Mariel's Magic

Chapter 10. Department 47

Over the next year, the expanding family at the Ranch watched as Mariel's Friends grew to a steady following of seventy-five million worldwide, and it seemed that the magic in each video was getting through to the viewers. The most evident sign of its success was in the U.S. elections, where there was a tsunami of progressive candidate wins. As Mariel turned eight, she watched as these young, idealistic officeholders began to enact many new social programs, paid for by substantial increases in the taxation of the wealthy. This was a far different result than what had been expected at the start of the election year, when hardcore conservatives seemed destined to take over.

On election night, Mariel, Trista, and Hana, who were now known on the Ranch as the Doves, were sitting around the fireplace, happy with what they had accomplished but wary.

"It's strange, isn't it?" said Mariel. "The elections turned out so differently than everyone thought. All those new young progressives getting elected... they're calling it a wave."

Hana, however, thought about the battles to come. "Yes, a wave indeed. But the sea is fickle, and the shadow of a storm follows."

Trista nodded grimly. "And the High Master watches. We stopped him for a time, but he's going to be angry, and he's going to come for us again."

Mariel, her optimism alive despite their worries, said, "He's tried before, but we're strong, aren't we?"

Hana, with a sigh, nodded. "Strong, yes. But we have to stay vigilant. He's going to do something."

Trista, remembering her previous life in the world of dark magic, said, "Yes, we must be careful because the darkness is patient."

As the pundits scratched their heads, wondering how they could have been so wrong about the election, nobody thought to look at the influence of the social media of an eight-year-old child and her friends. Peggy, on air until late that night, guessed the truth. She knew of the magic emanating from the Ranch and had talked to Mariel about how viewers were being affected. She could not speak of the magic to others, but it influenced how she reported on the election night results.

"This doesn't make any sense. All our polling pointed to a conservative sweep this election cycle," said Jason Sloane, her on-air co-host. "The trends were all pointing in the opposite direction."

"Clearly, we missed something," said Peggy. "Some factor that wasn't accounted for in our analysis. Folks, it's clear that there's been a shift in the public. Something is happening. This election is not the end of this story."

***

The only ones that were really aware of the influence of Mariel and her friends were other magical beings. The High Master, who was a continuing threat, saw all his favored candidates fall. He kept trying to get Mariel off social media, but he did not have the power to attack the Family directly. He could act only through those he could influence, and the Family had always seen his attacks coming.

"This is outrageous! How is it that every candidate I supported lost?" roared the High Master at his assembled followers.

"It appears that the influence of the witches in Mendocino is stronger than we thought," replied an acolyte.

"I don't care about her influence!" screamed the High Master. "I care about control. We need to silence her, once and for all."

"But how, High Master? She's protected by powerful magic."

The High Master said, "We'll find a way. We always do. Keep searching for vulnerabilities. We will not let her white magic stop us."

***

In the quiet of the early morning, with the mist still clinging to the meadows surrounding the Ranch, Andy Forester stood watch. The silence was broken only by the soft tread of his boots on the dew-laden grass. Andy's wife had been healed of cancer by Hana and Mariel, and so he was one of several individuals who knew of the magic at the Ranch, though he could not speak of it to anyone. An ex-special forces colonel, he showed his gratitude by coming out of retirement and serving the Family as best he could by helping to keep them safe. He managed Ranch security, with two other security guards reporting to him, and he had just relieved the guard who stood watch from 1 a.m. to 7 a.m.