Lin Finity and the Flights to Forever, Fringes of Infinity Book Four
Table of Contents
Chapter 1 – They’re Finally Home 1
Chapter 2 – Chocolate Chocolate 5
Chapter 3 – Two Beautiful Crows 14
Chapter 4 – In The Vast Forever 24
Chapter 5 – Lin’s Flight No. 1 37
Chapter 6 – How Glyphins Murder Words 45
Chapter 7 – Jack’s Flight No. 1 57
Chapter 8 – Lin’s Flight No. 2 66
Chapter 9 – Yet Still, They Exist 75
Chapter 10 – His Destruction Has Begun 85
Chapter 11 – Why Ocean Boulevard? 92
Chapter 12 – Saved My Paint Too 100
Chapter 13 – A Door Partially Opened 115
Chapter 14 – Jack’s Flight No. 2 123
Chapter 15 – Lin’s Flight No. 3 134
Chapter 16 – Lin The Glyphin 143
Chapter 17 – God Is Not Afraid 156
Chapter 18 – You’re Kind Of Peculiar 163
Chapter 19 – I Want To Go Too 175
Chapter 20 – A Murderous Monster Appears 181
Chapter 21 – Jack’s Flight No. 3 190
Chapter 22 – Lin’s Flight No. 4 201
Chapter 23 – A Forbidden Thought 210
Chapter 24 – Jack’s Flight No. 4 227
Chapter 25 – Lin’s Flight No. 5 245
Chapter 26 – Jack’s Flight No. 5 260
Chapter 27 – A Self-Serving Soul 273
Chapter 28 – A Man Named Nomad 287
Chapter 29 – Busy Assembling Something 299
Chapter 30 – Go To God 309
Chapter 31 – This Might Be Goodbye 325
Chapter 32 – Lin’s Flight No. 6 334
Chapter 33 – I’m Taking Jack 346
Chapter 34 – Lin’s & Jack’s Flight 351
Chapter 35 – Guess Who! 364
Chapter 1 – They’re Finally Home
“Wow, it’s freezing out here! I should have kept my coat on.”
Jack Madison patted the big dog’s head and rubbed his ears.
“Hey, Nomad, don’t laugh just because you never leave the house without yours. You aren’t cold at all, are you?”
He didn’t answer, and after they held each other’s gaze for several seconds, both man and dog turned their heads and scanned the cloudless sky in every direction. After sharing a quick look, they studied all around them another time.
“I don’t know if I’ll ever feel safe back here again.”
Jack stood in snow up to his hips in Lin Finity’s backyard in frosty Pennsylvania, and he was at the shallowest area near the middle. Closer to the high fence, drifts rose up, broken only by the path he’d shoveled around the perimeter for Nomad earlier that morning. When he examined the snow near them and saw the crusty top surface unspoiled by a single footprint or paw print, he shook his head and laughed.
“Are your paws even touching the ground? Or are you floating?”
The heavy Tibetan Mastiff only looked at him calmly as he rested there with his wide red mane warming the snow, waiting for Jack’s word to begin the trip back inside.
Jack glanced up at the roof peak of the house beyond Lin’s fence, and in spite of the icy wind, he paused to stare at a spot next to the brick chimney pouring its white smoke into a stream of puffy pearls flowing toward the southeast. He smiled, thinking about the two crows that had studied them from up there only moments earlier, and looked back down at the dog.
“We really should get inside, big boy.”
Nomad barked once at the sky, then he panted while looking into Jack’s eyes.
“But we have to be a lot more careful, don’t you think? Of course, you already know that.”
The dog only leaned his head to one side and continued to look into the man’s eyes.
“It’s still the best New Year’s Day ever.”
Jack pulled open the back door leading to Lin’s kitchen and kicked his boots against the foundation blocks, casting snow off of them while brushing off his jeans. Nomad shook all over, whipping the long hair of his thick mane in each direction. Then, he kicked each leg, removing some of the snow, but many chunks remained packed in his fur. They both walked inside.
After letting out a deep breath, Jack said, “Let’s take it really slow this time, alright?”
Nomad bumped his forehead into Jack’s leg, and they both approached the foyer and the entrance to the living room. Before they made it that far, Jack retrieved his coat from a chair at the kitchen table and put it back on.
“Alright, you know we can’t just walk in there again. How about if we just look around the corner? Nothing but that, alright? We’ll just look.”
One step from the corner, they both stopped. In unison, Jack leaned into the opening just enough to see the couch, and Nomad did the same at the level of Jack’s waist.
After several seconds, Jack said, in a hushed voice, “Well, we’re still here. It’s a good start.”
