Alexandra stood next to David in the cargo terminal of the small municipal airport where they had brought Dylan for his last flight home. David examined the casket, the seals, the straps around it, even the shipping label, as if he could do some service for his friend this way.

Mr. Dean, Geming Chu's deputy with the sea lion Patronus, stood nearby, giving the teenagers some space. As the adult in charge, he was the one who had actually arranged for Dylan's transport back to Cleveland and signed the required papers. David was flying in the same plane.

David turned back to Alexandra. A baggage handler was approaching them on an electric trolley. The plane was already waiting by the runway. It was the only one due to take off in the next hour. This little desert town's airport was tiny.

"Well," David said, "guess it's good-bye for now. They already got Malcolm aboard."

Physically, he had almost recovered from his duel with Seimei. He limped a little, and there was still a small bandage between his eyebrows and across the bridge of his nose. The Healer had said the cuts should heal without scarring; at least Seimei had not used Dark magic.

Emotionally, Alexandra knew David was suffering from grief, guilt, and anger, all things she could readily identify with, as she could identify with his refusal to show it.

"You'll let me know when the funeral is?" she said. "I can come to Cleveland."

"If I know," David said. "Dylan had… kinda crappy parents. I know Mr. Chu and Mr. Dean spoke to 'em, but when I called and said I'd be comin' with him to Cleveland, they basically hung up on me." He shrugged. "From what he told me, they weren't exactly cool with him being a wizard, and they're probably racist too. He came to visit me a few times, but I never got to visit him. Never met his brother…" David's voice trailed off.

"You were his best friend," Alexandra said. "They can't refuse to let you come to his funeral."

"Oh, they can," David said. "And I'm not gonna disrespect his people if that's how they want it. But I will see him to Cleveland."

He paused. He kept his gaze focused on the floor, out the terminal windows, on the casket, anywhere but Alexandra.

She put a hand on his shoulder.

"Don't try'n comfort me, Alex," he said. "I'm pissed off an' I just wanna stay pissed off."

"Okay," Alexandra said.

"He wasn't s'pposed to go without me!" David said. "We were both gonna go fight, but after that punk-ass samurai-wannabe laid me out, Dylan said he'd hang around and wait 'til I was on my feet again."

Alexandra nodded.

"His dumb ass ran off, like he thought he'd just mix it up a little," David said. "He wasn't s'pposed to do that! I wouldn't have left him lyin' there like some invalid while I went to fight!"

Alexandra nodded again.

"I thought the damn Regiments were s'pposed to put Age Lines up to keep out anyone underage," David said.

The cargo handler began loading Dylan's casket onto the trolley. They heard the plane's engines starting outside.

Alexandra put her arms around him. David hesitated, then returned the embrace. They stood there in the terminal for several moments, not saying anything.

"You really leavin' Cali, and Anna?" David asked at last.

"Yeah," Alexandra said. "I need to go back to Larkin Mills. I've got people to check on."

David fished something out of his pocket. To Alexandra's surprise, he held out a key fob to her.

"Here," he said. "Take the caddy."

"You can't give me your caddy."

"Sure I can. I ain't gonna use it. Hell, Dylan drove it more'n I did."

"I don't actually need a vehicle," Alexandra said, raising the toe of one boot.

"What about Hela?"

"Hela? What about her?"

"She's goin' with you back to Larkin Mills, ain't she? You know she'll follow you if you try'n ditch her. I don't know what her deal is, but you might as well both go in style." David continued to hold out the keys.

"I don't even have a license," Alexandra said.

"Then don't get pulled over. Also you probably better stay off the Automagicka once you leave California."

Alexandra took the keys. "Thanks. For loaning me your wheels."

"Yeah, sure." David looked out at the plane on the runway. "Once I pay my last respects to Dylan, I'm goin' back to Detroit. I gotta see my folks. I don't even know if they mighta got caught in that black mist, even though it wasn't in their neighborhood."

"Good luck." Alexandra wasn't sure what David planned to do when he saw his parents. Restore the memories he had Obliviated from them? Watch them from a distance? Introduce himself as a stranger? He had been as unwilling to discuss this as he had been to talk about Dylan.

"Be careful, Alex," David said.

"I'll try." They gave each other a final hug, and David walked towards the gate out to the tarmac as the PA system announced that the plane was boarding.

"David," Alexandra said.

He paused, and turned back to half-look at her.

"Don't wait on telling Constance how you feel," Alexandra said. "Take Dylan home, check on your parents, but send Constance an owl at least. And next time you see her… remember you might not get another chance."

