Page 55 of Spring L.A.W.
Katie gripped the doorframe. “Uh… What exactly is about to happen?”
“The mansion is going to magically yeet itself across several states,” Rayna said brightly.
“It’s very scenic,” Sahara added, as if this were a tourism brochure and not a reality-shattering magical event.
“I didn’t even pack!” Katie shouted over the rising hum.
“No need,” Victoria said. “Your room, your belongings, even Bubbles will reconfigure with us.”
As the last drops of the ritual water hit the floor, the world tilted.
Everything, including the books, the lamps, and the paintings on the wall, blurred for a second like a watercolor left out in the rain. Then there was a sound, like wind being sucked into something hollow and shot out the other end. It reminded her of a British TV show where a Police box made a similar noise. The foyer expanded and contracted; space warped around the edges like a heat shimmer.
Then, CRACK!
The mansion jerked, not physically, but dimensionally. One moment it was in Long Island. The next, it was nestled high in the Tennessee mountains, surrounded by mist-laced trees andblooming dogwood. The air shifted. It was fresher, sharper, and carried the scent of pine and something older, deeper, like the breath of the earth itself.
The witches barely flinched. This was just another Tuesday.
Katie staggered, grabbing a nearby sconce for balance. “What thehellwas that?”
“Congratulations,” Rayna said, grinning. “You’ve just experienced your first transdimensional mansion shift.”
Sahara opened a window and inhaled deeply. “Ah. I love the mountain air this time of year. So fresh.”
Katie peeked out the window. Snow still clung to the peaks in the distance, but fragrant hyacinths were blooming at the mansion’s edge. Birds called out in sharp, musical bursts.
The psychic goldfish did a little somersault. “The mountains are watching.”
Katie exhaled, long and slow. “That tracks.”
Rayna clapped her hands once. “Alright, witches and fish. Time to get settled. We’ve got a ritual to prep and a newbie to initiate.”
“Standing right here,” Katie muttered.
“And an entire Ostara ceremony to pull off by moonrise,” Magda mentioned.
Joell nodded. “Let’s set up the altar and get the kitchen items sorted. We’ll need food, candles, offerings…”
Victoria raised an eyebrow. “And someone’s going to have to help Katie with her ritual garb. Because she’s still wearing mundane jeans and a hoodie that says, ‘Send Noods.’”
Katie looked down. “This is vintage ironic sarcasm.”
Rayna handed her a flowing, green robe. “Welcome to magic. Get changed, Witchlet.”
Back in Brooklyn,there was a knock at the door. Three short raps, sharp and sure.
Michael froze mid-sip, then set his coffee down and moved toward the door quietly. Daniel reached for the bat leaning against the coat rack, because they weren’t expecting anyone, and New York didn’t believe in friendly surprises.
Michael checked the peephole.
“Major Payne,” he said.
Daniel exhaled. “Great. Just what we need. More intensity.”
Michael opened the door. “You’re early.”
Major Payne stepped inside without waiting for an invitation. He carried a black duffel slung over one shoulder and wore the same expression he always did, as if the world owed him answers.
