“Hello my name is Armand?” Lance’s voice raised with incredulity. He made no comment on the name choice, but simply asked, “When did you get a job?”

“Today,” his roommate replied, dumping his backpack on the chair. “At the store-thing in the Student Center. I get to sell cancer sticks.”

“Right.” Lance looked at the Clerks poster on the wall. “That’s great. Why Armand?”

“Do you have a problem with France?”

“Doesn’t everyone?” Lance looked at his roomie critically. “I guess Armand’s okay. Certainly better than Joaquin, anyway.”

“There’s nothing wrong with Joaquin,” he defended.

“There’s nothing wrong with Rob,” Lance countered.

“But Rob is so plain and boring. I am anything but plain and boring.”

“You got that right.” Lance rolled his eyes.

“Anyway, my name is Armand for this week, and Armand it shall stay. These name tags are a bitch to make.”

“If you say so. I’m not calling you Armand.”

“Yeah, but you suck. You never cooperate.”

“I don’t know how your teachers keep up.”

“They all just call me Crowe.”

“I’m amazed your last name stays the same from day to day, too.”

“I can’t be weird all the time. Besides, I like my last name. Nothing wrong with the messengers of the dead.” Rob flopped onto his bed.

“Don’t you have any homework to do?”

“Yeah, but I don’t feel like doing it. You hungry?”

“Sorta. But I told Tori we’d meet her at six thirty.”

“Fine. Make me starve because your sister has class. The world is unfair.”

“Sure is, Armand.”

“Ha! You called me Armand.”

“Uh huh.”

Rob looked over. “Are you patronizing me?”

“I would never do that, Rob. How long have we known each other?”

“Uh, ten years or so.”

“And have I ever patronized you in those ten years?”

“Only every day.”

“Exactly.”

Rob pouted. “That’s what I get for transferring to your stupid school and volunteering to room with you.”

“Yeah, Tori nearly had a fit. Another three years putting up with you.”

Rob grinned mischievously. “I’ll be around forever.”

“With my luck, you will be.”

“Hey! What’s that supposed to mean?”

“Exactly what you thought it did.”

~~~

Tori frowned as her older brother and Armand/Rob approached the Dining Commons.

“You just had to bring him, didn’t you,” Tori muttered.

Rob bounded up the steps, bowed in front of her and said, “Charming to see you, my dear.”

Tori rolled her eyes and turned to her brother. “This is the worst day of my life.”

Rob straightened up. “But it just improved magnificently with my arrival, right?”

“What’s up?” Lance asked.

Tori looked away. “Doug broke up with me.”

“Oh.” Lance considered this. “That sucks.” He hugged her. “What’d he say?”

“Let’s go get a table, and I’ll tell you about it,” Tori said. Maybe if we’re lucky we’ll lose Rob in the crowd. The three of them headed into the DC. In a few minutes, they were all settled at a table with their dinner. Tori poked at her salad.

“Eat that,” Lance said reprovingly.

“I will,” Tori said. “Anyway, it was just the usual. Y’know, he thinks we should see other people, and we’re not ready for a serious relationship. Dickhead.”

Rob looked around the cafeteria and pointed to a nearby football jock. “Well, what about him? He’s cute.”

Tori gave him a withering look. “You would notice.”

“Tori,” Lance said, rolling his eyes.

Rob raised an eyebrow. “No, it’s okay, she can make her comments. I don’t care. You’re just upset because you got dumped, right?”

“Not dumped,” Tori corrected stiffly. “We broke up.”

“At his instigation. You were dumped.”

“As if you’d know what it was like. You couldn’t get a girlfriend if you paid someone.”

“Ouch,” Rob said with a raised eyebrow. He stood up and bowed, then walked away.

“Nice one, Tori,” Lance said. “Now I’m going to have listen to him complain all evening and -- where the hell does he think he’s going?”

Rob walked a few tables away, where a few girls were sitting. He bowed, then, a few seconds later, pulled up a chair and sat down. Tori and Lance watched in bemused horror as he spoke seriously to one of the girls there for a second. Then he smiled charmingly, kissed her hand, and stood. Tori and Lance heard him say, “So I’ll pick you up at five thirty, hon.”

“You didn’t,” Tori said as he sat down at their table again.

“She’s really nice,” Rob said with a serious nod. “Her name’s Connie. She likes movies. So we’re going to go to one Friday.”

“What’d you tell her your name was?” Lance asked dryly.

“Armand, what else? That is my name for this week, after all.”

“Sure.” Lance sighed.

“You just had to prove me wrong, didn’t you,” Tori complained.

He peered at her over the edge of his coffee mug. “Actually, I was trying to make you smile. I seem to have failed pretty miserably. Should I dress in drag and shout Ooga Booga?”

“NO!” Tori and Lance said in unison.

Rob’s face fell. “Nobody loves me.”

“Except Connie,” Lance snickered.

“Tori, my dear,” Rob said, “what can I do to earn your affection? I have tried my hardest, yet you persist on disliking me.”

Tori finally cracked a smile. “Kill Doug for me.”

Rob blinked a few times, then shrugged and said in a voice that was altogether too cheerful, “Thy will is my command.”

Lance rolled his eyes. Again. “Rob, you were born in the wrong century.”

“And the wrong country,” Rob said with a nod. “And the name’s Armand.”

~~~

Rob dropped a large book onto the dinner table.

Lance raised an eyebrow. “The Baby Name Book? Where the hell did you get that?”

“Um, maybe a bookstore?” Rob said, sitting down. He started flipping through it. “This week is almost over. I need inspiration for my new name choice.”

Lance shook his head. “I can’t believe you spent money on this.”

“Buckminster!” Rob cried, causing several strange looks from nearby tables.

Lance put his head on the table, wishing he could sink into the floor.

“Hmm . . .” Rob flipped some more. “I’ve got it! Thornycroft!”

Lance sat up. “I am not calling you Thornycroft!”

“So what? You don’t call me by any of the unique names I choose.”

“Fine, I’ll call you Thorny for short,” Lance said, attempting to start eating.

Rob looked horrified. “I’ll keep looking.”

“Hey guys,” Tori said, coming up to the table with another person in tow. “Mind if we join you?”

“You’re seeking my company?” Rob gasped. “Will wonders never cease?! Why aren’t we getting this on camera? Lance, you’re my witness!”

Tori turned to her friend. “Don’t mind him, he’s just a weirdo. You’ll get used to him after a little while.” She sat down, and her friend sat across from her. “Guys, this is Brad. Brad, this is my brother Lance and his screwball roommate.”

“Pleased to meet you, Brad,” Rob said pleasantly. “My name is . . .” He turned to a random page. “. . . oh no, wait. That’s the girl’s section.” Rob flipped back to boys section. “Raoul!”

Lance rolled his eyes. (Eye roll count for the day: forty-five.)

Brad blinked. “Uh, nice to meet you . . . Raoul.”

“See?! Some people will call me by my chosen names!” Rob/Raoul exclaimed, giving Lance a pointed look.

“So, how did you meet my sister, Brad?” Lance asked, trying to get the conversation onto a more sane topic.

“We have Statistics together,” Tori explained. “We’ve kinda been helping each other with studying and stuff.”

Rob turned to Brad. “She likes movies. Romantic ones. And Chinese food.”

Tori turned an interesting shade of stop sign.

“Rob!” Lance protested.

Brad smiled. “I shall keep that in mind.”

Involuntarily, Lance shuddered.

“What’s wrong with you?” Rob elbowed him. “You’re the color of green cheese. Only not green. Cheese-like.”

Lance gave his roommate an odd look.

Rob shrugged. “I dunno.”

“Is it cold in here?” Lance directed the question generally.

The three others looked around, perplexed. “No,” Tori finally answered.

“Here.” Rob took his black cape and draped it around Lance’s shoulders. “Have my cloak.”

“Get this moth-eaten thing off me,” Lance snapped, pushing it away.

“Geez, man, only tryin’ to help,” Rob said, looking wounded.

Lance shivered. “Don’t mind me.” He poked at his food, not hungry anymore. He attempted to make up for having killed the conversation. “So, uh, Brad . . .” He fumbled for something intelligent. His mind seemed to have frozen over. “What year are you?”

“Junior. I’m twenty.”

Rob elbowed Tori. “An older man,” he said with a wink.

Tori scowled and whacked him. “Shut up,” she hissed.

Rob looked at Brad. “Tori’s only a fresh-woman, you know. Eighteen. Barely even legal.”

“I’m going to kill you,” Tori muttered.

“Promises, promises.” Rob smiled charmingly. “I happen to be nineteen, myself, as is my esteemed compatriot. We are both of the sophomore age.”

Brad stared at him.

“We’re nineteen year-old sophomores,” Lance translated. “Don’t mind Ro -- er, Raoul. He was born in the wrong era.”

“Literally,” Rob said with a nod and an innocent look. “I was hurled here by a time machine. It was horrible.”

Lance punched him in the arm.

“Nobody appreciates me,” Rob said with a sigh.

“Anyway,” Tori said, throwing Rob a dirty look, “Lance, we thought you might want to come to the movies with us Friday. You can bring a date or something.”

Rob waved his hand around in the air. “Oh, can I come? Can I?”

Tori gave him a smile and said sweetly, “But you already have a date with Connie, don’t you?”

Rob blinked, wondering how Tori had gotten the upper hand. “Well, uh, yeah . . .”

“Then I guess you won’t be able to grace us with your presence,” Tori said. “What a pity.”

Rob considered for a minute. “Are you making fun of me, Tori?”

“Sure, I’ll go.” Lance interrupted before his sister could answer. “What time?”

She shrugged. “Five thirty, sixish.”

“Okay,” Lance said.

“Great!” Brad said, grinning. “I want the three of us to get to know each other.”

Tori smiled.

Rob made a pouting face. “Well, fine. I know when I’m not wanted.” He stood up. “I’ve got class at six thirty, so, I’m a memory.” He turned and left the table.

Tori blinked. “Is he upset?”

Lance shrugged. “You can never tell with Rob. And even if he is, he’ll be over it in fifteen minutes.”

