“You’re twelve. Twelve is the calm before the storm. It’s not surprising. Because of your sensitivity, your mind is wired differently. It’s stronger, harder to fool. It’s not impossible that very powerful, magical people could also be pulled into the past and retain their memories.”
Wyatt cleared his throat before he said, “Quazar, could the candle have been planted in hopes of this result?”
“What result?”
“Making Mia twelve again.”
“I think it would take more than the candle. It would take an implanted suggestion. Yes, it could be done. If so, I’d look to the purchasers first.”
“Could the suggestion be placed on the candle itself?” Wyatt asked. “You know, an absorption or permeation spell?”
Quazar thought a moment and nodded his head.
“But who would do this to you?” Gerald asked.
“I can think of a few entities,” Mia said. “Without compromising you further, let’s just say, there probably is interest in having another chance to influence me down the path I was genetically engineered to take. Since my birth, events were staged to develop my psyche for the task. Fortunately for me, I was more influenced by the last fourteen years than the first.”
“So, they may want another try. But wouldn’t you face the same influences?” Gerald questioned.
“Maybe not. For example, by my being in Chicago right now, I may have missed an interaction in Big Bear Lake that I should be having. It’s impossible to repeat the past. Also, to face the horrors I will have to face in order to keep things the same may be too much for me. It could damage me more than it did the first time,” Mia confessed.
“Who were your engineers?” Quazar asked.
“Quazar, I think this would be too dangerous for you and your protégé to know,” Wyatt cautioned. “Let’s just say, the creatures on both sides of this fight for Mia are willing to kill to remove obstacles.”
“If so, you’re dealing with a very dangerous task,” Quazar said. “Who have you chosen to go with you?”
“I’m going to escort her,” Wyatt said.
“No, absolutely not!” Quazar said. “Anytime a fallen sneezes, a flag goes up.”
“She’s a child without powers. She can’t go alone,” Wyatt said.
“I’m going with her,” Murphy said from the door. He stood there looking like a living man. His clothes were still the same worn work clothes he died in. His hat was set low on his forehead. But it was the steely-gray eyes and set of his chin that spoke of the caliber of the man. The fingers of his right hand drummed on the handle of his axe while he waited to be acknowledged.
“How did you get in here? I have protections!” Quazar exclaimed. “Gerald, escort this farmer from…”
“No, let him stay,” Mia pleaded. “Quazar, this is Stephen Murphy. He’s always had my back in my timeline. He was there at the party.”
“How’d you know to come here?” Wyatt asked.
“I followed you from when you picked up Mia. It’s not that I don’t trust you, sir, but Mia is a handful at the best of times. You have to be extra watchful.”
Mia opened her mouth to protest but thought the better of it. He was speaking the truth.
“After Mia left the farm, my memory came back,” he explained. “I consulted with Mother Nature, and I’ve been granted my 2018 powers temporarily. I have until the full moon to help you,” he told Mia.
“That’s all the time we have, so thank you. I know how much you had to put aside to come to my aid. It will not be forgotten.”
The three looked at the pair, an underweight preteen and a dusty farmer. For the most part, magically, they could fly under the radar of the houses of power. They may actually succeed.
“Mia, besides this gentleman, how did you defend yourself in 2018?”
“I had a sword and shield made of angel steel,” she said. “I had developed my powers of bilocation, telekinesis, and mind-reading. I can’t perform any of these tasks currently.”
“You’re young, that’s understandable,” Quazar said. “Gerald, do we have any angel steel on the premises?”
“No, but we do have some lightweight daggers that may be better. We can put on a concealment spell along with a pairing one to connect them to Mia.”
“I don’t understand. What does pairing mean?” Mia asked.
“We bond the two of you together, you and your weapon. It will always return to you when called,” Quazar explained.
Mia remembered another sword that did that. She didn’t mention that it belonged to Altair, Wyatt’s fallen name, for obvious reasons. “What will it cost me?”
“Mia, I’ll sponsor the purchase,” Wyatt said. “Money is no object.”
“I could do this all for just a favor?” Quazar led.
“No, I will purchase it. If this doesn’t resolve itself, I don’t want Mia starting out this timeline with a favor owed.”
Quazar bristled but nodded. “Gerald, see to it that she’s equipped. Mia, because of your physical age, there are limitations to your gifts. I’m afraid there is nothing I can do about that. To rush the natural talent would be harmful. I’m thinking some extras like jump-back jacks and a whiplash jump rope. These toys will not be noticed.”
“I’m not six!”
“She can’t jump rope. She’ll break an arm,” Murphy said. “She can’t row either.”
“Thanks a lot, Murph. It’s always wise to let people know my disadvantages.”
Murphy felt uncomfortable hearing Mia call him her pet name. He fussed with his axe until the feeling subsided.
“You don’t have to play with these things,” Quazar commented. “Gerald will show you their magical uses. They could get you two out of a jam.”
“Thank you, I’m sorry I was so bratty,” Mia said.
Quazar was taken in by Mia’s feigned contriteness. Murphy and Wyatt weren’t fooled.
“Follow me to