They both saw Lin’s couch at the far side of the room, and on the middle cushion, a pile of blankets sat motionless. But Jack could see two pairs of eyes, and he knew that Nomad saw them too. Shining green eyes peering out from the darkness of the warm covers and focused only on them.
“Let’s just hold up a second, big boy,” Jack whispered.
The dog remained silent, and all eyes were locked across the sunny room. Jack saw that the intense green glowing scrutinizing him and the dog from the safe nest of blankets hadn’t diminished.
“We have to try again, don’t we? I’m hoping for the best. They know who we are, Nomad. They won’t hurt us.”
He paused, let out a deep breath, and said, “They probably won’t hurt us.”
He let a minute pass as both of them did nothing but look into Lin’s and her daughter Taylor’s eyes shrouded under their mountain of blankets.
“One step, big boy, alright? Just one step. You ready?”
Nomad tapped his head against Jack’s leg without looking away from the two on the couch.
Jack sighed, chuckled softly, and said, “At least it’s sunny outside. Come on.”
Each took one step out into the open, and Jack knew that both pairs of eyes, which had flared a blinding green, could see him and Nomad in their entirety.
He was about to suggest to Nomad that they attempt one more step, but in less than a heartbeat, both man and dog found that the snow was far too deep.
Jack shook his head and laughed as he rubbed Nomad’s ears.
“I know, I know. I should have put gloves on too.”
They both looked around at the sky in every direction, then they examined Lin’s house from their place on the neighbor’s side of her fence. Jack turned to glance again at the chimney, still tossing smoke into the air but much nearer than before. All around them, he saw not a sign of the passage of boot or paw in the smooth surface of the previous night’s snowfall.
“Here, let me smash some of that snow down to get you started. We’ll have to hike around the block this time.”
Nomad barked once at the sky and panted.
“Yeah, it is kind of funny, I suppose. Alright, let’s get going.”
Ten minutes later, they’d trudged around to Kingsbury Court and again stood at Lin’s back door, where they cleared snow off of themselves as well as they could before entering the warm house.
Jack kicked off his boots and dropped his coat back onto the chair.
“We need a better plan. Let’s just sit awhile and think this through. If she gets mad next time, or even if she just makes a mistake, it could be really, really bad for us.”
He hoisted the jumbo bag of dog food out of the pantry and tipped it enough to fill the giant, shiny bowl with chunks. Nomad attacked it before the pouring stopped, and the sound of crunching rang through the otherwise silent house.
Before sitting at the table, Jack peeked around the corner for only a second and saw both pairs of eyes glaring at him. He quickly pulled his head out of their sight and returned to the kitchen.
“At least there aren’t any storms, huh, big boy? Thank God Taylor isn’t that upset.”
Nomad continued to nose his emptying bowl across the floor.
“But they’re home, Nomad. They’re finally home.”
Chapter 2 – Chocolate Chocolate
Late morning sunlight warmed the kitchen table and part of Nomad’s back where he lay near Jack’s chair. Jack put down the home repair magazine he’d been reading much of the morning and stretched his arms out wide. He let out a deep sigh.
“I need to try talking to them again. That first time, all I said was Lin’s name, and she dropped us in the snow. I didn’t expect that to happen. I really didn’t. And the second time, we didn’t get even that far.”
Nomad rose up on his thick legs and rested his massive head on Jack’s lap. He looked up into his eyes, seldom blinking.
“What if we peek around the corner again, but we go no farther, and we try to talk to them? Well, you can bark, and then—”
A rapping on the back door caused Jack to jump up, sending the dog back a step. When he got to the door and spied through its small window, a smile spread across his face as he opened it.
“Gabriel! You said you’d know if she came back, but I was too upset to even ask you about that. But you did know, and here you are.”
“Yes, Jack. The world’s a different place when Lin is herself and not part of a flock somewhere. Her presence is unmistakable.”
“It’s been only a couple of hours since they got back. How . . . how can you—”
“Jack, it’s easy. Lin will learn. Taylor too. I could have arrived here a second or two after she and Taylor returned. I stayed in St. Simons until Gloriana and I had secured her gift shop and set Renato up for a little vacation. Then, I made—”
“Renato? I thought he took off?”
“He did, Jack, in a manner of speaking. After Lin and Taylor left, I found him, and he’s been working with us in Sunny’s Magic Island Gift Shop.”
“Should I understand any of that?”
“No, not really, Jack. Anyway, then I made sure Gloriana got to her flight safely before I traveled here in my own way.”
A panting Nomad nudged Jack to one side and jumped up to put his wide paws on Gabriel’s shoulders.
