The Emerald Mask by H. K. Varian

doorway when they arrived. But one look at their faces made his smile fade.
    â€œDarren, what’s wrong?” Ray asked.
    â€œI . . . ,” Darren began, panting. He bent over with his hands on his knees as he tried to catch his breath.
    â€œHi, I’m Ray,” Ray introduced himself to Fiona. His forehead was creased with worry. “Are you two okay?”
    Fiona swallowed hard. “Yeah. We were working on our book reports and we—we kind of got lost,” she said, thinking fast. “But Darren recognized your dorm, so, uh, it’s all good now. I’m Fiona, by the way.”
    Ray’s face relaxed. “Oh, good. You had me worried for a minute,” he replied. “Are you seriously winded from the stairs?”
    â€œYeah,” Darren said, laughing nervously. “Sorry—Iwas completely turned around. I couldn’t even find the cafeteria.”
    Ray laughed loudly. “Now that’s hard to believe,” he joked. “I have to go meet my study group. Want me to show you where to get some lunch?”
    Fiona and Darren exchanged a glance. On the one hand, they’d probably be safer with Ray to escort them around campus . . . but then again, what could Ray do to protect them against three warlocks?
    â€œActually, can we hang out here for a while?” Darren asked.
    â€œYou don’t even have to ask,” Ray said, flashing a smile. “Text me if you need anything. I’ll be down at the library.”
    Darren forced himself to return Ray’s smile as he remembered the terror he’d felt, being chased by the warlocks among the stacks of books. “Thanks, bro. I’ll see you soon.”
    â€œFamily dinner next weekend,” Ray reminded him. “You make sure Dad’s there; I’ll make Mom drive me home. Nice to meet you, Fiona. You two stay out of trouble now.”
    Then Ray grabbed his backpack and left. Neither Darren nor Fiona spoke until the door had closed behind him.
    â€œEasier said than done,” Fiona blurted out.
    Darren looked at her, confused. “What?” he asked.
    â€œStaying out of trouble,” she explained. “It’s easier said than done. Those guys . . . They were—”
    â€œMagic,” Darren finished for her.
    Fiona reached into her backpack for the book, which was nestled in the soft folds of her selkie cloak. Then she paused. “Does Ray have a roommate?” she asked.
    Darren shook his head. “This is a single room,” he said. “It’s safe.”
    With extreme caution, Fiona brought the ancient book out of her backpack. Then she laughed suddenly, making Darren jump.
    â€œWhat is it?” he asked.
    Fiona held up her gloved hands. “I just realized I’m still wearing these!”
    Darren watched over Fiona’s shoulder as she placed the book on Ray’s desk. When she opened it, her hand hovered over the words—and once again, theyrearranged themselves, moving around the page like fallen leaves scattered by a gust of wind. When they settled again, the text was clear:
    Circe’s Compasse
    Useful in the Search for Changers, Circe’s Compasse was closely held by the Bonekamp Family until the Time of the Dark, when it was Lost amid the carnage. Some 400 years later, it Resurfaced during the reign of Ilyana the Conqueror. In Recognition of the extreme Power and Usefulness of Circe’s Compasse, it was secreted away in the Year 1792, secured in a Magic Chest on the Seafarer , a ship bound for the Americas. Alas, a storm claimed the ship, its crew, and cargo near the coast of the settlement at Middletown.
    Fiona’s white-gloved finger trembled as she pointed to the word “Middletown.” “Darren!” she breathed. “Middletown is right next to Willow Cove!”
    â€œI don’t know,” he replied, still staring at the text.“There are lots of Middletowns. There’s a