Chapter 23

The next morning, Julie, Chloe, Ryan, and Cecrops gathered by the portal. All sets of eyes were on the portal’s swirling light. Julie could see a hint of their next destination. They could see the water in the background and a couple of fish swimming by, but it was all blurry, so they couldn’t see much else.

“You should get going soon,” Cecrops said to the kids. “Do you have everything you need? The wand, spell book, your weapons?”

“Yes,” Julie replied. “And we have the map and food and water, too.” She patted her backpack and slung it over her shoulder.

She stepped forward and touched the portal with her fingertips. She felt like she was placing her hand in ice water, but when she pulled her hand back, it was still dry, just like she knew it would be.

Ryan and Chloe stepped up to either side of Julie. They each grabbed one of her hands, and then Chloe said, “Let’s do this.” She turned to Cecrops and said, “Thank you fo