Ten long years had passed since Shawn bade his best friends Josh Sorenson and Kristin Lee a fond farewell, off to begin training as an ranger, then off again to root out the remaining Killers. With Darpassine vanquished once and for all, the Followers had scurried to the far corners of the earth, hiding in the dark places. But now they were either dead or languishing in Tromveld.
Followers were the farthest thing from Shawn's mind right now, though. He was giddy with anticipation, his heart near bursting. He was about to see Josh and Kristin again. As he walked through the streets of Wolf Crossing toward the Pub, the stars in the night sky seemed to wink at him. At the pub's doorstep, Shawn straightened his robes and took a deep breath before reaching for the door handle.
But before he could open the door, it burst open and Miles tumbled out and sprawled onto the street. In the doorway stood George and his henchmen and Beedle, guffawing and holding their sides.
Shawn helped Miles to his feet.
"Thanks, Shawn. And hullo. It's great to see you," Miles gushed, vigorously shaking Shawn's hand.
"Great to see you too, Miles," Shawn said with a grin.
Miles entered the pub first, giving George, Beedle and Stuart a dirty look. The three goons snickered as he passed. When they saw Shawn, however, Beedle and Stuart shut right up, glowering. George threw an insult Shawn's way. "Well, well, look what the cat dragged in."
Without missing a beat Shawn pointed to the trio and said cheekily, "It's nothing compared to what the cat coughed up." He heard knuckles crack and a fist pounded in a palm as he passed. Some things never change, he sighed to himself.
George started to say something in response but was drowned out by a high-pitched squeal. Suddenly a pair of arms enveloped Shawn in a tight hug, and a mass of bushy brown hair smothered his face. "Shawn! You're here!" Kristin cried. "I've missed you so much!" She planted a big kiss on Shawn's cheek.
In her enthusiasm, Kristin was squeezing the air out of Shawn. In a hoarse cough he said, "I've missed you too, Kristin. Can you not hug me so tightly?"
"Oh, sorry," Kristin said as she released him. Shawn grinned. He looked her up and down. She was even prettier now than when they were schoolmates. But it was more than admiration. As his groin stirred he realized he was attracted to Kristin as more than just a friend. For the first time in his life, Shawn felt lust for her.
Before Shawn could dwell on this development Josh stepped forward, his hand extended. "Welcome back, Shawn."
"Glad to be back, mate," Shawn replied, shaking Josh's hand. "How've you been?"
Before Josh could answer, George broke in. "Yes, Sorenson, how are things at your shop? Burned anymore of my property lately?" he sneered. Beedle and Stuart guffawed.
Josh's face reddened. His broom shop had nearly burned to the ground the month before. "If I find out you had something to do with the destruction of my business, so help me I'll..."
George clucked his tongue. "Now, now, Sorensen. Don't say anything you might regret later."
Angry beyond words, Shawn made to step up to George but Josh held him back. George didn't seem to notice. He, Beedle and Stuart went to join a loud and visibly drunk Missy Miller and her equally loud and inebriated friends.
Shawn glared after them before turning back to his friends. "What was that about? Why did you let George walk all over you? You could've flattened the git. We're not at The Academy anymore."
Josh leaned forward. "Things changed while you were away, Shawn," he explained sheepishly, his voice barely above a whisper. "George practically owns Wolf Crossing. He can pretty much do what he wants."
"What are you talking about?" Shawn asked, incredulous.
Josh continued, glancing furtively around. "After Morton George's death, Byron took over managing the family fortune. Soon he was buying magical properties like mad. He owns several towns, including Wolf Crossing. He owns the land my business and my house are on."
Kristin piped in. "At least George will never own The Academy," she declared defiantly.
Josh beamed at her. "Kristin's a professor at The Academy."
"Brilliant!" Shawn exclaimed. "What subject? Arithomancy?"
Kristin nodded, smiling modestly.
"Cool, said Shawn. "Listen, I want to hear all about it. But let me quickly say hello to a few people before we catch up. There's loads to talk about. Grab a table in the corner. I'll be back in a few minutes. 'Kay?"
"Sure, Shawn," Josh and Kristin agreed. Shawn made his rounds and rejoined his Josh and Kristin at a corner table. As he sat down, Shawn couldn't help but notice that Kristin's slender hand was on Josh's thigh under the table. Shawn felt a twinge of emotion. Was it jealousy? No, that wasn't it. He did not want to take Kristin away from Josh. He would never do anything to hurt his friends. He loved them too much.
Shawn arched an eyebrow and grinned slyly at Josh and Kristin. "So, the rumor is true?"
"What rumor?" Josh asked.
"I overheard Samantha Bellows tell Catherine Lovejoy you two are an item."
Josh's ears turned a bright pink. Kristin's eyes flashed angrily at her former schoolmates, who were chatting animatedly to a pair of fellow alumni. "Those gossips!" Kristin hissed. "What we do is none of their business."
"But it's true?" Shawn offered.
Josh and Kristin glanced at each other, communicating with their eyes. "Yes, it's true," Josh admitted, grinning sheepishly. "But we like to keep it quiet."
Shawn nodded. "I understand," Shawn said, adding, "If being together makes you two happy, I'm happy for you." He genuinely was happy for them.
Josh grinned. "Thanks, mate. Personally, I don't give a fat fig what other people think, but Kristin...being a professor and all..."
Kristin glared at Josh. "Don't lay this on me, Josh Sorenson. You're the one who won't make a commitment."
Josh opened his mouth to reply, but before he could, Miles came rushing up to their table. "We have to talk," he panted in a low voice. "George's up to something. I was in a stall in the men's room when I overheard him order Beedle and Stuart to take Missy Miller to the Great Hall at The Academy for the ritual."
"Ritual? Did George say what kind? Shawn asked.
"Sex magic," Miles replied with a look of distaste. "George plans to turn The Academy into his own academy for the dark arts."
Josh made a sour face. "Bullocks. George can't even perform regular magic, let alone sex magic. Er, what is sex magic?"
Shawn answered matter-of-factly. "Just what it sounds like, mate. Making things happen through sex. It's a matter of two people focusing their energies on a goal while making love. Sex magic is the most powerful magic there is. Hindu yogis taught me the basics when I was chasing Followers in India. But I've never heard of anyone using it to take over a wizarding school."
Kristin sighed. "If you two had bothered to read The Academy: A History you would know that a small group of wizards and witches attempted to use sex magic to do exactly what George intends to try—turn The Academy into a dark arts academy. Thankfully, the headmaster discovered their plot and stopped them in time."
"But why didn't they use regular magic?" Josh asked.
Shawn answered, "Because regular magic won't work against The Academy. Only sex magic is that powerful."
Josh thought for a moment, and then asked, "So why hasn't someone tried to use sex magic to take over The Academy before now?"
Kristin answered, "Because the time wasn't right. The right stars have to be in perfect alignment for the ritual to work." She slapped her forehead. "Why didn't I see this coming?"
Josh placed a hand on her arm. "You couldn't have predicted George would try to take over The Academy, love."
"Yeah," Shawn agreed. "The important thing now is stopping George before it's too late."
Josh and Kristin agreed. The three friends took the secret passage from the Pub to The Academy. After they emerged from the door on the other side, they crept stealthily toward the Great Hall, keeping their eyes and ears open for any sign of George and his friends. But The Academy was curiously silent, devoid of any noise. In fact, The Academy seemed devoid of activity. No people, no ghosts, even the people in the paintings were gone.