“He’s certainly an . . . interesting person,” Brad said. “You seem like you’ve known each other for a long time.”

Lance eyed him uneasily. “Since grade school. Before he decided he was from the seventeenth century.” He paused. “So, uh, where are you from?”

“Philadelphia,” Brad said.

“Wow, you’ve come a long way,” Lance said. “Most people here are in state, or at least from somewhere nearby.”

“Tori informed me that you two are from Vermont,” Brad said.

“Yeah,” Lance agreed. “Rob, too. Not from England, like you’d think. At least he doesn’t try to fake an accent. Then I’d just have to kill him. The names and the clothes and the language and the chivalry is enough.”

“Yeah, he does make quite an impression,” Brad agreed.

Lance shrugged. “At least he’s not faking it. I mean, it’s really what he’s like.”

Tori grimaced. “I could never date someone like that.”

“So who would you date?” Brad asked with a smile.

“Uhm . . .” Tori blushed.

Lance raised an eyebrow. He was not terribly protective, but there was something about Brad that he definitely didn’t like. He changed the subject. “So, Tori, heard anything from Doug?”

“Who’s Doug?” Brad asked.

“Nobody!” Tori said brightly.

“Her ex-boyfriend,” Lance told him.

Tori glared at him. “Lance . . .”

“Ex?” Brad asked.

“Very,” Tori assured him.

“You sound altogether too interested,” Lance commented.

“Are you telling me I don’t have a right to be interested?” Brad asked.

Lance wished offhandedly that Rob was still there, to make some random crack and lighten the mood, and at the same time effectively let Brad know that no, they didn’t like him. He tried to think like Rob. It didn’t work. “Nah, just . . . trying to determine your motivation.”

Brad smiled. It was meant to be a charming smile, but it made Lance want to be sick. “Well, who wouldn’t be interested?”

Tori blushed. Lance nearly threw up. Damn, I wish Rob was here. He would have a field day with that remark. Lance tried to imagine his friend’s response. Probably some comment about most of the women in the cafeteria not being interested. He smirked. “Well, probably most of the women in the cafeteria, unless there’s something Tori hasn’t told me.”

Tori’s blush got even redder, and she glared at her brother.

“Sorry, sis, couldn’t resist,” Lance said with a smile. “No offense.”

Tori sighed. “So are you going to the movie with us or not?”

Lance smiled and gave Brad a sideways glance. “I wouldn’t miss it for the world.”

~~~

“So what stick was up your ass?” Rob asked curiously, settling down with a batch of French homework.

“That guy gave me the creeps. It was really weird.”

“What’s so weird about it? He’s an asshole, that’s all.”

“You only spoke three words to him.”

“Yeah, well, those three words were all it took. Plus he’s got the Receding Hairline of Doom.”

Lance snickered. “Yeah, he looks like he’s about thirty years old. Tori’s taste in men certainly has degraded.”

“Tell me about it. At least Doug was good-looking, if stupid.”

“You’re not usually one to make snap judgments. Why’d you decide he was an asshole so quickly?”

Rob blinked. “Well, uh, ‘cause . . . yeah. ‘Cause he is an asshole. I could just tell, is all.”

“And you don’t find that creepy?”

“Let me tell you, I find his hair creepy. I find it creepy that it’s creeping back so quickly! Other than that he just seems like your average asshole on the street.”

“No, it’s more than that.”

“You’re just saying that because he wants to get in your sister’s pants.”

“I’m not saying that’s not part of the issue. But there’s something beyond that. He made my skin crawl.”

Rob looked at his roommate and best friend of ten years over the edge of his book. “You’re serious, aren’t you.”

“Yes, damn it!”

“He made your skin crawl how? And why? Was it anything specific he did?”

“Something in his eyes. And then he knew we’d been friends for a long time even though we didn’t really give it away.”

Rob tapped his fingers against his desk. “Well, tell you what. I’ll pay more attention next time. I might’ve felt it too if I hadn’t been busy worrying about my history test. And tomorrow I’ll run downtown to that store that you think is completely phony and I’ll pick up a protection amulet for you.”

“Silver Cabal?” Lance asked skeptically. “Well, all right, if you think it’ll help.” He knew Rob knew far more about the occult than he did. And something about Brad truly bothered him.

Rob blinked. “Wow, if you’re accepting my suggestion then he really did freak you out.”

“I just don’t want to see my little sister get herself in any more trouble.”

“No problemo, Lance. Leave everything to me.” Rob grinned. “I can take care of this.”

“Why does that not comfort me?” Lance mumbled, and turned to his homework.

~~~

“Hello, Rob,” Faye, the owner of the Silver Cabal, said as Rob bounced in. “How’s school going?”

Rob turned to grin at her. Faye was a majestic looking woman: tall, with dark, long hair, dark eyes, and pale skin. She looked very other-worldly. Rob had stumbled onto the store while visiting Lance the previous year. Once Faye had realized that Rob actually knew what he was talking about, the two of them had become friends. “School’s been . . . entertaining.”

“Is that a good or a bad thing?” Faye asked as Rob wandered over to look at the necklaces. “And are you looking for anything in particular this time?”

“Yeah, same answer for both things. For one thing, do you have any good protection talismans?”

“That doesn’t sound good,” Faye said. “Let me get one from the back. You know most of the stuff out here is for the hippie-goth people who come in.”

Rob nodded and waited while Faye ducked behind the curtain that hid the back room. She came out only a few seconds later, with a black silk cord that had a silver talisman on it. The design was similar to a Celtic knot, only more complicated. “Who’s this for?” she asked.

“My roomie, of all people.”

Faye raised an eyebrow. “The skeptic?”

“Yeah,” Rob said. “That’s how I know this is serious. He didn’t hit me when I suggested this. How much?”

“For you? Fifteen.”

“Thanks.” Rob dug in his wallet. Faye knew his finances were somewhat less than sound. “Anyway, I’m not sure what it’s for. There’s this guy on campus who’s dating Lance’s sister, and he gives Lance the creeps in a major way. I didn’t notice, but I was on my way to a big test so I wasn’t really paying attention. I mean, I could tell he was an asshole, but that was just about it. But Lance said that Brad made his skin crawl, and that’s not like Lance. So, I’m kinda worried about it. Any advice?”

Faye looked pensive for a minute. “Brad who?”

Rob paused. “I dunno. I guess I could find out his last name. I don’t know if he’s ever been in here though.” He finished fishing out the money and handed it to her. She put the talisman in a bag and handed it to him. “Was that your advice?”

“I’m not sure I can give you advice when all I have to go on is that this guy is ‘creepy.’”

“That was basically what I said to Lance. I guess if Brad actually does anything, I’ll come let you know, and we can plan from there.” Rob grinned. “Thanks, Faye. I’ll be back.”

With that, he bounded out of the store.

~~~

“Couldn’t find a date, huh, Lance?” Tori teased. Brad had an arm around her shoulders. Lance resisted the urge to tell him to get his grubby paws off her.

“Not on short notice. I don’t have an adoring fan club like you,” Lance said, smiling slightly. Then he added grudgingly, “How’re you doing, Brad?”

“Fine, thanks. You?”

“I’m – ” Lance began.

“TORI! MY LONG-LOST LOVE!!!” Rob bounded across the movie theater and landed on his knees beside her. “Are you cheating on me?”

“Rob,” Tori groaned.

“Or am I cheating on you?” Rob blinked and straightened up. “Connie, this is Tori. She’s my long, very-lost love.”

“Very-lost?” Connie asked questioningly.

“Mostly ‘cause it never happened and never would,” Rob confirmed. “Anyways, this is my roomie Lance, and his sister Tori, and her, uhm, suitor. Brad.”

“Nice to meet you,” Connie said. She was wearing Rob’s cloak. Offhand, they looked well-suited for one another.

“Maybe you can keep him grounded in this century,” Lance said to her.

“Doubtful,” Rob said. “Very doubtful. Anyway.”

“I thought you were going earlier,” Tori said.

“Well, I was, ‘till Lance told me what time you guys were going at and I decided to go to a later show and surprise you. It worked out well; I took Connie out to dinner first.”

“Do you do these things to bother me?” Tori asked.

“My dear, I would never dream of such a thing.”

“Yeah, you settle for doing it while you’re awake,” Tori said.

“Maybe we should go in and get seats,” Lance interrupted.

“Yes, let’s,” Tori said.

Brad held out his arm. “Shall we?”

No, you shan’t, Lance thought irritably.

“I thought I was the one in the wrong century,” Rob remarked, extending his arm to Connie in the same fashion.

“You can’t be special all the time,” Brad said.

Rob gave him a big grin. “I’m more specialer than you. C’mon, Connie.” He began to skip, pulling Connie with him. “We’re off to see the Wizard . . .”

“How do you put up with him?” Tori asked Lance.

“Same way I put up with you. I’m patient,” Lance said. He was wearing the protection talisman that Rob had bought him under his shirt. Somehow, it made him feel better.

Connie walked in five seats in and sat down. Rob plopped next to her, Lance next to him. Tori sat next to her brother, and Brad was on the end. They waited for the lights to dim. “We want previews!” Rob declared loudly.

“Sh.” Lance pinched him.

“Hey! What are you abusing me for?”

“You’re disturbing the other people in the theater.”

“But the movie hasn’t started yet.”

“Rob, must we have this conversation every time we go to a movie? And put your feet down. The people behind us can’t see.”

“Yes, Mommy.” Rob put his feet down with a solid thud. “But I still want previews.”

“Rob, shut up,” Tori said.

“Now you’re ganging up on me! I’m wounded! Scarred forever!” Rob complacently took a drink of his soda. Lance thwacked him on the arm.

“Now you’re wounded.”

“Thank you. And here I thought you were my friend.”

“Rob, will you knock it off?” Lance reached over as if to hit his friend again.

“Rape! Rape!” Rob yelled, shrinking away. “Save me, Connie!”

Connie just laughed.

“A lot of help you are. Uhhh . . . Brad! Save me!”

Brad gave him a strange look, obviously considering him a complete and utter moron.

“Nobody loves me,” Rob said, pretending to sniffle.

“Okay, the previews are starting now,” Lance said. “Are you happy?”

“No. They need to dim the lights more.”

“Rob, will you be quiet?” Tori hissed. “Brad, make him shut up.”

“I am not sure that’s possible,” Brad told her.

“Yeah, Tori.” Rob stuck his tongue out at her. Then he let out a startled yelp as his soda spilled all over his lap. “Oh, maaaaaan! I like these pants!”

“That’s what you get for not shutting up,” Lance said, snickering.

“Yeah, Raoul,” Brad said.

Rob looked around, eyes narrowed. “It was you!” he proclaimed, pointing at Brad.

“Rob, shut up, the previews are almost over,” Lance said.

Rob subsided, but leaned over to Lance and said in a low voice, “I’m not joking, y’know.”

“Huh?” Lance asked.

“Never mind. I’ll explain later. Enjoy the movie, it might be our last moment of peace for a while.”

“Thanks, that’s comforting.” Lance sat back and attempted to concentrate on the movie, but he found it difficult. He was growing increasingly uneasy as the minutes ticked by, but he wasn’t sure why. His head didn’t exactly ache, but it was like there was some sort of pressure at his temples. Almost like a drill. He absently started fiddling with the talisman Rob had given him, which he’d been wearing under his shirt. He didn’t see the odd look that Brad gave him.

Rob was strangely silent for the rest of the movie.

