The Good Wizard slowly lowered himself onto a black velvet settee. The arms were disturbing, a replica of human hands scrabbling for safety as something unseen dragged them back into the shadows. The cushions were the perfect mix of firm and plump to ease around his tired backside without swallowing him whole.
Lucinda bustled into the room, carrying a tray of tea and cookies. Thinking of the flowers outside, The Good Wizard sniffed his cup surreptitiously. The soft scent of assam wafted from the steaming liquid. He accepted the tea but avoided the cookies, afraid of what their sugar might mask.
“So, Brutus finally found himself on both councils’ bad sides,” Cyril said, examining the prison crystal. He prodded it with a vicious glee. “And a pink crystal at that! Everyone knows they’re the weakest.”
“Brutus Arnulf is not my problem,” The Good Wizard stated. He wanted to snatch the crystal out of the evil mage’s hands, but it was clear Cyril had no intention of releasing his companion. “His apprentice is.”
Lucinda gasped with delight. “Do you mean Wilde?”
The Good Wizard’s brow furrowed. “You’re familiar withhim?”
“We’ve never met, but I’ve heard so much about him. When we found out he was involved in Brutus’ plot, weknewhe was the real mastermind.” She clapped her hands excitedly and clasped them to her bosom. “What’s he done? Did he succeed?”
The Good Wizard stared at her gravely. “Madam, he is a wanted man who has violated the laws and regulations of both councils.”
“Impressive,” Cyril said, finally setting the crystal down.
Lucinda sighed dreamily. “Ah, young love.” She glanced at her husband and smiled, “I remember those days.”
“Why have you come to me for help?” Cyril asked.
Finally, they were getting to the sticky center of the pie. “Wilde has created an unregulated pocket dimension that I suspect he is losing control over. It has expanded to swallow a whole region, along with the unwilling citizens.” The Good Wizard left out the fact that Wilde could control time inside the bubble. If the evil mage found out, he would want to utilize the chaos such magic unleashed.
“Ambitious,” Cyril said. He settled back into his own ominously comfortable chair and steepled his fingers. “But not my problem.”
“I understand you are friends with Their Highnesses Prince Frederick and Prince Brendon.”
“Of a sort,” Cyril agreed.
“They are also trapped in the bubble, along with their son Treasure.”
“Well, of course,” Lucinda said, nodding along. “That’s the only thing that makes sense.”
The Good Wizard frowned. “What do you mean?”
“Wilde is in love with their son after all, so why wouldn’t he want the whole family to be together? He’s probably trying to impress his future-in-laws.”
The Good Wizard gaped at this outrageous statement. “He is not marrying into Bane’s Royal Family!”
Lucinda smiled at him and a shadow of the hag returned. “Are you planning to stop him?”
Solicitors will be devoured.He thought it was the door he had to worry about. Apparently, it was the wife.
“The Good Wizards’ Council cannot allow this pocket dimension to threaten the primary one. Even the Council of Evil has agreed with our consensus. The bubble must pop, and the people inside must be released.”
Cyril eyed The Good Wizard thoughtfully. “And where do I come in?”
The Good Wizard sighed. “I need to enter the dimension and find the apprentice. His protections mirror the ones I’ve placed around the Desolated Lands.”
“Ah.” The simple sound refused to fill in the rest of what The Good Wizard wanted to say.
He would have to speak his request aloud. “Please tell me how you surpassed my defenses so I can do the same with his.”
“It wasn’t that hard,” Cyril explained. “I simply took a vacation.”
“Avacation?” The Good Wizard sputtered. “What on earth does that mean?”
“We were there for the wedding and nothing more.”