“My good friend, Nomad. It’s wonderful to see you again. Have you been well?”
Nomad barked once at the ceiling, and Gabriel patted his sides before turning to Jack.
“Are they okay, Jack?”
“I don’t know. We can’t even get close to them. We’ve tried twice, and each time, we found ourselves out in the snow.”
“It will take her a while to feel like herself again. Taylor too. They’ve been away almost six weeks. I did tell you they’d return, and you waited patiently. You did well, Jack.”
“It hasn’t been easy, but Nomad’s been a big help.”
“Yes, he is. It’s why he’s here.”
“Well, where else would he go? Ever since Lin left, he and I—”
“No, Jack. It’s why he came here to begin with.”
Jack gave the big dog a quick look, then focused again on Gabriel.
“Lin adopted him is why he’s here. He showed up on her boss’s porch, so she brought him home.”
“It was a coincidence, Jack? He appeared out of nowhere, and he’s been here to help you for the six weeks that Lin has been gone?”
Jack stared at Gabriel, then looked at Nomad, who was still up on his legs and holding Gabriel’s shoulders. He barked once at the ceiling, then he turned his head and panted at Jack.
“You might not have made it on your own. We all have work to do here. Nomad is no different.”
“You’re right. I’m not sure I could have handled it without him.”
Jack took a step closer, and Nomad turned to put his big paws on his shoulders. He looked into Jack’s left eye, then his right, then his left again. He opened his mouth and panted, almost like a laugh, then barked once at the ceiling.
“Thanks, Nomad. You sure are a true friend.”
He barked once more and dropped to the floor, rattling the nearby table.
“Has Lin or Taylor talked at all?”
“Only when they first got back . . . or became themselves . . . or—”
“Did they seem like the Lin and Taylor that you know?”
“A little, but they’re kind of off somehow too. They’re acting kind of funny.”
“Like crows?”
“Yeah, I guess. They talked a little bit outside, more like chattering, really, but then, that was it. I was just about to try saying something to them, but really, I don’t know where I might end up next time.”
“Let me try, Jack.”
“Sure, maybe you’ll have better luck. You’ve been her friend a lot longer than either of us.”
“Yes, more than thirty years.”
Jack and Nomad followed Gabriel into the foyer and near the entry to the living room, where Gabriel stepped out into the open. Jack and Nomad stayed behind the wall.
“Lin, I knew you’d make it back. You were gone—”
Jack and Nomad watched from their safe location as Gabriel was silenced mid-sentence and began to twitch.
“Lin, you can stop that. You can’t move me around like Jack or Nomad.”
Gabriel stopped shaking, let out a deep breath, and immediately started to lean toward Lin and Taylor to resist a wind that looked to be attempting to move nothing else. Jack saw long brown hair almost straight out and clothing flapping, all pointing away from the quiet pair on the couch.
In a voice loud enough to project over the wind, Gabriel said, “Taylor, that’s very good that you’ve learned that. And your control is remarkable, but you can stop now. I won’t approach any nearer.”
The wind dropped off rapidly and stopped altogether. Gabriel took a quick step to keep from falling forward.
“I’d like you both to consider coming out from under those blankets soon. You’re home. You’re just Lin and Taylor again. We’re all very happy to see you both.”
Jack peeked around the corner and saw that their eyes weren’t glowing as brightly as before. Then, Nomad looked too. Two pairs of hands appeared and began pulling aside blankets until both women were covered only from their shoulders down.
Jack felt tears building up at being able to gaze upon both of them again. Reaching into his pants pocket, he found the engagement ring and knew that he’d have to leave it there, for how long no one could guess.
“Jack and Nomad won’t bother you. Can they stand with me just to look at you? You know, we haven’t seen either of you for a long time.”
Lin stared at the three figures watching her and Taylor from the doorway, and she was sure that she knew them. Mostly, she knew their names. And she was kind of sure that they meant her no harm. But they were close enough.
“STILL cold STILL cold STILL cold.”
Jack said, “I bet, Lin. Stay under those blankets all you want, alright?”
I will, she thought. I will, Jack.
She blinked three times and stared.
“ME too ME too.”
“Yes, I’m sure you’re cold, too, Taylor,” said Gabriel. “Do you think you’d like to get dressed? You can get right back under the blankets.”
Lin stared a few seconds before answering. She remembered clothes.
“OH kay OH kay.”
Lin turned her head slightly when Jack said to Gabriel, “Taylor’s easy to pick for, but what do you think Lin wants to wear? Her old style or the new one?”
