Prelude to Magic: The Prequel to Moonlight and Illusions Read Online Free PDF Page A

it will ease your mind.” But even as he spoke,
he knew it would not hold true. The lure of magic was calling him
now, second only to the desire to make love to his wife.
    “Good.” Ruby stood and took his hand to urge him up
as well. “I know you will be honest with me.” She smiled, her teeth
shining in the dim candlelight. “Shall we retire to our room?”
    “Most definitely,” he agreed.
    A few hours later he lay beside Ruby on their fine
new feather bed, hearing the creak of the bed ropes as he rolled
onto his side. His body was relaxed and satiated, and he hoped his
wife’s was as well. Their lovemaking had seemed more intense since
they had come home again. Every sensation was magnified and
multiplied as if his faculties were sharper and sense of touch more
receptive.
    Stephen pressed his naked body against her bare back
and bottom, wrapped his arms around her stomach, and pulled her
close. She gave a little sigh and snuggled her face into the crook
of his arm. Lifting his head, he looked out of the window beyond
the bed. Clouds were gathering, blocking out the moon.
    Tonight he would keep his word to Ruby. Without the
light from Old Man Moon, the Companion Spirit had no
powers to give. It would take time, patience, and plenty of trial
and error, but he would harness the power of the stone. Then The
Illusionist would draw people from all over the country!

Chapter Three
     
    For months he had been working on a new act. The
coin and card tricks were practiced with Calvin and Ruby as his
audience. His young son was particularly fond of coin tricks,
especially if he got to keep the money pulled from behind his ears.
After much trial and error, Stephen fashioned a special retractable
birdcage and table for the third act. He gave the hinge for the new
Omega cabinet another few drops of oil so the door opened and
closed without a sound.
    Rag in hand; he polished the wood one last time.
Tomorrow he and Jacob would begin packing up the new set of props
for his first show in Philadelphia since their return from touring.
With the light outside fading as the days grew shorter, Stephen
took a few minutes to light the oil lamp and candles. He tossed the
last few pieces of wood into the pot bellied stove to ward off the
dropping temperatures. To finish reviewing the checklist tonight he
would need more wood to keep the heat going for another hour or
two.
    Opening the door, he stepped out into the yard and
glanced toward the main house. Candlelight glowed in the upstairs
windows. Ruby was getting Calvin ready for bed. Stephen smiled into
the darkness as he made his way to the stack of firewood near the
edge of the yard. As soon as the weather turned cold enough he
would teach his son how to ice skate, just as he promised. He and
Ruby were pretty good skaters, and had spent many a winter day
engaged in this pleasant sport. The smell of burning wood from the
fireplace drifted in on a breeze.
    Stephen inhaled a lungful of crisp cool air and
pulled his old coat a little tighter before bending to gather up an
armload of wood. The wind picked up, blowing the clouds clear of
the full moon, allowing bright pale yellow light to reflect off the
gold of his wedding ring.
    Moonlight! Stephen’s blood surged through his veins
and his heart beat a little faster. Tonight the conditions would be
perfect to experience with the Mayan stone again. He kept his
promise to Ruby and had not stayed late in the workshop for weeks.
The show was booked and everything was ready—except he still didn’t
have a special closing act—the one designed to leave them gasping
with surprise and talking for days. The disembodied Omega head was
good, but it would not compare to a real levitation. Perhaps
tonight he could conquer the mystery of the Mayan charm. If he
could harness and control its power, oh the wonders he could
perform!
    Eager to get started, he hurried back into the
one-room workshop, stoked the fire, shed his coat, and prepared the
room. He