Page 54 of Ozma

Jack pointed to his chest, silently askingme?

Magic, she mouthed.

His mind raced over what he could possibly do with his magic tocut someone’s feet off. Even if any plants were inside, it would take far too long to squeeze through flesh and bone with a vine. Surely someone as powerful as Oz would have a way to stop them if given even a moment’s chance. Killing him first was really the better option.

Jack held Ozma’s stare and slid a finger across his throat. Not that he cared if they slit his throat, set him on fire, or poured poison down his throat. The bastard just needed to die.

Ozma bit her lip and nodded. After a moment’s hesitation, his magic tugged in his veins as she drew out part of his power. Her eyes narrowed in concentration and a drop of sweat rolled down her temple. Whatever she was doing, it was big. Jack could feel the life of the plants outside swell within him.

“I know you’re there,” the Wizard said suddenly.

Ozma’s concentration faltered and Jack’s heart tripped over itself.

“If you’re going to sneak in, you might want to close the window next time.”

Fuck. Fuck fuck fuck fuck fuck.

Oz heaved an agitated sigh. “Your foolishness is growing old, Tik-Tok. The compass is yours once the Land of Oz is secured as mine.”

He thinks we’re Tik-Tok.Relief flooded over Jack in waves, but, as each wave receded, terror screamed through him again. They weren’t Tik-Tok, but they were still caught. If they didn’t make their movenow, it would be too late.

Jack squeezed Ozma’s hand, her palm slick against his. She returned the motion, then slipped free of his grasp.

And stood.

“Sorry to disappoint you,” she said in a level voice. If Jack didn’t know her so well, he wouldn’t have noticed the small tremor. “The pirate ran back to his ship.”

“Ozma,” the Wizard growled. “How the hell did you get here?”

She flicked her hand at Jack behind the settee as if telling him to hurry, then she stepped away. Closer to Oz. “It’s a long story, though you may find it interesting.”

Jack crawled to where Ozma had previously sat and looked through the same crack she had. It was indeed the Wizard of Oz. Only, it wasn’t.

The man Jack had seen picking up Mombi’s spells at the farm had white hair, age spots, and rotting teeth. Plus, the gleam in his eyes had looked absolutely insane. But this … this human was in his early twenties at most. Carefully coiffed dark hair set off his pale, porcelain skin and perfect white teeth. His full lips had dropped in shock—and maybe a little in awe of Ozma’s return—though his blazing green eyes showed only fury.

“In the dark place”—Ozma began—“I met Reva. The Wicked Witch of the West, as you likely remember her, though she wasn’t wicked at all. Or maybe she was. Shedidteach me all sorts of ways to kill.”

She’s distracting him.Jack swallowed hard at the realization and scrambled to come up with a plan. Slippers… He needed the slippers.Think, Jack!

“That bitch survived eight years on her own?” Oz said with a surprised laugh.

“And two with me.”

The Wizard leaned into the settee, resting his arms on the back as if Ozma’s presence wasn’t a threat. “What a triumphant return you’ve made,” he said in a flat voice.

“Our return is credited to Dorothy Gale—or Thelia, as her parents named her.”

The Wizard’s face drained of what little color it had.

“But, regardless of the method, I wouldn’t exactly call our return triumphant.” Ozma licked her lips and stalked a bit closer. “Not yet, anyway.”

Jack wanted to leap out and pull Ozma away from him. She was too close. The Wizard could lunge at her, throw a potion … anything, really. His magic throbbed as Ozma tapped into it again. A message to hurry. He wished there were more of his magic to spare…

Fuck it.

Immobilize the ass, then worry about the slippers.

With a single blast of power, Jack plucked the thorn off every un-pruned rosebush outside and sent them sailing through the window. Once in the room, he forced more magic at them, doubling each thorn’s size. Tripling them. They instinctively flew around Ozma, aiming straight for the Wizard’s chest.

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