“Why not bring both, Jack, and let her choose?”
“Yeah, alright. That makes sense. Be right back.”
She watched Jack turn and move out of her sight. The last she saw of Nomad was his fluffy tail as it swished around the corner. And she remembered that he was more than fluffy. He was sweet and fluffy.
Lin watched them leave, then looked all around the room. She knew it was home, and it was good to be home. But inside was odd. So different from the Earth and the sky. So small. So closed.
Several minutes later, she heard Jack returning before she saw him. His arms were full.
“Lin, can you let Jack set all of this right here on the table? He’ll only take a few steps into the room. There’s no need to put him somewhere else.”
Lin nodded and continued to stare. She watched Jack set three piles of clothes on the table—one for Taylor and two for her. He backed himself away, smiling at her the entire time. She observed him without a smile of her own.
Clothes again, thought Lin. I used to wear clothes.
“Jack, why don’t the three of us stay in the kitchen for a while? I don’t know about you two, but I’m hungry. If Lee didn’t finish all that chocolate ice cream, I’ll see if I can.”
“Chocolate chocolate.”
Gabriel turned back toward Lin with a big smile.
“Yes, Lin, chocolate is very good.”
Jack shook his head at Gabriel but didn’t say anything. His smile left him when he remembered that he was too close to Lin and Taylor. The three of them carefully took steps backward out of the room, and the last Lin saw of them was Nomad’s big snout and large, unblinking eyes looking into hers as he backed himself around the corner.
Jack sat at the table with Nomad standing nearby. He flicked around his ears and rubbed his mane.
“How long, Gabriel? Until they’re back to . . . until they’re—”
“Themselves again? All we can do is be patient, Jack. For fun, we can try to guess which style she’ll choose. Which would you prefer?”
“She’s gorgeous in anything, but I’ll pick the skirts and heels. I think she likes that the best too.”
“We might not find out for a long time. We can’t be sure they’ll even get dressed soon.”
“They can’t just sit naked under all those blankets forever. Won’t they at least get hungry?”
“It’s really only been a short while,” Gabriel said and sat across the table with the bucket from Lin’s freezer. “Can you imagine how all of this feels to them?”
“No, I sure as hell can’t. They turned into crows, Gabriel. Six weeks ago. No one alive, or who has ever been alive, can know what that feels like.”
“Exactly so. We’ll just have to remain patient with them. In the meantime, this ice cream is quite good. I believe Lin was correct when she stated that chocolate is the best.”
They sat in a silent house with only the sound of Gabriel’s spoon occasionally scraping around the inside of the plastic container. Nomad lay on the floor beside Jack and turned his eyes up when he spoke.
“Gabriel, what was that wind? I saw it trying to blow you away. Where did that come from?”
“That came from Taylor. You remember that she’s a Glyphin now, partly from being born to a mother with power over the magic and partly from whatever powers were mixed in with the Words of God. I believe she might have developed that skill while she was gone. I believe that’s another Glyphin power.”
“So, let me get this right. Not only can she cause storms and rain and snow, but she can use wind too? Just wind? And she can focus it like that?”
“I believe that might be just her most simple ability, Jack. She might be able to control any amount of air wherever it exists. Even just what either of us have inhaled and hold inside us. We need to be very careful with her too.
“Finding yourself planted in deep snow would be a blessing compared to what else she might be able to do.”
Lin and Taylor peered out from their warm pile at the three neat stacks of folded clothing. They turned to look at each other with their noses almost touching.
“Honey, we really are back.”
“Mom, I feel funny.”
“Me too, Hon.”
They looked again at the clothes Jack had brought them.
“I was a bird. We were birds. I think I’m still a bird.”
“I know, Honey. Me too. But we’re supposed to wear clothes again.”
“That’ll be strange.”
“Let’s try to pretend they’re like feathers. Just funny feathers, okay?”
“Sure, Mom.”
“Yeah, you’re right, of course. Hey, you hear that?” Jack said very softly. “They’re chattering. And I think they’re getting dressed!”
Gabriel spoke softly too.
“I think you’re right. But they’ll probably get right back under their blankets. I intend to sit here awhile and not disturb them.”
Gabriel continued digging into the ice cream. Jack glanced at the container with a grin before turning his head to listen again.
“At least as long as there’s still ice cream?”
“Exactly right, Jack.”
Minutes passed with only the sounds of Gabriel eating and a soft commotion in the living room.
“COWboy COWboy,” Lin said from the doorway. She looked into Jack’s eyes and knew that she sounded funny, but she couldn’t help it.
