Page 10 of The Witches Catalogue of Wanderlust Essentials (Natural Magic #2)

Chapter 5

An Unexpected Slip

W ill Porter paced back and forth in the international arrivals terminal at Boston’s Logan airport. The handwritten sign that he’d tucked under his arm was probably overkill. He knew for sure that he’d recognize Zanfira Marinescu, but what if Zani didn’t recognize him? It had only been a few weeks since they’d first met, but it had been a brief visit, and not under the best of circumstances. That night, Will had been dispatched to let Zani know about their common friend Maida’s “enlightenment” and induction into the world of magic. It had been an immense relief to both of them, no longer having to maintain the veil that separated their world from that of the Ordinaries. They’d both long suspected that Maida was one of their own. She’d blended into the magical community so seamlessly that it was difficult now to recall the “before” times.

It felt like he’d gone to see Zani a long time ago, and also like it was just yesterday. He couldn’t stop thinking about the swashbuckling witch.

Will Porter didn’t develop many romantic attachments. He had a few core friends who were like family to him. His love life was easily summed up as a series of mutually agreeable dalliances with a wide variety of partners. He’d dated plenty of his fellow Fae and gone through a somewhat exploratory shifter phase in his later twenties. Will avoided dating pureblood witches and wizards. He wasn’t looking for anything so serious. As a Porter, he was always on the move, which made long-term relationships tricky.

Will placed a thumb on his telepathic watch and reached out to his friend Arthur Hart’s teenage daughter. The T-watches were a novelty that was still catching on in the magical community. They were most popular with young people who appreciated the easy access to their friend’s hive mind. Will was an early adopter. He liked to think he had a young soul.

Even though Arthur’s daughter Rosie was only sixteen years old, she was surprisingly smart about relationship stuff. And she was discreet. Maida, who was like a sister to him, had teased him relentlessly since sensing his “crush” on Zani. And even Arthur, who was normally so proper, had found it fun to rib him occasionally. He didn’t want to risk being made fun of by his friends.

Will did not appreciate their jokes. He was used to being trivialized. He was admittedly whimsical in his ways. But in this case, it was hurtful. He’d had genuine feelings for Zani from the first moment he met her. It was almost alchemical. He wasn’t sure how, or why, or when, but he was certain that he and Zani belonged together. There was just something about the petite, plucky witch that he kept coming back to. As he drifted off to sleep, he’d get glimpses of her saucy, slightly gap-toothed smile and that decadently dark, hot chocolate gaze that made his marshmallows melt down. He had to force himself to picture Fenway Park for a few minutes, just to avoid the risk of accidentally sleep-porting himself back into her bedroom.

Arthur and Maida didn’t mean to be cruel, but their taunts were insensitive. Especially so when they were so hopelessly, happily in love with each other. He needed advice from a less judgmental, more neutral source.

The clock on the arrivals board read four o’clock. Her plane had landed half an hour ago and she would clear customs in no time.

Holding his thumb against the screen of his T-watch, he implored young Rosie Hart to give him an honest opinion. He gazed down at the sign, trying to convey a clear mental image, along with his question.

What do you think, Rosie, should I go with the sign or not ?

Fortunately for Will, she responded immediately and emphatically.

You made a sign ? Lose it ! You are not a professional driver, Will. That’s worse than putting yourself in the friend zone.

Thank you, Rosie ! He was glad he could count on the teenager for an unvarnished opinion.

Surreptitiously, Will tucked the sign behind a potted plant.

But what if she doesn’t recognize me ? Will worried telepathically.

Are you kidding me ? That’s not possible. You are unforgettable Will Porter. Now get over yourself and get her back here to the Mudpuddle. I can’t wait to hear all about Zani’s adventures !

Will released his thumb from the watch screen and took a moment to straighten his well-cut brocade jacket. He studied his own reflection in the glass security dividers. Rosie had a point. With his bright red hair and beard, brilliant emerald eyes, and fashionable clothing, he stood out from the crowds of Ordinaries in the airport. But that didn’t mean he was unforgettable. Looking around at all the plain-clothed Ordinaries in black jackets and dull sweatshirts, a terrible thought occurred to him.

