the magic the others depended on? Only one way to find out. He lifted both arms high overhead, then jerked them down into his body. With the right one, Finny reached to catch an unlit torch that flew from a sconce high in…
Get down and get inside! Mama Jack’s hands under his arms helped him slide to the ground as wind grew stirring the rubble. “This way.” Grandfather drew him to a side door. A chunk of the abutment, half the size of Finny’s head, flew up and toward him. It grazed his head, then crashed into…
It’s magnificent. Stretching from one side of the cavern to the other, strong stone turrets guarded on three sides. The fourth now lay, a mass of crumbled red stone, along the left side of the fortress. “Why’s it like that?” asked Finny. He clapped his hand over his mouth. It’s alright Sweetie, but we need…
Finny forced his shoulders to relax, a little trick he and Joe had learned at camp when the older boys tried to scare them. It had convinced most of the kids that they weren’t afraid. The trembling in his body eased. Zeuflin’s padding absorbed the rest. The words helped, to, he settled down and found…
“Then what is enough?” Finny asked. At first there was only silence, then Zeufin fluttered his wings and answered. “We have to believe.” “Believe? Believe in what?” Finny scratched his head, more confused than before. “Oh.” The softest whisper Finny had ever heard startled him. “We have to believe in you and you have to…
“I think now is a good time,” said Mama Jack. “Follow me.” In the farmyard, the animals gathered around and excitement permeated the air. Raskee strutted ahead, his tail waved with pride. Even the bright red rooster bowed as they passed. At the shed, once more the strange black fire license plate drew Finny’s attention….
“You will.” He finally understood she meant more than the house and yard he’d left behind when he traveled to visit her. Before Mama Jack could add more, Raskee brushed against Finny’s leg. Good, The cat’s purr added comfort to all that now surrounded him. With this soft response from his small friend, Finny fell asleep. ***…
“Oh dear.” Mama Jack pulled her shirttail out of her jeans. With the care only a grandmother knows, she pressed the clothe against his hand, careful not to put any pressure on the sliver. Misty nickered. Hold your hand up. Finny’s hand tremble. His finger hurt and besides, he didn’t know what to expect. “It’s…
In the kitchen, Mama Jack waited. Even though she was dressed in clothing like his, she looked like a being from another world, or an astronaut. Maybe it was just the memory of her picture in the book that made him think that. “Here. Carry this.” Mama Jack handed him a bucket. “There’s grain in…
**** A noise blared through the open window. “Wh…what?” Finny rubbed his eyes. “That’s just the rooster telling you it’s time to get up. You don’t want to sleep the day away.” Mama Jack stood in the doorway. “Come on down as soon as you’re ready. I have breakfast cooking.” She didn’t give him time…
Finny crawled back in bed, holding the book closed against his chest. Get me out of here so we can talk. Mrs. Sander’s gift shook with urgency. Finny looked around, afraid the noise would bring Mama Jack back into the room. He burrowed deeper under the covers, then peaked out. Nothing happened, so he opened…
Finny climbed out without prompting and slammed the truck door. In front of him a big white, two-story farm house dwarfed almost everything around it. The outline of an equally big barn blocked trees and other buildings on the far side of a wide open yard. It was a little bothersome that everything here felt…
Finny looked around. “Who?” When he looked back the unicorn was reared once more in its frozen pose. All was quiet. “Come on now. I asked you to get ready.” Mama stood at the door. Raskee purred loudly in her arms. Long blond hair pulled up in its tight pony tail stretched down her back….
A golden light flowed out, when the bag tipped over. When the book fell out with a slap on the floor, the front cover flew open. Finny jumped back startled by what he saw. Rearing, a white unicorn pawed at an empty page. It landed with a snort and turned magnificent midnight blue eyes on…
**** Meooow. With all the other kids, Finny looked around, then ducked his head. How did that silly thing get out? On the outside ledge, Raskee butted his head against the glass. “Franklin Joidean, is that your cat again?” Chalk tapped on the green board to join with the irritation in Mrs. Sanders’ voice. “Yes…
Jacquelyn Joidean forced her breathing to quiet. Alone in the cupboard at the back of the classroom, she heard Henrietta Sanders finish the lesson plan for the last day of school. She should be back at her farm, taking care of the animals and preparing… Preparing for what? She shivered, despite the stuffy heat that…
There was no use trying to stay on this floor. Maybe if she finished up somewhere else, she might be able to sneak back. Either way, Jim wasn’t going to let her do anything but what he commanded her to do. A light touch on her shoulder let Sophie know she wasn’t alone. I’ll go…
“Oh you’ve done it now,” the voice whimpered. “Quick, get the towels. You need to stop it before it reaches the detectors. If they sense anything’s amiss, the examiners will be here. We’ll never get to spend any time together.” A gentle pressure on Sophie’s cheek inspired her to action. She grabbed one of the…
“You go take care of the toilets on the third floor,” said Jim. The job had not been good to him, Twenty years of pushing a cart, collecting other peoples garbage had left him with little to show for his years on earth. He wore a uniform of khaki pants and a lighter shaded shirt…
Marie woke to the fragrance of coffee brewing. She couldn’t remember it ever smelling so good. Maybe Bill had made it his special way this time. “Bill?” She reached for the comfort he would give her, but his side of the bed was cold. “Bill?” Still no answer. She forced her eyes open. Grayness greeted…
“You will.” He finally understood she meant more than the house and yard he left behind, when he traveled to visit her. Before she could add more, Raskee brushed against Finny’s leg. A strong rumble let Finny know he wasn’t alone. Good, the cat purred. With this soft response from his small friend, Finny fell asleep. Long…