Witch's Bell Book One

'can occasionally go through the Portal. But nothing comes through to this side. Nothing but energy-'
    'But what about the Prophecies? You said that nothing ever comes through the Portal, but if that's the case, then why do most of your books refer to it as a door? Doors are usually two-way. And the Prophecies specifically mention creatures coming through the Portal, so why dismiss it?' As Nate spoke, his voice was easy but precise. Ebony realized for the first time that he actually sounded like a detective. His questions were exact, to the point, and probing. Worse than that, he sounded in his element, in control.
    'Okay, whatever. Yeah, the Portal Prophecies mention that creatures from the Other Side can occasionally hitch a ride into our world. But you have to understand, Detective, that these Prophecies pertained to a time long past. A time when people knew more about magic, but less about risk control. A time when some dumb-diddly of a wizard thought it would be a neat idea to try and communicate with inter-dimensional beings, regardless of the consequences. ' She took a breath. 'Look, magic is very regulated these days. It needs to be, after all. You think it's especially easy keeping something like magic secret in this technological age? Of course it isn't. So, for the benefit of magical creatures, and for the benefit of humanity as a whole, magic is kept under control. Maybe in the past it would be possible to open up the Portal and invite some nice old dimensional-alien around for tea, but it just couldn't happen anymore.'
    Nate hardly seemed impressed by her reassurance. In fact, his face was so set that Ebony fancied not even a barrel of diamonds would impress the man. 'The reason I insist,' he said clearly, obviously wanting Ebony to pay attention, even if he thought she didn't seem capable of understanding him, 'is that the Portal seems to be at the center of the relationship between the witches and the police. It also seems important to the variety of crime you experience in Vale. That, Ebony makes it important to me.'
    Ebony stopped herself from rolling her eyes, barely. 'There isn't much to tell, Detective, honestly. The Portal just is. Trust me; nothing is going to come out of it any time soon. That's really not what you have to worry about here. You want to understand crime in Vale? Then your major culprits are idiot kids and the Internet, accidents, petty-theft of blessings, the occasional neighborhood hexing – nothing of inter-dimensional importance, not by a long-shot.'
    Nate hardly seemed pacified, but he did nod his head. 'So, do you have any books for me, or what?' he repeated his original request with the same steady, unnervingly-precise tone.
    Ebony liked to look like she took everything in her stride, it was part of her blazing personality, she fancied. She was now realizing, however, that she did not like it when other people did the same. This man was coming across as arrogant in the extreme, too eager to control, and too damn capable. He'd just found out magic was real, and now he was having a serious argument with her about the possibility of directional material-transport through a magical inter-dimensional space rift. How dare he.
    The tick of Harry's old clock filtered through the room. It felt like the heartbeat of the place, the slight background reminder that things were never as they seemed. It also reminded Ebony that she could hardly just stand here and fume at the man. He was a detective, she reminded herself, and there was the Pact to think about. Part of her job as consultant witch for the police force was to keep their officers up-to-speed. She was obliged, Ebony pressed her teeth together, but she didn't have to smile about it.
    Damn, sometimes she hated the Pact.
    'Fine. I have a book relating to Portal dynamics,' she said quietly. 'I'll just go and find it.' She walked around the counter, trying to keep her back straight but hips swaying.
    She bit her lip with annoyance when she realized Detective Nate was following her.
    'So what is a Portal? Are there Portals elsewhere on the planet? If it produces energy, then why haven't scientists picked up on it? If it's inter-dimensional, then doesn't there need to be a balanced flow of energy into and out of the Portal, in order to maintain the thermal equilibrium of both systems?'
    Ebony felt like she was being followed around by a pesky child who had more questions than friends. 'Thermal equilibrium? What kind of question is