~~~

“Hey, Tori, you want Rob and I to walk you home? Your dorm is next to ours,” Lance said once the movie had ended.

“Oh, no, that’s all right. Brad and I are going for a walk first,” Tori answered.

“Oh,” Lance said, a slight falter in his voice. “Well, don’t stay out too late, sis.”

“I will take good care of your sister, Lance. Don’t worry,” Brad said.

Rob and Lance shuddered in unison.

Tori and Brad linked arms and strolled off in a romantic haze. They walked slowly around the pond behind the movie theater.

“It’s such a clear night,” Tori remarked, looking up at the stars.

“Yes, it is,” Brad agreed. “Are you cold?”

“No, I’m all right.” They continued walking in comfortable silence.

“Tori, I’m worried that Lance doesn’t approve of our relationship.”

“Lance? What makes you think that?”

“It’s just a feeling I have. I think we make him uncomfortable.”

“If Lance has a problem, he’ll tell me about it.”

“Will you let me know what he says?”

“Well . . . it might be something private. I mean, maybe something’s wrong with him . . .”

“Tori, you know that I never tell anyone what transpires between us.”

“Sure, I know.”

“Then you know it’s okay to tell me.”

Tori smiled. “Yeah, you’re right.”

Brad grinned. “That’s my girl.” He stopped and pulled her close, tilting her chin up. As their lips met, Tori felt her mind fog over. She wasn’t nervous or worried or anything. Her world contracted to a tiny point in which Brad was all that existed. As they drew apart, Tori was breathless and a little dizzy.

“Come, we should get you back to your room,” Brad said, offering her his arm again.

Tori nodded, unable to think of anything else to say. She accepted his arm and they walked to her dorm.

He bid her goodnight, kissing her hand before turning towards his own dorm.

Tori stared after him dreamily. After he disappeared from sight, she unlocked the door and headed up the stairs to her room.

“So, how did it go?” her roommate, Laurie, asked.

Tori sighed, leaning against the door. “It was perfect.”

Laurie giggled. “Did you even watch the movie?”

“Movie? Oh yeah. I did, but what happened afterwards . . .” A dippy grin spread across her face. “I think I’m in love.”

Laurie raised an eyebrow. “After your first date?”

“I just know I could look for a lifetime and never find anyone like him.”

“Well . . . if you say so. C’mon, I’ve been waiting up for you. Let’s go to bed.”

“All right,” Tori agreed. “I know I’ll have sweet dreams tonight.”

~~~

“What were you trying to tell me during the movie?” Lance asked.

Rob flopped onto his bed. “I think we might be in a bit of trouble.”

Lance sat down across from him. “Why’s that?”

“Brad’s the one that spilled my soda.”

Lance blinked. “He was sitting four seats away from you!”

“Yeah, you noticed that, too?”

“What the hell are you talking about?”

“Brad’s not just a creep or weirdo. He can do things. Bad things.” He ran a hand through his hair. “Damn, am I glad you had that talisman. It was all I could do to keep him out of my head.”

“So, that’s why you were so quiet.” He thought for a minute. “And that’s probably I felt so weird . . . like . . .”

“Someone was trying to get into your head?”

Lance shivered. “Yeah. Something like that. This is getting too weird. We’ve got to get Tori away from him.”

“That may be easier said than done. He seems to have already sunk his claws in.”

Lance held his head in hands. “Tori, what’ve you gotten yourself into now?” he muttered. “What does she see in him anyway?”

“Probably not much. He’s probably gotten into her head, the way he’s trying to get into ours.”

“Great.”

“Of course, now we’ve drawn attention to ourselves by not letting him into our minds.”

“Even better.”

“I should talk to Faye and see what kind of powers you need for telekinesis. I wonder what else he can do.”

“I don’t want to think about it. What does he want from us?”

“By us I’m assuming you’re not including me. Because I think who he really wants something from is you and Tori. I mean, if it was just Tori, I’d say he just wants to get into her pants. But he’s after you too, and I sure hope he doesn’t want to get into your pants, though I could be wrong . . .”

“You can stop now. I don’t want to think about that.”

“Me neither. At all. Ever.”

“There isn’t much we can do right now.”

Rob looked pensive. “When’s Tori’s birthday?”

“In about three weeks. Why?”

“I think you should give her a talisman for her birthday. It might help protect her.”

Lance nodded. “Sounds like a good idea.”

~~~

“Don’t look now. It’s Mr. Personality himself,” Rob muttered as he and Lance walked to their first class on Monday.

“Oh great,” Lance muttered. “And he’s heading straight for us.”

“Quick, run! I’ll cover you!”

“Rob.”

“No, no, it’s Jebediah this week.”

“Jebediah, shut up.” Lance forced a smile as Brad came marching towards them, as if he had a mission of great importance to accomplish.

Rob didn’t need to force a smile; he had a mile wide grin on his face that made Lance nervous.

“Good morning, gentlemen,” Brad said as met up with them. “Have a good weekend?”

Rob bowed. “I assure you it was a weekend of the utmost enjoyability.”

Lance gave him a strange look. “Enjoyability?”

Rob shrugged. “Why not?”

“Lance, I couldn’t help noticing that interesting necklace you were wearing Friday night,” Brad remarked. “May I have a look at it?”

Lance gulped. Think. Think fast. Make something up. Make it good. He was wearing a white shirt, so he knew that the talisman was plainly visible. I wonder if he could do anything to it if I show it to him.

“Yeah, it’s really cool,” Rob put it. “I bought it for him.”

Lance took that as a subtle sign that it was okay to let Brad see it. He cautiously pulled it out from under his shirt and held it out. Brad bent over to look at it. Lance could feel his skin crawl at Brad’s proximity.

Lance looked over at Rob, only to see his friend making horrific gagging faces. It was all he could do not to start laughing.

Brad straightened up and let go of the talisman. “That’s very . . . intriguing. Where did you find it, Rob?”

“My name’s Jebediah this week.”

“All right . . . Jebediah,” Brad said slowly, trying to hide his impatience. “Where did you find it?”

“This little store in a backwoods town in Vermont, where we grew up. I think it went out of business.”

“What a shame,” Brad said, fixing Rob with a meaningful glance.

“Well, it was mostly junk jewelry. Just had the occasional nice thing. It’s too bad, because we were trying to find Tori one to give her for her birthday.”

Brad’s expression remained neutral. “That’s too bad.”

“Anyway, we gotta get to class,” Lance interrupted. “I’m sure we’ll see you around later.”

“I’m sure we will.” He gave each of them a nod. “Lance. Jebediah.”

Rob bowed. “Brad.”

Lance grabbed Rob’s arm and dragged him into the Science Building.

“Why did you tell him the thing about the talisman for Tori’s birthday?” Lance demanded.

“I wanted to see what he would say,” Rob answered. “Besides, it doesn’t matter if he knows or not. But it’s strange. I thought he would know about the Silver Cabal by now, if he’s into that sort of thing.”

“Maybe he’s a transfer student.”

“Or maybe Faye doesn’t want him to know that she’s there.”

~~~

“Hey, Tori, I need to talk to you.” Lance pulled his sister aside after dinner.

“Oh, I can’t,” Tori replied. “I’m going over to Brad’s room --”

“No you’re not,” Lance said, grabbing her arm. “You’ve been attached to Brad’s hip for three days straight! You can spend five minutes with me.”

Tori sighed. “Okay okay!” She shook her arm free.

The two left the Dining Commons and began walking aimlessly.

“I think you’re spending too much time with Brad,” Lance began carefully.

Tori grinned. “Jealous, big brother? Or is Rob withering away without my company?”

“Tori, I’m serious. Don’t you think you might be taking things a little fast with him? You haven’t even known him that long.”

“I don’t need to know him for that long. Everything just feels so right with him. It’s like . . . fate.” Her eyes glazed over with a faraway look.

Lance shuddered. “Tori! Wake up! You’re talking like you’re in some cheesy romance movie! This is real life!”

Tori began singing softly. “My love is like a storybook story . . .”

Okay, forget romance movie, Lance thought. This is turning into a horror movie. He was suddenly glad Rob wasn’t around to join in the singing.

Lance stepped in front of her. “Tori. Brad is a creep. And creepy. And I don’t know which one of us is on the wrong wavelength, but I can feel that, like you can ‘feel’ that it’s fate for you to be together.”

“Good afternoon, Lance. Tori, my love.” Brad stepped around Lance and kissed Tori’s hand.

Lance stood still, trying to deny that Brad was there. Definitely a horror movie.

“Brad! I missed you!” Tori squealed, throwing her arms around his neck.

“I was starting to wonder where you were, love. You were supposed to come to my room right after dinner,” Brad continued.

Lance looked up and noticed that, without meaning to, they had walked directly to Brad’s dorm. How did we end up here? That’s what I get for not paying attention.

Tori and Brad were continuing to ignore his existence.

Lance turned away, disgusted, and walked back to his own dorm, knowing he wouldn’t be missed.

