Read Online The Box Omnibus #1 (The Box, The Journal, The Sword) by Christina G. Gaudet - Free Book Online Page B

cause hallucinations and enhance fears.”
    “Yeah, except stuff like magic dust doesn’t exist in real life.”
    As I say the words my eyes drift down to Al. I don’t need Cindy’s next comment to know I’m being ridiculous. If he can exist, why can’t magic dust?
    “Obviously it does, since you saw me use it.”
    “Most people can’t make it work,” Al adds. “Only someone who can manipulate the magic the powder holds can force people to see and hear things like you did. A sorceress, for example. Or a talented witch.”
    “I’m not a sorceress,” Cindy says as though she wishes she were.
    “I know,” Al says.
    “About that,” Cindy tone turns suspicious. “Are you going to explain how you know so much about all of this? Or am I going to have to beg?”
    She’s right. He knew about the chimera and wizards and the magic on the door and he even mentioned something about the box. I didn’t have time to ask then, but since we’re relatively safe I want to know what he was trying to say. Except now he seems intent on staying silent.
    “Please,” I say. “I need to know what’s going on.”
    “I don’t know much either,” he says which makes Cindy growl with annoyance.
    “Anything will help.” I sound as kind as possible to counter Cindy’s anger. Hard to do when my voice is shaking from nerves. “You said something about the box before. What were you talking about?”
    “It was something the wizard, Stewart, said,” Al says. “He was looking for a portal and said your grandmother was the guardian of one.”
    “So what?” Cindy snaps.
    “This isn’t my world,” he says. “Combined with the fact I don’t remember being inside the box for more than a second, and it’s the only conclusion I can come up with.”
    From Cindy’s snort, I can tell she gets what he’s talking about right away. My brain, on the other hand, is too busy driving the car and watching out for anyone tailing us to be able to figure out what he means.
    “I don’t understand,” I admit after a moment’s silence.
    “I’m not sure,” Al says. “But I think the box is what Stewart was looking for. The box is the portal.”
    “Portal in a box.” I check the rear-view mirror in order to avoid processing the information for a little longer. “Why not?”
    “It makes sense,” Cindy grudgingly admits. “I’m betting the rock with the holding spell on it came from your world too.”
    “A rock,” Al says. “Thank you for telling me what held you. Not knowing was frustrating.”
    Cindy grins. “Good call about the chimera, Mini-Al.”
    “What call?” I ask.
    Were they ever going to start explaining rather than talking around me as though I don’t exist?
    “When he cut our ropes, he told me to concentrate the dust on the creature. It doesn’t have the magical immunity the wizards have.”
    “Al cut the ropes?” I imagine him climbing around us, hacking at the rope like a lumberjack. It doesn’t seem feasible. “They were as thick as he is tall. How is that possible?”
    “My blade can cut through anything,” Al says simply as though it should be obvious. “It was a gift from my sister. She was always good at choosing gifts.”
    “Yes, of course,” I say. “A blade that can cut anything. Fear and hallucinations caused by powder. A portal to another world inside a box and a bag full of toenails and magic.” I laugh at the absurdity of my words. “Yup, I’ve gone completely insane.”
    “You can’t ever open the bag,” Cindy says. “Never. You hear me?”
    “But, I mean, it doesn’t really hold my magic.” I laugh at the absurdity of the idea, but quickly realize no one else is laughing. “Can it?”
    “All you need to know is not to open it. Ever. It’s what Gran wanted.”
    “Stewart said...” I can’t believe I’m going to say the words aloud, they’re so ludicrous. “He said I’m a sorceress. Like Gran.”
    Cindy stares out of the passenger window without saying