John was working a full afternoon shift at the substation as usual. Now that he actually looked like an 18 year old, he was able to move more freely during normal school hours. It had been difficult at first settling in to his new life. Almost 4 years ago, John had come with Theo to the Russo home and was left there to learn magic and about the mortal world from the Russos. He had been lucky in getting to stay with the Russos. They gave him a lot of freedom, but they were like any other parents to a child and he loved that about Jerry and Theresa. He became quiet close with Justin and Max and saw the both of them as his brothers. Justin had taught John a lot about the magic world, especially from Justin's fondness for magical creatures. Max, was Max. When John needed to simply veg out, he went to Max. Somehow, Max had a knack of making one's mind go blank, or blow up from frustration. Alex though was a different situation all together. Alex at first hated John. Unlike her brothers, John was hard to manipulate as she did with her friends and family. She hated that he always knew what was going on underneath her well built facade and that irked her even more. It took a couple years before Alex began to actually warm up to John. Over the past few years, and especially after the family vacation a year back, John had opened up more to her and she had finally started to see what under John's tough exterior. Although he was very smart, unlike her brother Justin, John was very quiet about that fact and as Alex began to understand John more, she started to like him more.

As his thoughts went on, John was shook out of his daydream by the Russo clan as they were coming home from school. John had never attended mortal school. He already could read and write when he came to the Russo home, and helping Justin and Max with their homework, he had gotten a decent education without stepping a foot into a class room. He would have helped Alex with her homework, but she tended to simply not do her's so John usually expected her to hit him up the next morning to see if he would do enough of her homework to get by at school.

John grabbed a tray of sandwiches he had made for Alex, Justin, Harper, and Max and layed them out for everyone. He grabbed a few cups and filled them with sweet tea as he said, "Your mom is upstairs and wants to see Max. Jerry is in the lair and wants to see the both of you. Something about your upcoming birthday Alex."

As everyone started to leave, Harper walked around the counter and put on an apron. "What do you need me to do?" she asked John.

"Oh, you can just stand here and look pretty for now. I will be in the back getting stuff prepped for the dinner rush." he said as he went to the back to get his work done.

As Alex and Justin went into the lair, they saw their father standing there, pacing back and forth. As they sat down on the couch and chair, Jerry stayed quiet for a few moments. "Ok, you two. Justin you may know this already, but Alex being as you are now turning 17, you don't know. There is a little war going on in the wizard world right now and all wizards 17 and over can be called up to fight." said Jerry letting the revelation sink into Alex's head.

"This war is one in a long line of wars, the wizard council has fought with another group of very powerful magic users called the Magi." said Jerry looking at his two eldest children. "I am not exactly sure what started it this time, but in the past the Magi have not really put all they have into fighting the wizard council and tend to stay in their own lands. You both are not to go any where near Africa or Asia until this war is resolved. The last war ended with the Magi simply surrendering out of the blue and they didn't even show up for the treaty signing. So stay away from their areas. You will know a Magi by the dark brown robes and the silver or gold masks they wear. If you see one, just walk away. They won't attack you unless you attack them." said Jerry. "Any questions?" Jerry asked.

Alex looked at Justin and then at her father, "What is a magi?" she asked.

"No one really knows where they come from or really what they are. Some think they are simply wizards that are from Africa or Asia since no one has actually seen a Magi without their masks. They do use different magic called primal magic by wizards. This form of magic is very old, very powerful, and very illegal to practice if you're a wizard." said Jerry as he nodded to Justin's raised hand.

"Are we going to actually have to fight?" asked the eldest Russo.

"I don't think so. There are enough wizards to fight, not including magical creatures, but you never know, so John will be teaching you some spells and such that you can use for your protection if it ever comes to that." said Jerry.

"What kind of spells?" Alex asked.

"I am not sure. He said he would teach you some things he picked up while working for the Agency of Magical Protection so it should be useful to you in or out of a war." stated Jerry. "Now, if there are no more questions, John told me to start you on this book and then he will pick up lessons starting Monday." said Jerry as he handed out two small books to Alex and Justin. The 2 siblings looked at each other and shrugged as they began to flip through the book. They didn't notice Jerry leaving the lair to go to the sub shop.

John turned around when the freezer door opened and nodded at Jerry as he came out, "Well John, I gave them the book and the speech. The rest is up to you." Jerry said as he took John's place at the sandwich construction table.

John nodded and stepped back, "Well, they don't have to worry. I can honestly say the Magi won't attack them or anything. Between you and me, the council should have left well enough alone, they didn't need another line of dragons from South Africa for the wizard power plant." said John as he was putting some perishables on the shelf.

"Ah so that is what started it this time. You know, I fought for about a day during the last war. The Magi were kicking our butts, but then suddenly they just all left and said it was over." said Jerry fixing his first orders.

Shrugging his shoulders, "That sounds like the Magi. Mysterious and they like to keep things to themselves." John said as he finished the sides for Jerry's order.

"Do I need to be worried about Justin and Alex?" asked Jerry seriously.

Patting Jerry on the back, "Nah, I will keep an eye on them Jerry. They will be fine." said John as he rang the bell for Harper to take the order.

That night the Russo family was taking it easy. John didn't have to work at his wizard job for the next week so he had made some spiced cucumbers he and Alex were busy munching on while watching TV. After about an hour of peace and quiet, Alex elbowed John to get his attention, "So John, you are going to be teaching us some spells from that book dad gave us." said Alex not taking her eyes off the TV.

"Yap" said John as he rubbed his ribs and continued watching the TV with Alex.

"Why?" said Alex.

"Because" said John as he started to figure out he wasn't going to be able to finish watching the TV.

Alex turned to look at John, "Because? That's not a good enough reason" said Alex.

Laying down the bowl of food on the coffee table, John sat up, "Because both of you need to know some defensive spells. Unless you want to get your "boyfriend" Mason to teach you." said John.

"Who said he hasn't taught me some spells." Alex retorted.

Rolling his eyes at Alex, "I wouldn't learn anything from that guy. I just get a weird vibe from him." said John.

Alex took the offensive and wanted to make John squirm, "Well you just don't like him because he is going out with me. You know in 2 days, we will have our 3 month anniversary." Alex said with a smile.

"Well good for you Alex. I think that is a new record for you." retorted John while he bent over and got the bowl of cucumbers from the table.

Giving John a smack on the arm for his comment, "Like you have any serious relationships. How many have you gone through this week?" Alex asked sarcastically.

Giving Alex an evil grin, "This week has been slow. Only 2, but even the best have their off days." said John.

"You're a slut you know that." Alex said as she picked up the remote and started flipping through the channels.

John leaned back and ignored Alex as he sat there eating and relaxing. He put his arm around her and snuggled up to her, "Well at least we have the couch." said John easing the tension.

"Yeah that's all you have." Alex said as she leaned back into John and watched TV.