~~~

Rob looked up as Lance entered. “You look like sunshine today.”

“I tried talking to Tori,” Lance answered as he flopped face down onto his bed.

Rob winced. “I take it that it didn’t go well.”

Lance didn’t bother to reply.

“Huh. Maybe we should just kick his ass.”

“And we ended up at his dorm. And he showed up at just the wrong time in the conversation,” Lance said, his face still in the pillow.

“The timing might have been coincidence,” Rob pointed out. “If you were at his dorm, he might have been watching out his window.”

“And that’s not creepy?!”

“I didn’t say that.”

“And Tori’s almost hypnotized by him. When he arrived, she forgot I existed.”

“Hypnotized how?”

“Like babbling about how it’s her destiny to be with him and shit like that. She barely knows him!”

Rob thought for a moment. “Your sister isn’t prone to snap judgments. Took her years to decide she didn’t like me. People usually decide that about me within the first five minutes.”

Lance sat up. “Will you be serious?!”

Rob looked hurt. “I am being serious. Your sister isn’t prone to snap judgments.”

“Okay, okay, you have a point. But that doesn’t help at all!” Lance sighed. “If Brad is doing something weird to her, what does he want? I don’t get it.”

“Well, maybe we should go to him, rather than her.”

“I don’t want to do that until we know more about what he can and can’t do,” Lance protested.

“Good point.” Rob checked his watch. “Wanna go to Silver Cabal with me? Faye should be there by now; we can talk to her. I never did get a chance to ask her about telekinesis and stuff like that.” Rob grabbed his jacket. “Let’s go.”

Lance didn’t argue. He stood and pulled his coat on. “Oh, let’s.”

“Maybe I’ll dress up as Brad for Halloween,” Rob said. “That would be really scary, don’t you think?”

“I think you’re crazy.” Lance followed Rob down the narrow steps into the Silver Cabal.

“Join the crowd,” Rob said. The store was empty. “Hey, Faye?” Rob called. “It’s your favorite person come to visit you!”

Faye poked her head out from behind the curtain. “Hi, Rob. Hold on, I’m right in the middle of something.” Then she disappeared again.

“What’s she right in the middle of?” Lance asked Rob, fiddling with a few of the figurines on a shelf.

“Probably some horrible spell,” Rob said with a wink.

“Seriously.”

“Making something, probably,” Rob clarified. “Most of the stuff in here is hand-made.”

“The first time I came here, this store gave me the creeps,” Lance admitted.

“That’s what you get, you disbeliever. What do you feel now?”

“Like it’s watching me.” Lance shivered.

“It probably is,” Faye said, reemerging. “But it means you no harm, trust me.”

“That’s comforting,” Lance muttered.

“So, Rob, what brings you here? More problems?”

“Yeah, I’d have to say so,” Rob said. “By the way, Faye, this is my roommate, Lance. Lance, this is Faye.”

“Nice to meet you,” Lance said nervously.

“Likewise,” Faye said, with a handshake and a warm smile. “So what’s wrong, Rob?”

“Well, I had a question for you,” Rob said. “How much mental skill do you need for telekinesis?”

Faye looked pensive. “It’s a complicated skill, but it doesn’t require a great amount of power behind it. You just have to learn how, and if you don’t have a certain amount of power, no one will bother to teach you.”

Rob nodded thoughtfully. “So, if I were to tell you that the creep who’s been bugging us was telekinetic, what would you say?”

“I’d want to know why you thought so.”

“He dumped my soda on my lap. Don’t laugh; he was sitting four seats away from me. And no one else touched it. I was looking at it when it happened. And afterwards, I looked up at him . . . and the rest of the night was like there was a drill at my temples. He was trying to get into my head, and I had to use everything you’ve ever taught me to keep him out. Lance was wearing the talisman I got from you, luckily.”

Faye nodded thoughtfully. “In that case, I’d advise you to stay as far away from him as you can.”

“But we can’t,” Lance interrupted. “He has this hold over my sister.”

“How so?” Faye asked.

“It’s like she’s hypnotized, like a zombie,” Lance said. “He’s all she thinks about. She keeps babbling about how he’s her destiny and stuff like that.”

“Why do you think he’d be doing that?” Rob chipped in.

Faye frowned. “I’m not sure.”

“I mean, originally we thought he was doing it because it would be a really efficient way to get laid,” Rob said matter-of-factly. “Since he’s butt ugly and can’t have much success otherwise. But he keeps coming after me and Lance. Lance especially.”

“Coming after you?” Faye asked skeptically.

“He just seems a little too interested in getting to know me,” Lance said. “And he was really curious about the talisman.”

“Well, if it blocked his mind, that’s only to be expected,” Faye said. “I wonder though . . .”

“Wonder what?” Rob asked.

“Well, in things of this nature, the strongest spells are generally done by trios,” Faye said. “That could be why he’s going after both of you. Do you mind if I check to see if you have any magical skill?”

“How are you going to do that?” Lance asked nervously.

“She’s gonna poke in your head,” Rob told him.

“Oh. I . . . guess . . .” Lance went to remove the talisman.

“You don’t need to take it off,” Faye told him. “I made it, so it doesn’t affect me.”

“Oh,” Lance said. He paused nervously. “Is this going to hurt?”

Rob rolled his eyes. “Amateur. No, it won’t hurt.”

Faye just laughed and put one finger on Lance’s forehead. Lance’s mind tingled a little, like the way someone’s hand felt when it had fallen asleep. The feeling spread from his temples to the back of his head, then Faye lifted her finger, looking thoughtful.

“What’s the verdict?” Rob asked.

“Well,” Faye looked at Lance, “like Rob, you have an enormous amount of unused potential. But absolutely no skill or training, obviously.”

“Oh.” Lance, the skeptic, was not sure exactly how he was supposed to feel about this. “So what do I do about it?”

“Well, if Brad was able to sense your potential, that may be why he’s after you. An untrained person with a lot of potential can be very useful as long as their properly manipulated. Although . . .” Faye frowned. “I’m not sure why he’s not interested in Rob.”

Rob laughed. “Because I annoy the hell out of him. And, no offense, Lance, but I don’t seem easily manipulatable. If that’s a word. Lance, you’re a great guy, but you can seem like a pushover at times. Especially since Tori’s involved.” Rob frowned. “You don’t think he’s after Tori as leverage, do you?”

Lance paled. “Leverage?”

Faye bit her lip. “Maybe.”

“Leverage how?” Lance asked. “You mean to make me do what he wants?”

“That’s probably why he was pissed about the talisman,” Rob said, nodding. “Because that protects you from his manipulation. So now he has to go around it. I’m not sure it’ll help if we get one to Tori. It might be a little too late. She’s pretty . . . far gone.”

“But we have to do something,” Lance insisted.

“Of course we do,” Rob said. “To begin with, you might want to learn how to shield your mind in case he gets past the talisman.”

“I’m hurt, Rob,” Faye said, lifting an eyebrow.

“C’mon, Faye, he could steal it or something,” Rob said. “Why don’t you teach Lance some basics and I’ll watch the store for you.”

Faye nodded. “Good idea.” She led Lance back behind the curtain into a room filled with candles and incense. There were two rickety-looking wicker chairs. “Have a seat and don’t look so nervous. I won’t hurt you. After all, Rob trusts me for a reason.”

“I guess so,” Lance said. He sat in one of the chairs.

Faye sat across from him. “To learn to shield yourself, first you need to learn how to open your mind.”

“Uh, okay.”

Faye smiled. “Close your eyes.”

Lance took a deep breath and did so.

“Breathe slowly, Lance. Concentrate on my voice.” Faye paused, waiting for her new student to relax a little. “Now every normal person has some kind of natural shield around their mind. Picture it as a castle wall with one gate. Right now your gate is only open a crack. I want you to relax as much as you can and open the gate as wide as possible.”

This is really weird, Lance thought. Even if I picture this, how do I know if it’s actually working?

“You’d be surprised how powerful visualization can be, Mr. Skeptical,” Faye joked gently.

Lance’s eyes shot open. “You heard my thought?”

“I didn’t have to. It’s printed on your face.”

“Oh.” Lance closed his eyes again and concentrated. He pictured an enormous stone castle wall and a large iron gate. Then he tried to do as Faye had instructed him.

“That’s better. Your mind is much more open now,” Faye told him. “Now we can get some real work done.”

~~~

Faye and Lance emerged an hour later to find Rob arguing with the cash register.

“Open! Open, foul demon! Ummm . . . open sesame?”

Lance laughed at his friend’s antics.

Faye smiled and took over the cash register.

Rob looked over at Lance. “How’d it go? Still skeptical or do you believe now that I’m not crazy?”

“I believe in this stuff, but you’re still crazy.”

“Sure, sure.” Rob waved him off. “Think maybe we should try to do some homework or something? It’s getting late.”

Faye waited until the customer had left, then said, “Rob, can you practice with Lance, make sure he’s got everything straight?”

“Sure,” Rob said. “I could use the practice too.”

“Let me know if Brad does anything else,” Faye instructed them.

“It’s a sure thing,” Rob said.

“Wait a second -- ” Faye dug out a piece of paper and scribbled something on it. “Here’s my home phone, in case I’m not here.”

Rob accepted the piece of paper and looked at her. “You really think this is serious, huh.”

“Always better safe than sorry,” Faye said.

“Good point.” Rob pocketed the paper and grinned. “We’ll see ya, Faye.”

“Thanks, Faye,” Lance said. The two of them left the store and started the walk back to campus. “I have a question for you.”

“Shoot,” Rob said.

“Why do you let her call you Rob?”

“Because I learned very early on that it wasn’t worth arguing with her,” Rob said.

“Oh.”

~~~

“This cannot be good.”

Rob looked up from his homework. “Elaborate, mon ami.”