He liked his colorful clothes. But what if Zani thought he looked like some kind of fancy fool who was trying too hard?

Will sucked in some air and gave himself a little shake. He had to snap out of it. This was no way to think. And no way to act. Colorful clothing was his calling card and quite necessary for his trade. He wrapped himself in supersaturated hues as a matter of self-protection. Insulation. His clothes might seem whimsical and fanciful, but stepping into oblivion was serious business. No porter worth his salt would set off on a journey wearing black or brown or gray clothing. Not if they wanted to arrive with their souls still intact.

He stood a little straighter and taller and scanned the stream of people pouring out through the double doors. Tired entrepreneurs, tourists, mothers with suitcases and lagging children. Nothing unusual.

Next to him, however, a young man in sporty clothing bounced on the balls of his feet. He was holding a bouquet of two dozen roses and seemed even more anxious than Will. He nearly jumped out of his skin every time the double doors opened to let out more people.

Finally, Will spotted Zani strolling toward him. She looked different, he thought. No less beautiful, of course, but tired. She had circles beneath her eyes and she looked troubled. He couldn’t quite put his finger on what it was, but he could tell that something was wrong.

But when Zani looked up in his direction, she smiled, dispelling the sadness. She recognized him! Will burst into a grin, took a step forward, and tripped, falling on top of the expectant man who had been standing beside him a moment ago. The Ordinary bloke had since dropped to one knee, and was just reaching into his pocket for a tiny box as Will flattened him. Flowers flew everywhere.

“Ow!” the man called out angrily from the ground. “What is the matter with you?”

“I’m so sorry,” Will stammered. “I didn’t see you there. Are you okay? Are you hurt? Can I help you up?” Will held out his hand to offer some help. He was a bit surprised when the gentleman glared at him. Instead of getting up, he got back on one knee.

Too late, Will understood that the man was in the midst of proposing.

When he looked up again, he saw Zani staring at him. Her dark eyes were wide, and she held one hand over her mouth. A few feet away from her, a pleasantly plump Ordinary girl was frozen in place, her face an uncertain mash-up of surprised delight, concern, and dismay. She let go of her carry-on and narrowed her hazel eyes at Will.

“Close your eyes and pretend you didn’t see that, Mandy? Just give me a minute?” the man begged. “It wasn’t supposed to be like this. Everything was supposed to be perfect.” He shot an angry sidelong glance at Will.

In an instant, Zani was by the man’s side, sweeping the roses back into a bouquet.

Will felt his ears redden and his face grew hot. Here he hadn’t even said hello yet, and somehow he’d already made a fool of himself. This wasn’t how he’d wanted things to go.

“Hi, Will,” Zani said. “Would you hold this for me for a moment?” She frowned as she shoved her train case at him. He took it from her and struggled to maintain his balance again. It was unexpectedly heavy for such a small item.

Will watched as Zani reached into her pocket for something. That couldn’t be a wand, could it? Surely she wouldn’t risk pulling a wand out in a public, Ordinary place? And not for a minor scuffle like this? But it wasn’t a wand, he quickly saw. It was a little paper fan. This seemed strange as it was early spring and quite cool out, but the terminal was overheated and she had been carrying a heavy bag. Will tucked Zani’s case under one arm, grateful for his own super-strength. Perhaps he could impress Zani with that, if nothing else.

Zani muttered something that sounded vaguely magical as she picked up the flowers. After she handed the bouquet back to the man, she winked at him, unfurled the fan, and fanned the Ordinary man’s face generously. Instantly, the beads of sweat rolling down his temples evaporated.

“Don’t worry, it’ll all be fine,” she assured him.

When his lady friend approached again, Zani winked at her, too. She waved the fan back and forth at the girl, like she was blessing her, pausing at the end to fold the fan with a flourish. Finally, she bowed and blew them both a kiss.

