Magic Mania: Book One

16

"Bloody hell this is boiling," moaned Scott immediately, the second he'd crossed through the portal into the open desert. The sunlight was harsh and scorching, and the sky hurt their eyes with its blue, which Stephen hadn't realised was possible before now.

Looking around, squinting so hard he could barely see, Strange saw he hadn't chosen the best place to take them to. It looked like the nearest civilisation was about a mile's walk from here, and they'd likely pass out from the heat before they got there. Suddenly his vision darkened and he could see without straining his eyes against the sun anymore. Feeling his face, he found he was suddenly wearing sunglasses, and, taking a look at the others, saw they were too.

Loki caught his eye (or so he assumed) and explained, "Oh, I thought you might appreciate being able to see, you know. We all look like tourists now."

"Thanks," Scott enthused, feeling his own glasses. "I've always wanted some aviator glasses! Do they suit me?"

They really didn't, but Loki still said, "You look awesome Scott. And Stephen, you look... less awesome."

Strange suspected he was also wearing aviator glasses, which, for some bizarre reason, he really just couldn't pull off. He didn't particularly know why, but they just made him look bad. However, he ignored the fashion side of things and decided to focus on getting a little cooler, so conjured up some ice water for himself. Loki followed suit, making Scott and Wanda some ice water before making himself some. Scott drained his glass almost as quick as Loki did.

"OK then, so now we're all hydrated," Wanda started, unzipping her hoodie and tying it around her waist, "are we going to make a move?" Unlike Strange and Scott, her glasses actually suited her, especially with the way her hair was tied up. At least she'd have no trouble pretending to be a tourist.

Stephen nodded, and they started off towards (what he sincerely hoped was) Vegas. He hoped he'd got it right, and not taken them to another completely random desert state. That would be embarrassing.