Lance was sitting at his computer. “I just got an e-mail from Tori saying that Brad wants to have dinner with me and her. Just me and her.”

“I’m wounded,” Rob said, sniffling.

“You’re an idiot. This is not good. He probably wants to . . . to . . . I don’t know, but it can’t be good.”

Rob made the strangest face Lance had ever seen. “I could conveniently be at a table nearby.”

“Ah, but he wants to go to McDonald’s. What are the odds that you’d conveniently be there?”

Rob’s eyes crossed. “Approximately one thousand to one, or so I should think. Damn, that bastard thought of everything.”

“And since he had Tori e-mail me, if I don’t go, it’ll have to simply be a no-show. She’s going straight from class. He knows I don’t have a chance to argue with her. And he also knows my curiosity will drag me there anyway.”

“Hm.” Rob tapped on the table. “At least he can’t get into your head.”

“I don’t think that’s what he has in mind.”

“How so?”

“I’m not sure. But he knows he can’t get into my head. Why lure me in to dinner just so he can make sure he still can’t?”

“True. Very true. Unless of course, he’s an idiot.”

Lance just looked at him. “Which, unfortunately, we know he’s not.”

“Yeah, well, he sucks.” Rob turned the page. “I’m going to keep studying. No sense in worrying about it. But try to stay out of trouble.”

“You’re telling me this?”

“You hear well. I did indeed tell you that.”

“Rob, stop being an idiot.”

“I told you, this week it’s Canute.”

“That has to be the dumbest one yet.”

“Look.” Rob put down his textbook and peered over at his friend. “If you were in trouble, I’d know. And I can come swooping to your rescue.”

Lance raised an eyebrow. “Oh really?” He sounded skeptical, to put it kindly.

“Fine, don’t believe me,” Rob said, flopping back down over his homework. “But you and I are linked pretty strongly. Now that you’ve started developing your own . . . abilities . . . I’m guessing that it’ll get stronger. So stop looking at me like I’ve grown horns or something.”

“Whatever you say, Canute.”

~~~

Lance looked down at his food. The Big Mac and fries were looking less and less appetizing with every second that passed and every single word that came out of Tori’s mouth. I’m going to be sick, he thought. This is worse than pathetic. She’s . . . cooing.

“So, uhm,” he said, shoving a few fries into his mouth, “what’s the occasion?”

“Well, we had something we wanted to tell you . . .” Tori began.

If she’s pregnant I will kill her. And him. And myself. And everyone in the restaurant, just to be sure nobody overheard. “Oh?”

Brad cleared his throat. “As of this afternoon, Tori and I are engaged.”

Lance choked on the fries and fell out of his chair. He sat on the floor and managed to swallow, then hauled himself back up into his chair and grabbed his soda. After a long drink, he asked, “Excuse me?”

“Isn’t it wonderful?” Tori squealed, grabbing Lance around the neck.

“Tori, you’re choking me,” Lance said evenly.

“Oh . . .” Tori let go of Lance and latched back onto Brad.

“Uhm, when did this happen?” Lance asked. He was trying to hold onto his cool. The last thing he wanted to do was cause a scene in a restaurant, though he admitted to himself that shoving his fries up Brad’s nose would be deeply satisfying.

“After lunch today . . . we went out for a walk . . .” Tori’s eyes were lost in dreamland. Lance fought the urge to be sick. Or slap her across the face. Tori extended her hand to display a small silver ring. “I know it’s not a diamond, but neither of us have much cash and isn’t it beautiful?”

If I spend one more second in this restaurant, I will grab her by the shoulders and start shaking her until she comes to her senses, Lance thought, grasping the edge of the table to keep his hands from moving to do so. “Tori, you’re eighteen.”

“Yes, but . . .”

“You’re way too young to be making a serious decision like this,” Lance said firmly, ignoring Brad as if he weren’t even in the restaurant. “You’ve only known each other for about a month.”

“Oh, that doesn’t matter,” Tori protested. “It seems like we’ve known each other for years and years . . .”

“But you haven’t,” Lance said firmly. “You’re making a lifelong decision based on a month’s worth of experience. That’s just stupid.”

Brad became indignant. “We are not here to ask for your permission, Lance.”

“Fuck you,” Lance said. “I don’t like you, okay?”

“Hey!” Tori jumped in. “Don’t talk to him like that!”

“Oh, why the hell not?” Lance asked angrily. “Just because someone has put a blindfold on you so you don’t see what an asshole he is doesn’t mean that the rest of the world isn’t looking. I’m not going to shut my eyes to this, Tori. You’re dating a creep. And nothing you can say will ever change my mind about that.”

“But I just wanted us to get along,” Tori said, sounding close to tears. “Since we’re going to be working together and stuff . . .”

“What?” Lance asked. “Working together on what?”

“Uhm . . .” Tori looked at Brad for help.

“Let’s not discuss that,” Brad said calmly.

“Oh, no you don’t,” Lance snapped. “We’re going to discuss it. I want to know what your plans are, you little . . .” He saw Tori’s pleading look and shut his mouth.

Brad put an arm around Tori’s shoulders. “I am in need of your assistance, Lance.”

“Are you now,” Lance said dryly. “On what? Your stats project? Your search for a better brand of Rogaine? Enlighten me, Brad, I’m dying of curiosity.”

“Lance,” Tori hissed to him.

“Shut up, Tori. You’re just as bad as he is. What’s going on?”

Brad gave Lance an irritated glance. “Are you familiar with any magical systems, Lance?”

“Oh, sure, I carry around a book in my back pocket that explains the secrets of the universe.”

“There’s no need to be snide.”

“You’re an asshole; I call that a reason. Now explain.”

“In many magical systems, to perform any spells of real power takes more than one person. Most often, it requires three.”

Lance glared at him. “So I’m your third person?”

Tori grabbed his arm. “Don’t you want to learn magic, Lance? Don’t you think that would be fun?”

“Not with him,” Lance said bluntly. “Sorry, Brad, but no deal. I’ve got better things to do than put up with your shit so you can try to rule the universe.”

Brad looked pensive. “Isn’t there any way I can convince you?”

“Hell no. And leave my sister alone. I don’t know what sort of spell you’ve put on her, but knock it off.”

“Or else what?”

“I’ll kick your ass. How much will your ‘magic’ help you against a good right hook?”

“You’d be surprised.”

“I’d be amazed. Take your spell and your grubby paws off my sister.”

“I don’t think that’s what she wants,” Brad said with a smile. “Is it, love?”

Tori looked glazed. “Of course not, Brad . . .”

Lance shuddered. “Fine. You two do whatever the hell you want. But leave me out of it.” With that, he turned and left the restaurant.

~~~

“Didn’t go well, did it,” Rob said dryly.

Lance stood in the doorway. He was twitching.

Rob stood up and pulled his friend into the room. “Sit. Calm down. Let me get you a soda and something to throw.” He dug around in the fridge and came out with a twenty ounce bottle of Coke. He handed that to Lance and then got a few unused pencils. “Here. Break these.”

Lance snapped the pencils into pieces and took a long drink of the soda.

“So what happened?” Rob asked when Lance had stopped shaking with anger.

“I hate him.”

“Thanks for the news flash. That’s not what I asked.”

“I’m going to kill him.”

Rob considered this. “Bloodstains are so hard to get out of clothing.”

“I could strangle him.”

“You might get arrested.”

“I could plead insanity.”

“You got that right.” Rob got a soda for himself. “Want to answer my question now?”

“They’re engaged.”

Rob spit soda everywhere. “You’re kidding,” he gasped out.

“No.”

Rob got a few napkins and began wiping up the mess he’d made. “Engaged as in to be married, rings, dresses, churches, the whole bit?”

“Do you know of a different meaning of the word ‘engaged’?”

Rob straightened up and did a passable Patrick Stewart impression. “Mr. Worf, warp seven. Engage.”

“Worf doesn’t sit at the helm.”

“Whatever,” Rob said. “You asked.”

“Don’t be an idiot.”

“You asked!”

“Because you were being an idiot.”

Rob pouted. “Fine. So they’re engaged. What’d you say?”

“After all the reasonable arguments about how they were too young and hadn’t known each other long enough, I think the words ‘fuck you, I hate you’ came out of my mouth. I don’t really remember. I was exceedingly pissed off.”

“Lance, you still are exceedingly pissed off.”

“Obviously. They’re still engaged; of course I’m still pissed off.”

“So what else?”

“I’m supposed to be the third member of their magical trio and help them with whatever spells they’re doing.”

Rob considered this, pushing a hand through his hair. “Of course you are. Anything else?”

“I refused and tried to make him let go of his hold on Tori, but he wouldn’t.”

“And you stormed out?”

“Yes.”

“Understandable.”

Lance shuddered. “You should see her, Rob. It’s like . . . she’s not even the same person anymore. He’s got total control over her. It’s freaky.”

Rob made a face. “Damn. I guess we should just kill him.”

“Don’t tempt me.”

Rob plopped onto his bed. “Well, seriously. What do you want to do?”

“I want to get my sister back!”

“I kinda figured. And how exactly do you plan on going about this?”

“I don’t know, okay?!”

Rob made another face. “We could . . . beat him over the head with a stick.”

“I thought you didn’t want blood on your clothes.”

“Hm, good point. And more of his hair might fall out; that would really be a shame.”

“You don’t know what to do either, do you.”

“Not a clue,” Rob said with a sigh. “And I’ve got this stupid psych test tomorrow which I’m going to fail . . . don’t you ever have tests?”

Lance sighed.

“Look, I’ll talk to Faye tomorrow, okay? She might know how to break a spell like this.”

“Okay.”

“You can go for another training session.”

“Great.”

~~~

Brad bowed to the figure before him. “I thank you for coming, your Greatness.”

“Cut the medieval bullshit,” Dante said, rolling his eyes. “You know that most of us hate that pomp and circumstance. What do you want?”

“I require your assisstance with Laertes,” Brad said.

Dante sighed. “I forgot you talk that way all the time. What happened with Ophelia?”

“Nothing happened with her. Her brother is . . . showing great reluctance to aid me.”

Dante gave him a cold look. “Maybe that’s because you’ve enspelled his sister and are now drooling helplessly over her.”

Brad drew himself up straight. “I assure you that is not the case.”

“Of course it isn’t.” Dante rubbed his forehead. “What do you need?”

“I think I need to show him the power he is attempting to go up against.”

Dante raised an eyebrow. “Any particular ideas?”

Brad smiled.

