I Am Totally a Real-Life Wizard (Not Clickbait, I Swear!)

"Yeah... best to be quick, just in case." Valeri took over the computer and clicked on the first file. It was a recording of the storage room.

"Uhh. I doubt Joe would be volunteering here as a restocker." Dawn glowed pale yellow.

Valeri clicked on the next clip.

It was a recording of the front counter. There was a long line of patrons winding beyond the counter and around the corner. Right by the counter was a giant portrait of a woman holding a small bottle with a heart topper.

“We’ll, it’s some sort of book signing.” Vendetta leaned in. “It doesn’t look like Joe, though.”

Valeri squinted and read the text on the bottom of the portrait. "Amara Sarang, expert in love and potions. Wait, wasn't Joe making a love potion?"

Vendetta groaned. “There’s more of these people?”

Dusk glowed an angry wine color. “So, did Joe come to her to learn her ways!”

Vendetta gagged. “Of course he did.”

"Ugh." Valeri started examining the screen in an attempt to find Joe.

Suddenly, there was a burst of sparkles in the clip, and the line became wobbly for a moment as people looked around in confusion. When it finally cleared up, a familiar wizard was at the front of the line. He appeared to be talking enthusiastically to the woman at the counter-- Valeri guessed she was Amara.

"Figures. It's Joe. Of course he would cut in line."

“In such an obnoxious way too.” Dusk scoffed in disgust.

Vendetta took a video with their phone. “This is the evidence we need against Joe!”

"Perfect." Valeri smiled grimly. "Make sure the timestamps are as clear as possible."

They watched as Joe held out a copy of a book to be signed. Then he seemed to be gushing about the book to Amara, and Valeri gagged. "I don't even want to know what's in that book."

Cody glowered at the screen, holding Khalil’s hand to his chest. “Nothing good. Not with Joe, not with a woman like that.”

Khalil rubbed their hand soothingly.

As Cody continued glaring at the screen, Joe said a few final words to Amara, then left in another cloud of sparkles.

"So dramatic," Dawn sighed. "Anyways, let's get out of here, yeah?"

Vendetta nodded. “Yeah, let’s go. We have a wizard to catch.”

Dusk hovered near Vendetta’s shoulder. “Yes. We. Do.”

Soon enough, the group was in the car again. Cody adjusted the rearview mirror and backed out of the parking space.

"So, where to next?"

Vendetta shrugged. "Maybe lunch."

Dusk vibrated. "Dawn, don't you say anything."

Dawn blushed pink.

"Lunch sounds good. How about a burger place?" Khalil asked.

"Yes... We'll need sustenance to take down Joe." Valeri smiled grimly as Cody started driving.

Cody nodded. "That is very true. Burgers it is then."

Vendetta sighed. "I think we can do this. We have the evidence, and we have a surprise up our sleeves. What could go wrong?"

Khalil shook xer head. "Never say that because the stars will answer."

Cody pulled into the parking lot of a burger joint and turned off the engine. "Well, we can plan more while eating." They exchanged a glance with Khalil.

Valeri readily got out of the car and walked to the door of the diner. "Come on, let's get some food."