Jack held himself in his seat after turning to see her gazing at him and wearing the jeans, sweatshirt, and tall boots that he’d offered as one of her choices.
“Lin, I won’t get up. I promise. Damn, it’s so good to see you again.”
She continued to stare, and Taylor soon stood next to her, wearing the jeans, sweater, and hiking boots that he’d brought for her.
“STILL cold Jack STILL cold Jack.”
Jack smiled and wiped at his eyes at the same time as he shook his head and looked from one to the other.
“Welcome home. I’m so happy that you’re both home.”
They didn’t answer, but they did look around at their surroundings and studied the walls and floors and ceiling.
“Are you hungry?” said Gabriel.
Lin nodded and said, “Yeah, Gabby,” and Taylor lowered her eyes to gaze at Nomad.
The two women stood shoulder to shoulder and rarely blinked.
“Nomad,” Taylor said. “Hi, Nomad.”
Nomad’s bushy tail swept the floor as he panted and looked up at her, but he didn’t go to her.
“Yes,” said Jack. “He’s been waiting for you. I’m sure he’s happy to see you, too, but I think he knows that he should stay put.”
Taylor rocked from side to side as she approached the quiet dog and stooped down next to him. She touched the top of his head gently, and they looked into each other’s eyes.
“Nomad.”
She stood and looked down at him.
“We’re home, Nomad.”
Nomad panted more, and Lin felt half of her mouth smile at the sight of it.
Taylor took one step closer to Jack and touched his shoulder. She looked into his eyes and said, “Jack.”
Jack squinted, and his voice broke when he said, “Yes, it’s just me, Taylor. It’s so good to see you.”
Taylor was too close, Lin knew. Too close. A distraction would help.
“We’ve been away, Jack,” she said from the doorway.
Jack started to rise, then dropped himself back onto the chair. He held the seat with both hands and looked only into her green eyes, which weren’t glowing like before.
“Yes, Lin, but you’re both home now. Welcome home, Cowgirl.”
She stared a few more seconds and said, “Still cold, Jack.”
“I know, I know. You can sure get back under those blankets if you want.”
Lin’s half smile had been replaced with a frown. The brightness of her eyes rose a notch.
“SHE did it, Jack. SHE did it.”
“Taylor? Taylor did what? What do you—”
Without another word, Lin and Taylor turned and took short, quick steps out of sight. From the kitchen, sounds of blankets rustling and couch cushions compressing could be heard.
“That’s progress, Jack. They’ll be fine soon.”
“I hope so. What did she mean?”
“I don’t know, but I believe she’ll tell us eventually. They’ve had quite the adventure.”
Chapter 3 – Two Beautiful Crows
Lin’s phone began to chime and vibrate around on the kitchen counter. Jack, Gabriel, and Nomad turned to see it before Gabriel looked back at Jack.
“I haven’t moved it, Gabriel. That’s where she left it that day she and Taylor walked out into the rain.”
The phone continued its panicky performance. Jack glanced at the entryway to the living room.
“She doesn’t seem ready for her phone, Jack.”
“No, she sure doesn’t. Alright, maybe it’s just her work again.”
He rose from the table, picked up the phone, looked at the number, and shrugged.
“Hello?”
“Oh, you are not Lin.”
“No, I’m Jack. Who are you?”
“This is Gloriana. Hello, Jack. Gabriel said that Lin has returned, and I am traveling to her home as quickly as I can.”
“Good, maybe you can help. Lin is . . . I don’t know. She’s not quite herself. Neither is Taylor.”
“I was surprised to hear of what they did. Has she said why she made such a drastic decision?”
“No, not yet. We haven’t really been able to talk to her yet.”
“Perhaps I may be of assistance. I am in a vehicle of some sort drawing near her house. I will be there soon.”
“Alright, it’ll be good to see you again.”
“And you. Goodbye, Jack.”
“That was Gloriana. She said she’s almost here. Her being here should help, don’t you think?”
Lin had been listening from the living room, and she froze and tipped her head at Jack’s mention of Gloriana. She snapped open the blankets, hopped down from the couch, and scurried toward the kitchen.
“I hope so, Jack,” said Gabriel. “I believe the more Lin is surrounded by people—”
“No,” Lin said from the doorway. “No. NO!”
Jack turned quickly and stared with a smile, then couldn’t help himself—he started with a good look at Lin’s black boots that rose up over her calves, then her legs barely disguised by the thin denim, then over all the curves he knew so well and had missed so badly for the last six weeks, then into her bright green eyes, which were now glowing in a determined stare.
She saw Jack’s happy eyes staring into hers and felt her heart beating slowly, much more slowly than she expected.
