still haven’t told me how to get to Merchant Island. And don’t you think that Amar visiting the Head Master after his death will raise a red flag regarding the moments in which his death occurred?”
Lasidious laughed. “Head Master Brayson thinks he saw Amar before he passed. He has no clue that Amar perished. Besides, the gods won’t be worried about a being as insignificant as Amar. Out of sight, out of mind.”
The Mischievous One reached into the flames and scooped the image of George into the palms of his hands. He carried the burning vision to the stone table, set it down and then took a seat after he pulled his chair out with his foot. Lasidious leaned back, put his feet up and then stared into the fire.
“George, there’s something else you need to know. You have the ability to look into Kepler’s mind to see the demon’s memories. It is there you will find the vision of Merchant Island. The cat’s memories are trustworthy, and you have grown close enough to ask for permission to enter Kepler’s mind. If you’ll open your own mind to me now, I’ll show you how to do this.”
George shook his head. “How could you have forgotten to tell me something this useful? Do you realize how much more I could’ve accomplished if you had told me this sooner? I could’ve teleported anywhere I wanted and not wasted all my damn moments tromping all over the place.”
Lasidious grinned. “Who said I forgot? You’ll be leaving for Luvelles in 2 Peaks.”
George thought a while. “I think this plan should work. Luvelles, here I come. Wow, I’ve got a ticket off of this rock. I’m relieved now that I think about it.”
Lasidious smiled.
George questioned, “Where will I find this Hesston Bangs?”
“Tell Kepler that Hesston works on the docks during the Peak of Bailem. Kepler will know where to go once he hears this information.”
“Then will we speak again after I get to Luvelles?”
The Mischievous One shook his head. “It will be a while before we speak again. Until then, be patient, George. After you terminate the family of witches, lay low and don’t use your power.”
The god reached into the flames and touched George on his shoulder. “It won’t be long before Abbie is returned to you. Remember that.”
A moment later, Lasidious departed George’s dream, leaving behind beautiful visions of Abbie that filled George’s mind’s eye.
GEORGE, his family, and Kepler are now on the world of Luvelles. The ride provided by the Merchant Angels to this new world was dark and dismal. The family’s special container was tight, and everyone had to sit in their own waste for the duration. Despite the annoyances, they arrived in good spirits.
George led the family to the village of Floren, but he had no idea how to find Head Master Brayson. The only thing the mage knew for sure was that he had a family of witches to terminate and a new nephew to take care of.
The family now believed that Susanne had a son. Their minds were manipulated by Maldwin before leaving Gessler. Susanne and Athena have been chattering about a baby they’ve never met.
Maldwin’s visions were specific. After the baby was born, there were health issues that had to be addressed. The family believed that George rushed the child to Western Luvelles to receive the medical attention he needed to survive. But there was one detail about the baby’s birth that Maldwin’s vision was unable to plant into the family’s minds, a detail that George failed to think about, one that could cause a significant problem.
KEPLER left word for his brothers to govern Skeleton Pass in his absence. As it turned out, Lasidious was right about the demon. The jaguar was more than willing to leave his brothers behind.
CELESTRIA cleaned up her son, and after holding the baby for a short series of moments, she handed the boy to the witches and then vanished for Ancients Sovereign. Once there, she waved her hand over her belly and removed all evidence of her pregnancy.
SAM asked Shalee to stay in Brandor. She was still dealing with the stress of losing BJ and Helga. The queen has been crying for Peaks, and the healers warned Sam that the stress was not good for the baby. Sam knows they are correct. Shalee’s depression could make her a prime candidate for a miscarriage, and the king is not about to risk the baby’s or his queen’s health, despite the asset Shalee