Fatiha passed a corner where the house was visible, paused at the stop sign, and kept going two more blocks. Deep shadows already spread out across lawns, sunset nearly upon us.

“What I don’t get,” I said as we exited the car, “is why they didn’t come after me right away when I left the house.”

“They actually believed they had a shot at converting you, is my only guess.” She checked around and indicated a way through a stranger’s yard. We moved at a brisk pace.

“So, you think they have the place on constant watch?”

“I can’t see why they wouldn’t, at this point.”

“Tarian,” I said, making the gesture and feeling glad about my defense going up. As I was about to cast another, Fatiha put a hand on my forearm and shook her head. “No need.”

“But if we’re going up against them…”

“Gertrude was smart—at times I thought paranoid—but, it turns out… smart.” Indicating for me to follow, she led me along a stone wall that led to a vine-covered wall. We hopped over the stones to the grass on the other side and then started running in a crouch. We ducked behind two trees in a clump of willows. “Smart, because she made secret passages.”

At that, Fatiha strode over to the vines, moved something from the base, and then reached past the greenery. A moment later, a section of the wall creaked and she ducked through the vines, vanishing from sight. I looked around and then followed, not sure what to expect.

The vines gave resistance at first, but then I was through, ducking into a narrow walkway between two walls. We soon reached a dead end, but Fatiha kept going, moving the wall to our right to reveal a hole where a ladder led the way down.

“A bit crude, but it serves its purpose.” She went first, me following close behind, and soon we were running along through the basement, coming up into a closet. Fatiha gave me a look as if she were going to pin me against the wall in there and show me her version of seven minutes in heaven, but instead checked the door and led us out.

My first move was to go to one of the front windows, to see what we were dealing with. I stayed close to the curtain, barely peeking out, and saw several pairs of red eyes appear in the shadows of the trees in the neighbors’ yards. The pink of the sky had faded to a dull, dark blue, meaning we had made it in at the perfect time.

“No more wandering off, agreed?” Fatiha demanded. When I nodded, she said, “Good. Go check on your friend so you’re there when she wakes. Get her up to speed while I check on your aunt.”

“On her remnant, you mean.”

“Ah, right. Yes.”

I watched her walk off, wondering if I should be worried, but then jogged up to my room. Night was nearly upon us, after all. A cracking sounded at the exact moment I entered. Ebrill stretched as the glow faded from her eyes, and she turned in bed to look at me.

“What’re you doing way over there?” she asked.

“I…” I started but didn’t know what to say when she motioned me over. For a moment, I stood there, enthralled by the seductive look in her eyes, then I walked over, brushed aside some stone, and sat next to her.

She sat up and wrapped her arms around me. “I missed you.”

“Ebrill, we… I mean…”

The look of realization in her eyes told me exactly what was happening. She must have had a dream about me, one where we were more than real life. Maybe even one where we had been intimate?

Tilting my head with that thought in mind, I looked at her. She blushed and looked away.

“Tell me about your dream,” I said, teasing.

Her eyes met mine and she said, “Tell me about yours, first.”

I sat up, pulling away slightly. “Wait, you… it was you, wasn’t it?”

She gulped, then nodded. “I don’t remember much, but now… now I remember that day when you showed up. You were a mystery, causing such a stir, only to fade away. Much is still a blur, but, the way you looked at me. Of course, I’ve had dreams of you since then, you and your sultry eyes.” She turned, took my face in her hands, and stared into my eyes. Hers, I now noticed, were more of a purple than the dark brown I had originally thought them to be. Purple to match her lips, which were moving toward me. She gently placed a kiss on my cheek, then smiled as she pulled back.

“That place,” I said, dazed, “do you know what it was?”

She sighed, shaking her head. “I’m getting bits and pieces. Just images, but I’m certain we were searching.”

“For the Liahona.”

She perked up. “Yes, exactly. You…you’ve been busy?”