“Lin, it’s okay,” she heard him say, “it’s just Gloriana. I mean, Sunny. She—”
“NOT Sunny NOT Sunny.”
How could they not understand? she wondered. Gabriel should know. She had to tell Jack.
“Okay, we don’t have to call her—”
“SHE did it SHE did it.”
Lin turned only her eyes to look at Gabriel.
“HER fault HER fault.”
“What did she do, Lin?” said Gabriel.
“She wants power. MY power MY power MY power MY—”
“It’s okay, Lin,” Gabriel said with both hands raised. “No one is going to take anything from you. I’m here, and I’m still watching out for you. I will for another thirty years if necessary.”
“NOT take NOT take.”
They don’t understand, she knew. Gloriana. What Gloriana did.
“What do you—”
“Trick. Trick. Trick me to give up power.”
Lin backed up a step toward the living room, and her eyes darted from Jack to Gabriel and back again. Her eyes fixed on Nomad’s calm gaze, and the green fire faded but didn’t leave completely.
Gabriel said, “You mean, all those feelings that you were fighting? Those weren’t yours?”
“NOT mine NOT mine.”
Need to eat, she thought. Gloriana is coming. Will kill soon. Have to eat now.
“She can’t hurt you anymore, Lin. She—”
Lin squawked and took quick steps to Nomad’s bowl, which still contained a small amount of his chunks. She snatched it up and took rapid steps backward until she was out of sight. The sound of fluffing blankets told them that she and Taylor likely burrowed back into their mound. Muffled crunching sounds found their way to the kitchen.
“Well, at least they’re eating. Gabriel, what was she talking about?”
“Jack, I don’t believe Lin ever told you, but those three times Gloriana took her and put her in those make-believe worlds troubled her. She said they changed her, and she and I could only think that some hidden part of her came to life there. She was struggling with it before she left.”
“She seemed to want to play around as the Lin from those worlds. She liked it. So did I. But that’s not really her? Sunny—I mean, Gloriana—caused all that? Lin was trying to stop it?”
“I believe that’s part of why she left us, Jack. She was losing herself to what those worlds had done to her.”
“That was only part of the reason? What do you mean?”
“Taylor. Taylor was losing herself, too, from not being able to control her Glyphin powers. It took an enormous amount of strength for Lin to focus her intent on that course of action. She must have known the risk but saw no other choice. Jack, she didn’t know if she’d ever be able to return.”
“But you knew she would, didn’t you?”
“I believed it, yes. But we cannot know such things.”
Jack reached up and scratched at the whiskers on his chin and stared at the doorway where Lin had just stood.
“When she first got back—oh, and that was quite an experience—the first thing she said was that she fixed it. And she said Taylor did too. So, being gone like that helped them both? That’s what she meant?”
“I believe that’s right, Jack. I’ll be interested in hearing how that helped.”
“Yeah, me too—if she ever really talks to us again.”
“She will, Jack. We must give them time. They both got dressed again, didn’t they? Is that something two beautiful crows would ever do?”
A knock on the front door caused Jack to jump up out of his seat.
“She’s here. This should be interesting. You said she gave up her powers, though, right? She’s just a normal human woman again?”
“That was the deal she made to return here to live again.”
Jack passed the doorway to the living room and resisted the urge to look in at Lin and Taylor. But something caught his eye, so after he passed by, he peeked back around the corner. He saw the two sitting with their knees pulled up high and blankets covering all but their heads and shoulders. He noted with a smile that he could see the toes of Lin’s boots poking out from under the blanket.
He took a step back and stood gazing at them since he saw that they were both asleep with their heads tipped together and leaning back into the couch cushions. Nomad’s bowl lay empty off to one side.
“I’ll get the door, Jack,” Gabriel said before swinging the door open to reveal Gloriana waiting patiently, dressed in jeans and a sweatshirt with a heavy coat. Jack turned and saw that her eyes were still caramel, and to his great relief, they weren’t glowing.
But he was surprised to watch Gabriel step out onto the porch and close the door.
“Sunny, you made the trip from St. Simons in little time.”
She took a step back and said, “Lin is back, yes, Gabriel? Taylor too?”
“Yes, they’re both back, but I have to tell you that they’re not completely back. They should be fine, but it will take a while.”
“May I visit them? Perhaps it will help to see another familiar face.”
“Let’s talk first. Lin isn’t communicating very clearly yet, but some of what she said is alarming. She claimed that those worlds you put her in to learn lessons about herself had bad effects on her. She said it was an attempt to coerce her to give up her powers. Is that true?”