Then she spun on her heel and hastily linked arms with Will. “Come on.” She tugged at him. “Let’s get out of here.”

“Wait. Don’t you want to see if she says yes?” Will asked, suddenly feeling invested in the couple.

“No.” Zani was adamant. She tucked the fan back into her satchel. “I just erased their memory of us. As far as they’re concerned, we were never here.”

* * *

“How did you do it?” Will threw open the door to the luxuriously appointed van. Technically, the van belonged to his employer, Westabrook Enterprises. But as it was custom outfitted as a traveling home base for Will’s porting activities, he also thought of it as his own. He placed the travel case on the floor of the back seat.

“How’d I do what?” Zani asked. She ignored his proffered hand and reached out to grab a handle, swinging herself up and into the back of the van with ease. Wearily she slipped the small satchel off her shoulder and dropped it onto one of the leather upholstered seats. She looked around at the lavishly appointed interior and whistled softly. “Fancy ride!”

“How did you erase their memories?” Will asked. He frowned as she slid into one of the seats. “You know you can leave your bag there and come ride up front with me. There’s plenty of room up front and we can catch up.”

“I just wish I was there already. You do not know how long this journey has been.” Zani closed her eyes. “And to answer your question … I used my Forgettable Fan to erase their memories. Handy little thing. It’s gotten me out of a few tight spots. I picked it up at a prop sale in West Hollywood a few years ago. I rarely use it on Ordinaries at the airport.” One corner of her mouth twitched up as she rubbed at a spot between her eyes. “Are you always such a menace in public, Will Porter?”

“You’ve got a headache,” Will said. Zani was clearly exhausted.

“It’s nothing. I’m just tired. I’ll be fine as soon as I get some rest,” Zani asserted. She sat up and looked at Will expectantly. “Shouldn’t we get going now? How long is the ride?”

“It’s rush hour.” Will shrugged. “Doesn’t really matter much if we leave now or wait here for a bit. It’s normally about forty minutes, but we’re bound to spend at least an hour in traffic if we leave now.”

Zani groaned.

“Here.” Will stepped into the van and closed the doors behind himself. “Let me get you some water and an aspirin.”

He opened a cabinet and pulled out a bottle of water along with a small glass jar of pills.

“Thanks.” Zani took both and swallowed the pills.

“Can I offer you anything to eat?” Will asked. “We have some snacks in the cabinets or I know of a great sandwich shop we can stop at or…” He hesitated and Zani raised an eyebrow.

“Or what?” she asked.

“Or I could just pop out to wherever for whatever it is you are craving. There’s a magical donut shop in LA, or a trattoria in Rome.”

“It’s the middle of the night in Rome, Will.” Zani rubbed her eyes. She thought for a minute. “But there are markets open in Singapore…”

“Which ones?” Will asked excitedly. “I can be back in ten minutes.”

Zani’s eyes flew open. “I’m joking, Will! I’m not sending you to Asia for noodles now. Don’t be ridiculous. I’ll grab a bite when I get to Maida’s place.”

“Okay.” Will was disappointed. Now that she mentioned it, the noodles sounded superb. He sat down in the seat opposite Zani. “Can I see the fan?”

“Whatever for?” She eyed him suspiciously.

“I’m just curious. How does it work?” Will adored magical gadgets. One of his most prized possessions was the Gearheart Locket he wore around his neck. It could create a protective pocket universe when activated. The locket had been a gift to him from Maida. “I’d love to just see it. Please?” Will made what he hoped was an endearing puppy dog face.

“Ugh, fine, just stop making that face,” Zani said. “You look like you just ate a pickled lime.”

She pulled the fan out of her bag. It was an elegant origami contraption. He could see now that it could even conceal a wand in one of its ribs, should one choose to place a wand there. The paper was a rich floral print, but seemed to change every time he looked away. It was impossible to recall the pattern or the color for more than a moment or two.

“So clever!” Will reached out to take it from her for a closer look, but Zani snatched it away.

“Uh uh.” She shook her head and folded it up. “I can’t risk you giving us both an impromptu identity crisis in the parking lot. I need to get where I’m going already.”

