"Welcome to Emerald City. I shadow-ported you." Correction. A hidden green version, accessed by my brother.

"No points for originality, but many for portalling, O, great and powerful Oz."

"Thanks. Hadn't realized I could bring passengers." Ari laughed. "Fear and surprise. Chief weapons."

"Don't forget that fanatical devotion to the Pope," I said. "So how does this work?" I fanned out my shirt, sticky with sweat. "And why is it so hot?"

"It's always like ...