“There’s someone I think you should meet.” Taking her by the hand and guiding her up, as apparently, we were close enough for that now, I led her out of there, but paused. “Sorry, do you… I’ve been running around all day. One minute, okay?”

I ran into the bathroom, took a quick piss—which was hard to do, considering the semi-chub she had left me with after that kiss—washed my hands, and headed back to her.

“Good?” she asked, and I realized I had totally not even thought about closing the door.

“Er, before when you were stone, I hadn’t bothered. And I guess I didn’t think…”

“You were walking around naked while I was stone? A bit creepy.”

I laughed. “Sorry?”

“Well, creepy and sort of sexy.” She shrugged, took my hand again, and gestured for me to lead the way.

“Okay, so while you were sleeping, a few things happened,” I told her, and went into my day, finishing up with us arriving in the dining room, where Fatiha waited.

“This is the one?” Ebrill asked, but Fatiha stood frozen, serving tray in hand, jaw dropping as she stared.

“Yes, and she’s not usually so… awestruck?”

“Sorry,” Fatiha said, snapping out of it. “Please, help yourself to the food. You must be famished. Wow, a real, live gargoyle here at my table.”

“At your pleasure,” Ebrill said with a slight curtsy, then started picking at some grapes, before eyeing the cheese and sliced corned beef.

“My apologies, I just threw together whatever I could find.”

“It’s perfect.” Ebrill found a seat, wings folding halfway behind her, and continued to eat, eyes going back and forth between us as we stared. “So…We need a plan.”

“Maybe we should speak with Gertrude, see what she can tell us?” Fatiha offered.

“Wait, your aunt?” Ebrill asked me.

“Did I forget that part?” I grimaced. “Well, she did pass on, sort of, but left something of herself behind. A remnant, you could say.”

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“That’s… powerful magic.”

“It is,” Fatiha confirmed. “Which is why I think it’s important that Jericho keeps learning from her, as much as possible.”

“And the Liahona?” Ebrill asked. “Have we located it?”

Fatiha shook her head. “But if you’ve awoken, I would say we’re one step closer as a team. We know they will attack again tonight, likely with stronger forces. We must prepare, but first, Jericho, your aunt is waiting to speak with you.”

The idea of conversing with a remnant of my aunt gave me the willies, but I nodded and glanced toward the hallway that led to where I had last seen her.

“That won’t be necessary,” Fatiha said, pulling the jade tree from her pocket and running her finger along it.

Green light shone along the branches, swirling around and creating a space before forming into the figure of my aunt. She took on her natural colors, clothes and all, and eyed first me, then Ebrill.

“Well, I’ll be…” Excitement shone in her eyes and she moved forward as if to touch Ebrill to see if she was real, but her hand moved right through the gargoyle. “Ah, right. Me… I’m the one not exactly real.” Turning back to me, she continued to wear her excited smile. “But you’ve done it. Tell me how.”

“It wasn’t much,” I admitted. “Simply willed it and told her to awaken.”

“That’s… strange.” My aunt lost her smile, until looking back at Ebrill again. “And you? You must be excited to get back to your sisters, to join the fight.”

Ebrill bit her lower lip, looking to me for help. “I don’t exactly…”

“Her memory is coming back in pieces,” I explained.

“You must find the Llyfr Sillafu, learn what spells you can—”

“Already one step ahead of you on that,” I interrupted. “And actually, I’ve been able to sort of scan some of the pages, to see which ones are at my skill level, in a sense.”

My aunt nodded, like she was proud of me, and said, “Well then. Perhaps I fill you in on what I can while you finish your meal, then it’s back to practicing.”

“I would like that.”

She looked us over, considering. “Perhaps it’s best if I tell you only what is necessary, for now. I have seen glimpses of what is to come and know better than to spoil that future. What you need to know is that we are up against a great evil. It was contained for many years, but the bonds that held it are breaking. The dark magic is returning, although it can be harnessed by both sides—dark magic isn’t inherently evil, but it has the power to easily corrupt.”

“So, these attacks are coming because the doors are about to open?” I asked.