He finally looked directly at her. His expression was blank, but then he nodded and turned his back on her again to walk out to the plane.


Anna stood with her arms folded, out in the desert where until recently hundreds of Majokai had camped.

The Majokai were gone now, leaving behind almost no trace. They had been meticulously clean and organized when they left. The only other people in the vicinity were a pair of bodyguards, standing a discreet distance away.

David's Escalade stood right where he and Dylan had left it. Charlie sat atop the SUV, while Hela leaned against it, watching Alexandra and Anna say their good-byes.

Anna wasn't happy, and it wasn't just about Alexandra leaving.

"My father thinks you can do a lot of good talking to Muggles, and making the case for the MACUSA," Anna said.

"He thinks it will make people believe our fathers are working together, without actually saying it," Alexandra said. "He wants it both ways."

"That's not fair," Anna said. "Your father is the one who won't talk. He could join us…"

"And the Dark Convention?"

"Do you want to be on the same side as the Dark Convention?"

"No," Alexandra said. "Which is part of the reason I'm not with my father anymore."

"This isn't about your father," Anna said. "And it's not because you don't want to be used for your reputation. It's about Dylan."

Alexandra shook her head, looking at the Escalade.

"Dylan wasn't supposed to be there," Anna said. "Underaged wizards weren't supposed to fight."

"Dylan wasn't the only underaged casualty I saw."

"It's a war, Alex. We can't keep idiots like Dylan—I'm sorry, I didn't mean that." Alexandra didn't look at Anna, so Anna continued awkwardly. "I'm sure other kids did sneak past the lines. That's not anyone else's fault."

Torvald and Stuart were only a year older than them, Alexandra thought. But Anna was wrong. It wasn't just about Dylan. Dylan had made his choice, and if David hadn't been injured, he would have joined Dylan, and possibly been killed too. And Alexandra had wanted to join the fighting herself.

"I think your father is very good at politics," Alexandra said. "I hope the MACUSA succeeds. But you'll do more good here than I will. And you'll be in less danger."

"What are you going to do in Larkin Mills? What happens when the Confederation or the Dark Convention comes for you there?"

"That's why I'm going back. I have people there, and no one is protecting them."

"You can't protect an entire town all by yourself."

"Then send help. What else is the MACUSA good for?"

Anna's face twisted with anxiety and indignation. Alexandra knew she wasn't being fair. They were both making excuses for their fathers.

"Anna." She embraced her friend. "Let's not argue. I'll be fine."

"I'm… afraid, every time we say good-bye," Anna said in a muffled voice, with her face pressed against Alexandra's shoulder.

"We'll see each other again soon. Try to check your phone now and then."

Anna wiped at her eyes. She watched forlornly as Alexandra walked to the Escalade and used the key fob to unlock it with a chirp.

Hela shrugged off her fur parka before getting in. Charlie said, "Good-bye! Good-bye!"

Alexandra unfastened her jacket and pulled her shirt away from her collar. "You can get in your cage, or get back on my shoulder, Charlie." The cage was in the back of the SUV, but Charlie chose to hop onto her shoulder, and become a tattoo once more. She got into the driver's seat and started the SUV, glad that it wasn't a manual transmission like Henry Tsotsie's and Archie's trucks.

"This will be a long drive," Hela said.

"No kidding." Alexandra started the SUV. "Can you do that pathfinding thing again?"

"Perhaps." Hela put her hands on the dashboard, as if absorbing the feel of the leather and the cool air blowing from the A/C.

Anna stood in the desert, with her cloak hanging loosely around her. Her bodyguards watched expressionlessly. Less than a mile away, Muggle cars were visible on the highway, through morning ground mist that had not yet dissipated.

"Why did you never offer to shorten the time we spent driving all over the country with Archibald Mudd and Blake Blaxley?" Alexandra asked.

"Nobody asked," Hela said.

Alexandra stared at her. Hela held her gaze a moment, then looked away. "Also, I had never done it in a vehicle and was not sure I could. It will not work on roads. And it is not like Apparating or using your boots."

Alexandra sighed. She waved to Anna, and then they drove across the desert to the highway.

"There was a Thunderbird over Mahomachi," Hela said quietly.

Alexandra jerked the wheel as she steered around a sand dune in their path. The SUV swerved sharply. "You saw it?" She hadn't been sure herself.

"I think we might not have turned back the sea without it."

"You mean it was helping us?"

"Perhaps."

"Did the Majokai summon it?"