Gloriana stared back a few seconds, then looked down to the concrete.
“Yes.”
“And what was your plan? Why would you want her to give up her powers?”
“It is something you know nothing about, Gabriel. It is a practice I learned long, long ago. A person with power can give it up. If their emotions are storming inside, and if they can be convinced that their powers have brought on their distress, they can intend them all away. And in that moment, anyone near that also has power can take what they have voluntarily discarded.”
“You would have taken her powers? Do you believe that’s a good thing to do?”
“I have lived for many centuries, and at that time, I did not care any longer about good or bad. When the Words of God brought Lin to me, I cared only about power.”
“And now?”
“I have lived the life of a woman without powers with you assisting me in that gift shop. I, too, am dismayed by what I tried to do to Lin.”
“But you would have left her powerless? You would have done that to her?”
“She would have been happy in the life that was crafted for her. Was she not happy about who she was in those worlds? She was eager to live those feelings.”
“She thought so, but it was only because you put her there. Those feelings she felt there . . . those weren’t hers, were they?”
“No. I have learned how to put someone in a world and impose on them whatever feelings I choose. I worked hard at taking those feelings as my own. I spent time in brothels and other places that one like you would never visit. It was a hardship to submit to all of that and convince myself that those were my real feelings. I became that woman that Lin believed was her in those worlds.”
“You did all of that just to trick Lin?”
“No, Gabriel, I did that many times to many people. Anyone I could find that had any power at all, no matter how small. I was able to convince all of them to give up their power, and I took it as my own.”
“That’s how you became so powerful?”
“Yes. How else? My powers did not come from my goodness. I am not you.”
“But those feelings don’t touch you? You’re not consumed by them?”
“I have the strength to keep them separate. I put them on as easily as one would wear a coat.”
“And you wrapped Lin in that coat? In the feelings you chose for her?”
“Yes. It was not easy. Every other time I did it, it took only one world—one life of living the feelings I gave them—and then their power was mine. Lin is strong. It took three worlds before she considered intending her powers to leave her.”
“She has changed herself back. You have failed.”
“I am relieved now to know that.”
“You’re saying that you have changed too?”
“I have changed. I am only a normal human woman now. I seek nothing that can be earned by the use of powers, of which I no longer have any.”
“I can’t say that Lin will forgive you. The best you can do now is run. She might not be as compassionate as we remember her to be. She’s lived as a wild creature for many weeks. Even I could not get near her.”
“Then, I will apologize and hope for the best. I wish to go inside now.”
“I suggest you leave.”
“One like you cannot interfere with me. You know this to be true.”
“I can stop you in a normal human way.”
“Is that what you will do?”
“Why shouldn’t I? That might save your life.”
“Perhaps I can be allowed to take that chance? I have information to help her with the Glyphin.”
“I don’t think Taylor needs any advice from you. She, too, has benefited from her time away. I believe she has more control over things than either of us can imagine.”
“Then, I can teach her things of which she still knows nothing—things for which even you cannot offer counsel.”
“The numbers? The forgotten numbers?”
“Not completely forgotten if you can so casually speak of them.”
“Is that wise? We both know how dangerous that type of power can be.”
“I can hope that bestowing that knowledge will save me from Lin’s wrath.”
“And Taylor’s. You arranged for her to become a Glyphin when Lin spoke the Words of God, didn’t you?”
“Not her but someone near to Lin. The power I wove into the Words found her daughter. I could not control where it might go.”
“Taylor likely knows it was you that caused Lin to take them both away. They both have reason to strike out at you. And I believe they will.”
“I cannot run, Gabriel. I wish to continue my life with the gift shop. I would rather not wonder when an angry woman with power over the magic will arrive and destroy me.”
“If you go inside, I will not intervene to help you. I’m here only for Lin.”
“I understand.”
Gabriel opened the door, and they both walked in.
The wind began the moment that Gloriana rounded the corner and faced the living room couch. Gabriel looked in and saw that Lin only watched with her own glowing eyes as her daughter led the battle, and Taylor’s eyes were burning a fiery green.
Gloriana staggered backward to the far wall of the foyer and could not step away. Every part of her—her hair, her arms and legs, her clothing—looked glued to the wall. The wind swirled off of her and tore through the room like a cyclone, lifting and carrying away everything not attached to the floor or a wall.
“Taylor,” said Gabriel. “You can let her speak, can’t you?”
Then, Gloriana’s boots no longer touched the floor. Her head snapped to the left, and her cheek appeared to be grinding a dent into the drywall.
“Taylor, please. You and your mom might want to hear what she has to say about Glyphins.”
