Диана Дуэйн - So You Want To Be A Wizard

The Lotus came fast, hydroplaning. Water spat up from its wheels as it skidded up to the railing and fishtailed sideways, grinning, spraying them both. On its wildly waving antenna rode a spark of light. Nita smiled at her friend, who danced off the antenna to rest momentarily on one of her fingers like a hundred-watt firefly. Well, Nita said, is it confusing being dead?

Fred chuckled a rainbow, up the spectrum and down again. Not very. Beside him, the Lotus stood up on its hind wheels, putting its front ones on the railing so that Kit could scratch it behind the headlights.

We brought it, Kit said.

Good, said the Lotus, as Nita got the bright Book out of her backpack and handed it to Kit. The Powers want to put it away safe. Though the precaution may not really be necessary, after what you did. It worked? He's changed?Nita said.

Fred made a spatter of light, a gesture that felt like the shake of a head. Not changed, fust made otherwise, as if he'd been that way from the beginning. He has back the option he 'd decided was lost—to put aside his anger, to build instead of damn… . Then if he uses that option — you mean everyplace could be like this some day? Kit looked over his shoulder at the city and all the existence behind it, preserved in its fullest beauty while still growing and becoming greater.

Possibly. What he did remains. Entropy's still here, and death. They look like waste and horror to us now. But if he chooses to have them be a blessing on the worlds, instead of anger's curse—who knows where those gates will lead then?…The Lotus sounded pleased by the prospect.

Kit held out the Book of Night with Moon. Most delicately the Lotus opened fanged jaws to take it, then rubbed its face against Kit and dropped to all four wheels on the water. It smiled at them both, a chrome smile, silver and sanguine — then backed a little, turned and was off, spraying Kit and Nita again.

Fred started to follow, but Nita caught him in cupped hands, holding him back for a moment. Fred! Didwe do light?

Even here she couldn't keep the pain out of her question, the fear that she could somehow have prevented his death. But Fred radiated a serene and wondering joy that took her breath and reassured her and filled her wiW wonder to match his, all at once. Go find out, he said. She opened her hands and he flew out of them like a spark blown on tn wind — a brightness zipping after the Lotus, losing itself against the silver of the sea, gone. Nita turned around to lean on the railing again, after a moment Kit turned with her. They breathed out, relaxing, and settled back to gaze at the city transfigured, the city preserved at the heart of Time, as all things loved are preserved in the hearts that care for them — gazed up into the radiance, the life, the light unending, the light…

… the light was right in her eyes, mostly because Dairine had yanked the curtain open. Her sister was talking loudly, and Nita turned her head and quite suddenly felt what was not under her pillow. "You gonna sleep all morning? Get up, it's ten thirty! The Sun went out last night, you should see it it was on the news. And somebody blew up Central Park; and Kit Rodriguez called, he wants you to call him back. How come you keep calling each other, anyhow?" Halfway out the bedroom door, realization dawned in her sister's eyes. "Maaaaa!" she yelled out the door, strangling on her own laugh-ter. "Nita's got a boyfriend.'" "Oh, jeez, Daimiiiiime/"

The wizardthrew her pillow at her sister, got up, and wentto breakfast.