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.798Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8p1YSgrTKw
A text message came in on her phone, and she tapped the screen to read it, hoping it was from Phillip. It wasn’t.798Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUTRdReuoY9
“Here she is. Can I help you read the menu?” the waiter asked, his English heavily accented.798Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3xikYqejjv
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.”798Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKC4jdTip2D
“Can I get a drink for you?”798Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvAdJquyfrO
“Tea, please.”798Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVF7GDwhWcc
The waiter left, and Phillip extended a hand across the table, being careful not to knock anything over, “Angela? I hope?”798Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNW7G50ZHgl
Angela shook his hand, “Yes, it’s me.” He had a firm handshake, and his hand was cool.798Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCTYmU5WeYa
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.”798Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhbip9szY0Y
“That’s all right - it’s good to meet you.”798Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuIbjJkwN4y
“It’s good to meet you, too. Could you tell me - do they have lemon chicken on the menu, here?”798Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt9bUOaXBwf
“They do. It’s good, too.”798Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjsuqNTSI2b
“Wonderful - I’m looking forward to that.” He smiled broadly, “I’m so very pleased to meet you, Angela. How are you feeling?”798Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3O4EIJ3De5
“Fine, just fine.”798Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0wpjWwXFlH
“And your leg?”798Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvXM30m14Tg
“It’s healing. A little slower than I would like, but it’s healing.”798Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi4OHOXPf3g
“Glad to hear it.”798Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCBHPXxGlz3
Angela looked up to see the waiter coming toward the table.798Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi8ehJtxOVX
“Tea is here,” he said. He quickly set down two cups and saucers, then poured tea into both cups, “Careful - very hot.”798Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2nX6Wqh1CM
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.”798Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQkadv5SGUS
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.798Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgmuFJEY7qF
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.”798Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMsjucdetED
“And then I woke up with a gash,” he pulled up his left sleeve, revealing a 3 inch white scar.798Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNK588r9DX6
“How old were you? What did you do?”798Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡabHOW2CbZH
“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.”798Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhSNv5haS6A
She studied him, “Why did you have a social worker?”798Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHflE1pcoy3
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.798Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQvZMppN7i2
“Anyway, I was assigned a social worker for more regular check-ups.”798Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR6oWoq3hMk
Angela watched him intently, “I’m so sorry. That must have been awful for you.”798Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlWSWVHsTJ8
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.”798Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpOsU5nwfif
“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.?”798Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡotNQYQrv5n
“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.”798Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsGvDcCtgUN
“Tell me more about the Hunters.”798Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkD6S3LkFgG
Phillip sighed, “The crux of the matter is the Hunters.”798Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB5TkCDMJAb
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.”798Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡURLb8W3piY
She took the book, “Thank you.”798Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXsJ423beAC
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.”798Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi5j8HQO77O
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.798Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO786J9JADg
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.798Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWOzMoXP2p2
“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.798Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1VP2QqbXjw
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?”798Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjjNULqtzde
“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.”798Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTVdSWpWwtD
“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.798Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2iW7uhExQ9
“You said you were doubtful at first?”798Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbTIw3KIOhT
“I didn’t want to believe. I mean, it’s not good news, right?”798Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrZlXj2HSet
She shook her head, “No, it’s not. But it’s better than not knowing.”798Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGc6mvODG4f
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.798Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡETTNyfcnhg
“How long have you known Ray?”798Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMw9uGC22Nk
“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.”798Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0VP2EgK6uv
“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.”798Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqAFp75Vp60
“I’m so sorry.”798Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDs4ROUJajO
“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.”798Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ248kqTFlfx
“Well, then, Ray and I are here for you. And Ray is close enough to help out more than I can.”798Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbO1zf8IlZc
“Thank you.” Angela paused uncertainly, “You said there are things you wanted to talk about in person.”798Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqx7hDxd4vr
“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?"798Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj671Rm3sv2
She nodded, “He used it to protect the conversations he had with Paul.”798Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6lZca9HN9N
Phillip reached his hand across the table, holding it out expectantly, “Would you please?”798Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiYIPMqVNSu
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?”798Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRVq40wrooF
He gave a small nod.798Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgXKTEZSlQB
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.798Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtuJejrIdiH
“I’m trusting you, Angela, not to spread word of my practice. Like I said, we still have to worry about persecution.”798Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG42uzvrA51
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.798Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNWNdbrowYg
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.”798Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZABIGAQsWe
“You really are being Hunted, too?” Angela asked.798Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyWv18f8Ws2
“I am. I am as motivated as you to put an end to it.”798Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx3xx29pevE
“I’m frightened of what’s going to happen.”798Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7DRJ5vEDnW
“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.”798Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSOceW4Y44t
“Have you found anything?”798Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0ixDkbSbbG
“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.”798Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfwyFmezJ1H
“What did it help you remember?”798Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI4iX5tJqA4
“A small waterfall. It’s not much, but this is the first month. I’m hoping for more in the future.”798Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo577AY6DLt
“More, like what?”798Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJcWFpVZpDb
“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.”798Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgy32J0qrFe
“Why you?”798Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfY52yINFAK
“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.”798Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCFXPKO4fB0
“And your dad?”798Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPxXtgqdg16
“He holds the same obligation. But, well, this type of magic isn’t his specialty.”798Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIZCFQVow5t
“Explain, please.”798Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDc3mYODJvP
“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.”798Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhO7QBjISRp
“What about your uncle?”798Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN9qIB4Ch2Z
“Uncle Roger is a spell-writer. Spell-writers are such a rarity - they have absolutely no ability to channel magic.”798Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEsIlstTRo1
“How is that rare?”798Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhiO1ugszpZ
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 40.798Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5LekpKypt8
“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.”798Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoAlTjDQ6A0
“And you just happen to know one?”798Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7rEY6urQoo
“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.”798Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvnOstI1coK
“We’re lucky to have a resource like that, then. And how many other wizards are willing to help us?”798Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoWGqdYMUDr
“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.”798Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV4yQk8nH1c
Angela sighed, “But there’s no sense asking for help if you have nothing to do. That’s why you were looking for me.”798Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaU9DTJSe2L
Phillip nodded, “Exactly.”798Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf2WJ4hKiTh
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.798Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwY1QIFm0Zk
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?”798Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5MqdHPq8zf
“Communications. I wanted to be a journalist, but now I’m leaning towards editor. You?”798Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIuWfb4MhNQ
“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.”798Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpMsqJIAzIN
“So what were you doing this last weekend, that you didn’t want to tell me about?”798Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTe5WWaLIY4
“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.798Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡINERfCWZ5U
and then Add to home screen.