~~~

“I want to sleeeeeep,” Rob moaned, draping himself over his textbooks.

“So go to bed.” Lance was still sitting at his computer.

“I’m still studying.”

“No you’re not. You’re sitting there whining about how tired you are.”

Rob gave this due consideration. “Hm. You may be right.”

“So go to bed,” Lance repeated.

“But I’m going to fail,” Rob protested.

“You always say that. And then you always cram for the fifteen minutes before the test and do fine.”

“Yeah, but . . .” Rob realized he had run out of arguments. “Oh. Okay.” He put the book on his side table and pulled the covers up to his chin. “It’s a mindset thing,” he explained. “If I say that I’m going to fail, I do fine; if I go in confident, I fail.”

“Sure, Rob.” Lance got up and flipped his computer screen off. Then he crawled into bed. “So what are we going to do about Brad?”

“We already decided. We’re going to talk to Faye.”

“Yeah, but . . .”

“Sleeeeeep,” Rob said.

“Sure,” Lance muttered, and reached over and turned out the light. “Rob?”

Only Rob’s snores answered him.

“Ugh.” Lance pulled the blankets over his head. There were a few minutes of silence, then he heard Rob rustling around. “What’re you doing?”

“Getting out of bed.” Rob’s voice was oddly strained.

“Why?”

“I’m not sure.”

Lance blinked and sat up, turning the light on. “What are you talking about?”

“I was asleep. And then I woke up and got out of bed, on no orders from my muscles.”

“Huh?”

“I’m being controlled, you jackass!” Rob’s voice cracked. “Someone’s making me move.”

“Fuck,” Lance said, getting out of bed. “Why? And where? And by who? And how?”

“Do I know?!”

Lance stood between his friend and the door. “Well, you’re not going anywhere.”

“Sure.” Rob walked straight into Lance, who grabbed his shoulders and pushed him backwards. Rob kept struggling forward. “Don’t let me through,” Rob said. “I don’t know where they’re taking me.”

“I’m trying,” Lance replied, pushing him backwards again. Unfortunately, Rob was bigger than him and managed to get past.

“Where the hell am I going?!” Rob asked.

Lance hastened to catch up. “Maybe we should just see.”

“Oh, that’s a great idea!” Rob yelled. “You’re not the one not in control of your own body!”

“Well, do you have any better ideas?” Lance shouted.

“Road blocks! I don’t know!”

“Do you think Brad is doing this?”

Rob tried to stay calm. “No. Not alone, anyway.” They reached the staircase. Rob started going up. “Ohhhh fuck. I know what they’re doing.” He grabbed hold of the railing and tried to hold on, then his fingers loosened and he kept walking upwards. “Damn! Almost had it for a minute . . . Lance, damn it, do something!”

“Do what?!” Lance asked helplessly, grabbing onto Rob’s arms and pulling him downward.

Rob slowed down, but didn’t stop. “Lance, think of something else. You’re not helping much.”

“I’m giving us another minute to come up with another idea.”

“Hurry up before we reach the fucking roof!” Rob cried, becoming desperate.

Lance grabbed the talisman and started to take it off. “Here. Put this on.”

“No,” Rob said. “You keep that. If you take it off, they might start trying to put that stupid spell on you too. Hopefully they won’t try anything too drastic.” He was pale, but apparently calming down a little.

“They’d better not,” Lance said. “Don’t know why they think this will help them.”

They had reached the door to the roof.

“Isn’t this usually locked?” Lance asked.

Rob put his hand on the knob. It turned easily. “Looks like they took care of that,” he said, and walked out onto the roof.

“Fuck, it’s cold out here,” Lance said. He was wearing only boxers and a T-shirt. Rob was wearing long pants, but it hardly helped against the chill autumn air. “They’d better stop soon.”

Rob was getting closer to the edge of the roof. “Oh fuck. Oh fuck.”

Lance grabbed him around the waist and pulled backwards with all his strength. Rob stopped for a second, then slowly started forward again.

“This is really bad,” Rob gasped out, looking at the four story drop.

Lance grabbed him around the waist and threw himself backwards. Rob lost his balance with a startled shout and both of them went tumbling backwards. Lance landed flat on his back and flipped over, pinning Rob to the roof. Rob struggled for a minute, then stopped.

“I think it’s okay,” he said slowly.

“Are you sure?” Lance asked, not moving.

“Yeah.” Rob wiggled his fingers. “I can move again. Or not move. Depending on what I want.”

“Okay.” Lance got up and helped Rob to his feet.

“That was quick thinking,” Rob said. “I owe you one.”

“That was fucking freaky is what it was,” Lance said. “Let’s get the hell back inside before we both freeze to death.”

Rob nodded. “I second.” They walked back to the door inside and went through. As it closed behind them, they could hear a click as it locked. By the time they got back to the room, Rob had started shivering.

“You okay?” Lance asked.

“I just nearly walked off a fourth-story roof,” Rob said. “Fuck no, I’m not okay.”

Lance tossed him a blanket. “Here. Warm up.”

Rob wrapped the blanket around his shoulders and sat on the bed with a thud. “I think we’d better call Faye,” he said. “This is fucking . . . bizarre.”

Lance reached for the phone. Just before he picked it up, it rang.

“This cannot be good,” Lance stated, and picked up the receiver. “Hello?”

“Good evening, Lance. I hope your roommate wasn’t hurt.”

“You fucking piece of shit,” Lance said. “What the hell did you think you were doing?”

“Demonstrating the fact that we have the power to make you cooperate,” Brad said.

“You think I’ll cooperate if you make my best friend walk off a roof? Are you out of your fucking mind?”

“If you agree to help me, I’ll see to it that he’s never harmed again.”

“And since when do you have such al-fucking-mighty power?”

“I do not think that is your concern. I will contact you tomorrow.” There was a click, then nothing.

“Fuck!” Lance threw the phone across the room.

“Don’t break the phone. We need it.” Rob, still pale, got up and retrieved the phone. “I’m calling Faye.” He fished out the piece of paper that had Faye’s number written on it and dialed. Lance listened to Rob’s side of the conversation. “Faye?” Rob’s voice got a little calmer at the sound of hers. “Yeah, it’s me . . . yeah, I’d say something happened. Brad and his buddies tried to make me jump off the roof of my dorm.” Rob pulled his ear away from the phone as Faye screeched. “Yeah, I wasn’t too happy about it . . . No, I don’t know how they did it! I’m not even one hundred percent sure it was them since I couldn’t see anybody! They . . . No, I’m okay. Lance tackled me, and they let me go. Then Brad called. He’s trying to make Lance form a trio with him and Tori . . . I’m not sure what they want . . . No, I can’t come over right now. I’ve got a psych test at nine AM, and I’m already going to fail. Trauma is so bad for study habits. And Lance has class too . . . yeah, yeah. After classes, we’ll come right over . . . I know. I’ll keep my shields up, but it doesn’t seem to be helping much. They probably won’t try it again until Lance refuses to help again . . . yeah, we’ll see you tomorrow . . . thanks. Bye.” Rob hung up the phone and stared at it blankly. “I am so going to fail that exam tomorrow.”

“Rob, even if you did, you can always pull your grade back up,” Lance told him.

“That’s not the point,” Rob replied. “My grades will forever be scarred because of Rogaine-boy.”

“You just nearly walked off a roof, and you’re upset because you’re going to fail your test tomorrow?” Lance asked.

“Doesn’t do much good to get upset about the rest of it,” Rob pointed out.

Lance sighed. “I’m going to be pissed off until I get my sister back and that fuckhead leaves me and my friends alone.”

“You do that,” Rob said, lying down with his extra blanket. “I’m going to sleep.”

Lance sighed and turned the light off. It was a long time before either of them could sleep.

~~~

“And then I completely bombed my psych test,” Rob complained.

Faye handed him a mug of hot tea. “I’m sure you can pull your grade up. Tell your teacher that there was an emergency the night before and you didn’t get a chance to study or sleep.”

“That’s not the point,” Rob said. “The point is that I’m pissed off.”

“Okay, Rob.” Faye handed another mug to Lance, who sipped gingerly, decided it was good, and took a larger drink. “The question is, what do we do about this?”

“Well,” Rob said. “I’d certainly prefer that our solution does not include me walking off a building.”

“Obviously.” Lance rolled his eyes. “But the only way to avoid that is to cooperate with them. And that’s not an option.”

“Well,” Faye said thoughtfully, “I doubt they would really seriously hurt Rob. I mean, then you just wouldn’t cooperate at all, and they would have lost their leverage.”

“I’m not sure about the second part,” Rob said. “They still have Tori, don’t forget.”

Lance made a face. “Even if they decide they don’t want to kill anyone, they can certainly make our lives hell.”

“Right,” Faye said.

“So our only option is to cooperate?” Rob sounded skeptical. “Now why does that sound like a bad idea?”

“Because it is one,” Lance stated.

“Thanks, Lance.”

“Hey, I don’t want that bald weirdo poking around inside my head,” Lance argued. “I might start losing my hair!”

Rob cackled.

“Well, look,” Faye said quickly. “Why don’t you offer them a compromise?”

“Compromise?” Lance asked skeptically.

“You’ll work with them as long as you receive your training from the outside,” Faye said. “Meaning me, naturally.”

“Naturally,” Lance echoed. “But then what if they try to make me do stuff that I don’t want to do?”

Rob’s head thudded against the table. “Let’s burn that bridge when we get to it. Right now I’m not sure there’s anything else we can do.”

~~~

“I have a feeling of impending doom,” Rob said.

“You always have that feeling.”

“This time it’s real,” Rob said seriously.

“Great,” Lance replied. “This stupid dorm is a maze. Where the hell is room 112?”

