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.397Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8n3y7yYHAa
A text message came in on her phone, and she tapped the screen to read it, hoping it was from Phillip. It wasn’t.397Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQXXiZFbGhH
“Here she is. Can I help you read the menu?” the waiter asked, his English heavily accented.397Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4E2cPBKrpY
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.”397Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTuCfjx2AgL
“Can I get a drink for you?”397Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT0GDjMxLkF
“Tea, please.”397Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoy23Ic4ycN
The waiter left, and Phillip extended a hand across the table, being careful not to knock anything over, “Angela? I hope?”397Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpoH1D5YCCC
Angela shook his hand, “Yes, it’s me.” He had a firm handshake, and his hand was cool.397Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ95Lsq0FmE0
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.”397Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡibmubqeku9
“That’s all right - it’s good to meet you.”397Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUmYyfmWhsC
“It’s good to meet you, too. Could you tell me - do they have lemon chicken on the menu, here?”397Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQA7f4eyjst
“They do. It’s good, too.”397Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8NxByrPjCc
“Wonderful - I’m looking forward to that.” He smiled broadly, “I’m so very pleased to meet you, Angela. How are you feeling?”397Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsdT8wjiPlh
“Fine, just fine.”397Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgwiUfn9e2S
“And your leg?”397Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGgLoVrucEN
“It’s healing. A little slower than I would like, but it’s healing.”397Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNGkzOlYIfd
“Glad to hear it.”397Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7ilclK5iBW
Angela looked up to see the waiter coming toward the table.397Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLaTkyfHDsG
“Tea is here,” he said. He quickly set down two cups and saucers, then poured tea into both cups, “Careful - very hot.”397Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3Af0G7MW6E
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.”397Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNclCkBCCQK
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.397Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVZP3GtdfhW
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.”397Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEwR6jMpxHq
“And then I woke up with a gash,” he pulled up his left sleeve, revealing a 3 inch white scar.397Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiYRgw0Dl03
“How old were you? What did you do?”397Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ91Qb2Hs37a
“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.”397Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfRRbvlSyc6
She studied him, “Why did you have a social worker?”397Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ72kRBbDzRY
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.397Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbyD4F4GXwP
“Anyway, I was assigned a social worker for more regular check-ups.”397Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf2Bd4EIyGv
Angela watched him intently, “I’m so sorry. That must have been awful for you.”397Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2FYojmymyW
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.”397Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6Kw3nqUKWB
“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.?”397Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqcQSpDE8FR
“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.”397Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpLYdn35203
“Tell me more about the Hunters.”397Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzAt9tmLQDA
Phillip sighed, “The crux of the matter is the Hunters.”397Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgnDKwLks73
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.”397Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDWSYjTmIkX
She took the book, “Thank you.”397Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHnYFaVvgIp
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.”397Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOeo4YmD29V
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.397Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHdK9oINpPB
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.397Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuzY40o3EAw
“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.397Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpJmMONfDLG
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?”397Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ382LjLyMg1
“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.”397Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyWCXEI1wa0
“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.397Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxrBoPqambo
“You said you were doubtful at first?”397Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡizaL6Y6qGQ
“I didn’t want to believe. I mean, it’s not good news, right?”397Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCUBh5ycZ6q
She shook her head, “No, it’s not. But it’s better than not knowing.”397Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAyPioSLAxI
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.397Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzUOq994Hx5
“How long have you known Ray?”397Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkYO9yze1Yt
“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.”397Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP0uVhawLjP
“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.”397Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT1bdlXN40m
“I’m so sorry.”397Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL9vnlCrOka
“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.”397Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEWSKCDBLK9
“Well, then, Ray and I are here for you. And Ray is close enough to help out more than I can.”397Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt8ryEssOAt
“Thank you.” Angela paused uncertainly, “You said there are things you wanted to talk about in person.”397Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3tuCoULma6
“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?"397Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxhL8D5G1fQ
She nodded, “He used it to protect the conversations he had with Paul.”397Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpDH77N1emf
Phillip reached his hand across the table, holding it out expectantly, “Would you please?”397Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEWIRmjF625
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?”397Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHZdXFqvMxy
He gave a small nod.397Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUUR15dVBXe
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.397Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkdUc6iwd4A
“I’m trusting you, Angela, not to spread word of my practice. Like I said, we still have to worry about persecution.”397Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmhBtLHWCE8
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.397Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtgku5fKBkE
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.”397Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡejkFuCN7jr
“You really are being Hunted, too?” Angela asked.397Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ12RZrNlGP9
“I am. I am as motivated as you to put an end to it.”397Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡracNUmbRlu
“I’m frightened of what’s going to happen.”397Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6PHvPJqKKn
“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.”397Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdDeeHnh1nY
“Have you found anything?”397Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsJn4mt4HU5
“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.”397Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHJSPziivV1
“What did it help you remember?”397Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOauCkoFEtp
“A small waterfall. It’s not much, but this is the first month. I’m hoping for more in the future.”397Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMJokwMewfG
“More, like what?”397Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEobs9zwmEX
“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.”397Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoLraIbF1SC
“Why you?”397Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDEYF994SwJ
“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.”397Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrsdZpqV5y5
“And your dad?”397Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqfMzyL60oo
“He holds the same obligation. But, well, this type of magic isn’t his specialty.”397Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEN7a5YRCSV
“Explain, please.”397Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLcoed19UjY
“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.”397Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeB60zBovXC
“What about your uncle?”397Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpYTYiDLpQR
“Uncle Roger is a spell-writer. Spell-writers are such a rarity - they have absolutely no ability to channel magic.”397Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTZWzMXJpuv
“How is that rare?”397Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4q0cahD4xo
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 40.397Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0CeCEQ7cPe
“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.”397Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4XWK3xwlN6
“And you just happen to know one?”397Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡayNFPD8TQF
“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.”397Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzDNf9L8iiC
“We’re lucky to have a resource like that, then. And how many other wizards are willing to help us?”397Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU6lRb5Z8hO
“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.”397Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlvVVVow8mN
Angela sighed, “But there’s no sense asking for help if you have nothing to do. That’s why you were looking for me.”397Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjUjUWws5qY
Phillip nodded, “Exactly.”397Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5vgNPHohdu
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.397Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4kRt6zGB4n
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?”397Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl3lM9gwbZZ
“Communications. I wanted to be a journalist, but now I’m leaning towards editor. You?”397Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbPxQglvlNo
“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.”397Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ1exgXjt7A
“So what were you doing this last weekend, that you didn’t want to tell me about?”397Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkhhEMBV0Dd
“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.397Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡij5Svw4N3Y
