Owen released his hold on me and stepped forward. “I hope you realize now that what you were playing with is dangerous and not to be used lightly. There’s so much you don’t know, and that lack of knowledge could have gotten you killed.”

One of the prisoners spoke up. “Could you teach us the stuff we really need to know?”

Owen turned to Merlin, a questioning eyebrow raised.

“Why not?” Rod asked. “I doubt we’ve interrupted their entire magical training scheme. We might as well do our own training and do it right so we’ll have our own allies to call on if we need them.”

“We may be able to train you,” Owen said, turning his attention back to the prisoners. “But you should know that you won’t have much power to do anything in this town. Finding sources of power will probably be a part of your revised curriculum.”

“You are now free to go, so long as you vow never to use your magic to do harm or to influence others for your personal gain,” Merlin said. “If you swear this, it is binding. If you will not swear this, you will join Mr. Idris in our custody.”

They all raised their hands and swore. “Now, before you leave, I’ll need to get your contact info if you want to continue training,” Rod said. He stood near the exit with his Palm Pilot, entering data.

Most of them stopped to give him the information, but several just ran. I had a feeling they were going to pretend they’d never discovered magic.

When all was done, we trooped back to the creek bank to thank our friends. “Do I need to bring my flute?” I asked Owen.

“I don’t think so. Those necklaces were more than enough payment for their aid.”

“Good, because I didn’t want to play the school fight song again.”

“But it would have been appropriate tonight,” he joked, already sounding stronger.

The head naiad met us at the water’s edge. “You won a great victory tonight—with our help, of course. My people actually had a lot of fun. Give us a shout next time you’re in town.” She winked at me and added, “I’m sure your lady would agree to helping you summon us. We will make good use of the tools you gave us. We are now even, with neither side owing any debt.” With that, she disappeared beneath the surface of the water, and the few remaining pinpricks of light along the sides of the creek followed her.

Then we all turned and headed back toward our respective vehicles. “We will return to New York tomorrow,” Merlin told Owen as we walked. “I won’t expect you back in the office until Monday.

You need the rest, and I imagine you have some business here you need to conclude.” He gave me a sidelong look as he said that, but I was afraid Owen was too beat to pick up on the hint.

While Rod shoved Idris into the backseat of their rental car, Merlin took my hands and said, “You have been most helpful, as always, and I have enjoyed meeting your family.” He winked and added,

“If I were a few centuries younger, I might be tempted to stay a couple of days longer myself, and become better acquainted with your grandmother.”

“When you get to be a certain age, what’s a few centuries?” I said with a laugh, even as I cringed at the idea of my grandmother dating my boss. Or former boss. Maybe.

He grew more somber again. “You are welcome to return whenever you see fit. After these events, I’m no longer convinced that you’re any safer anywhere else, and you more than make up in assistance what you might cost in distraction or danger. But you must do what you—and what Mr.

Palmer—believe is best. He is the one who seems to suffer the most.”

“Thank you, sir. I’ll keep that in mind.” It sounded like the ball was in my court. Or maybe Owen’s court. I knew where I stood, but I still didn’t know what he felt. Did he feel relief at having me out of the way and presumably out of danger, or did he want me with him? It looked like we were going to have to talk about it, but clearly not tonight.

By the time I’d said good-bye to Rod and Merlin, Owen was already at his rental car and ready to go.

“Do you want me to drive?” I asked. He looked to be close to passing out, and he just nodded and sat in the passenger seat.

When we got back to the house, he automatically headed for the tree on the edge of the porch, but I caught him. “Remember, we left legitimately. And it’s not even all that late.” It just felt like it, we’d been through so much.

“Oh, good,” he sighed. “I wasn’t sure I could make it up that tree. I’m not entirely sure I can make it up the stairs.”