Chapter 28

In the bookstore Octavia fumbled for a match and finally lit the candle on Nick’s desk and the ghost of Besingger Floyd, T.R.W.O.V.R. (The Revered Wizards of Various Realms) appeared and as usual he appeared sleepy. Octavia opened the desk drawer and saw that it was empty. “Where is Nick’s key?”

“It’s on a lanyard around his neck, like always.”

Octavia looked into the empty desk drawer and hope began to surface. “Is he alive?

“I don’t know, I would assume so because the key is not back here.”

With a dry mouth Octavia asked, “is he moving? Is he coming home?”

“I believe he is, yes.”

She went to the inbox where Bruce had left several hundred sheets of vellum, all in need of enchantment. Grabbing the vellum she said, “We’re going to need these,” then whirling on Besingger Floyd, she demanded, “I need my magic back. Nana said you took it from me.”

“I did not take anything from you,” said Besingger Floyd haughtily. “I simply turned it off.”

“I need it back.”

“I strongly advise against magic when you are in such a...” he cleared his throat then said... “delicate state.”

Still not thinking clearly, she thought he meant she was still in mourning. “I need my fire back,” she said, holding up a finger. “We are out of matches and it’s cold at night.”

“I can do that,” sighed the shade. Simple flame powers shouldn’t hurt, should it? There has never been a pregnant wizard before, so there’s no telling what a strong magical field would do to a developing infant in the womb.