Page 12 of Discovered Magic
Instead of answering, Castor whipped out his phone and thumbed through the screens, punching in text or numbers. For a heartbeat, it seemed like a Dr. Who scene, like maybe he was working out a scientific calculation. He spoiled the visual by putting his cell to his ear and speaking.
“I need Frankie and The Heart of Artemis. I’m sending the coordinates.” He paused to listen, and his expression was pure frustration. “Please. I wouldn’t ask if it wasn’t important. You know that.” With a heavy exhale, he added, “Yes, I’m aware she’s only four years old, Quentin.” He pinched his nose. “Nothing is required of her other than to activate the bloody orb.” He nodded as if his son could see him. “Yes. Thank you.”
Two minutes later, Quentin Buchanan and his young daughter, Francesca, appeared nearby. Perched high in her dad’s arms, she cradled what looked to be a large pink-tinted marble to her chest. As they drew near, a colorful mist formed inside the glass, matching the portal’s and swirling wildly as if seeking an escape.
Castor was a man transformed, and he held his arms out to the girl like the proud grandparent he was. “Frankie, my darlin’!”
With a giggle, she rushed forward to be swept up into his loving embrace. “Peepaw Alex! I got the art-e-must for you!”
“Thank ya, love. You’ve done me a good turn, ya have,” he replied, falling into his native accent and laying it on thick. Wilder guessed it was for the child’s benefit because she laughed with delight.
He cast a glance at Quentin, who appeared to be caught between disbelief and amusement. “Peepaw? Tell me she’s got an equally creative name for my cousin Alastair.”
The other guy’s evil grin brought a matching one to Wilder’s lips.
“Papa said I have a new aunt,” Frankie said.
Father and son shared a look filled with silent communication. And it struck Wilder how much Abbie would love knowing she had a brother and niece. She’d always longed for family to spoil, and it hurt his heart they’d never gotten around to creating their own. If they got a second chance and she was willing, he would give her as many children as she wanted.
“Aye, that you do, love. And she’s who we’re hoping to find with that nifty globe of yours,” Castor said.
“Is she pretty like me?”
“No one is as lovely as you are, to be sure,” he assured her.
An adoring smile transformed Castor’s visage, taking it from handsome to stunning, and Wilder’s heart ached at the sight. Abbie used to smile at him the same exact way, and her loving gesture always stole his breath away.
“Will you tell me what I need to do to help her?” Frankie asked, full of hope and utterly positive she was required to save the day as only a child can be.
“We need you to hold the portal open long enough for us to enter. Afterward, you can go home and tell your mam about your adventure with your old grandda, yeah?”
“You’re not old, PeePaw Alex,” she assured him with a pat on the cheek. And to many, he appeared no older than thirty-five or forty tops.
“I’ll take your word for it, me darlin’. Though PeePaw makes me sound like I soil me britches, it does.”
She giggled.
Castor shifted her to his hip and pointed to the flickering opening. “Ready, love?”
“Yep.”
“That’s my girl,” he said approvingly as he set her down. “Okay, approach the portal, but don’t touch it with your hand, only the globe.”
She did as instructed, with her father and Castor on either side to pull her back if needed.
“Clear your mind and, when you’ve focused only on the gateway, take hold of my hand,” he said.
Her childlike enthusiasm shone brightly on her face as she stared at the magical tool, wide-eyed and solemn. With a resolute nod, she gripped his fingers as Castor and Quentin chanted the spell.
“Heart of Artemis, bright and true,
Lend me your strength to let us through.
Secure the thread through time and space,
Then hold the gate for this Traveler’s grace.”
Lightning shot from the center of the orb, arching up and around the opening. The blue light grew blinding, then remained steady, as it had been when they’d first discovered it.
