“Your friend has a nice place. What does he do for a living?”

As Burke stepped out of the car, he said, “I told you, he’s a wizard.”

Carter wasn’t sure what to make of that, but he followed Burke up to the front door and stood to the side as the young doctor rang the bell. He heard movement inside, and after a moment, a man with a bushy black beard answered the door.

As Sam Carter’s eyes drank in the strange little man, it took all he had to keep from bursting into laughter. Burke had literally meant that this man was a wizard.

“Humble greetings, Allanon,” Burke said.

The man at the door wore a crimson robe that touched the floor. Carter could tell that the material was expensive. It was fringed with gold and had small runic patterns embroidered all over it. Allanon’s beard was coal back, but his hair was streaked, likely artificially, with white and hung down to his shoulders. He was short with a large hooked nose and orangutan lips. The beard hid most of his pale white skin; the brim of his tall pointy hat, which matched the color of his robe, hid the rest. In his left hand, he held a long staff of white wood topped with a blue crystal.

“Allanon Majere meet Assistant Special Agent in Charge Samuel Carter, FBI.”

Allanon’s eyes went wide. “Sir Eric! You would bring the forces of darkness to my doorstep?”

Burke rolled his eyes. “We seek council from the wisest and most powerful wizard in all the land.”

The strange little man’s eyes shot back and forth between the two of them. After a moment, he tilted his head and said, “You may pass.”

The inside of the house looked fairly normal, except for the dragon sculptures, paintings, swords, and other strange decorations. But beyond the decor, there were couches and end-tables and a television and Carter saw a fridge and table in the kitchen.

Allanon turned back to them and said, “Has your journey been long and tiresome? Are you in need of rest? A knight of the twelve kingdoms is always welcome in the House of Majere.”

Carter looked over at Burke and said, “Sir Eric?”

Burke rolled his eyes. “LARP. Live action role-playing game. I got into it a few years ago, but I’ve pretty much given it up now.”

Allanon seemed taken aback by the comment. “You have renounced your oath, Sir Eric?”

“Listen, Albert. I know it’s not just a game to you. It’s a way of life. But I need your help with some pretty heavy stuff. I need you to use your magic on some hard drives that are totally trashed.”

“Dude, don’t break character. That’s not cool.”

“Will you help me out?”

Allanon rolled his eyes and walked toward his hallway. “Bring them in and meet me in the server room. I’ll see what I can do. But if they’re as bad as you say, my normal fees may not cut it.”