'When we get back from the moon,' she said, 'I'm going to take off my genie.'
Shay raised his eyebrow.
'I'll still help you train to use yours,' she said.
'But-'
'I don't know if I have Vendevorex's level of self-restraint,' she said. 'He's always been sparing in the use of his abilities. He's far more powerful than he lets on. I never understood why he didn't do more good. For a while, I thought it was because he was afraid of the Atlanteans discovering he was using their technology. Now, I understand the truth-having been to Atlantis, he saw the effects of limitless altruism. Just because he has the power to fix the world's problems doesn't mean that it's always right to do so.'
'You're afraid you might do too much good for the world?'
'I still want to make the world better,' said Jandra. 'But I want to do it following your vision. I want to help you start your school. We'll give people the tools they need to solve their own problems. I don't want people to become dependent on me.'
Shay smiled. 'It's a little late for that. I'm already dependent on you.' He lifted into the air and held his hand toward her. 'Without you near, I suspect I'd wither away.'
'Flatterer.'
'It's true,' he said. 'I think it's worth trying, by the way.'
'What's worth trying?'
'When we get back, take off your genie for a year. I'll take off mine, since I barely can use it anyway. We'll discover if the world can last a year without our magic.'
She took his hand as her wings chimed out to their full length. She rose into the air until they were the same height.
'With you,' she said, 'there will always be magic.'
They tilted toward each other. Their lips met gently in weightless bliss. Shay wrapped his arms around her waist as they drifted in the flower-scented breeze. They floated for what felt like eternity, as her fears and doubts melted away.
When he finally broke from the kiss, she gazed into his eyes.
There was a question she felt embarrassed to ask.
'What?' he whispered.
'After we put up the genies, we're, um, keeping the wings, right?'
'Of course my angel,' he whispered, stroking her cheek as they climbed into the endless blue.
It was nightfall when Hex reached the Free City. In the weeks since he'd visited the population had swelled, rivaling Richmond in size. He suspected that the people in Richmond were enjoying the economic boom of selling an endless stream of building supplies to their thriving neighbor.
They landed by the barn that served as Blasphet's abode. A crowd of white-robed citizens gathered around him and the valkyries.
He noted with a certain satisfaction that humans outnumbered earth-dragons here fifty to one, and sky-dragons perhaps three-hundred to one. There were no sun-dragons to be seen. He wondered if this spoke to the differences in gullibility among the various species. Of course, it could also have reflected the degree to which the lives of the various races had been thrown into turmoil by the recent unrest.
The barn doors were open, allowing the warm spring breeze to flow through the place. The barn looked much as he left it, though the gate to Atlantis had been closed. Vendevorex had finally mastered that trick.
A silver mosquito landed on Hex's gold-plated ear.
It buzzed in a perfect simulacrum of Vendevorex's voice that only he could hear.
'I've been wondering when you would show up,' the mosquito said.
'Are you near?' Hex whispered.
'I'm still in Atlantis,' said Vendevorex. 'There are machines here I need in order to do what you wish. But I have drones to serve as my eyes and ears.'
Hex nodded, hoping Vendevorex saw the gesture. He walked into the barn with the valkyries at his heels.
Blasphet was on his canvas-covered podium. He looked pleased by Hex's arrival.
'You look worthy of worship, nephew,' said Blasphet.
'No, my lord, no,' whispered a robed woman near the black dragon's feet. She sounded distressed.
'My followers find the thoughts of worshipping any other dragon stressful, I fear,' said Blasphet. 'I believe it's because, despite my most fervent protests, they believe I am a god.'
'You called yourself a god once,' said Hex. 'And, as a god, you're responsible for the deaths of eight-hundred- seventy-three valkyries, victims of your genocidal assault on the Nest.'
'You speak of deeds I performed before I was reborn,' said Blasphet.
'I speak of deeds for which you will be brought to justice. These valkyries are here to arrest you. You're to be tried for your crimes before a council of learned dragons. Should they decide you are guilty of the assault upon the Nest, you will face execution.'
'I've already died for those crimes,' said Blasphet. 'My sins were washed away in my own blood.'
'Perhaps this argument will impress your judges.'
The woman at his feet sprung up.
'No!' she shouted. 'You cannot take him! He's the life force of this city! He provides all food. He cures all ills. His wise counsel has united the races!'
'If his counsel is truly wise and you've learned from him, perhaps your city will thrive,' said Hex. 'I won't interfere with your development. If you've discovered a better path through life, I hope it spreads to all the corners of the earth. Blasphet, however, will be at the Nest.'
The woman clenched her fists. Blasphet placed his fore-talon on her shoulder.
'Colobi, you are dear to me. I know you would die to protect me. I do not ask for your life, however. Listen to my nephew. Follow my example. Spread my teachings. Serve the world.'
The woman looked up with tears in her eyes.
Blasphet sounded as if there were tears in his own voice as he said, 'I ask that all of my children leave the room. I would have a moment of alone with our guests.'
The women who lined the walls glared as they filed out of the barn. The valkyrie at the back of the room drew the doors closed.
'Do you intend to come peacefully?'
'Of course,' said Blasphet. He sounded smug. 'I cannot guarantee, however, that my followers will allow our safe passage. They can be… zealous.'
'We won't be leaving through the door,' said Hex. 'Vendevorex, it's time.'
A circular rainbow opened in the air near the wall, yawning ever wider until it was large enough to swallow a sun-dragon.
'The Nest is on the other side,' said Hex.
'I suspected as much,' said the former Murder God. 'I've been aware of the wizard's bug for days now. My eyes and ears are much keener than they once were.'
'We know,' said Hex. He pointed at the portal. Half of the valkyries were already passing through the gate. 'Follow them,' said Hex.
Blasphet rose. His eyes were creased with a look of satisfaction.
'Did you know that the humans have a myth?' he asked, just before he vanished into the gate.
Hex followed closely behind. They emerged in dim lamplight, in the dank, cool air of the Nest. They were in the thread room, the focal point of Blasphet's slaughter here.
Blasphet finished his thought. 'They speak of a healer who some called a god. When he was alive, he would answer all queries about his divinity with riddles. The authorities of his day killed him. When he rose from the dead, his followers knew without doubt what he truly was. His worship has survived the rise and fall of civilizations.'
'You won't be rising from the dead, uncle.'
'Won't I?' said Blasphet. 'I helped guide Vendevorex back from death. Not that I think I will die, mind you. When I called myself the Murder God, all I had at my command were a few poisons. Now, I control all matter. The building blocks of the physical world are my playthings. With my knowledge and powers, I expect I will enjoy a very long life. I may even be immortal.'
