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.478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJIRyQye2LA
A text message came in on her phone, and she tapped the screen to read it, hoping it was from Phillip. It wasn’t.478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuUsxTXlY7S
“Here she is. Can I help you read the menu?” the waiter asked, his English heavily accented.478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIkHk7TzCPw
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.”478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkB9nCcWjqS
“Can I get a drink for you?”478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzbNfN7Eza7
“Tea, please.”478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOJSDnoqlU3
The waiter left, and Phillip extended a hand across the table, being careful not to knock anything over, “Angela? I hope?”478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhGLyrmEUI6
Angela shook his hand, “Yes, it’s me.” He had a firm handshake, and his hand was cool.478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0PKtpfGWGd
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.”478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2YmPBb01wQ
“That’s all right - it’s good to meet you.”478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLn6ND3kSof
“It’s good to meet you, too. Could you tell me - do they have lemon chicken on the menu, here?”478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7gMIp4G6zn
“They do. It’s good, too.”478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAE3xrZ7ZL1
“Wonderful - I’m looking forward to that.” He smiled broadly, “I’m so very pleased to meet you, Angela. How are you feeling?”478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHVx3XSyYhU
“Fine, just fine.”478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4n8Hcqjl6d
“And your leg?”478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡerLE31MxW6
“It’s healing. A little slower than I would like, but it’s healing.”478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuonFpS5N8Q
“Glad to hear it.”478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7qngDL8VAM
Angela looked up to see the waiter coming toward the table.478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEzB7SD4sBT
“Tea is here,” he said. He quickly set down two cups and saucers, then poured tea into both cups, “Careful - very hot.”478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnBeE7XLhaG
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.”478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgaNWXb8PtM
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.478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqoqS3W6kJv
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.”478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw07gbFwO6p
“And then I woke up with a gash,” he pulled up his left sleeve, revealing a 3 inch white scar.478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvPCYKBnIwF
“How old were you? What did you do?”478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaW73v3Af7G
“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.”478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5bSbi7jXuu
She studied him, “Why did you have a social worker?”478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhpE4JWTB6M
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.478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡePeZPuDxCm
“Anyway, I was assigned a social worker for more regular check-ups.”478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEYJts8PJHy
Angela watched him intently, “I’m so sorry. That must have been awful for you.”478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYw8pWEEHTj
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.”478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmqfTlU4rKc
“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.?”478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡirfLsyx896
“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.”478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnjHEl2v5t9
“Tell me more about the Hunters.”478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtEmUTQRbii
Phillip sighed, “The crux of the matter is the Hunters.”478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFUSVX2GM8r
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.”478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzQpqGGNi2l
She took the book, “Thank you.”478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMojpo1dEt2
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.”478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFdOdwo4hhk
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.478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhEc0I3hSCH
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.478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSBOK7txbGa
“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.478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQX2GhYuw3U
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?”478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpVHNshglts
“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.”478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8niLAn2BsE
“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.478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHHP9Rbu3Pq
“You said you were doubtful at first?”478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN6wyo1Y9aF
“I didn’t want to believe. I mean, it’s not good news, right?”478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWldjSTIq4C
She shook her head, “No, it’s not. But it’s better than not knowing.”478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHDPNuvWKpZ
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.478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHdxtHgOHCk
“How long have you known Ray?”478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJH3zTJWLay
“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.”478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA3zW1HjW6x
“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.”478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiGZjHRXe2d
“I’m so sorry.”478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6cxHPic7Cf
“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.”478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6plwrRAdVt
“Well, then, Ray and I are here for you. And Ray is close enough to help out more than I can.”478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIyEugNyFqd
“Thank you.” Angela paused uncertainly, “You said there are things you wanted to talk about in person.”478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzNpeCwOUjI
“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?"478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY3Lk8MMDaK
She nodded, “He used it to protect the conversations he had with Paul.”478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdCfJPyxnaX
Phillip reached his hand across the table, holding it out expectantly, “Would you please?”478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAr29fLwC0f
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?”478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk5auAxXgo4
He gave a small nod.478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnQ6kutsYx0
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.478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡauFifB7v2E
“I’m trusting you, Angela, not to spread word of my practice. Like I said, we still have to worry about persecution.”478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6jdppD8TNM
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.478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS17KB2pIJi
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.”478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ07OCk0mnE3
“You really are being Hunted, too?” Angela asked.478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5R5DIf270j
“I am. I am as motivated as you to put an end to it.”478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQHmv3q2qIv
“I’m frightened of what’s going to happen.”478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg8r4Ffq1yw
“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.”478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ93b1ud3dDk
“Have you found anything?”478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuIx4nc60Ib
“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.”478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4wU2h8RajT
“What did it help you remember?”478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcRKxryX17x
“A small waterfall. It’s not much, but this is the first month. I’m hoping for more in the future.”478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkXfJ1CAaLm
“More, like what?”478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNb598s41hB
“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.”478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXJTxWp7u7k
“Why you?”478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdnFN5LEXBD
“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.”478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4UhVpKynzl
“And your dad?”478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzt9pzrqJOY
“He holds the same obligation. But, well, this type of magic isn’t his specialty.”478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmgepWzF4fV
“Explain, please.”478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCjin8ZWqYS
“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.”478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkAKNsoBqFK
“What about your uncle?”478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZpreSqlQib
“Uncle Roger is a spell-writer. Spell-writers are such a rarity - they have absolutely no ability to channel magic.”478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡInAQff2Uy2
“How is that rare?”478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLZC1Yw8x9y
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 40.478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpKGA8jbECy
“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.”478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl7UULZJ2gq
“And you just happen to know one?”478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6WpwnQJyYP
“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.”478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUKtxImqaNl
“We’re lucky to have a resource like that, then. And how many other wizards are willing to help us?”478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYef0Wptolk
“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.”478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl5tE21XUfI
Angela sighed, “But there’s no sense asking for help if you have nothing to do. That’s why you were looking for me.”478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSqGYCw9Vxa
Phillip nodded, “Exactly.”478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbzX6S8Oxal
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.478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcHY1G3mG8m
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?”478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXxaX5AGPHf
“Communications. I wanted to be a journalist, but now I’m leaning towards editor. You?”478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjHozt58Lhg
“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.”478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNr04wcGocx
“So what were you doing this last weekend, that you didn’t want to tell me about?”478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaZrX8ugHDi
“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.478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGY4ku1qyhG
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