Angela sat at a booth at the back of the restaurant, reading the menu. Phillip should have been here by now. But he was a stranger in town, and probably didn’t know his way.548Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHgg03aZhRD
A text message came in on her phone, and she tapped the screen to read it, hoping it was from Phillip. It wasn’t.548Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZihMGvjjFi
“Here she is. Can I help you read the menu?” the waiter asked, his English heavily accented.548Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ04FkbCCHib
She looked up to see a young man in dark glasses place a backpack on the seat and slide into the booth seating, “No, thank you.”548Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhGDaY3XVcn
“Can I get a drink for you?”548Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI233aDi7gJ
“Tea, please.”548Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpb8HPVlWQU
The waiter left, and Phillip extended a hand across the table, being careful not to knock anything over, “Angela? I hope?”548Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ34KVMV9Ln6
Angela shook his hand, “Yes, it’s me.” He had a firm handshake, and his hand was cool.548Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7q04w3OEMc
He collapsed his cane and tucked it into a pouch on the side of his backpack, “I’m sorry I’m late - the cab driver couldn’t find the address.”548Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2y4JSHH2Vl
“That’s all right - it’s good to meet you.”548Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdyiiwryDpp
“It’s good to meet you, too. Could you tell me - do they have lemon chicken on the menu, here?”548Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡESvshkNBci
“They do. It’s good, too.”548Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQrgeM4A3a1
“Wonderful - I’m looking forward to that.” He smiled broadly, “I’m so very pleased to meet you, Angela. How are you feeling?”548Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxMsKY3EqQo
“Fine, just fine.”548Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTTIa43oOHY
“And your leg?”548Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9depjLlcLg
“It’s healing. A little slower than I would like, but it’s healing.”548Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoW2KOD7XEl
“Glad to hear it.”548Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb9XAeTuLJi
Angela looked up to see the waiter coming toward the table.548Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVbJlvo17AN
“Tea is here,” he said. He quickly set down two cups and saucers, then poured tea into both cups, “Careful - very hot.”548Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeIIAJsoWWs
After the waiter left, Phillip sipped his tea, “After I died, I was adopted. In the following years, I accumulated plenty of scrapes and scratches. But I was living in a new home, exploring a new world, and I had lost my vision.”548Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlW7JwZM6VU
Neither Ray nor Phillip had thought to tell her this. Angela glanced between his dark glasses and the cane that protruded from his backpack. She remembered him saying that he’d been kicked in the head several times.548Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5vEGPVfUf3
She brought her attention back to what he was saying, “I was always bumping into things, and I helped in the garden - I thought I was getting all these little injuries from pulling weeds, and trimming rosebushes. I didn’t think anything of it.”548Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvEhXageffm
“And then I woke up with a gash,” he pulled up his left sleeve, revealing a 3 inch white scar.548Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY7hT5tDeFz
“How old were you? What did you do?”548Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4RH00WooLi
“Almost 17.” He let his sleeve drop back into place, “My Dad - my new Dad - was already in my room - I’d been yelling in my sleep. It was apparent that I hadn’t done that to myself, so together we made up a story about my falling on the pruning shears in the garden shed, and went to the hospital. I missed school, I lied to my social worker, and I went home exhausted.”548Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDmtn9ZLiWA
She studied him, “Why did you have a social worker?”548Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTF7l5aTAAt
He grinned, tracing with the side of his hand the scar across his right cheek that showed starkly, “After I was killed by my foster-father, and it was decided that I was the type of person who would put up with abuse. Which I had. Ironically, it was when I stopped putting up with being abused that things got really ugly.548Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡElaxC4oC5h
“Anyway, I was assigned a social worker for more regular check-ups.”548Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ4oly11hav
Angela watched him intently, “I’m so sorry. That must have been awful for you.”548Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3cfXqdFR9Z
He shrugged, “It was a lifetime ago.” He chuckled, “Quite literally, in fact, a different lifetime. My new life is better. Except for the risk of dying in my sleep.”548Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiCdaD9MR1x
“And that’s not a little problem.” She frowned. “You said it was about three years ago that you figured out what was going on. Is that when you sent Ray to watch the E.R.?”548Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuztFPLmr6v
“Exactly,” his fingers traced the outside rim of the teacup, “That’s also when we started researching violent deaths on the night of the new moon. It took a lot of effort, but we did locate a few cases that seemed similar. We think it was started again at least 20 years ago now, maybe earlier.”548Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUvHZjOLsj0
“Tell me more about the Hunters.”548Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXouhu4ArTf