“Fine.” Will sighed and folded his arms, tucking his hands behind his elbows. He gave himself a brief hug to ground himself. He didn’t want to seem overly eager. “You know we don’t have to take the turnpike.” Will bit his lip and raised his brows. “I know a much, much faster way.”

He watched as Zani took another swig of water and rubbed at her temples. He braced himself for further rejection. He’d conveyed the offer to her through Maida more than once since the night they’d met.

Just say the word, and I’ll be there. I can take Zani anywhere she wants to go.

And on every occasion, Zani had turned the offer down. She had reasons. She didn’t want to risk carrying enchanted–or worse yet, cursed –relics through the unstable “in-between” spaces. She enjoyed conventional travel, the act of looking out the window and watching the scenery change. She didn’t want to tax him, or be a burden. Blah, blah, blah.

Will wished for nothing more than Zani to tax him. He perched on the seat opposite her. Will hoped his face reflected his sympathy for her long journey, and not just his excitement about the chance to play the hero. He really couldn’t stop picturing carrying her across the threshold of the Mudpuddle in a blaze of gentlemanly glory.

“I don’t know.” Zani bit her lip. “But maybe….” She consulted a brass pocket watch and seemed to reconsider, giving him some hope. Will was excited to see she was thinking about the offer. She was genuinely considering it! “But my travel case is quite heavy.”

“It’s nothing.” Will waved her concerns away. “I’ve carried far heavier cases. I’m much stronger than I look.” He tried not to puff out his chest but Zani wasn’t even looking at him. She was staring at her satchel on the other seat.

“And I have the satchel as well.” She tilted her head, as if calculating a figure, or more likely doing an internal inventory of whatever was inside the bag. “I suppose I could leave the satchel in the van if it’s too much. But what about the van?” She looked concerned.

“Not to worry, I can just pop right back for it. Best if I wait a couple of hours till traffic clears. You’d really be doing me a favor.” Will played his last card. “And the satchel should be fine as well, as long as you can hold on to it.”

“You know what? Why not?” Zani sat up straighter, slipped an elastic band off her wrist, and pulled her long, dark, shining hair into a sleek ponytail. “The sooner we get back, the sooner I can lie down and enjoy being unconscious.”

He saw the circles under her eyes now, and the way her forehead was creased with worry.

“Zani,” he probed, “is everything–”

“I don’t want to talk about it, Will.” She cut him off. “That’s another reason I’d like to get to Maida’s as soon as possible. I’m not sure how much more small talk I can handle right now.”

Will felt deflated. Of all the reasons to want to port with him, spending less time with him hardly seemed like the best. He hid his dismay, poorly, by picking at a loose thread on his cuff.

“I’m sorry, Will.” Zani softened as she apologized. “Please don’t take it personally. It’s just … well…” She fished around for the right words. “I’ve had some setbacks recently and this isn’t quite the homecoming I’d envisioned. In fact, I’m not sure how long I’ll even be staying. I’ve got to get right back out to the field, considering recent developments.” She pulled the satchel’s crossbody strap across her chest.

“Oh, dear,” Will said and frowned.

“Oh, dear what?” Zani whipped her head back toward him, staring quizzically at the way he twisted his hands.

“Nothing, nothing at all,” Will insisted. “I guess I was just hoping that you might stick around for a bit. Boston’s not a bad city to settle in, you know. And there aren’t many magical communities out there as safe and lovely as Primrose Court.”

“And by safe, do you mean boring?” Zani rolled her eyes and stood up.

“Primrose Court is not boring!” Will objected. “We recently had an incident with a rogue mage, and the Mudpuddle disappearing and?—”

“So I’ve heard,” Zani interrupted. “I expect that’s the most excitement in Primrose for decades, though. Didn’t the mage get turned into a betta fish?”

“He did.” Will nodded.

“So all’s well that ended well? You can get back to your town council meetings and arguments over whose potions belong on the front shelf of the apothecary?” Zani smiled politely. “Primrose Court is stuck in the past. Some things never change.”