“It would seem that way.”

“Can’t we just go back and stop it somehow?”

“He has a point,” Ebrill added. “He’s been going back, affecting things. What if—”

“He will,” my aunt cut in. “And it won’t largely change things in the way you’re thinking, but will make all the difference in the battle that is to come.”

We spoke more on the subject, but mostly she filled us in on her travels to uncover the gargoyles. She had only gathered two so far, but there were papers in what she had passed on that included the right pieces, she believed—clues toward finding at least two more, along with other potential allies.

Soon, we were done. Ebrill and I tried for Kordelia again before training, but no luck. Since we were already on the rooftop, we figured that was as good a place as any to practice. I first went around and practiced my spell for the barrier wards, ensuring they were still up, then went over the spells I knew. Tarian for defensive boosts, which I found worked on Fatiha and Ebrill as well, and Elfenol Streic for the elemental strike.

“Try this,” Fatiha said, breaking off a metal rod that was loose from the fence. It had likely gotten knocked free during last night’s fighting. She tossed it over, and I caught it smoothly.

“As in…?”

“With the elemental strike.”

I looked at the rod, said, “Elfenol Streic,” and then twisted to go for fire and watched as the metal burst into flame. It was hot but didn’t burn me, the spellcaster. With a pleased grin, I waved it around, only stopping when my gaze landed on the spot where the witch corpse had been earlier. “She’s gone.”

“Who?” my aunt asked.

“A witch’s body,” I explained.

Fatiha smiled, knowingly. “Something your aunt set up, wisely.”

“Ah, yes.” My aunt beamed with pride. “Nothing much, just a little spell that basically allows the house to absorb our enemies for its own power. As it strengthens the wards, it needs power. In this way, if we are attacked, we see benefits.”

I laughed, not sure whether to be impressed or grossed out. Both worked. “You’re saying… the house literally eats our enemies.”

“Absorbs their energy,” my aunt corrected, but then nodded. “But yes, basically. If someone is attacking us, it’ll start the moment they are within the range of the spell—basically the grounds—although the more powerful they are, the slower the process.”

“Unless they’re dead,” Fatiha added.

Ebrill was looking between the two, more excited as they spoke. “So, you’re both… what, witches?”

“I was,” my aunt replied, sending me a sensation like a punch to the chest.

“And me, not so much,” Fatiha said.

“Wait, really?” I put a hand to my mouth. “Sorry, I didn’t mean to sound so surprised, it’s just that I figured…”

Fatiha gave me a forgiving smile. “I like to help. Do what I can without getting my hands dirty.”

“So, you’re like Tonto,” I said. “Or… Alfred.”

“You fancy yourself Batman, now?” Fatiha laughed. “Wow, you all seeing how fast that ego grows?”

My aunt’s remnant chuckled.

“What’s a Batman?” Ebrill asked.

“A superhero,” I replied, but then thought about it. “Er, like a witch, but in this case, he uses fun gadgets instead of powers or magic.”

“So, like a knight?”

Now it was my turn to laugh. “Yes, a dark knight. I’ll show you sometime. For now,” I turned back to my aunt, and held up my hand to bring up the screen with the spells I had scanned. “What are we thinking for next ones to try?”

“Are you seeing a gauge of your leveling?” Fatiha asked.

I nodded, looking at what I’d begun to think of as my XP bar. “Sure. But it doesn’t seem to have gone up much since last time.”

“Diminishing returns,” my aunt said. “My guess is, once you start using your magic for real purposes—battle magic in a real battle, revealing spells and whatnot to actually reveal secrets, you will see jumps in your advancement.”

“Ah, damn. I was kind of hoping I could cast my defense or ward spell over and over and watch those levels rack up, but yeah, that makes sense.” Looking at my spells, I frowned. “Wait a minute, I don’t have any attack spells yet, other than the elemental strike.”

“Which counts, but yes.” My aunt flashed out and then appeared next to me, apparently able to see my screens, as she started scrolling. “There—‘Hurtio.’” She indicated the spell, which showed a simple motion of thrusting my hand forward.

