Noah was standing on the hill in front of Castle Gealach. Except that it was barely recognizable as flames engulfed the castle and smoke billowed into the rust orange sky. A maniacal laugh sounded behind him, and Noah whipped around to find a man dressed in a double-breasted black coat with a high collar. His eyes were red, reflecting the fires of the castle back toward Noah.
He recognized the man from numerous books and newspapers as none other than Osiris. The figure raised his wand slowly toward Noah as ashes fell around them; Noah was frozen in place and could not move for his wand in defense.
Ashes began to tickle his nose, giving him the sensation that he was being tickled by a feather…
***
Noah’s eyes opened, and he found himself laying face up in his bed and drenched with swe
