Page 1 of Dottie's Forbidden Wizard
Chapter one
Dottie
"And now for news from Emerald City. The capital of the north ward of Fable Forest will elect a new mayor in the coming weeks, and Frank Ozella is giving the incumbent, Jareth Merlin, a run for his money."
Ozella.
It's been ten years since I've been in the Land of Oz, and that name still makes my heart race with an irritating combinationof fury and lust. Although it's certainly not the elder Ozella who gets me all worked up.
"The pre-election polls indicate that the race is neck and neck for the future leader, whose domain will include not only the city, but the southern, eastern, and western territories of Oz."
I've been able to pick up the local radio station since driving through the magical barrier into Fable Forest nearly forty minutes ago, and every new bit of information I learn makes me question what the hell I was thinking of coming back here.
"Friend of the year award," I mutter, leaning over my steering wheel to look up at a banner stretched between two trees that reads:The Great and Powerful Oz: Frank Ozella for Emerald City Mayor.
Greedy and slimy is more accurate, but certainly wouldn't instill the same level of confidence.
The gold banner shimmers, catching the sunlight between the trees in a wholly magical way. As it should be. The Ozellas are famous throughout Fable Forest and are one of the oldest and most powerful wizard families in the Land of Oz. Despite the name similarity, the Ozellas were not the first settlers, although they certainly love to imply otherwise.
I passed through the gates of Oz nearly ten minutes ago and have been bombarded nonstop with images of grinning politicians and advertisements as I traverse the winding path toward the city. Reinforced for car travel, the yellow brick road is the only way in and out, and it's a prime location for magically enhanced campaigns.
Hazel Darling's golden hair appears to twine around the trees, stretching upward as she extols her qualifications as the next Treasurer of Emerald City.
Aurora Charming's flawless face literally follows me, jumping off a billboard onto my windshield with a wink before snappingback into place as she touts the benefits ofBoncharme Nighttime Renewal Elixir.
Wizards are Emerald City's wealthiest inhabitants. Winkies, Munchkins, and Quadlings comprise the majority of the demographics outside the city, primarily located to the south, west, and east. Still, the odds of any of them holding political office are slim to none since the wizards have more wealth. At one point, there were only a handful of witches and wizards in Oz, but neighboring Fable Forest had plenty to spare. Oz offered a land of opportunity for those with magical abilities.
Another sign approaches on my right, and I glance over, expecting to see Frank Ozella staring back at me again. Instead, it reads:Emerald City Preparatory: Ten-Year Class Reunion.
I slam on my brakes, stopping in the middle of the road with a screech of tires.
Oh. My. God.
"Call Toto," I practically yell at my car's Bluetooth. I glance in my rearview mirror and force myself to step on the gas to avoid an accident.
"Calling Toto,"the mechanical voice echoes back to me.
A ringing tone fills the car, and I pass another sign toutingFrank Ozella for Mayor.
"Oh, my god! Hi, hi, hi! I'm so excited! Are you almost here? I am so flippin' excited to see you tonight." My best friend Tory's vibrant voice fills the car. Her contagious energy almost makes me forget why I'm angry with her.
Almost.
"Did you forget to mention something?" I grit out.
"What?" Toto asks in a squeaky voice that belies her confusion.
I take a deep breath and pull over to the side of the road so I don't lose control of my car when I inevitably freak out. "What event am I helping you with tomorrow night?"
"Um, I'll have to look at the schedule and get back to you. I appreciate you so—"
"Toto! I will turn this car around immediately." It's an empty threat, as the charm I picked up at the gate to enter Oz needs to be reversed by my sponsor for me to leave.
"No, no, no! Please. I need your help, Dottie. I wouldn't have asked you to come back here unless I was desperate." Her voice is tight, and I can hear the wobble of oncoming tears over my car's speakers.
Screaming silently, I resign myself to the fact that Toto is one of a handful of people I will do anything for.
I take a deep breath. "What is the event?" I ask in what I hope is a less biting tone.
