In some ways, going home on an airship would’ve been faster. It would’ve shaved an entire day off Wil’s trip, in exchange for leaving a little later. He would’ve arrived at the same amount of time, with far less work. If he had, then Wil would’ve missed out on the feeling of pure freedom after months of being trapped.

The path from Manifee City to Harper Valley could be followed by the train tracks, and Wil and Isom rode the Thunderhawk over the rails the entire way. The vehicle was even smoother and faster over metal, and it had become second nature to move out of the way when necessary.

Not this time.

This is foolish! When just the two of them, Isom took to mentally projecting his words rather than shout them over the rush of wind. Do you want to kill us both?

“Maybe,” Wil muttered, grinning as the train came screaming along the tracks their way. There was one more feature on the Thunderhawk that he had yet to fully try out, and these tracks were perfect for it.

At least let me off first!

“You can hop off at any time,” Wil said, knowing Isom could read the words from him as soon as he thought them. Even his own mental defenses weren’t quite enough to block out the telepathic cat. “But I’m doing this.”

Your woman will be angry if you die before coming home.

It almost worked, but Wil bore down on the train. Closer and closer it came, so slow in the distance and picking up speed as it got closer. Wil’s own speed was about the same. If he didn’t make it in time, then there’d be a harsh crash and then a smear where he once was. Three…two…Now!

Wil twisted the handles back simultaneously. The force pressing against the earth and keeping the Thunderhawk floating intensified and launched them into the air. Isom yowled in alarm and dug his claws into the platform hooked up to the back as they dropped.

The enchantment caught the top of the train and launched them forward, faster than ever before. Wil screamed in delight as they reached the Thunderhawk’s top speed and he had to hold on for dear life while Isom screamed in panic. The spells keeping them stuck to their seats held through the burst of speed.

When the train passed and they slipped back to the tracks, their speed cut sharply. Wil pulled them away from the tracks and glided over the land next to them instead. “You okay, Isom?” Wil asked as he mosied down the countryside.

Don’t ever do that again, Isom all but hissed at him. Wil chanced looking over his shoulder. The wampus cat had flattened himself against the floor of the platform, panting in lingering fear. Wil bit back laughter and nodded.

“Don’t worry,” said Wil. “We’re almost home. Another hour or so.” His heart soared.

The time spent sleeping on the ground and traveling all day had been just what Wil needed to reset before his return. No spending it waiting on a flying ship or the train. Every step he took, he had to do it himself. And while using the Thunderhawk taxed his magic and focus, it was a welcome change from the boredom of endless waiting.

Now that they’d passed Appleton, the tree on top of Skalet Peak was visible in the distance. Still small, but getting bigger by the second. Wil increased the speed again, wanting nothing more than to see a familiar face.

It ended up taking an hour and a half, but Wil hardly noticed the extra time. Memories of his time at home bounced around his head. So many of them featured the people of Harper Valley giving him trouble over the silliest things, but he missed that. He missed them. If there was one thing he appreciated about home, it was that he was liked and respected, but not worshiped.

Wil slowed as he hit the road leading north through town, parallel to the railroad tracks. He kept going until the road veered off to the east. He waved a hand in greeting to Candy, standing in front of Nancy Flanagan’s dress shop. Her eyes lit up and she called out his name, which got others’ attention.

Just like that, he had dozens of people looking at him, at least half of them calling out Wil’s name, or else shouting, “Mr. Wizard!”

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Many faces he didn’t recognize, but his heart was overjoyed to see fae and human alike in the town square. He wove in and out of pockets, careful not to ruin his first day back by hitting someone. People had no trouble getting out of the way as he went by.

As much as Wil would’ve preferred going home first, he had duties to take care of. The relentless questioning had reiterated his need to follow policy and procedure. So he steeled himself and headed for town hall first.

Later on, he’d kick himself for his pessimism, but Wil wasn’t looking forward to dealing with Sinclair again. The fact that the election had already passed and that his father could’ve won slipped his mind entirely. He came up with half a dozen scenarios where he’d have to tell the mayor off and declare his independence. He had sharp words ready on his lips when he entered and saw his mother behind the receptionist’s desk.

“Mom? What are you doing here?” Wil asked.