Phillip sighed, “The crux of the matter is the Hunters.”548Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGZNAF8M9Dm
He reached over to unzip his backpack, “Before I forget, I brought this for you.” He held out a well-read book titled SAS Survival Handbook, “I recommend you read this, and take a self-defense class. The knowledge we have in life, we carry with us into our dreams.”548Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf6yxEFdfHW
She took the book, “Thank you.”548Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbI1bBR1riG
He produced a small book-shaped package, wrapped in brown paper and tied with string. He handed it to her, “This is the original journal.”548Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtyMwU1VrCs
Angela untied the package and set the paper wrapping on the bench-seat beside her. The book’s plain leather binding had started to rot, and she lifted the cover off. The pages inside were yellowed onionskin.548Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡivI8is5BjL
She turned to several pages randomly - the writing was the same as the photographed pages she’d seen. She glanced up at him, noting again the dark glasses. That’s why it’s been transcribed. You can’t read it for yourself otherwise.548Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSLlAHlJK3T
“You’re welcome to read as much as you like. But there’s a slip of paper denoting the beginning of the relevant passages,” Phillip remarked.548Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfrirQyF2l0
Angela flipped forward and removed a neatly folded letter from between the pages, “Do you mind if I borrow this tonight, and bring it back tomorrow?”548Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡELJtjzX5Af
“Keep it as long as you like. Give it back to Ray when you’re done - he’ll take good care of it until it can be returned to its library.”548Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9NeHwOrNOb
“Thank you,” she carefully tucked the paper back into the journal, then re-wrapped it in its protective brown paper before tucking it into her purse.548Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZeiBKq1OWI
“You said you were doubtful at first?”548Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3jWAjBdHvZ
“I didn’t want to believe. I mean, it’s not good news, right?”548Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJCW3TG6ZFM
She shook her head, “No, it’s not. But it’s better than not knowing.”548Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZJHwV6iClj
The waiter came to take their orders, and Phillip told him that a third person would be joining them, but he would be late, and they would not wait for him.548Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYlEIzdTntv
“How long have you known Ray?”548Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJi9lxDgjP4
“After I was adopted, I went to a new school. He was on the welcoming committee, and we became friends pretty quick. What about you? You didn’t bring anyone with you to discuss this.”548Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnEq2QqdnTy
“No. I didn’t. I don’t think anyone will believe me. My dad might have - I don’t know. It doesn’t matter - he had a fatal heart attack a few years ago.”548Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnSbEevwGlt
“I’m so sorry.”548Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCwMP7CUhLR
“Yeah, me too. I have people in my life, my mom and my friends, who helped me after the accident. But no one who can help me with this.”548Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgqiPB6x9Rm
“Well, then, Ray and I are here for you. And Ray is close enough to help out more than I can.”548Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQWH2KY10vv
“Thank you.” Angela paused uncertainly, “You said there are things you wanted to talk about in person.”548Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxzsc3LEm2d
“In person,” he echoed. “I did say that, didn’t I? Some of those things, we ended up discussing on the phone. But not all of it. You remember Nathaniel mentioning Bogdanov’s Spell that Protects against Eavesdropping?"548Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡisPrMJ5jlE
She nodded, “He used it to protect the conversations he had with Paul.”548Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT0FYK7rIOw
Phillip reached his hand across the table, holding it out expectantly, “Would you please?”548Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIFUjPrpnhJ
She looked at his hand for a moment, uncertain. But this was exactly why she’d wanted to meet in a public place - to be sure that if something went weird, she would be safe. “Are you telling me that you can do that, too?”548Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIdui12ej5n
He gave a small nod.548Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGuSGXmIAKw
She took his hand, and felt a thrill of energy flow through her. It took some effort not to pull away, but after a moment, the feeling subsided, leaving her feeling as though her body had become almost weightless.548Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡywWj9FUQMu
“I’m trusting you, Angela, not to spread word of my practice. Like I said, we still have to worry about persecution.”548Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHOMI1Koo4l
She watched his hand, then switched her focus to his face. He had to lean forward slightly to hold her hand, and the overhead light highlighted the stark scar that ran across his right cheek.548Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN3D0MWTDE5
Before she could think of a response, he continued, “We have a lot of resources at our disposal. The man who adopted me is a wizard, and the man I call my uncle is a spell-writer. I, myself, am considered an novice wizard. But we have nothing to do yet. We need a way into the world that the Hunters have closed off to us. I’m hoping you and I can work together to find that.”548Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK4Ufeg5yde
