“We’re going to Luna’s,” Merlin announced as soon as I’d shut the door firmly behind us. Of course, I didn’t like this one bit.
“What? Why?” I moaned.
Unfortunately, Merlin remained steadfast in his demands. “If she’s spying on us, that means she herself probably has something to hide.”
“We’re going to break and enter based on a probably? In case you haven’t noticed, I’m already a suspect in a murder investigation!” I exploded, and I had to admit it felt good to yell after working so hard to keep it together outside.
“Lesson number two,” he reminded me yet again, and I could already tell that this would be my least favorite of all the lessons, no matter what came next.
I huffed and crossed my arms. He couldn’t make me do something I didn’t want to do… Could he?
Merlin softened a bit. “Look, I know this is all new to you, but you have to trust me. I will protect you. And right now, protecting you means making sure Luna doesn’t try something while I’m working to get my new familiar on board. We’re both incredibly vulnerable right now, which means we must be vigilant.”
He paused to suck in a deep breath here, then resumed in an even more somber tone. “You think human prison is scary? It doesn’t hold a candle to the living horror that is a magical prison. If Luna exposes us, then we’ll both go there with no hope of ever getting out. You get taken to human prison, I can break you out in a blink and help you create a new identity. Trust me, this Harold guy’s murder is the least of our problems right now.”
“Okay,” I said, too tired to argue any longer and too afraid to learn any more about the possible repercussions of failing to do this familiar thing the right way.
He studied me with those curious green eyes of his and asked, “Okay what?”
“I trust you,” I said, praying I wouldn’t come to regret this assertion.
“Really? I expected you to put up more of a fight.”
I shrugged. “What good would that do if we’re just going to end up doing what you want, anyway?”
“I’m glad you agree.” Merlin nodded, then blinked slowly two times.
I must have blinked, too, because one second we were standing at the edge of my kitchen, and the next I found myself under the shade of an unfamiliar magnolia tree by a small ranch-style home with a carefully tended garden.
I took a step back, pushing myself against the tree for support.
“What… What just happened?” I gasped.
Merlin stalked toward me and snickered. “Your first teleportation. So sweet.”
“Teleportation?” I whisper-yelled, in case anyone was nearby and paying attention to us. “Next time give me a little notice, please.”
“No,” he said firmly. “It’s much easier if you don’t know it’s coming.”
I groaned and clutched at my head. Really that was just for show, though, because other than being shocked witless, I felt perfectly fine. “Where are we?”
“Luna’s. Now c’mon.” Merlin turned away from me and began trotting toward the back of the nearby house, his fluffy striped tail held high and proud.
“Wait. How are we going to get in?” I called after him.
But Merlin just ran faster, then jumped into a window box fitted with perky yellow daffodils.
I crept after him, one second moving through soft, spongy grass and the next stomping across a smooth hardwood floor. Great, now we were inside the house.
“Stop doing that,” I hissed.
“Stop complaining,” he hissed back, “and help me look.”
“For what?” I said, taking in the homey decor.
Luna’s owner—or familiar, I guess—certainly loved floral prints. They covered everything. I was pretty sure I’d seen that exact couch pattern on a pregnant B-list celebrity once upon a time. In addition to the floral fabric, drapes, and decor, more than a dozen vases of fresh-cut flowers filled the modest home.
I couldn’t help but sneeze in response.
“Luna’s a garden witch,” Merlin explained when he caught me staring.
“What kind of witch are you?” I asked, mouth agape. First I learn that witches are real, then I find out they come in multiple flavors.
“Sky,” he informed me placidly.
But my head was positively spinning from all the new information flying at me in rapid succession. “Come again now?” I squeaked. This seemed like one thing I just couldn’t let go without getting at least some kind of quick explanation.
“I’m pretty well-rounded, but my specialty pertains to things that come from the sky. You know, wind, water, ice. The occasional burst of electricity, if the mood is right.”
Finally, part of this was beginning to make some sense. “Oh, so you’re all elemental? Like Pokémon.”
His expression instantly turned dour. “No, not like a children’s video game.”
“Yeah, actually, I think it is. Luna’s a garden witch, so plants and earth, right? That would make her grass and ground type,” I recited, glad the many hours I’d invested playing Pokémon Go were good for more than just getting my steps in. “And you’re water, flying, and ice, so you’re kind of an even match. I suggest you use your ice powers in battle.”
“This is not a game, and there are no battles. Now stop yammering and help me search for anything suspicious.”
“Like that?” I asked, pointing to an old leather journal that lay open on the coffee table.
“No,” Merlin began, but then he turned to look where I was pointing, and his eyes lit with delight. “Actually, yes. Good job. Now grab the book, and let’s get out of here before someone notices our intrusion.”
Well, he certainly didn’t have to tell me twice. I hustled for that journal as fast as my flip-flopped feet would carry me, more than ready to head home.