"No one can summon a Thunderbird. They are not Beasts that can be commanded. At most you can get their attention."

"Mad Haddie said she asked them for help."

"Mad Haddie is mad."

Alexandra couldn't argue with that. "So what does it mean that a Thunderbird appeared?"

"It could mean many things, or nothing."

"What else do you know about them?"

"Nothing I have not already told you. They are very powerful beings. They are the enemies of the underwater panthers. They control the seas and skies. And you have attracted their attention more than once."

"It might not have been me. There were like a hundred other wizards there also trying to turn back the sea. And the ghosts of Matsuzaka." The ghosts bothered Alexandra more than the Thunderbird.

Hela fixed her gaze out the window. "Yes. That's true."

They reached the highway and Alexandra accelerated into the fast lane, thinking about Thunderbirds and what might get their attention, and spirits who had not passed on and seemed to blame her.


It was a long drive. Alexandra and Hela spent most of it listening to the radio—sometimes the Muggle radio, and sometimes Alexandra's wizard wireless set. They spoke little.

Unharvested corn flew past as they shot down a rural highway in Illinois. A sign ahead declared that they had nearly reached their destination. Alexandra slowed down as she saw something hanging from it.

"Larkin Mills, 4 miles" said the county signpost, but it was covered with spray-painted black letters:

"No Wizards"

There was a triangular red cap nailed to the sign, flapping in the cold breeze.

"That's a bad sign," Alexandra said.

She slowed down as she drove into town. Everything looked the same. Rather than going directly to Sweetmaple Avenue, she approached the Pruett School on Third Avenue. The old brick building seemed unchanged, but when they reached the gravel lot surrounding it, they found an actual chain link fence had been erected around the entire block, surrounding the Muggle-repelling charm that now presented itself as an inner fence.

Alexandra stopped directly in front of the chained and locked gate, rolled down the window, and pointed her wand.

"Alohamora," she said.

The lock fell off the gate and the chains slid loose. Alexandra waved the gate open with her wand. She drove forward, ignoring the second "fence."

The interior of the Pruett School was dark and dusty. The desks were still there, but the books and classroom equipment were all gone. Sitting in the middle of the main room was the wreckage of the boiler. It was half-melted, and its valves no longer connected to the building's vents or the Floo Network.

Hela cast a Light Spell and ascended the stairs.

"Scream if you find a hag or a baby mummy," Alexandra said.

Hela squinted at her, and continued up the stairs.

Alexandra unlocked the door to Madam Erdglass's office. The desk and chair and filing cabinets were still there, but all were empty.

Livia had told Alexandra that the Pruett School had discontinued classes, but it was eerie to find it abandoned by wizards and Muggles alike, as empty as it had been in the days when Alexandra had used it as her personal space, and all those years when it had been an abandoned building… abandoned except perhaps by the Dark Convention.

From upstairs, she heard a scream. She ran up the stairs two at a time with her wand at the ready, passing Goody Pruett's portrait along the way.

She heard "Riddikulus!" and there was a white flash and a cold whoosh of air. Alexandra found Hela standing not far from the spot they'd dueled on the top floor, with her back to the door. Her bent horn wand was in her hand. She turned to face Alexandra sullenly.

"Wouldn't be surprised if there are more Boggarts around," Alexandra said, wondering what Hela's Boggart had looked like. "The place has been abandoned for a couple of months now."

Hela nodded.

Alexandra walked back to Goody Pruett. "Has anyone else been in here since you saw us last, Goody Pruett?"

"When was that?" Goody Pruett asked. "It's hard to mark the passing of time, sitting here alone in the dark for weeks without any visitors…"

"Have any Muggles been in here?" Alexandra asked.

"Merlin, no!" said the old woman. "Though they've made quite a racket outside."

"And no hags or other Dark creatures?"

"The darkest creature I've seen lately is you. Are you still an unrepentant sorcerous little slut?"

Alexandra snapped her wand at the portrait and said, "Pictogel!" The Freeze-Frame Charm wouldn't shut Goody Pruett up forever, but it silenced her for the moment, capturing her with an expression like someone desperately looking for a spittoon.

"Why can we not drop her down a well?" Hela asked.

"I'm tempted, believe me," Alexandra said. "I need to find out what the deal is with that sign. I'm gonna go talk to some people."

"Am I supposed to wait here with Goody Pruett and the Boggarts?" Hela asked.

"You can do what you want. I'm not the boss of you anymore." Alexandra walked downstairs, leaving Hela staring at her back.