“I think it’s down this hallway,” Rob said, taking yet another turn. He stopped outside a room. There was absolutely nothing on the door, not even a whiteboard or a nametag to denote whose room it was. “This has to be it. He’s the only jackass who wouldn’t even have anything on his door.” He raised one hand, then changed his mind and gave the door a solid kick.

“Come in,” a voice called.

Rob pushed open the door and went in, with Lance close behind. Rob wrinkled his nose at the weird smell and resisted the urge to just let fly and punch Brad across the face. Though it would undoubtedly make him feel better, it wouldn’t help. The room had an odd feeling to it, almost like electricity, that made Rob’s skin crawl. He suppressed a shudder. The walls were completely bare, as was the second mattress in the room. There were a few books on the shelves and a notebook on the desk. This place gives me the creeps, Rob thought. It’s like the guy has no personality.

“Yes?” Brad asked. “Have you come to a decision, Lance?” He ignored Rob as if he wasn’t even there.

“First things first,” Lance said. “If I agree to help you, you agree to leave my friends alone.”

“By all means,” Brad said calmly. “If you agree.”

“Secondly, I don’t want you poking around in my head and fucking me up the way you’ve done to Tori. I know someone else who can do this stuff, and she’s going to train me.”

“Who?”

“It’s none of your God damned business,” Lance snapped.

Brad raised an eyebrow. “I see.”

“Anything you want me to do, I get to hear about well in advance, so I know what training I need to receive,” Lance continued. “And you’ll get your grubby paws off my sister.”

“I’m afraid that last request is out of the bounds of reason.”

“Fuck reason,” Lance said, “and fuck you. Get the hell away from Tori.”

“She is an integral part of my plan.”

“And your plan can’t function without her being brainwashed?” Lance snapped. “Why couldn’t you just threaten her into it like you did to me?”

“Why d’you think, Lance?” Rob asked. “He wanted to get into her pants! That’s the only way Rogaine Boy would ever get laid.” He grinned cheerfully in the face of Brad’s glare. “You know, you have to be the ugliest motherfucker I have ever met.”

“That’s none of your concern,” Brad said stiffly.

“I’m making it my concern,” Rob said. “Tori’s my friend too. Not to mention that you tried to walk me off a roof last night, and right now I’m on the verge of making permanent knuckle-shaped dents in your face.”

“That would be unwise.”

“I know, but it would make me feel a hell of a lot better,” Rob said. “Anyway, can you two finish dealing? Your room smells bad.”

Brad glared. “I agree to the terms, except Tori is part of my plan and I will not ‘leave her alone.’”

Lance opened his mouth to protest, then changed his mind. Maybe if I get strong enough, we can get Tori back later, he thought. We’re not going to get anywhere now. “All right, it’s a deal. What do you want me to do?”

Brad looked disdainfully at Rob. “I don’t reveal my plans in front of outsiders.”

“I’m no longer an outsider after you tried to make me walk off a roof,” Rob retorted.

“You’re not part of the plan,” Brad replied.

Lance saw that Rob was seriously about to let fly and punch Brad. He quickly interjected. “Rob stays or I go.”

“You’re not in a position to make any more deals.”

Rob started forward, fists clenched. Lance grabbed him by the shoulders. “Don’t.”

“I’m gonna hit him.”

“No, you aren’t. Calm down.”

“Pleeeeease let me hit him.”

“Maybe later. Until then, wait outside for me.”

Rob looked carefully at his roommate for a minute, then nodded. “Okay. But call if you need anything. And when you’re done, let me know, so I can come in and kill him.”

“Sure,” Lance said, and gave Rob and a small shove towards the door.

Rob scowled at Brad one last time and left the room. At least it doesn’t smell bad out here. Or make my skin crawl. He leaned against the wall to wait.

“Now what do you want me to do?” Lance demanded.

“What you learn how to do is of no consequence to me,” Brad said. “All I need you to be able to do is to transfer your energy to me, enabling me to use it. You need to learn focus.”

“And what exactly are you going to be doing with my energy?” Lance asked.

“I will explain when your training is complete.”

Lance didn’t really like the sound of that, but didn’t see any other options. “And how long do I have to finish my training?”

“No more than a month, but you must be fully trained before you are ready.”

“Fine. Just keep in mind, if you make a woman out of my sister, I’ll make a woman out of you.” Lance turned and walked out of the room.

“I can’t believe you said that,” Rob said.

“Were you eavesdropping?” Lance asked.

“Hell yes.”

Lance looked skeptically at the thick door, then glanced back at his roommate. Rob grinned and tapped his head. “See? I have skill.”

“What were you doing?”

“Picking the top line out of your head. Your immediate thoughts focused on the conversation at hand.” Rob smirked. “Brad underestimated me again.”

“Were you reading him at all?”

“Can’t,” Rob said. “Believe me, I tried. He’s too well-shielded. With a little practice, maybe I’ll be able to, though.”

“We can hope.”

“No kidding. Let’s go; being this close to his room is making my skin crawl.”

“Yeah, me too.”

~~~

“Think I can get him from here?” Rob asked curiously, glancing over at where Brad was eating dinner.

“Get him?”

“Yeah. Get him.” Rob grinned. “Revenge for dumping my soda all over my good pants.”

“Don’t,” Lance said. “You’re our secret weapon, remember? He doesn’t know you can do anything. And I know you’re thrilled to have telekinesis, but . . .”

“It’s okay. He’ll think you did it,” Rob said, reasonably enough.

Lance looked torn. “Well . . .”

“Great!” Rob grinned and concentrated for a second. A few moments later, Brad’s lasagna was all over his shirt and pants. Rob doubled over with laughter. Lance attempted to keep a straight face for about three seconds, then gave up and laughed.

“I rule!” Rob declared with a grin.

Brad walked over, wiping sauce off his shirt. As usual, he ignored Rob entirely. “I would think you could find better uses for your talents,” he said to Lance.

“Yeah, you’re one to talk, Mr. Maybe-if-I-take-over-her-mind-she’ll-sleep-with me,” Rob said as snidely as was humanly possible.

Brad apparently decided there was nothing he could say to that, because, after another icy glare, he walked off.

Rob cackled. “Man, I’ve been waiting to say that.”

Lance sighed. “Yes, Rob.”

“I told you, it’s Diego this week.”

~~~

“What are you doing out here? It’s cold.”

Rob looked up to where his roommate was peering at him. “I’m talking to the tree,” he said, as if this was an everyday occurrence.

Lance blinked. “You’re talking to the tree.”

“Yes.” Rob was leaning up against a large maple. “It’s a very interesting tree.”

Lance folded his arms and looked down at Rob. “How did you introduce yourself?”

Rob looked sheepish. “I tried Diego, but it didn’t believe me. He didn’t believe me, sorry.” He patted the tree’s trunk in apology.

“It’s a guy?”

“Not really, it just doesn’t like being referred to as an ‘it.’ He says that compares him to inanimate objects.”

“Right . . .” Lance said, resisting the urge to slowly back away.

“Why don’t you try? He likes you.”

“Huh?” Lance asked.

Rob sighed. “The tree. He likes you. He says he got an impression of you from my mind. Come over here. It’s easier with contact.”

Lance, still feeling confused, walked over to the tree.

“Open your mind, first of all,” Rob said. “You can’t do anything sealed like a . . . a . . . open your mind. And relax. Rogaine Boy isn’t nearby.”

Lance nodded and closed his eyes.

“Clam!” Rob cried suddenly, breaking Lance’s concentration efficiently.

“What?!” Lance asked.

“Sealed like a clam. That’s the word I was looking for.”

Lance glared at him, then went back to concentrating. He closed his eyes, listening to the wind gently rustling the few remaining leaves on the oak’s branches.

“Now reach out to the tree. You’ll be able to feel its prescence.”

This is silly, Lance thought. Trees don’t have minds . . . wait, what’s that?

Good afternoon, the tree said into his mind.

Lance yelped and backed off from the tree, nearly tripping over his own feet. “It talked!”

“It’s not an ‘it’, remember?” Rob said. He stood up. “He doesn’t bite. He was just saying hi. Show some manners. Gimme your hand, it’ll make things easier.”

Lance, still relatively bewildered, held out his hand.

Rob took it and put it on the tree’s trunk, leaving his own hand on top of Lance’s.

I’m sorry if I frightened you, the tree said.

Uh . . . it’s all right, Lance thought back. I was just . . . surprised.

You’re too much of a skeptic, Rob popped in.

Dah! Rob, don’t do that without warning me! Lance cried.

My, he’s jumpy, the tree remarked.

Whoa, wait, Lance said.

Concern radiated from the tree and Rob.

What is it? the tree asked.

I feel something else, Lance said slowly. First I was just feeling the tree and Rob a little bit, but now . . . Rob, all of a sudden you’re really clear. You feel like . . . bubble gum and . . . oak . . . what the hell am I talking about?!

Psychometry, I think, Rob said slowly. It happened when I touched you.

What the hell is psychometry? Lance asked.

Psychometry is when you get a . . . a sense of things from touching them, Rob attempted to explain. Sometimes it works with people, sometimes with objects, or even machines. It’s like, you touch something, and you can feel . . . what it’s like. If it’s a person, who it is. Their intentions. If you get really good at it, you can sense their past. That’s what usually happens with objects. You could pick up a rock and tell that it had once been part of a building, Or something. He paused. Did that make sense?

No, the tree said. But that’s all right. I think your friend understands.

Yeah, Lance replied. I think I get it. It was just weird, since I wasn’t expecting it.

I’m honored to have been present for this discovery, the tree remarked. I don’t get much excitement.

Bubble gum and oak, huh? Rob asked, sounding amused. That’s pretty funny.

It’s not my fault, Lance said. You’re weird.

Rob laughed, which sounded really weird inside Lance’s head. Anyway, c’mon. I’m gonna be late for class.

It was a pleasure to have met you, the tree said. Please come by again. I don’t get much for company.

Of course we will, Rob replied.

Nice to meet you, Lance said tentatively. Then he backed away from the tree a step and shook his head as if to clear it. “That was so weird.”

