I focus on the earth beneath me.After waving my hands, the ground itself rises up in a square shape, like a dirt brownie floating in the air.The monster isn’t fast enough and hits the dirt with a satisfying thump.With it dazed on the ground again, I focus on the mud and rocks below.
Crouching, I touch the ground.Then, as commanded by my spellcasting, the earth rises up like a small tidal wave of dirt, pushing the creature back.The abomination whimpers as it lands on its back.In moments, it scrambles to get up, then runs off toward the light of the open barndoor.
I chase after it, hoping the plan works.I make it outside in time to see the thing floating several feet in the air.It struggles in vain to get free.Orange tendrils reaching up from the ground reveal themselves, and Necia steps forward.She’s smiling as she opens up the binder’s jar.In moments, the monster is pulled into the enchanted blue void, and I use my magic to seal it off.
“Great work,” I say, catching my breath.
“Why can’t missions always be this easy?”my best friend asks with a grin.She pockets the bottle, and I tap her shoulder.
“What the hell?!”We whip around to see a man holding a shotgun by his hip.Oh great, it’s the head of the household.Necia’s fears are about to be validated; if this old White man wants to shoot two random Black folk on his farm, we’re screwed.Magical barriers aren’t strong enough to stop bullets.Maybe I can move rocks to make a shield?Am I fast enough?I really don’t want to teleport us right now; the clean-up?i.e., scrubbing mortals of the memory of magic?required after teleporting mid-mission is freaking annoying.
So, I raise my hands up and think fast.“You called about the animal control, right?”
The old man stares at us warily.“That…that you?”
“Yes.I’m with animal control.We’re sorry we couldn’t get to the coyote before it ate one of your horses.But we disposed of it, and we’ll take our leave.”
The man doesn’t seem to believe us.“It didn’t look like no coyote when I saw it earlier.”
I gulp.“It was.”
“If you got rid of that wild thing, then where’s the body?Or do I have to clean up that, too?”
I turn to Necia, her hands up as well.Then, I step closer to the old farmer.“Let me show you where it is.”I slowly bring my right hand into my pocket and touch my geo arcanum.Then, with my left, I wave my hand right before his eyes.
The farmer shuts his eyes, and when he opens them again, they’re pink for a moment before going back to normal.Enchantment unlocked.
“You can see we’re holding the body of a dead coyote in a white bag,” I state.
“Y…yes.”
“And we’re federal animal control.”
“You’re…federal animal control,” he says slowly.
“And you don’t remember what we look like, or the coyote that attacked your farm.But you’ll be safe now.”
I smile as Necia walks by him, grinning.
“I don’t…remember…”
“In five minutes, you’ll go about your night.”With one last command, I leave him be, following Necia along the path among the corn.Mission complete.
Hours later, the rental car is dropped off, and the two of us walk through the magical archway in Kansas.In moments, we’re in the Union of Mages building in Scotland.Wizard guards nod at us as we make our way to the exit.I take in the other archways, magical portals to different parts of the world.The Union has always reminded me of a mini airport lobby, with the morning sunlight streaming through the skylights.Much like an airport, wizards from all over the world walk in all different directions, ready to start their day.
This is the easiest part of our mission, so Necia and I casually make our way outside.“I’m exhausted,” she says through a yawn.
“You slept the whole way back to return the rental car,” I retort.
“Yeah, barely.And we’re always globe-hopping.”
I snicker and breathe in the Scottish air.I don’t need to tell Necia that I can’t wait to go back to Virginia and crash in my own bed.“You love world travel.”
“Yeah, when I get to relax, have fun, and see the sights.”
“We can have fun when you unload the binder’s jar in your pocket.”
She takes out the blue mason jar and grins.“Fine.But we should go out later.Hong Kong?Paris?Anywhere to let off some steam.”