“It… hurts them?” I asked, humored.

“Stuns, actually. At your level, it’s probably the best ‘attack’ spell you’re going to get.”

I tried it but couldn’t tell if it worked.

“Try on me,” Fatiha offered.

Before I had a chance to reply, Ebrill stepped in front of her. “No, I can take more. In case it does hurt, try it on me first.”

Oddly, the look in her eyes made me think she might enjoy it if the spell did hurt.

“It won’t cause any damage,” my aunt said again.

Ebrill shrugged. “In case.”

I chuckled and thrust out my hand, saying, “Hurtio.”

Sure enough, a gust of wind seemed to hit Ebrill and for a moment she was unable to move. It only lasted about a second and then she shook it off and looking at me, impressed.

“Hit them with that, then a strike from that fire baton of yours, and I think we have something.”

“Not a baton,” I said, eying the fence pole. One end of it was sharp, so I could definitely see it being a useful tool. “But, yeah.”

“And your education?” my aunt asked.

“What?”

“I want to know your plans for college.”

I looked at Fatiha and Ebrill for help here, but both were watching me with curiosity.

“Sorry, but all of this seems more important,” I pointed out. “Why is school even being discussed?”

“Your aunt has a good point,” Fatiha said. “This fighting, uncovering secrets, learning more about Ebrill and her friends might all be the priority, but it isn’t your entire life. It’s not going to take up all of your time.”

I frowned, then looked at Ebrill as my mind wandered to some different ways she could use up my time. Then again, maybe they had a point. Fighting and fucking sounded great, but I had to wonder if it would pay the bills.

“Wait a sec.” I turned to my aunt and Fatiha. “Aren’t we set for money? What exactly would be the point of college? Surely, I’m not going to go get some desk job, after.”

“You’ll be taken care of,” my aunt said. “But you have to be smart about it. Have a cover. Spend your time studying matters that will help, and that will keep you prepared to do great things during times of peace, as well. Assuming we have those at some point.”

“This war has been going on for far too long,” Ebrill said.

Fatiha nodded. “Although you have been out, so in fairness we should say the war portion of it only happens whenever one side is growing close to the Liahona.”

“Is that so?”

“On that note, is someone going to tell me more about this thing anytime soon?” I faced my aunt, waiting.

She nodded. “From what I’ve been able to learn… and Ebrill, you might have recalled more by this point?” At a shake of Ebrill’s head, my aunt continued. “Very well. From what I understand, it’s like a key. It opens an access point.”

“To where?”

“Not to where, exactly… To what. Like a vault, in a sense. A vault of power—magic we can’t dream of. Magic…”

“All speculation,” Ebrill interrupted.

“So, you do remember?” Fatiha asked.

Ebrill nodded, slowly. “Bits of it, yes. I remember someone wanted to get their hands on it, and that we couldn’t let them.” Her eyes narrowed, looking intently at each of us in turn, my aunt, then Fatiha. Finally, me. “How do I know you all… I mean—”

“That we’re on the right side of all this?” I asked. “Easy. You know me.”

“Not well.”

“Enough.

“Suffice it to say,” my aunt interjected, “that we’re not your enemy. Your enemy, whomever it was, likely died long ago.”

“Or maybe all sides are the enemy, now, and I’ve been brought back to put an end to it. To ensure nobody ever gets their hands on the Liahona.”

“Ebrill… that’s not the case.” I stepped toward her, hand up, but she pulled away. “I promise you, we’re in this together.”

She was crouched now, as if ready to pounce. As wrong as it was, the sound of an attack actually came as a relief. Nothing like having a common enemy to bring two sides together. An explosion rocked the side of the house, followed by a ball of fire tearing through our magical barriers and exploding on Kordelia’s statue.

One nod from Ebrill, and I knew we were good at least until this was over. Somehow, the enemy had broken through our wards. We needed to find out how, then stop them.