Brian agreed to meet Alexandra in the park near Sweetmaple Avenue after school. Alexandra stared at her screen a moment, reading the message like a dispatch from another world. Brian was still in class. He was a junior at Larkin Mills High School. It was hard to remember a time when she had been a student, worried about classes and grades.

She drove to the Larkin Mills police station and parked in the visitor's parking lot. She had been here a few times with Archie, but never come on her own before. She sauntered past a couple of uniformed officers exiting the building. One recognized her and turned to stare as she walked inside.

The receptionist was a middle-aged woman with old lady glasses and curly hair. She watched Alexandra approach with wide eyes.

"Hello," Alexandra said. "Is Sergeant Ridenour here?"

The woman pressed a button on her phone. Sergeant Ridenour's voice said, "Yes?" from a speaker, sounding tinny and irritated.

"Alexandra Quick is here to see you, Dale," the woman said.

There was a pause. Then he said, "I'll be right there."

Sergeant Ridenour emerged a minute later. He waved Alexandra into his office.

"I finally spoke to Archie," he said, as he closed the door. "He and Claudia are in France. France!"

Alexandra nodded.

"He's really not coming back," Ridenour said. "Says it's not safe for Claudia."

"He's right," Alexandra said.

"He said it's not safe for you either. What am I supposed to do with you? Archie said they can't control you, but technically you're a runaway. You're deeply involved in this wizard nonsense. The feds gave me a number to call if you show up."

"Are you going to call them?"

Ridenour shook his head. "I don't like feds, and anyway, I'm sure they'll know you're here soon enough. Why are you here?"

"What's the deal with the sign out on the highway?" Alexandra asked.

"Sign?"

"The Larkin Mills sign. Someone spray-painted 'No wizards' on it and hung a red cap there."

Ridenour cursed. "I'm gonna arrest the next yokel we find doing that. This wizard stuff has people edgy. You might not have a lot of friends here, Alexandra."

"I never had a lot of friends here," Alexandra said, feeling oddly wistful as she realized how true that was.

"There have been… sightings," Ridenour said. "Goblins, fairies, trolls, ghosts… people think it's Halloween year-round. Tuesday night a whole posse went chasing after a supposed band of dwarves that tried to carry off April Lipincott. They shot up the pastures next to the old Cullen mill. Of course there were no dwarves or goblins, but that little girl was sure terrified by something, and now folks believe there are little men around trying to steal children."

He said all this watching Alexandra as if waiting for her to laugh or express disbelief, or perhaps admit it was all a big prank.

Instead, she said, "I was afraid of this."

"Afraid of what, exactly?" Ridenour asked slowly.

"I doubt goblins would be bothering you," Alexandra said. "Ghosts can't hurt you, and fairies aren't what you think, but there are other things. Magical creatures drawn to Larkin Mills, and some of them do steal children."

Ridenour swore. "Fantastic. What am I supposed to do, tell my men to shoot any little men they see?"

"You asked why I'm here. I'm here to protect Larkin Mills. There are a few things I can do to make it more likely you'll be left alone."

"Like what?" Ridenour asked.

"Magic stuff," Alexandra said.

Ridenour's reaction wasn't the eye-rolling skepticism she always got from Archie. He seemed to be trying to decide whether she was serious.

"If you could leave me and my friends alone while we're doing stuff, that would be great," Alexandra said.

"Your friends? Like that kid you used to run around with?" Ridenour seemed to be searching his memory. "Oh yeah. Brian Seabury. The Seaburys. Their daughter disappeared…" his voice trailed off.

"I can't make any promises," Alexandra said. "But we're on your side. I mean, some of us are."

"Some of you," Ridenour said flatly.

"Wizards," Alexandra said. "And witches."

"I really can't believe I'm seriously talking about this," Ridenour said.

"Well, you're taking it better than Archie ever did. So thanks for that. Also thanks for not trying to arrest me, or calling the feds. Could I maybe get a pass on being stopped or questioned while I'm doing wizard business? I mean, if I happen to be driving just a little bit illegally or something?"

"Do you even have a license?"

"Of course I do."

Ridenour frowned. "Are you going to be at your house or at that haunted warehouse on Third Street? People keep trying to get in both places, and there are still reporters, and worse, tourists, who drive by sometimes."

"Magic keeps them out."

"Do you have any idea how scary this magic you talk about is?"

"I do. You really have no idea." Alexandra rose from her chair. "Thanks for listening to me, Sergeant Ridenour. Also, if you see any little men with red caps, you probably should shoot them."

