The Magic Factory

Esther stepped forward. “You promised me a second date,” she said. Her voice cracked.

“I know,” Oliver replied. “I’m sorry. But who knows what the future holds. I might be back one day.”

Ralph clapped a hand down on Oliver’s shoulder.

“Good luck,” he said, his eyes brimming with fought back tears.

Oliver embraced him. Then suddenly arms were all around him, holding him tightly, surrounding him with love and acceptance and friendship. He could stay in this moment forever, Oliver thought, drinking in the feelings of care and warmth he’d craved his whole life. But there was a greater purpose. His duty as a Seer demanded it. Armando needed to live. For the sake of the universe and everything within it, he would have to sacrifice his friends.

He pulled out of the hug, too pained to look over at them one last time. Then he turned and hurried away.

CHAPTER THIRTY SEVEN

Oliver walked alongside Professor Amethyst, his gaze on his shoes, his mood morose. They entered the sixth dimension and Oliver took in the sight of the miraculous room, knowing it would be the last time he would enter it. All around him, orbs glittered in the blackness. It was a beautiful sight.

“I have created a wormhole,” the headmaster explained, as he led Oliver deeper into the darkness. “One that will take you back to your timeline.”

Oliver’s mouth dropped open. “You mean to say this will lead me straight home?”

The headmaster nodded. “It will take you directly to the factory.”

“Thank you,” Oliver said with deep gratitude.

But Professor Amethyst’s expression remained stoic. “Wormholes are not things that can easily be created. I wouldn’t do it for just anyone, but for you Oliver, I think the risk is worth it. You must act fast, though. This is a one-time wormhole and will expire very soon.”

Oliver nodded and took a deep, sad breath. He touched the amulet Professor Amethyst had gifted him and felt that it was burning hot beneath his fingertips. Professor Amethyst pushed the door open.

Oliver blinked in surprise at the surreal sight of the factory storeroom just on the other side. A sort of shimmering film seemed to be all that separated this point in space to that one.

“How will I get back?” Oliver asked.

Professor Amethyst studied him gravely.

“You won’t,” he said.

The finality in his voice shook Oliver to his core.

“This is a one-time-only wormhole,” Professor Amethyst stressed again. “Once you step through, the door will disappear from existence entirely. It will not lead you back to the school. Do you understand?”

Oliver looked back at the headmaster. “I understand.”

Oliver felt overwhelmed with gratitude for the time he’d spent at the School for Seers. Without Professor Amethyst, none of this would have happened. He’d never have made such amazing friends in Walter, Ralph, Simon, Hazel, and Esther, nor had the opportunity to learn about who he was and hone his skills. He’d even finally found a sport he loved in switchit! Thanks to the school, he would now have memories he could cherish forever, not to mention powers he could continue to develop.

“Thank you for everything,” he stammered.

Professor Amethyst nodded. “You’re welcome, Oliver. And good luck.”

Oliver turned back and looked through the doorway at the store cupboard. The thought of leaving the school was almost too much to bear. He may never come back to this place, never see his friends or teachers again. The future was so uncertain. He had no idea what was waiting for him on the other side of that door. How he’d changed the future.

But now was the time to be brave. If he’d learned anything, it was to be bold, be confident, to trust himself. And so he squeezed the amulet in his fist tightly and took a big step into the wormhole.

There was a strange whooshing noise. Oliver felt wind whip through his hair. His shirt billowed like the sails of a boat, and his body felt very strange, as though every atom was being tugged apart. It was hard to breathe in the wind tunnel. Harder still to see. All Oliver could do was turn his head to the side and grope blindly forward.

Suddenly, Oliver collided with something hard. He opened his eyes in time to see his flailing hands knock several brooms from against the wall where they’d been leaning. The rushing wind and peculiar sensations stopped completely.

Oliver immediately reached for his amulet. The metal in his fist was now ice cold. He let go and looked behind him. The door was gone, and with it, the School for Seers.

There was no turning back now.

NOW AVAILABLE FOR PRE-ORDER!

THE ORB OF KANDRA (http://www.morganricebooks.com/book/the-orb-of-kandra/)

(Oliver Blue and the School for Seers—Book Two)

“A powerful opener to a series [that] will produce a combination of feisty protagonists and challenging circumstances to thoroughly involve not just young adults, but adult fantasy fans who seek epic stories fueled by powerful friendships and adversaries.”

    --Midwest Book Review (Diane Donovan) (re A Throne for Sisters)

“Morgan Rice's imagination is limitless!”

    --Books and Movie Reviews (re A Throne for Sisters)

From #1 Bestselling fantasy author Morgan Rice comes a new series for middle grade readers—and adults, too! Fans of Harry Potter and Percy Jackson—look no further!

In THE ORB OF KANDRA: OLIVER BLUE AND THE SCHOOL FOR SEERS (BOOK TWO), 11 year old Oliver Blue is back in the present day, racing to save Armando before his destined moment to die.

But when Oliver learns that the sacred Orb of Kandra has been stolen, he knows it is up to him—and him alone—to save the school. And the only way is to travel back in time, to the England of 1690s, and to save one very important person: Sir Isaac Newton.

The Obsidian School, meanwhile, has powerful seers of its own, and all are bent on Oliver’s destruction. And when they enlist and transform Oliver’s bully brother, Chris, it may just mean a fight to the death.

An uplifting fantasy, THE ORB OF KANDRA is book #2 in a riveting new series filled with magic, love, humor, heartbreak, tragedy, destiny, and a series of shocking twists. It will make you fall in love with Oliver Blue, and keep you turning pages late into the night.

Book #3 in the series (THE OBSIDIANS) is now also available!

“The beginnings of something remarkable are there.”

    --San Francisco Book Review (re A Quest of Heroes)

Also available are Morgan Rice’s many series in the fantasy genre, including A QUEST OF HEROES (BOOK #1 IN THE SORCERER’S RING), a free download with over 1,300 five star reviews!

THE ORB OF KANDRA (http://www.morganricebooks.com/book/the-orb-of-kandra/)

(Oliver Blue and the School for Seers—Book Two)

Did you know that I've written multiple series? If you haven't read all my series, click the image below to download a series starter!

Books by Morgan Rice