Rob grinned. I know.

“ACK! Don’t do that!”

Why not?

“Don’t make me hit you.”

“You wouldn’t.” Rob smirked. “I gotta go. German calls.”

~~~

“You ready for this?”

Lance took a few deep breaths. “Yeah, think so. I’m about as ready as I’ll get, anyway.”

Rob regarded him seriously. “Now, you’re sure I can’t just kill him?”

“If you could do so without landing in jail, believe me, I’d let you.”

Rob sighed. “Conditions, conditions. Now let’s go. Where’d you say we were going?”

“He’s probably in his room this time of day,” Lance said. “He has no life.”

“Great. Where’d I put my noseplug again?”

“Suck it up.” Lance grabbed him by the sleeve and towed him out of the room. “And don’t say anything to make him mad.”

“Oh, sure.” Rob ran a hand through his hair. “I would never do that.”

“Rob . . .”

“It’s Cecil this week.”

Lance gave him a Look. “Someone’s been watching a little too much Simpsons . . .”

“Just because you have no sense of humor . . .”

Lance ignored him.

They arrived at the dorm about five minutes later. Lance grabbed the door as someone else was going in and the two of them headed for Brad’s room. Rob kicked the door again.

“Enter,” Brad called.

“Why the hell does he talk like that?” Rob muttered under his breath. “And I thought I was bad . . .”

“You are,” Lance said, and opened the door. Brad was sitting on the bed with Tori. “Oh, hi, Tori,” Lance said, sounding unenthusiastic at best.

“Hi Lance . . .” Tori said dreamily. “We were just talking about you.”

“Really,” Lance said dryly. “And has Mr. Wonderful told you what he’s got planned for the three of us?”

“He says I’m going to be his queen for all eternity . . .”

“Oh, so he’s delusional on top of everything else,” Rob said, grinning cheerfully.

Brad glared at him. “Your presence is not required.”

“So? Even if it isn’t required, I’m staying. I don’t trust you, you balding freak.”

Brad simply lifted an eyebrow. “Resorting to name-calling? I thought better of you than that.”

“Well I could just punch you,” Rob said. “If you insist.”

“Will you two cut that out?” Lance asked. He turned to Brad. “My training is complete. Now what?”

“I refuse to discuss this in front of that heathen.”

Rob opened his mouth to protest, but Lance cut him off. “Okay. In that case, we’re done.” He turned to leave.

“Your sister may have something to say about that,” Brad said calmly.

Lance stopped in his tracks.

“Don’t go, Lance,” Tori said.

Lance turned and gave Brad a disgusted look. “You really don’t know when to quit, do you.”

Brad just shrugged. “Now tell your friend to leave.”

Lance glanced at Rob. “You’d better go.”

Rob hesitated, then nodded. I’m not going to go far, he told Lance silently.

I didn’t expect you would, Lance replied.

“Okay, I’m going,” Rob said. “But don’t let this deodorant-head mess with your mind.”

Lance rolled his eyes as Rob bounced out of the room. “Anyway,” he said, turning to Brad. “What are we doing?”

“It’s not necessary for you to know,” Brad replied.

Lance looked like he wanted to argue, then let it go. “When do I get my sister back?”

“When our work is completed.”

“And will that be after we perform this little whatever-thing you want to do?” Lance asked.

“Perhaps.”

“What the hell does that mean?”

“It depends on whether or not our performance meets with approval.”

“With whose approval?”

“My lord and master.”

Lance rolled his eyes. “Okay, Igor.”

He could have sworn he heard Rob snickering in his head.

“Now we must go.”

“Go where?”

“To the designated location.”

“Sorry, Brad, I don’t speak Vague Specific. Care to clarify?”

“Not at this time. Come, Tori, my darling.” He held out his arms to her, ignoring the gagging face that Lance was making. “It is time.”

“Could you be any more melodramatic?” Lance snarled.

Brad simply raised an eyebrow at him.

“Oh, never mind!” Lance pushed the door open and waited for the other two. He followed Brad out of the dorm and down a street. “Could you give me a vague location or something?”

“There is a secluded field not far from here,” Brad said grudgingly.

“Great.” Are you following us, Rob?

It’s Cecil this week, I told you already.

Rob! Be serious!

Okay, yeah, I’m following you.

Lance risked a surreptitious glance around. I don’t see you.

Of course you don’t. That’s the point.

Lance sighed.

Fortunately for all their sanity, the ‘secluded field’ wasn’t as secluded as Brad had suggested it was. They reached it after about a ten minute walk. “Brad,” Lance said dryly. “This is the athletic field. It’s not like it’s a secret place.”

“No one should be here this time of year,” Brad said loftily.

“Brad. You’re an idiot.”

“Enough,” Brad said. “We must begin.”

“What do we need to do?” Lance asked.

“I told you. You merely focus your energy on me. I will work the specifics of the spell.”

“I see,” Lance said. “And what spell is this, exactly?”

“You will see.”

“No, see, I don’t work like that,” Lance said firmly. “You tell me what the spell is, or you don’t get my help.”

Brad sighed. “I need to get in contact with my superiors.”

“What, on the planet Zarcon?”

Brad raised an eyebrow. “No.”

“Well, what do you need me for?”

“I see you are inexperienced with the matters of magic,” Brad said, in as snooty a tone as possible.

Lance glared. “Fine, you asshole. Let’s get this stupid show on the road.”

He’s lyyyiinng, Rob chimed in.

Yeah, you think I don’t know that? I’m not going to get anything else out of him, that’s obvious. And I can’t just walk off. Lance tried not to look as frustrated as he was. “Just tell me we don’t need to hold hands.”

Ewwwww!! Rob whined.

Shut up, you goof.

“It isn’t necessary,” Brad stated. “Now focus your energy.”

“Yes, sir,” Lance grumbled.

“You too, my darling,” Brad said to Tori.

“Yes, Brad . . .”

Lance shuddered.

If she doesn’t cut that out, I’m gonna be sick.

Where are you, Rob?

I’m over on the edge of the field.

Come closer, if you can. I’m getting nervous.

You and me both.

Lance closed his eyes and took a few deep breaths, forcing himself to relax. Once he had managed that, he opened a small channel and began to focus his energy through it. He took care to not let Brad have access to all his energy; that would just be plain stupid. If he wasn’t providing enough, he was sure Brad would let him know.

He opened his eyes a little and glanced around. Brad was concentrating intensely; Tori was hanging on his arm and apparently doing the same. Lance glanced around for Rob, but didn’t see him. Should’ve asked how long this is going to take, he thought, and went back to focusing his energy.

Oh . . . wow . . . Rob’s voice trickled into his mind.

What? Lance opened his eyes and his jaw dropped.

Brad was looking up into the swirling vortex in dismay. “This wasn’t quite what I had planned.”

“What the fuck is that?” Lance asked, trying to keep his voice in its proper octave.

Brad was obviously thinking quickly. Without saying anything, he apparently came to a decision. He took hold of Tori’s arm and jumped upwards, in the direction of the vortex.

“Holy shit!” Lance stared up at where Tori and Brad had disappeared into the portal. Worse yet, it was starting to close up. Lance stared around the field. “ROB!”

“Right with ya, pal.” Lance swung around to find that Rob was standing right next to him.

“How the hell long have you been there?!” Lance yelled.

“I just got here. Chill.” Rob glanced up at the closing vortex. “Do we dare?”

“Do we dare not?! That bastard’s got my sister, and God knows where he took her!”

“Touché,” Rob agreed. “Let’s go, if we’re going.” He leapt upwards, and the portal sucked him in. Lance took a deep breath and followed.

Rob had occasionally wondered, being a fan of science-fiction, what going through an interdimensional portal would feel like. He was extremely disappointed to find that the trip was only a millisecond long, rather like walking through an extremely odd-looking doorway. He was dumped out onto another grassy field, and fortunately had enough sense to roll out of the way, so Lance didn’t land directly on top of him.

Lance immediately scrambled to his feet, looking around for Brad and Tori. He saw the other man standing a few feet away, but his sister was nowhere in sight. “Where the hell is my sister?!”

Brad turned, startled. “How did you get here?”

“We jumped through the portal, what the hell does it look like?” Rob asked, climbing to his feet and dusting himself off. “Where are we, anyway?”

“It’s none of your concern. Go back through that portal this instant.” Brad pointed upwards at the rapidly closing portal.

“Bite me,” Rob retorted. “We’re not going anywhere until we get Tori. What the hell did you do with her?”

“I did nothing,” Brad said. “She must have simply been transported to a different location.”

“What the hell are the odds that the three of us would land right on the other side of the portal and she would be whisked away to somewhere else?” Rob asked.

“It’s complicated. Now leave.”

“Make us,” Rob said flatly.

Brad opened his mouth, then shut it, looking faintly perturbed.

Rob glanced up as the portal finished closing and disappeared, revealing a bright blue sky. “Looks like Earth. Where are we again?”

Brad glared at them, but answered anyway. “We are in the Kingdom of Selentia, or so I would assume.”

“That’s quite a assumption,” Rob said. “Where is Selentia?”

“Quite obviously, in a parallel dimension,” Brad snapped.

“What was that spell supposed to do?” Lance asked suddenly.

“None of your business,” Brad replied.

Lance looked at Rob.

Rob looked at Lance.

“You hold him, I’ll kill him,” Lance said.

“I wanna kill him . . .” Rob whined.

“You can help.”

Rob brightened. “’KAY!” He grabbed Brad by the arms, twisting one behind his back. “Got him! Fire when ready!”

“If you kill me, you’ll never get Tori back, or get back home,” Brad said quickly.

Rob and Lance looked at each other.

“It’s a metaphorical killing, you asshole,” Lance said, and punched Brad square in the jaw.

Rob let Brad go, so they could have the satisfaction of watching him fall face-first into the mud. “So,” Rob said, kicking Brad in side for good measure, “now what?”

Lance looked around. “I still want to know what that spell was supposed to do.”

“And for that matter, what the hell is going on,” Rob said.

~~~

Sorry, folks. That's all for now.

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