“Minerva Lathrop and Zephyr Nightshade are opening a cheese shop and commissary!” Will defended the community he knew and loved. “It’s a rather avant garde concept!”

“If you say so.” Zani tapped her foot impatiently. “Are we doing this?”

“Ready when you are.” Will drew the curtains carefully and waved a hand in front of the blank interior wall of the van. He wished, now, that he had parked on the ground level of the parking garage. Porting was always easier and more straightforward the closer you were to the earth. But he could still feel the energy of the ley lines that pumped strongly beneath them. When he waved his hand, he could feel his own blood move and intersect with that energy, as if he became a part of the essential network that connected all beings and all places at all times. He bent down on one knee, not unlike the man in the airport terminal.

Zani registered this warily. “What the Hecate are you doing?” she asked. “You’re not proposing to me, are you?” She looked worried now. She glanced at the van door like she might bolt.

Will’s hands had grown warm and were beginning to glow. Next came the hum, which was not so much an audible noise as the roaring vacuum of silence. Zani looked alarmed.

“You’ve never ported before,” Will said, recognizing his error and knowing it to be true as he spoke the words. He stuck his hands beneath his elbows, slowing the progression as much as he could. Once a portal was activated and had begun to open, it was extremely difficult, painful even, to reverse the process. If he had known it was her first time, he would have gone slower, and been more gentle.

“It’s going to be fine.” He spoke reassuringly now. “Climb on my back and we’ll be there before you know it.”

“Climb on your back? As in piggyback? You’re going to carry me like a child?” Zani scoffed, a bit disbelieving.

“I’m going to carry you like a porter carries a passenger. I’ve found that’s the most comfortable position. There’s a few others we could try if you prefer. There’s one where I throw you over my shoulder and…”

“Stop there!” Zani exclaimed. “I’m not sure I want to know. I’m probably going to regret this.”

Will had to admit, he was excited at the thought of trying different porting positions with Zani. She seemed quite athletic and up to the challenge. But now was not the time. Boring, safe, piggyback-style it would have to be.

“Step up onto the seat. It will make it easier to hop on,” Will said.

Zani followed his directions, reaching out to grab a handle by the door to steady herself as she swung one leg over him.

The portal was widening now. It started as a mere pinprick of light that bloomed outward, expanding and cracking the familiar dimension wide open. The void shone with the blinding light of infinite possibilities.

“You should close your eyes,” Will shouted above the hum. “And hold on tight, please. Wrap your arms and legs around me. You mustn’t let go. That’s the most important rule.”

“Got it!” Zani shouted back. Her arms twined around his neck and into his jacket. “What about my train case?” she shouted again.

“I’ve got it.” Will reached out a hand to scoop up the case. Then he took a giant step, plunging them both into the shining white oblivion.

Something was not quite right.

Will was used to wading through the porridge-like sludge of the empty spaces. It was his special skill. He’d never gotten stuck. Not once. But when he stepped into the abyss with Zani, his foot unexpectedly came down on something hard and slick. He didn’t sink. He slid.

Careening forward, Will clung to Zani’s weighted case with one arm and threw out the other to aid his balance on the slippery surface. He was at once gliding downhill and also standing still. Frigid air rushed past him, stinging his nose and frosting his eyebrows. It was impossible to tell how far he’d come in that single step, or whether he remained on course. He was grateful for the warmth of Zani. Through his shirt, he felt her fingers as they spread out to cling and clutch at him more tightly.

He’d heard plenty of tales about how to avoid the quicksand of oblivion. But ice? The phenomenon wasn’t well documented. Only children’s stories and the writings of eccentric crackpots described such unlikely events. Will struggled to remember what his old professor Burnside wrote about these situations.

When the void’s familiar sludge suddenly turns to ice beneath your feet, do not fight the slide. Most porters panic, digging in their heels. This topples them. Instead, shift your weight forward like a skater. Surrender to the glide while seeking constellations that remain fixed.

