the Queen is. I just wish she would overlook a few fine points and get things done in a simpler fashion. You know what I mean.”

“Bartholomew, if the Queen would do the things you suggest, she would sink to the level of the evil Vizier. Wicca's honor must be upheld.”

Bartholomew was quiet for a minute. “No, Camellia. Her concerns are grossly exaggerated. She knew for years that the Cinnabar box was in Mr. Rose’s antique shop. And if she had allowed me to steal it, perhaps we could have saved years of agony for the entire planet. The owner would not have even noticed.”

“Whether the crime is discovered or not does not matter,” said Camellia. “The vibrations of your evil deed would have started a magical chain of events that may have created m...

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