4 Terramezic Energy by John O'Riley Page B

of his friends?”
    Mark shifted in his seat as he was starting to become uncomfortable with the topic of conversation. Josephine knew that he was sensitive about his age and didn’t like for people to point out the age disparity between the two of them.
    “It’s a long story.” Josephine reached across the table to grasp her lover’s hand with affection. “I’m so lucky to have Mark in my life.” She withdrew her hand as her expression turned businesslike. “Your sister thinks she may have a way of setting your powers back to a category five?”
    “Yes, our family has a backup spell that sometimes works. Charlotte would have cast the spell on me after my first episode except that it requires two category fives or sixes to do it. Mom and Dad have a plane ticket to arrive here tomorrow,” Yvonne explained.
    “I want to take a look at the spell before your parents arrive. Charlotte is definitely coming over here tonight with a copy of the enchantment, right? When I talked to her over the phone, she sounded hesitant.”
    “Our family has kept this secret for generations. Category six wizards have been persecuted and feared for so long that we still aren’t comfortable with sharing this information with strangers and especially the government. Even though the laws have changed and sixes are treated as free citizens now, it’s still been less than a year. Not only that, but we know people hold it against us when they find out we’re related to Brenda Kirkland.” Yvonne paused as fear clouded her face. “And this enchantment is a long shot. I don’t have a lot of hope that it will be effective.”
    “I think the odds are more in your favor than you think. Between your parents, Charlotte, Alice, Nathan and I, we’ll pack quite a punch with that enchantment. In fact, I would be more surprised if it DOESN’T work,” Josephine said confidently.
    Nathan was a category five and Mark’s great uncle. He had immediately offered to help out with Yvonne when he learned of her plight.
    Yvonne’s face brightened with hope. “You’ve saved the world twice and have done some amazing things. Maybe there’s a chance you can get this spell to work.”
    Charlotte arrived a short while later and they gathered in the living room so Josephine could look over the spell for reverting a six back to a five. Charlotte had shoulder-length brown hair, brown eyes, and an average build. She was pretty and it was obvious that she was Yvonne’s sister.
    “You can keep it. It’s just a copy,” Charlotte said.
    “Thanks.” Josephine flashed a pleasant smile at her before returning her attention to the pages in her hand.
    “Wow! I didn’t realize you have a vortex right in your house! It’s really giving me a buzz,” Charlotte exclaimed.
    Josephine lifted her troubled gaze from the complex enchantment. “It’s a mini vortex so you shouldn’t be able to detect it at all unless your filter enchantment isn’t working and you’ve become a six.”
    “Are you sure a five can’t sense mini vortexes?” she asked.
    “I’m positive. That’s why no one knew about them until recently.” Josephine scanned Charlotte for a moment and could only detect a few normal enchantments. She couldn’t sense any unknown type of spell at all. “Can you please show me your pendant?”
    “Sure.” Charlotte removed the pendant from her neck and it was identical in appearance to her sister’s. She handed it over to Josephine who peered at it with concern. Josephine took her time scanning the pendant for any trace of magic.
    “I’m afraid there’s no sign of the enchantment here,” Josephine advised.
    “That’s impossible!” Charlotte exclaimed. “I can sense it right now.”
    “Keep scanning it,” Josephine said.
    “Why?” Charlotte regarded her with confusion and irritation.
    “It will give your mind a moment to adapt to the mind control spell that is feeding you an illusion of the family enchantment. In reality, the magic was