Twin Mages Book 2: Deception

Chapter 1: Year Two Begins

Lily and Leo step out of a portal onto the grass with their team. Dez and Kei look around, keeping an eye on their surroundings, as their Captain closes his vortex. The man chuckles at the group's intensity. "Chill out, you four. This is a simple job. Go in, get the new students, and leave." Lily looks at the Captain, nodding. "Yes, Captain Odji." Captain Odion Odji creates a small stream of sand with his palm, the grains leading down a hill. He's a well built man, his tan skin complemented by his black hair and brown eyes. "This way." The Captain begins walking, as the team follows.

Leo looks around, nudging Dez on the hip. "Where are we at again, man?" Kei sighs, realizing how hopeless her boyfriend can be at times. "We're in your best friend's hometown, and you can't remember the name of it?" Dez laughs as Leo rubs the back of his hair. "No problem man. It's a small place, barely shows up on a map. It's called Clifden."

Lily thinks back to what Dez told her about his hometown and growing up here. Clifden is a small coastal town in Ireland, West of Dublin. Less than two thousand people live here. It's nothing like New York. She stands at a cliff, looking at the water crashing against the rocks on the shore. "It's beautiful, isn't it?" Lily turns to see Dez staring at the water just a foot or two behind her. "It really is." Lily nods, not looking at the water anymore, but instead admiring the way Dez is staring at the water. His look of loving admiration is simply adorable to her, and she can't get enough of it. Suddenly, Lily is pulled back to reality when Kei yells out to them. "Are you two gonna come, are so you want some privacy?" Lily blushes as Dez grabs her wrist, pulling them back to the group.

Before long, the five Mages walk up to a small cottage at the edge of a farming community. Dez breathes in deeply, a smile on his face. "Welcome to my home, guys." Leo looks around at the fields of crops, and the shabby looking house before them. "We're definitely a far way from New York." Lily and Kei punch him, telling him to be respectful. As Leo is getting up from the ground, dusting himself off, Captain Odji knocks on the door, reminding the four kids to be professional. "I know you all are only fourteen, but you're still Apprentice Mages. Please act accordingly." With that, the door opens.

A skinny, tall man answers the door, noticing Dez behind the Captain, and turning around to call inside. "Delores! Marcus! Delilah! Guess who's here?!" Two children appear, and a stocky woman behind them. Dez waves, chuckling at their excitement. "Hi mom and dad!" Lily analyzes the group, their features very similar to Dez. The father being a tall skeleton of a man in a flannel and dirt stained jeans, and the mother with her wispy coils of pumpkin colored hair.

The Captain cuts through the cheer, attempting to carry out his duties. "Sorry to be interrupting this family reunion, but we have been asked to escort Marcus and Delilah to Sanctuary ahead of the school year beginning. If they wish to pack a bag with keepsakes or mementos, they are more than free to do so."

The parents seem worried, looking down at the two children. The mother rubs Marcus's red hair, worry in her eyes. "Son, do you have to go? You too, Delilah. You aren't being forced to do this." Marcus and Delilah both nod to their parents, huge smiles on their faces. "Yeah! We can go to be with Dez, and we can learn to use our magic! Just like Dez has!"

The father laughs, shrugging his shoulders as he relents to the children's wishes. "I guess they'll be in your hands then kids." The mother looks at the group ahead of her with tears in her eyes. "Please take good care of my children. All three of them." Lily, Leo, and Kei all bow in respect, wanting to be as courteous to Dez's mother as possible. Leo stands first, putting his fist forward with his thumb in the air. "Mrs. Callahan, I promise that your children will be safe with us!" With that, the children come out with their bags, giving their parents a hug, Dez walking up to join in, before Captain Odji opens a sand tunnel, preparing for an exit. The group of seven walk into the sand, stepping back out in the Courtyard.