Chapter 1

"Hey!" called Jennifer as she lightly punched Peter on his shoulder. "Are you ready to go yet?"

Peter raised his fist and muttered, "You're lucky it's your birthday today."

"Oh yeah? You wouldn't dare even if it wasn't my birthday."

Peter remained silent and continued putting his books into his bag.

Jennifer tapped her fingers on Peter's desk. "Hurry up, you don't want to keep a lady waiting."

"Hah! You aren't much of a lady for hitting defenseless guys," Peter retorted as he put the last of his things away. "Anyway, I have something on today, so why don't you head home first?"

"Why didn't you say so earlier? Wait a minute, are you getting me a present only today?"

"No, of course not. I'm not getting you a birthday present, period."

Jennifer lightly punched Peter again. "So, what are you getting me?"

"Nothing."

"Come on, tell me!"

Peter shook his head and said, "Nuh-uh, I'm not telling."

Jennifer crossed her arms and said in a flat tone, "Peter White, you are going to tell me right now or I'm going to be angry."

Peter laughed. "You impersonate my Mum pretty well, but that little trick isn't going to work."

"Oh yeah? How about this one?" Jennifer said as she reached over to tickle him.

Peter jumped back quickly. "See, that's exactly why I'm getting the present today. If I got it any earlier, you would have weaseled it out of me by now."

"Fine, but it'd better be a good present this year. Maybe a car, or a large TV..."

"Get real. Or better yet, get going so that I can actually go get your present."

I wonder what to get, thought Peter as he walked around the mall. I really shouldn't have waited till today to find a present. Then again, Jenny would have found out about the present if I got it any earlier. So, getting it today was probably the right thing to do.

As Peter justified his procrastination, he glanced around the mall, hoping for something that would catch his eye. He paused momentarily in front of a jewelry store, assessing the pieces of jewelry on display.

Jenny has been wanting a pendant since last year, but she might get the wrong idea if I get her one. We've been buddies forever, and I don't want to spoil that.

Shaking his head, Peter continued on his quest to find the right gift. Turning around a corner, he saw a little store selling small ornaments. Figuring that something to hang on her cell phone or purse would be suitable for Jennifer, Peter entered the store.

"Welcome," the young woman at the counter greeted Peter as he walked in.

Peter smiled and nodded in response, and started looking around for something unique. It occurred to Peter that the store did not sell decorative ornaments; the large crystal ball near the counter and strange-looking objects on display along the shelves would not belong in such a store. Feeling a little out of place, Peter wanted to head out, but felt that he should at least walk around a little bit and give a cursory look at the things on sale.

Oh well, Jenny is interested in these kinds of strange mystical stuff. Maybe I can find something here that'll make her happy, Peter thought to himself as he looked around. At the very least, she'll want to know what this store is like when I tell her about it.

Peter walked past the counter, stopping to look at the crystal ball. Peter pondered about getting it for Jennifer, but decided that she would laugh and complain that she got a big piece of glass for her birthday.

The young woman at the desk interrupted his thoughts. "That crystal ball is made of 100% crystal from the Avela caves, and it's virtually unbreakable."

She walked towards Peter and extended her hand. "Where are my manners? I'm Leena, and I'll be happy to provide any assistance that you need."

Peter hesitated a little and shook her hand. "I'm Peter, this is such a nice store," Peter lied, trying to be polite.

Leena looked into Peter's eyes and smiled. "Is there anything in particular that you're looking for? A love potion perhaps?"

Peter pulled his hand back into his pocket and stammered, "No, nothing of the sort. I was just looking around for a birthday gift for my friend."

"Well Peter, do you believe in magic?"

"Yeah, sure. I've seen magic tricks on TV," Peter replied. Is she going to try to sell me something?

Leena's eyes narrowed. "Not parlor tricks, I meant real magic."

Peter laughed and shrugged, hoping that Leena would not be offended.

Leena waved her hands around the crystal ball and muttered a few words softly. A faint cloud seemed to form inside the crystal ball and Leena gestured to Peter to take a look. Deciding to humor her, Peter stepped closer and peered in.

"What am I supposed to see here?" Peter asked, looking at the wispy shapes formed by the white clouds inside the crystal.

"Anything, and everything. Think of a question, or a place, or a person and it will be revealed to you."

Thinking that the crystal ball might be interesting for Jennifer after all, Peter reached forward to pick it up and see if it required batteries or had to be plugged into the wall.

"Don't touch it!" Leena warned before Peter got into contact with it. "The energies, once activated, are dangerous to come into contact with unless you have the right protections." Leena muttered more words softly and the white clouds faded away.

I wonder how she did that. There must be a remote control or something she's holding. Still, I don't think Jenny would like something that might be dangerous and electrocute her.

Peter turned to Leena and asked, "How does it work?"

Ignoring his question, Leena raised her hands slightly and snapped her fingers. Peter jumped back slightly as a puff of thick white smoke appeared over Leena's now-open palms. As the smoke cleared, Peter saw a small leather-bound book resting on her hands.

Wow, that was cool. I've never seen a magic trick in person before. Jenny would really love to come to this store and see this herself, Peter thought to himself.

Leena looked into Peter's eyes again. With a glint in her eyes, she said, "This book would be perfect for Jennifer. The spells for summoning and dismissing the book are all inside, along with some other spells for a beginner."

Thinking that Leena was maintaining the act of "real" magic, Peter decided that she was implying that the book taught simple magic tricks.

"How much does it cost?" Peter asked.

"Such a book is rare and priceless, but I'm willing to let it go for $25.99," Leena replied with a small smile.

Peter balked at the steep price, but he nodded and reached for his wallet. I guess the price includes the magic tricks she was performing earlier. I wonder how she charges people who don't buy anything.

Leena handed the book to Peter with a small warning, "Make sure you give the book to her personally. The spells won't work properly unless you transfer ownership to her."

Peter smiled and nodded politely. Placing the book into his bag, he turned and walked out of the store.

Leena watched as Peter left the store and said to no one in particular, "Well, the book now has a new owner."

It was around four o'clock when Peter arrived at Jennifer's house. Knowing that no one else was home, Peter knocked on the door and called Jennifer's name.

After a scurry down the stairs, Jennifer answered. "Who is it?"

"Open the door Jenny, you know it's me."

Jennifer pretended to sound like a little girl behind the door. "I'm sorry, my Mummy told me not to open the door to strangers."