Free Prelude to Magic: The Prequel to Moonlight and Illusions by Diane Wylie Page B

Stephen pulled out all the money he could
find. With any luck he could make it to the bank before word
spread.
    “Jacob, you’d best think about getting your family
away!” He called to his assistant as he passed the library door
carrying a pair of suitcases.
    Upstairs Ruby sobbed loudly and thumped around,
packing up her prized possessions.
    Jacob paused in front of the open door; his freckled
face altered by age and now by sorrow. “Words can’t express how
sorry I am this happened to you, my friend. Mary and I will be just
fine. Don’t you worry about us. We’re taking an extended visit to
see her family in Virginia. She’s packing up clothing for the
little ones right now.” Setting down one bulging leather case, he
wiped his eyes with his shirt sleeve. “Little Matthew will love
taking a train ride.”
    Stephen forced a smile. Standing, he crammed papers
and cash into his jacket pocket and crossed the room. Impulsively,
he pulled Jacob into a quick hug and released him. They had been
working together for twenty-two years. How quickly time passed from
happy days when Calvin had been just a boy and Jacob a young lad.
Stephen had lost his son and his brother, and he was about to lose
a good friend and confidant as well.
    “Perhaps, when this becomes a distant memory we can
work together again, Jacob,” Stephen forced more cheer in his voice
than he felt.
    A thumping and sniffing sound accompanied Ruby’s
arrival. “Are you absolutely sure we have to leave, husband?” Tears
ran down her face unchecked. “We have good friends here.” She
looked at Jacob. “Please tell dear Mary goodbye for me.”
    “I will, Mrs. Elliott,” he responded then turned
away. “I’ll just take these out…” He headed toward the front door,
luggage in hand.
    “What about my birds and the rabbits?” Pounding on
the front door made Ruby cry out, alarmed. Stephen watched as Jacob
opened the door, admitting the rotund figure of their neighbor, Mr.
Rathbone. He waddled toward them, huffing and puffing.
    “Elliott…what is this I hear? You did some m-magic
trick—to a wagon? Nearly…killed…children? Men are on their way
here!”
    “Get your budgies, Ruby. We’ll leave the rest for
Jacob to take care of,” Stephen said and headed for the boxes
stacked in the hall. “I’m sorry, Mr. Rathbone, we’ll have to talk
while I work.”
    By the time he finished packing the Ford, settling
Ruby and the birds, and preparing to leave, he had related the
whole story—with a few minor alterations to maintain the stone’s
secrets—to his neighbor. Stephen locked the front door and hurried
to the car with a red-faced Rathbone following.
    “You do understand why we have to leave? I’ve been
falsely accused before and locked up for it. I’ve done nothing
wrong. I’ve saved the children from harm, that is all.”
    “But how did you—” the man sputtered.
    Stephen cranked the car and it rumbled to life. Ruby
sat in the passenger’s side, dabbing her eyes with a hankie. He
climbed in and looked back at his neighbor and his fine brick
Philadelphia house, wondering if he would ever see either
again.
    “Magic,” he finally answered, touching the Companion Spirit , his secret talisman hidden under
his shirt. “Goodbye, Mr. Rathbone.”

Chapter Seven
     
    1911
    San Francisco, California
     
    Stephen stared into the mirror. His reflection
showed shaving lather covering half his jaw. The same face he had
seen for years stared back at him—the same straight brown hair, the
same blue eyes Ruby said held a hint of mischief, the same straight
nose and squared chin. Leaning in he looked closer. None. Not
one wrinkle or one gray hair in sight. How could this be
possible?
    At first he had been proud to be so young-looking.
Turning fifty had been a big enough blow to his ego. But now he was
even older and his appearance was still the same. Now he found it
unsettling, even disturbing. To add to the mystery, he still felt thirty-five. He