Anail by Martha Roo & Martha Carr

Author:Martha Roo & Martha Carr [Roo, Martha & Carr, Martha]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: MRC Publishing, Inc.
Published: 2025-04-10T00:00:00+00:00

12

Willow planted her foot against a table leg and steadied the family grimoire in her hands. Her pulse thumped so loudly that she half expected Norman to call her out on it. He was already squinting at her with that thoughtful look of his, moustache twitching as if reading her mind.

Zauberspiele was feeling too warm. The stale air was mingling with the smell of stacked board game boxes, warm bodies and pungent Whataburger wrappers. The overhead bulbs flickered in a jittery dance, giving off a faint hum. The hush reminded her of a library, except here, a swirl of magic charged every breath.

She set the grimoire on a long, battered table that no doubt had witnessed more than a few heated tabletop sessions. Little dings in the wood from metal figurines decorated the top.

Special guests had been invited into the shop today. A very unusual event that was leaving the regulars a little off their game. A crackle of excitement filled the air.

“It’s like we’re recreating magic,” whispered Simon, a slight whistle escaping his lips.

“Hush,” said Robert, his eyes wide.

Mercy stood on the far side, arms crossed and silver hair brushing her bare shoulders. “Once the fractals were able to spread, from Willow to Sarky and then to Harry, and even Lenny, there was enough proof that the process had begun and was real. That it was safe to show you one of the oldest spells. There are stories about how it was used a very long time ago, but it’s still dangerous. Trying to connect that much magic first takes a belief that it’s possible. It’s at the basis of everything and without it, the spell can go sideways. Does everyone understand?”

A few heads nodded but most cleared their throat or stared back at Mercy.

“Leave now if you aren’t sure.” But no one moved. “Alright then, we move forward.”

Gilford, bruised under his clean and pressed shirt from the recent ambush, fidgeted near the wall. Harry hovered to Willow’s left, fractal marks glowing softly along his forearms. “That’s new,” whispered Willow, leaning closer. Are they new?”

“Started this morning. The fractals are spreading.”

Across from him, a ragtag collection of Willow’s gamer friends—Ernie, Louise, Felix, Ellie, Robert, and Simon—crowded in, each looking half confused and half excited. There was no turning back from the plan they had set out to accomplish. See if it was possible to systematically connect magicals with the fractals and fight forward, building a new kind of power. Connect magicals, one to another and intertwine the energy over distances. They would become a force to fear.

Willow cleared her throat. “Everybody ready?” She was glad her voice didn’t crack. So much depended on figuring this out.

Norman, wearing jeans and a flannel shirt, adjusted his stance. “Ready as I’ll ever be,” he said, though he gestured at the grimoire’s cracked leather with caution. “We push too hard and we’ll blow the wards protecting this place, or worse. We’re on brand new territory.”

“This could turn out well for us.” Ernie shrugged. “It’s possible.

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