Fortunately for Will, he had grown up ice skating on frozen ponds and this wasn’t all that different, really. He bent his knees and angled his toes together, forming a v-shape, and slowed to a stop. Through his squinting eyes, he saw thousands of specks of silver floating in the air like snowflakes. Absolute truth. It was always present in oblivion. It usually gathered in ominous puddles around the edges, but here it drifted in dust motes, forming pretty patterns.

Will squeezed his eyes shut and refocused his mind’s eye upon the precise point of entry he’d chosen: the mudroom in the Mudpuddle Bookshop and Cafe. This was a perfect place for a portal because it was almost always empty, especially on a quiet afternoon like today. It was a sort of pantry where Maida and Arthur kept their winter boots and coats, and Rosie kept her cat’s food. He’d been expecting to reach it in two, possibly three strides. Now that he had no idea how far he’d slid, he was less sure. There was nothing to do but carry on, though. He couldn’t risk lingering in the abyss. Tentatively, he lifted one foot and prepared to step forward. He slid quickly once more, as if he’d pushed away from a wall and not simply taken a step.

He didn’t slide for very long this time. The next instant, his foot landed on the wooden planks of the mudroom floor.

Will and Zani tumbled together into the mudroom, nearly overturning the heavily laden coatrack. Sun streamed through the window on the side of the house and he could smell something baking in the kitchen. Rosie must have put up another batch of cookies.

“Holy crows!” Zani exclaimed. “Is it always like that?”

Will shook his head. He was at a rare loss for words. Had they really just arrived here in little more than a single slippery step?

“Can I get you some water? Give yourself a moment before you stand up.” Will leaned backward and bent his legs to deposit Zani on the wooden bench by the door. He would have liked to have sat on the bench himself for a moment or two, but he didn’t want to alarm her.

Zani did not seem alarmed, however. If anything, she seemed exhilarated. “What was all the silvery stuff in the air?” she asked.

“You opened your eyes?” Will sucked in a breath. Why hadn’t she listened to him? And how was she still conscious? He’d known no one, aside from his fellow porters, who could risk having a look around while porting. It made most people faint immediately. Or worse. “Are you sure you’re all right?”

“What do you mean, am I all right? Of course I am! Better than all right. I don’t know what was in the air, but my headache is gone!” Zani chattered excitedly. “That was amazing. Although, to be honest, it was almost a little too quick. I was expecting it to last a little longer. Also, I was a little worried you were going to fall. Is it always over that fast? And are you always that unsteady on your feet?”

Will’s head was swimming now. Porting always took a lot out of him, but quick trips like this rarely left him quite so depleted. He felt dizzy. Lightheaded and a little faint. He felt in his breast pocket for a sweet.

“Stay there,” Will said. “I’m just going to go fetch us something sweet from the cafe. It’s good to replenish after a port.” He was slurring his words slightly, he realized, like he’d had too much mead.

“Don’t be silly, I’m fine. I’m coming with you!” Zani interjected.

“Sit!” Will pointed a finger at her and turned toward the door. He swung it open and stepped into the hallway, where he promptly collided with Maida. She looked surprised to see him.

“Will!” Maida exclaimed. She frowned. “What are you doing here? I thought you left already! You’d better get a move on if you’re still planning to go to the airport to pick up Zani.”

Zani peeked her head out from the mudroom. “Surprise! Will already met me at the airport and convinced me to port in with him to avoid rush hour traffic. It was wild, Maida! Have you done it before? Five seconds and bam ! We were here.”

Maida looked from Will to Zani and back to Will again. She was not only surprised to see them, she was clearly confused.

“How?” she asked.

“We ported!” Zani said again, imitating an ice skater gliding across the ice as she slid into the hallway to embrace Maida.

Just then, the mantel clock above the fireplace in the foyer chimed. Bong … Bong … Bong !

“But that’s impossible,” Maida said, still staring at them in disbelief. “It’s only three o’clock. Your plane hasn’t landed yet.”

“Ha ha, hilarious ,” Will said. And then he began to stagger. He’d hit a wall.