She walked out of the police station, past the wide-eyed receptionist and the other cops, and got into the big Escalade to drive it back to the Pruett School.

From the Pruett School, she Apparated to 207 Sweetmaple Avenue. It was easier than last time. There was no evidence anyone had been in the house since her last visit. She studied the fireplace for a moment, and then walked across the street to knock on Mrs. Wilborough's door.

Mrs. Wilborough opened the door after keeping Alexandra standing on the doorstep long enough to make her wonder how many neighbors were watching her. The old woman was wearing a house robe and curlers.

"The prodigal daughter returns. You know you're famous now?" She let Alexandra in.

"I guess the G-men haven't bothered you?" Alexandra asked.

"They asked me a lot of stupid questions. I told them I'm just an old Squib, and after I explained what that means, I told them I couldn't tell them anything about you they don't already know, which didn't prevent them from making me tell them everything anyway. They're probably tapping your phone, you know."

"Yeah. But I think they're mostly leaving me alone right now because they'd rather know where I am and what I'm up to. I'm not doing my father's business and I'm trying to keep Muggles—sorry, No-Majes—from being harmed. And they wouldn't want to piss off either my father or the MACUSA."

Mrs. Wilborough sat back down on her sofa and clicked off the TV with her remote. "From what little I can follow of this wizard war, you were out in California."

"Yes," Alexandra said. "The Confederation almost destroyed a Muggle town, but they got their butts kicked. There's a new government called the MACUSA and they have No-Maj representatives and they're not allied with the Dark Convention. I'm hoping all the other Territories will join them."

"So why aren't you with this MACUSA?"

"They don't need me. What they're not doing, right now, is ending the Deathly Regiment, and every day the Confederation is still making someone die."

Mrs. Wilborough stroked the ears of her cat, who watched Alexandra with a bored expression. "Right now the Confederation is making a lot of people die. That's what a war does."

"I know," Alexandra said.

"So what do you hope to accomplish?"

"For starters, I'm going to start casting charms to keep outsiders away from here, including magical creatures. And I want you to be the first MACUSA representative for Larkin Mills."

"The first what?"

"I learned a spell from the Majokai to cast on Muggles. It marks them so other wizards know who they are."

Mrs. Wilborough blinked again. "It does what now? Merlin's drawers, you awful girl, even your father didn't try to brand me!"

"It's not like that!" Alexandra protested. "It's more like a magical badge. It's supposed to mean you're protected, and it will help me protect the town too. You'd be a representative, like what you were doing when we were driving around with Mr. Mudd."

"I was doing nothing. We accomplished bother-all for all our trouble, and you made more of an impression than I did."

"I thought that too," Alexandra said. "But I think maybe we did make a difference. The Confederation is falling apart, and we helped make that happen, but my father isn't going to do anything about what happens afterward. That's up to us. Do you want No-Majes to have a say in what happens next or not?"

Mrs. Wilborough's face took on a pinched expression. "I think I prefer being called a Squib to being called a 'No-Maj.' What exactly does this spell do?"

"I told you. It's like an invisible mark only wizards can see."

"So I'll be wearing a mark that says I'm an enemy of the Confederation."

"Well, yeah. But you said the Confederation doesn't care about you. If that stops being true, it won't matter if you've got the mark or not."

"That's a comforting way to put it."

"When have you ever wanted comforting? Look, I won't do it without your permission, and I can remove it when you want, but if I cast it on enough people in Larkin Mills, then among other things, it will help me cast charms on the town itself to try to repel Dark creatures and other things."

Mrs. Wilborough straightened her glasses on her nose and seemed to be considering Alexandra's words seriously, rather than searching for her next retort. Finally, she said, "Well. I suppose that's a good thing. So, tell me more about this MACUSA."


Brian was waiting for her in the park, sitting on the same bench where she'd met him the year before, when she discovered that he'd been Obliviated. She tried to ignore the feeling of dread as she sat down next to him. She couldn't help fearing she'd see that same flustered, confused reaction if she tried to take his hand or kiss him.

"Hi, Brian," she said. "Thanks for coming."

"'Thanks for coming'?" he repeated. "I haven't seen you since August and that's how you greet me?"

She searched his face, trying to read his expression. She reached for him and leaned closer. He hesitated a moment, apparently trying to read her expression as well, and then leaned in for a kiss.

When they broke contact for air, she smiled.

"I don't exactly have good memories of the last time I met you here," she said. "And also, you've been kind of… angry at me lately."