“You really are being Hunted, too?” Angela asked.548Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCOsFsWCURF
“I am. I am as motivated as you to put an end to it.”548Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSaGfNUXoB8
“I’m frightened of what’s going to happen.”548Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeKM1WlxUsm
“I am, too. But like I said, I’m here for you. And if anything happens to me, my father will continue to try to find answers for you.”548Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf9eWsbXg7S
“Have you found anything?”548Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgRP1h1gVRX
“I have a charm and a rune for you. The rune will help you remember who you are in your dreams. The charm is new - I just made my own last month. It helps you remember more of the dream when you wake up. It’s not much, but it’s better than nothing.”548Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡguL0kR8cOD
“What did it help you remember?”548Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡywCA0AK7Rr
“A small waterfall. It’s not much, but this is the first month. I’m hoping for more in the future.”548Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8M6YBLhEjI
“More, like what?”548Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwWJsgKEeze
“If I could learn my Hunter’s identity, I think my uncle could rewrite Rose’s Spell for Entering Dreams with information we could obtain. You and I aren’t the only ones with this problem. People are being killed, and I have to put a stop to it.”548Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOgYO55hPmL
“Why you?”548Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeOSgIJxgg6
“It doesn’t have to be me. But I’ve taken it on as my primary objective. And not just because I don’t want to be another victim of the Hunt. I have an obligation to help anyone I can - it’s part of being a wizard.”548Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcRSg8pYjlR
“And your dad?”548Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo7bWBJnzN0
“He holds the same obligation. But, well, this type of magic isn’t his specialty.”548Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8viJlKUt78
“Explain, please.”548Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRx6D34Eow8
“Every wizard has a realm of influence, a type of power they can best channel. Mine is the earth - I’m good at things pertaining to plants and animals, and the ground itself. My dad, though - he’s an energy wizard. None of the realms are particularly inclined to help with dream magic, but my realm is much closer than anyone else’s.”548Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6dMjZDGZyV
“What about your uncle?”548Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaGl0ywrkYt
“Uncle Roger is a spell-writer. Spell-writers are such a rarity - they have absolutely no ability to channel magic.”548Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtP2PpBI2e8
“How is that rare?”548Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdXBnf7bp2f
Phillip shrugged, “At this point in my training, my ability to channel magic is roughly 83. An average person - you and Ray, both, will probably rate between 30 and 40.548Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI8TbOb3pIC
“Uncle Roger’s ability is zero. Absolutely zero. That enables them to experiment safely with all the parts of magic-work, on a theoretical level. Spell-writers are really rare - you find one for every thousand wizards.”548Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ627jtsT8Qh
“And you just happen to know one?”548Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi9ofAyuLRI
“He’s my dad’s best friend - they trained together since they were in high school. It took months for me to realize Uncle Roger had his own home - that’s how often he was around.”548Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLJBuvJ8b28
“We’re lucky to have a resource like that, then. And how many other wizards are willing to help us?”548Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaJYbtwIF81
“Our Guild. That’s,” he hesitated, “we lost about half of our numbers a few years back, right before I realized what was going on with the Hunters. All the Guilds east of the Mississippi did. Anyway, our Guild is eight strong, including myself and my dad. But if we asked, we could get a lot more help than that.”548Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbTPbLAQRJR
Angela sighed, “But there’s no sense asking for help if you have nothing to do. That’s why you were looking for me.”548Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKMSvtUi5fc
Phillip nodded, “Exactly.”548Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb6LSj0s4pi
Angela noticed the waiter coming toward them with a tray, and released Phillip’s hand. A brief sense of disorientation passed over her, gone before the waiter set her plate in front of her.548Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfInApcS19l
After the waiter had gone, Phillip’s right hand found the chopsticks next to his plate, and he picked them up, “We’ll talk more later. For now, though, tell me about school. What are you studying?”548Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzUIenjHbYS
“Communications. I wanted to be a journalist, but now I’m leaning towards editor. You?”548Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsB8OGRAbDC
“I wanna be a social worker. I want to help kids not be stuck, like I was, in a terrifying situation they feel they cannot escape from.”548Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2qGXmg1T2J
“So what were you doing this last weekend, that you didn’t want to tell me about?”548Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGaGm6J5Nv1
“You know how I said Nathaniel kept a journal of who he helped, and how? I got to make an entry in my own journal this weekend,” Phillip was smiling.548Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhyAb6L1h4o
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