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

they turned and headed to the far side of the patio, where the hostess seated them.
    “What’s that do, Fred?” Darla eyed Fred’s necklace.
    “It’s a repulsion spell. When they got close to us, they suddenly decided that they really didn’t want to sit here.” She gave a little satisfied nod and let go of the pendant, a silver fairy. “That way we can talk and not be overheard.”
    “And you’re a witch.” Darla shook her head slowly and sighed. “So strange. So very strange.”
    “Why didn’t that pendant affect us?” Pete said.
    Fred pointed at the woven bracelet she wore on her wrist. “Because of this. It’s a counter charm. It protects us from the spell. That’s why I made everybody wear one.”
    Darla examined hers more carefully. “I wondered why you wanted us to wear these tacky plastic things. I thought it was some kind of birthday gag, like party hats or something.” She frowned. “It’s doesn’t exactly go with my other jewelry.”
    “I wear mine all the time,” Jamie said.
    Fred pulled hers off and held it before her. “I could put the charm in fancier bracelets, but they would cost more. I got these at the Dollar Store. Maybe if I got a raise in my allowance, I could make nicer ones.” She looked squarely at her father.
    Larry grunted and said, “These are nice enough.”
    Pete turned back to Jamie. “So these doorway things...you can make them anywhere...other worlds, even?”
    “Yes sir. Maybe when we get back to the house, I’ll make one to the three moon world so you can see what it’s like.”
    “How about the world where that old sorcerer was from? Do you ever go there?”
    “I’m afraid to. A doorway sends off a pretty powerful signal to other sorcerers, and I don’t want to attract the attention of any more psychos.”
    “What’s that world like?”
    Jamie rubbed his chin thoughtfully. “Nice, I guess.”
    “Was it like Earth?”
    “Pretty much, I think. At least, like North Carolina. It wasn’t like Waikiki.”
    Lisa raised her glass, a frozen drink with two orange slices on the rim, and grinned broadly. “Well, what is?”
    * * *
    Fred found Jamie in a dream that night. She conjured one of his favorite settings, the dream-meadow, where she sat on the soft grass. She made the sunlight gauzy and warm, but not hot. Wildflowers were everywhere, and a few colorful butterflies flitted from blossom to blossom, like gossipy neighbors stopping by to say hello.
    Jamie materialized with his head in her lap. “Hey.” He smiled at her and reached one hand up, tangling his fingers in her red curls.
    “Hey, yourself.” She smiled back at him and placed her hand gently on his forehead. “Wild night, huh?”
    “Yeah.” He laughed softly. “But I thought Granddaddy Pete took it okay. So did Grannie Darla. Neither of them had a heart attack, at least.”
    “So everybody who matters knows about the magic now, except for Rollie’s parents.
    “I feel bad about that. They would’ve enjoyed dinner at Waikiki. I feel like we’re leaving them out more and more from our family gatherings. They should’ve been there, too.”
    “Do you think we’ll ever be able to tell them?”
    “I don’t see how. Rollie’s dad is so convinced that magic and Satan go hand-in-hand, he’d probably pack up and move away if we told him.”
    “I don’t think Rollie’s mom is as bad. I heard her talking to my mom once about wanting to see the Harry Potter movies, but she’s worried that her husband would freak out.”
    “He would.”
    “I know.” They wordlessly looked into each other’s faces, and Fred’s mouth grew tight. “Jamie...today, at Rita and Cassandra’s house.” She sucked in her breath and held it briefly. “I was having a hard time. A really really hard time. I was remembering how bad it was when I was a prisoner there...all of the pain and stuff. It was nearly overwhelming.” She gave her head a tight shake.
    “It didn’t show. I couldn’t