"Well, my supposed girlfriend who can magically travel all over the country hasn't stopped by to see me in months. And you still won't tell me anything about the wizard war. Also, living with my father and listening to my mom crying on the phone every night sucks. I am glad to see you, Alex, but yeah, I've been kind of unhappy."

She tried to hide how much his words stung. I've been a terrible girlfriend. I wasn't there for you. She saw again the Boggart version of Brian hanging from a rope, eyes bulging and accusing.

"I will tell you about the wizard war," she said. "And there's something you can do, right here in Larkin Mills."

"There is?" For the first time, his face brightened.

"Don't get too excited," she said. "You're not joining the war. There's still no way you can fight wizards. But there is a way you can help stop these magical creatures that are pestering the town. And maybe even be part of whatever we do after the war to make sure nothing like what happened to Bonnie ever happens again."

He became somber. "Okay. Those magical creatures… like the things we saw at Old Larkin Pond?"

"Yeah. Once they were here because someone was trying to kill me. Now I think they're here because I was here. I think the Dark Convention is sending creatures into town to harass Muggles."

"Dark Convention? I don't understand any of this."

By the time Alexandra had finished answering Brian's questions, and explained the charm she wanted to cast on him, it was late in the afternoon. Brian agreed to the spell, but his expression was still angry and unsatisfied.

"Look, I know this may not seem like much," Alexandra said, "but it will help the town. It will stop more kids from disappearing, at least in Larkin Mills."

"Yeah, okay," he said.

She put a hand on his knee. "I have the house to myself."

"I wish my parents would just ditch me and leave me a house."

"Really?"

He looked away. "No. Not really." He frowned. "What are they doing here?"

Alexandra looked in the direction Brian was looking, and saw Hela and Billy Boggleston walking across the grass towards them. Hela had abandoned her parka, and wore a thick long-sleeved wool shirt and blue jeans. They walked to within a few yards of Alexandra and Brian, and stopped.

"I have told Billy about your plan to enlist Muggles in defending this town," Hela said. "He will help."

Alexandra eyed Billy. Brian's mouth was closed in a tight line.

"How exactly are you going to help?" Alexandra asked.

"How's he?" Billy asked, pointing at Brian. "We're gonna go on goblin patrol."

"Goblin patrol?" Alexandra repeated.

"Looking for goblins and ghouls and other creeps," Billy said.

"What exactly do you intend to do to any goblins you find?" Alexandra asked.

"Shoot 'em, duh. I've been hunting since I was twelve."

"Magical creatures aren't like deer, moron."

"So? Are they bulletproof?"

"I don't have a gun," said Brian.

"Well, you can carry a baseball bat or something," Billy said.

Alexandra shook her head. "Hela, what did you actually tell this idiot? Look, goblins are not the problem here. You can't just go shooting any Being you meet."

"What about Redcaps?" Brian asked. "Or kappa?"

"Or hags," said Hela.

"You want them to chase hags with baseball bats?" Alexandra asked Hela.

"Okay, why don't you tell us about these creatures?" Brian said. "Since obviously we don't know anything, maybe you could share your secret wizard knowledge so we'll know what we're actually looking for?"

To Alexandra, it was a surreal moment, Billy Boggleston and Brian both looking at her expectantly.

"This isn't exactly what I had in mind," she said.

"Yeah, well, you promised you'd let me do something," Brian said. "Giving me a magical mark is fine, if it makes Larkin Mills a little safer, but if Billy can go goblin hunting, so can I!"

"Billy's not going goblin hunting," Alexandra said.

"Wait, a magical mark? Do I get one of those?" Billy asked.

For years, Alexandra's life had been a constant series of unexpected twists and turns, but this felt like more of her old world sliding out from under her, to be replaced by a new and frightening one in which she could not anticipate who her allies would be, and who might be in danger next, and whether she'd be able to live up to the responsibilities she kept taking on. Billy was an idiot, but Brian looked just as eager for a fight. Alexandra still wasn't sure what Hela's deal was.

"Fine," she said. "You both get to be Larkin Mills representatives of the MACUSA."

"Cool," Billy said. "What's the Mackoosa?"

Alexandra didn't have any authority to make anyone a MACUSA representative, though she could talk to Congressman Chu. The MACUSA probably wouldn't be able to spare anyone else to protect Larkin Mills.

Me and Hela, two Muggle boys, and an elderly Squib, Alexandra thought. Maybe some of Archie's cop buddies.

It was a start.