The Magic Order #4 Time isn’t a straight line for Magicians

World War II, one of the darkest times in human history. The members of the inner circle of The Magic Order of the time gather together on the English coast to discuss how they can put an end to the massive bloodshed which has been World War II. The war is just a cover for the forces of evil (the nazi's) who are in the possession of the Oricalchum to complete a dark and terrible spell that will see them victorious. The circle which includes Bertie Moonstone as well as well as an Albany hatch a plan to retrieve the powerful book and avert a very dark end to the war. While discussing the plan Bunty Moonstone discovers a child hidden in the trunk of the car! A child from the future who Bertie gives a stern lecture to about time travel etiquette and use of the place that facilitates it and orders her home. The rambunctious child does as she is bid but not before leaving the somewhat bemused Moonstone her card as she disappears into the grey with the car...

Back in the present at Moonstone castle Cordelia Moonstone finishes recounting the tale to her brother Regan who in a fit of frustration attempts to destroy the Oricalcham but to no avail as the book is not destroyable. Uncle Edgar Moonstone who is "guardian" of the castle suggests they meet with madame Albany to call a truce which the frustrated Reagan and Cordelia agree to.

The Abington hotel a magical restaurant existing outside of the time and space yet touches all points in time is the scene of the parlay. The Moonstones meet Albany and the shape-changing Lord Cornwall to seek a truce but their attempt is ignored as Madame
Albany makes it clear that there will be no negotiation, only the complete destruction of the current order as it stands. She reveals further that Gabriel is next to die and that they know where he is and that the plan for his death is already in motion. The Moonstones race off to assist their sibling as Albany ironically toasts her long-dead father who happens to be in the restaurant but at another table scowling across at her, from another time.

Back in the world Gabriel Moonstone is heading home and talking to his wife Louise on the phone when he is confronted by a child from his neighborhood in the road. as he asks her why she is alone in the street without her parents the child ages before his eyes and turns to dust within seconds. the horrified Gabriel recognizes the threat... the Horogoblin has been set free! Gabriel is still on the phone (via a Bluetooth earpiece) and explains to his scared and confused wife that the creature steals time from you if it touches you as he races on foot toward his home ordering her to retrieve his wand as he takes a seemingly impossible magic leap into the air covering the remaining distance between himself and the house. Grabbing his wife and wand he immediately casts a spell that gives them a momentary reprieve. Then, leaving his wife at a safe distance, he leaps into the air to confront the creature head-on. Seconds later
the Moonstone siblings arrive on the scene asking Louise where Gabriel is as she shows them the battle raging in the sky.

Gabriel proves just how talented a magician he really is by emerging victorious in his confrontation with the Horogoblin managing to trap it again and after a brief moment of celebration at the victory, Regan asks what their response should be Gabriel is clear...It's time to hit back!