Arcade Catastrophe
Page 29

“I could really get hurt,” Nate realized.
“There are limits to how fast you can fly,” Jonas said. “But you can go plenty fast enough to get killed.”
“I’ll try to keep that in mind,” Nate replied.
“Take care not to use any other magic while the stamp is in effect,” Jonas cautioned. “The magic involved with flight is delicate. Attempting to mix in other magic could prove disastrous.”
“Good to know.”
“You’re not new to magical enhancers,” Jonas said. “That could work either for or against you. Don’t take any of this lightly. To seal our agreement, the day after tomorrow you must bring me an inanimate object to which you feel a strong attachment.”
“Like what?”
“A stuffed animal. A book. A trophy. A photograph. I have the ability to measure your attachment to the item. If you comply, I will restamp you every other day. If the connection between you and the object isn’t strong enough, you will not get restamped.”
“Will you keep the object?”
“For as long as our association lasts.”
“Do I need to bring something every time I get stamped?”
“Just next time,” Jonas said. “Are you ready to meet your fellow Jets? Together you are the first complete group of four.”
“Sure,” Nate said, knowing that he had met all of them already.
Jonas rose and crossed to the far door. He moved slowly, as if ill or arthritic. When he opened the door, three kids came through—Chris, Risa, and Lindy.
Nate gaped in surprise at his friend. “Lindy?” His gaze darted to Jonas and back to Lindy. She might appear young, but surely Jonas had recognized his sister! What had transpired between them? What had he told her?
Lindy smiled sheepishly. “I hoped it would be one of you guys. I was worried Roman would beat you.”
“Thanks a lot, Nate,” Chris grunted, shaking his head.
Glaring, Risa took an angry step toward Nate. “Did you shut out Roman on purpose? He’s been working so hard for this! He even helped you! He thought you’d make a good teammate.”
“Lindy was never part of the plan,” Nate explained hastily, hoping they would believe him. “She acted alone. She wasn’t even supposed to come to the arcade! Todd wouldn’t reveal who had the third stamp. I assumed it was Roman. I didn’t even know that Lindy was trying for a stamp.”
“I don’t really care how it happened,” Chris said. “Together, you two stole his stamp.”
“Now, now,” Jonas chided. “This is a competition. Nobody has a claim on any stamp until they earn the tickets and trade for one. Chris, your friend Roman came close, but these two finished ahead of him. There are other stamps he can choose from.”
“How’d she earn the tickets?” Risa grumbled. “I’ve never seen her playing at Arcadeland.”
“She won’t talk about it,” Chris said.
“Perhaps she accomplished the task more cleverly than you,” Jonas replied serenely. “Do you imagine that I owe you an explanation? Some days I wish that children had no tongues. Life would be less wearisome if the power of speech were withheld for the first forty years. How Lindy succeeded is not your concern. With four members, your club is complete. If you wish to remain Jets, learn to get along. If not, feel free to join the rest of humanity in their mediocrity.”
“I didn’t mean to offend you,” Chris backpedaled.
“Which makes it so much more offensive,” Jonas yawned. “The four clubs will soon compete against each other. The winners will keep their stamps. The losers won’t. Before you know it, Roman and others will try to take your stamps away. I’ll be interested to see how your foursome measures up.”
Chris folded his arms and stared at the ground. Risa glowered. But they kept quiet.
Nate glanced at Lindy. She and Jonas were not acknowledging each other as more than new acquaintances. Either she didn’t know they were siblings or she was doing a good job covering it up. Surely he knew? And if he knew, he probably would have told her, right? But Nate couldn’t ask about it in front of her, in case she didn’t know. And he supposed there was a small chance that Jonas didn’t know either. Maybe they hadn’t been together much as children.
Jonas pointed at Nate. “He just received his stamp. Lindy got hers last night, when I refreshed Chris and Risa. I’ll restamp you all again the morning after next. Come at nine. Until then, I suggest you train together. You have the ability to fly, but practice will be required to fly well and to work as a team. Any questions?”
Nate couldn’t think of any questions not involving Mozag or John Dart.
“A friendly reminder,” Jonas continued. “If you tell any prospective candidates about what the stamps can do, you will lose all privileges and your slot will be filled by another. You have no right to let magical secrets spill into the nonmagical world. Don’t test me. I’ll know. I have many ways of gathering information. Keep your abilities private. That is all.”
Jonas shuffled over to his chair and sat.
“Come on,” Chris said. “I’ll show you where we practice.”
“One more thing, Nate,” Jonas said. “You’ll want to avoid my nacho cheese. It has a numbing effect on the ability to use and perceive magic. Old family recipe. The people at my concession counter know to keep it away from my candidates. They’ll use other cheese for you. But don’t try any if a family member brings some home.”
“Family member?” Nate asked.
“You should encourage your family to sample it,” Jonas said. “The cheese will simplify things for you, free you up to pursue your new opportunities.” He waved a casual hand. “Dismissed.”
Nate followed the others out of the room. They passed through a break room with a few vending machines, a sink, a microwave, some cupboards, and a few tables. One employee sat reading a hiking magazine. Another nibbled at a burrito.
Beyond the room they passed into a hall. Nate walked beside Lindy. “Are you all right?” he muttered.
“I’m fine,” Lindy said.
“Your dad has been worried,” Nate told her.
She winced a little. “I slept in one of the little tunnels at the Monument Park playground. It wasn’t comfortable. I’ll go home tonight. Not much he can do now.”
“Except ground you forever,” Nate pointed out.