The Wizard Returns: Book Three of the Wizard Born Series Read Online Free

a little shrug toward Pete. “What can it hurt?” Pete and Darla put their hands on the Bible with Jamie and Fred, studied the paper before them and read aloud, “I solemnly swear in the eyes of God and my friends to never tell or reveal to anyone what I am about to see and hear tonight.” Their hands began to glow, then flared a brilliant white before fading out.
    Pete jumped to his feet and stared at his hand. “What in the hell was that?”
    Evelyn frowned. “Watch your language, Pete.”
    He looked from Carl to Jamie, then at his hand again, as if it were something dangerous. “What was it? Was that one of your magic tricks, Jamie?”
    “No sir. It was real magic.”
    Pete shook his head firmly. “Don’t pull my leg. I’m too old for this.”
    “Show ’em, Jamie,” Carl said. “Make the doorway.”
    “Why aren’t we going to the three moon world?” Ray said. “That’ll convince ’em.”
    “It’s too cold,” Jamie said. “I checked earlier. Besides, there’s no restaurant.” He stepped to an open space in the room and outlined the glowing shape of a magic doorway. Then he pushed it open, revealing a lush, tropical landscape beyond.
    Pete and Darla stared at it with their mouths open and their eyes wide. Ray grabbed Pete by the elbow. “I’ll help you, Pete, ’cause I know exactly what you’re going through.”
    “Who wants to be first?” Jamie said.
    “I do.” Fred slipped on a pair of sunglasses and strode through the doorway to Waikiki Beach as if she owned it.
    Carl sat next to his father at the table, underneath a pair of thatched umbrellas. Graceful palm trees lined the perimeter of the outdoor restaurant, and a singer with a ukulele sat in one shady corner, his music drifting over the warm, salty air. “Are you okay, Dad?”
    Pete rubbed his forehead with the fingertips of one hand and stared at the table top. “Uh. I guess.” Then he looked up. “It’s just...it’s... crazy .”
    Darla cradled her face in her hands. She was pale as if she’d just seen a ghost. “Jamie, you...you’ve been hiding this since you were eight?”
    “Yes ma’am.”
    “Evelyn?” She looked at Jamie’s other grandmother, sitting near the end of the long table. “You didn’t know either? You practically raised this boy.”
    “I didn’t know, not until this past September, though I had my suspicions. We had some strange things happen at the house from time to time.”
    Pete looked at Jamie, who sat across from him. “And you have all the memories and power of some old wizard? What...what all can you do?”
    “Well, I can fly, and I can —”
    “Fly?” Pete’s face registered a new round of shock, his defenses overwhelmed again.
    “You should see it, Pete,” Larry said. “That’s why I wish we were on the three moon world. Then he could fly around and blast stuff. It’s better than fireworks!”
    Lisa rolled her eyes. “Larry loves the blasting.”
    “It’s fun,” Jamie said, grinning.
    “I’m sure it must be.”
    “And that wizard you killed... Renn?” Darla said. “He’d been hunting you for a long time?”
    “My whole life, pretty much.”
    “How awful.”
    Pete turned to Carl. “Did the older wizard really leave you all the money from the house after he sold it to you?”
    “Yep. It was a fair chunk of change, even after taxes. That’s how I bought my new truck and Rachel got her Honda. There’s still enough left for Jamie’s college and a little bit for our retirement.”
    “Can’t believe you paid taxes on that money.” Pete frowned. “Should’ve talked to me, first. I could’ve helped you find a shelter for it. I’ve got friends who know all about offshore —”
    “Never mind, Dad.” Carl looked up to see the hostess walking toward them, carrying a stack of menus and leading a group of hungry-looking tourists. Fred began twirling the pendant she wore on a chain around her neck and the new customers paused, uncomfortable looks on their faces, and