Sofia Bjergsen let out a huff as she dashed towards the cottage overgrown with vines. Her father had just heard news of a new family coming to town and asked her to take the news to Douglas Whittaker. He was certain the new family were definitely not spellcasters, and even though the Bjergsens were happy to have another family who weren't spellcasters, they were the only non-spellcaster family who knew the secrets of Glimmerbrook. Sofia paused at the front door to catch her breath. She pulled out her earbuds and knocked. Douglas opened the door, worry creasing his forehead.

"Sofia, what's wrong? Has Klaus made another devastating prophecy?"

Sofia shook her head. "Dad found out there's another family moving to Glimmerbrook!"

Douglas' eyes widened. "Say what?"

Sofia bobbed her head. "The owner of that new restaurant, Komostrama's Kitchenette, is sending a manger and her family to live here! He's apparently bought the house and everything, and Dad says he can't get in contact with him."

Douglas pursed his lips and thought for a moment. He reached for his coat and quickly put it on. "I'd better come along and find out exactly what else your father has found out." The two dashed to the Bjergsen house, Sofia leading him to where the rest of the family were gathered around Bjorn Bjergsen at a laptop.

Klaus, Sofia's baby brother, saw them first and his eyes lit up when he saw Doulgas. 'Uncle Doug, you're here!" The rest of the family turned to greet the arrival while Klaus rushed up to Douglas and hugged him. Douglas picked up the tyke and walked towards Bjorn.

"Have you found out anything in particular about this new family moving to Glimmerbrook?"

Bjorn shrugged. "Besides the fact they're definitely not spellcasters? Not much, really. This Mila Munch and her family seem what you could call regular folks, they'd be mostly uninterested in the strange goings on of Glimmerbrook, if they even notice them."

"How many members are in her family?"

"She has three sons, the eldest has just married and is living with his wife, Maaike Haas, so it will probably just be the younger two who are coming with her."

"D-did you just say Maaike Haas?" asked Douglas in a soft whisper. Bjorn turned in his chair and glanced at Douglas, whose face had turned white.

"I did . . . do you know her?"

"I do, sort of, she's my cousin's roommate!"

Sofia's sister Elsa turned to glance at the laptop as her mouth dropped. "Small world, isn't it?"

"Well they are from Windenburg," said Clara, the children's mother, "so it would make sense that they would have met."

"But another family from Windenburg?" Douglas shook his head. "It seems like such a coincidence and yet . . ."

Bjorn glanced at Douglas. "Do you think Aine might be behind this?"

"I don't know. If she is, it's a sly move, keeping our attention on keeping the secrets of Glimmerbrook safe from the Munches, allowing her an opening to attack."

Bjorn thought for a moment. "Why don't you let us handle the Munches?"

"What?"

"Let us focus on keeping the secrets safe from them, you guys should be ready in case Aine does attack."

"You can't make them forget things if they see something," Douglas warned.

"No, but we can come up with some pretty convincing lies," said Elsa. "And we can try to keep them away from the portals."

"The main one near my house and the one in your backyard is easy enough, but what about the restaurant? Heck, what happens when the workers on the restaurant find it? I highly doubt the new owner will be hiring any spellcasters for that."

Bjorn turned back to the laptop. "Well, I could apply for a position with the company who's going to be working on it, or even apply for the position of designer."

"Your boss would have no problem with that?"

Bjorn grinned at him. "I've got nothing else important to do, so no, no he wouldn't. Besides, he would want me to help you guys keep your secret, this is just one way to do it. I can make sure no one finds the portal and I can get a secret passage built for it. You can help me with that, if you want."

Douglas nodded slowly. "OK, I can see that working. But afterwards, when the restaurant is opened?"

Clara chuckled. "Did you forget that I used to work in a restaurant before we moved here? I can apply for a job there and keep an eye on things on the inside. Granted, I can't be there all the time, I still have Klaus to worry about."

Douglas glanced at the tyke. "You know, maybe Tomax, Grace and I could look after Klaus while you work."

"That would be fun!" exclaimed Klaus as he wrapped his little arms around Douglas's neck.

"But wouldn't that interfere with your preparations in case Aine does show up?"

Douglas chuckled as he tickled Klaus. "I'm sure we can find something for him to do while we practice, or take turns watching him." He glanced at each member of the family. "I'm really glad to have you guys on our side."

Bjorn chuckled. "We're glad to help. So I guess we have our assignments. Clara and I will keep an eye on the restaurant and its manager. Sofia, you and Elsa are going to have to keep an eye on the boys. And from what I've gathered, Sofia, you're going to have it the worse, apparently this Wolfgang Munch is a bit of a troublemaker."

Sofia huffed. "Don't tell me it's going to be harder to keep him entertained than Klaus." The others laughed.

"Hey!" said Klaus with a pout. Douglas tickled him again, and that brought back the smile.

"Anyways, you just have to keep him from the portals, all of them, really," said Bjorn.

Elsa saluted him. "Aye aye Captain!"

"I'll do my best," said Sofia.

Clara hugged each of them. "That's all we can ask of you."

"Well then, I think we have a plan. I'd better go tell the Sages, we're going to need every spellcaster on high alert."

"And remember, it's only speculation that Aine is behind all this, this could be just a regular business deal and there's nothing behind it more than just a guy growing his business."

Douglas nodded. "Understood." He placed Klaus on the floor. "Thank you, all of you, for your hard work. I'd better go. Um, may I is your tree?"

Bjorn laughed. "Of course! No need to ask, it is the fastest way to the Realm of Magic."

Douglas grinned. "Thanks. I might be back later tonight with a report, if not, I'll see you tomorrow at dinner." The family said goodbye as Douglas left with a wave. He went to their backyard and marched up to a gnarly tree. He let out a breath, he hoped Aine wasn't behind all this, but it was better to be safe than sorry. He pushed on a knob, a door swung open in the trunk, and he stepped through. The door swung shut behind him, leaving no trace that it had ever been open.