Jack and Ali's son Brendan dribbled the soccer ball down the field. It was Thursday soccer practice at Robinson high school.

  Brendan was sixteen, tall, and had an athletic build. He had short dark curly hair and blue eyes. He wore a black shirt and black shorts that were trimmed with gold.

  Ali sat in the stands, cheering Brendan on. Appearing every bit the soccer mom, she wore a white sun hat, oversized sunglasses, a white tank top, sneakers, and navy blue shorts.

  MEDIEVAL PERSIA

  Aaliyah (present day Ali) was court magician in the service of Sultan Hafez al-Rashid.

  It was a time of war. Before her, an enemy spy was chained to the dungeon wall in front of her.

  "You'll never make me talk, witch!" the spy shouted in Persian.

  "You will talk. I will see to that," said Aaliyah in Persian. She wore a purple niqab trimmed with gold lace.

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  "I would like to see you TRY it!"

  Aaliyah made a magical gesture. The room was suddenly filled with thousands of twinkling lights.

  "What manner of trickery IS this?" the spy shouted.

  "These are enchanted lights," said Aaliyah. "They have the power to cause all who gaze upon them to fall into a deep sleep."

  "NEVER!" the spy cried defiantly as he struggled to keep his eyes open.

  "You are exhausted. Sleep now ... and rest," Aaliyah cooed. "Close your eyes now ... and sleep."

  "NO!" the spy cried as he struggled to resist the lights that were twinkling all around him.

  Aaliyah made a magical gesture in front of the spy's face. "My power is far greater than your will.

  "You are so tired ... so VERY tired. Your body is exhausted.

  "Sleep now."

  "I will never surrender!"

  "Sleep is coming. You are now powerless to resist.

  "Sleep now ... Go to sleep now."

  The spy closed his eyes as sleep came upon him. His head slumped forwards onto his chest as he hung from his chains on the wall.

  "You are now in a deep, enchanted sleep," Aaliyah murmured as the lights disappeared and sleep overtook the spy.

  "Your mind ... and your will ... are now mine to command."

  Aaliyah chanted an incantation in ancient Arabic. A large glowing red orb appeared above the spy's head.

  "Your mind ...is now an open book," said Aaliyah. "All of your deepest secrets ... are now mine to behold."