“Wilbur!” Sharon McKenzie scrambled from behind the desk and then launched herself at him. Despite being a petite woman, she cracked his bones with her hug. “Where the hell have you been?” She pushed him away and hollered up the stairs to her right, “Bob, come down here!”

A few seconds later, the light thunder of Bob coming down the stairs heralded the new mayor. Wil lit up and threw out his arms. Bob picked him up in a massive hug of his own.

“You’re back home! Why the hell didn’t anyone warn me?”

“Sorry,” said Wil,” breathing deep after he was released. “This entire thing has been a mess from the start. I wasn’t allowed any messages or questions other than knowing you were all alive and okay. It’s my fault. They were trying to pressure me, and it ended up punishing everyone.”

“Then that sounds like a them problem,” said Bob, expression darkening. “I’m guessing you didn’t back down. Good on you, Wil.”

Wil flushed and shrank away from his father. “I did, though. That’s why they let me out. I cracked and gave them what they wanted. Or, at least, I will.”

“Oh no,” said Sharon, grabbing him in another hug. Wil couldn’t complain about being hugged too much after months of the only affection being Isom laying across his legs when he tried to sleep. “Well, we don’t think anything less of you, sweetie. What did they want?”

“Mind if I use the restroom first?” Wil asked. “It’s been a long trip, and this is a long story.”

Bob chuckled. “Take your time. I’ll set us up with drinks in my office. Sharon, please keep all visitors busy.”

“Keep them busy?” Sharon scoffed. “I’m going to be up in the office with you.”

In the end they recruited Isom to sit at the desk and play secretary to ward off anyone who wanted Bob’s time while they spoke. Apparently, that had been a common problem lately.

“It’s a nightmare,” Bob said, rubbing his temples as he sat in his luxurious leather chair. He had three lemonades out, at Sharon’s insistence. “I’m not saying I have more respect for Sinclair, but I can understand why he’d start to try to profit off the office. Everyone wants something, and you can’t please them all.

“Ever since you left, it’s been a full time job juggling the wants and needs of people and keeping control of the fae situation. Which is doing a lot better now, by the way.”

“Thank goodness,” said Wil, sipping his lemonade. “Has the farm been okay with you two working here?”

Sharon laughed. “Arabella runs the farm now, when she’s not in Faerie. It’s built up a lot more since you’ve been gone, and the only thing really recognizable is the house. For now. Your father keeps insisting we don’t change anything, but I think it’s time to expand and modernize.”

“I can’t believe how much has changed…” Wil shook his head. “And I wouldn’t have missed any of it had I given up what I knew. That’s why they kept me. I wouldn’t tell them how to change leylines, until the hearing. It started with…”

He launched into his time in Cloverton, of being bound to Marlowe Manor and using his time there to study everything he could about leylines and enchanting. He told them about his new friend Thomas, and how it was his advice that got him home again, after the outburst in court. When he was done, Sharon looked like she wanted to hit someone.

“I can’t believe…They seriously took you away from us for a third of the year just to intimidate you? If I get my hands on those…” Sharon let out a garbled cry and wrung the air.

“Easy there hon,” said Bob, hand raised like he wanted to reach out, but he knew better. “He’s home now and that’s what matters. And he’s got time to find out what he needs to know to make this all go away.”

Wil made a face. “I’m not sure it’s going to go away, exactly. If what I’ve discovered is true, it’s going to cause more change, fast. So I have to do this responsibly. There’s a lot to do. I need to get Bram and Darlene together so we can start working as fast as possible. Gods, I missed them.”

Bob and Sharon exchanged a nervous look. “Honey,” said Sharon. “You might…You’re going to want to go home and check on Darlene.”

There were few things that could’ve spoiled Wil’s mood, but the shared look of almost panic on their faces turned his blood to ice. “What happened?” he demanded.

“You should see for yourself,” said Bob. “It’s not bad, but…”

Wil didn’t hang around to find out what that meant. He dashed out the door, down the stairs, and past a surprised Isom.

What’s going on? the wampus cat asked, but Wil ignored him. He burst outside, scaring off the crowd that had gathered around his Thunderhawk. He mounted it and took off north, towards his house. Fear gripped his heart, turning his blood to ice as he struggled to avoid thinking of what could’ve happened to his girlfriend while he was gone.