“Apparently, Lasidious is the one who brought us here.”
“She’s right,” Sam added. “Lasidious was directed to retrieve us, but he was only supposed to bring Shalee and me. For whatever reason, he brought you as well. From the way it sounds, the gods don’t understand why, and Mosley is also clueless.”
George gave Sam an inquisitive look. “Shalee said that name earlier. Who in the heck is Mosley? She said he took the place of this supposed God of War, Bassorine.”
“George, I told you Mosley is the new God of War,” Shalee defended, “not the supposed God of War. I’ve seen Mosley’s power.”
George looked at Shalee. “Whatever!” He turned to Sam. “What else can you tell me about this joint?”
Sam shook his head. “You’re the same old George, that’s for sure. Anyway, Shalee and I were supposed to create an empire and be the example the other worlds were to follow, but it looks like that is going to be put on the back burner now that the Crystal Moon is missing.”
George grinned. “You two ... an example? Now I know everyone around here is smoking crack. What else can you tell me?”
“Shalee was brought here to be my mate,” Sam replied.
Shalee grabbed one of the pillows off the bed and threw it across the room at Sam. She used the opportunity to act as if she did not know. “You never told me anything about that.”
“Maybe we could talk about it later,” Sam replied as he threw the pillow back across the room and grinned as it hit Shalee upside her head.
George shook his head. “You poor girl. You’re the one who has to sleep with this big lug? What a tragedy.” The jerk moved to the window and looked down at the torches lighting the cobblestone streets as Sam moved to the table and took a seat. “I don’t know anything about this Lasidious, but maybe I’ll meet him one of these Peaks. If he has plans for me, he’d better say something before I find my way back to my daughter.”
Sam looked at Shalee and frowned. “Shalee and I have been so overwhelmed; we lost sight of your disappearance. We’re grateful you’re okay.”
George placed his hands on the window sill. “Are we still dwelling on that? Shouldn’t we be figuring out a way to get home?”
Shalee sighed, “If there was a home to go to, I’m sure we would be trying.”
“What the hell do you mean?”
Sam’s face turned somber. “Okay, okay. George, I have something I need to tell you. You already know about the worlds and the Crystal Moon. But what you don’t know is that the gods created a book after the God Wars destroyed the cosmos. They call this book the Book of Immortality, and it literally holds the souls of every dead being inside the page that their name has been inscribed on.”
“You’re screwing with me, aren’t you?” George responded. “You think that you can make me believe stupid crap like that.”
Sam shook his head. “Not at all. I don’t think you’re simpleminded. But I’m not finished. There’s more. From my understanding of the God Wars ... the battles were all consuming, and they even destroyed Heaven and Hell. It no longer matters if a person is good or bad, everybody ends up inside the Book. They stay there until it is their moment to be reborn.”
George’s brow furrowed. “Sounds like bull crap to me.”
Sam nodded. “It’s hard to argue with you, but it’s the truth.” Sam reached up to scratch the top of his head. “Bassorine said that the gods of Earth sent the souls of their followers to Heaven or Hell before they were destroyed. But that’s no longer possible.”
“You don’t really expect me to believe you,” George responded.
Sam nodded. “I do.”
“You’re telling me what the Bible said is true? You’re saying I would’ve gone to Hell for the things I’ve done?” He paused for a fair series of moments. “Considering the way this world is, I’m inclined to believe anything right now.”
Sam held up his hands to stop George from continuing. “Okay, okay. If you were worried about your soul, you’re lucky Hell is gone.” Sam stood from his chair. A grave expression appeared on his face. “There’s something else you need to know.”
“I’m listening.”
A long silence filled the room. “Earth is gone.”
George laughed. “Yeah, right! Whatever, dude!”
Sam’s expression did not change. “I swear ... I’m telling you the truth.”
George looked at the floor. “This is all too farfetched. It’s like