Taylor quenched her green fire, the wind stopped instantly, and Gloriana slumped to the floor. Lin’s head tipped to one side, and the fire in her eyes increased.
“Lin, can you contain your feelings for only a moment or two and listen until—”
Gloriana vanished. The accent table against which she’d been leaning rocked from side to side but didn’t fall.
Gabriel smiled and stared at Lin with a shaking head. A tentative knocking on the front door broke the gaze, and the door opened again.
“We can try again if you wish. Come back inside.”
Gabriel stood where Lin and Taylor had a clear view, and Jack hid around the corner near the kitchen with Nomad, but Gloriana peeked around the corner to see Lin and Taylor.
“Lin, I—”
“You. I should destroy you where you stand.”
“Lin,” said Gabriel, “it sounds like that nap has helped you. Do you feel more like yourself?”
“Yeah, Gabby. Take her away before I kill her. I will not say it twice.”
Gloriana pulled her head back out of sight and stepped quickly toward the door. Gabriel turned and watched her open it and begin walking out onto the porch.
They heard Taylor from around the corner.
“If Mom doesn’t kill her, I will.”
A heavy wind forced Gloriana against the far porch rail and blew the door shut. Gabriel went back to face Lin and Taylor on the couch.
“I’m glad you remembered to be kind, Lin. She—”
“I’m not kind, Gabby. What I want to do to her would leave a mess to clean up. I’ll kill her later.”
“Lin, it’s still good to—”
Gabriel stopped at seeing Taylor’s eyes blaze a bright green and heard wind howling along the front of the house and rattling the windows.
With another smile, Gabriel rushed to the front door. It took much effort to pry it open to see Gloriana at the far end of the porch, curled up against the wrought iron railing as hurricane winds buffeted her. Gabriel allowed the door to get sucked shut with a boom.
“Taylor, that is truly remarkable. Would it trouble you to wait a short while before you kill her?”
“She’s halfway down the block now, Gabriel. Maybe high in a tree.”
Gabriel only stared as Taylor’s eyes returned to their normal shade of green.
“It would be good for you to try to be kind, too, Taylor.”
“I was kind. I wanted to see if she could learn to fly as she fell from the clouds. Instead, I let the wind decide.”
Gabriel only stared at her for several silent seconds, then looked at Lin.
“Crows don’t think about things, Gabby. We just do them.”
“No fear. No doubts,” said Taylor.
Gabriel offered them both a smile and a slowly shaking head.
They pulled their blankets up under their chins, their heads tipped together, and they were quickly fast asleep.
Chapter 4 – In the Vast Forever
“Well, that was uncomfortable,” said Jack. “I’ve never heard either of them talking like that before.”
“They did live out in the wild for a long time, Jack. They just need time. It’s good that they’re sleeping.”
They both watched the two blondes sleeping under thick layers of blankets.
“Now, about that ice cream.”
“What about Gloriana? What happened to her?”
“The wind stopped, so she’ll be fine. I think she’ll be at the back door soon. She will not risk the front door again.”
“Lin would be proud of you, Gabriel, going after the chocolate like that. Hey, next time they’re awake, why don’t we see if she’ll want some of that?”
“There might not be any left.”
“Can you save her some? Nomad and I can always run out for more later.”
“Okay, Jack. I’ll try to save her some. A small amount.”
They both laughed quietly as they left the sleeping women and aimed for the kitchen. Gabriel headed straight for the freezer and Jack the back door. He saw Gloriana shivering and waiting, so he opened it, gestured for her to stay quiet, and let her in.
“I have to tell you,” said Jack, “I might kill you myself for what you did to Lin.”
“Jack, I am sorry. Consider my existence for more centuries than you can imagine. I acted out of desperation.”
“Sure, I can see that. But still.”
He glared at her, but Gabriel paid them no attention. Jack heard the bucket set on the table and the lid pried off, but he continued to watch Gloriana.
“I do not believe you would kill me. I ask only that all of you give me a chance. You will see soon that I can be a very good friend too. You might soon want me around.”
“I can’t imagine any reason I’d want you here. Anyway, you look exhausted.”
“Yes. I have heard of hurricanes, but I have never been attacked by one. I never allowed any to visit my islands. They are not enjoyable.”
“Alright, well, stay quiet, and sneak down to the guest room. Really, don’t make a sound. You don’t want to wake either of them up now.”
“No. Perhaps another time.”
“You know, Jack,” Gabriel said while rattling a spoon out of a drawer, “if you want to take Nomad for groceries, now might be a good time. My guess is that they’re both exhausted from their ordeal.”
“I bet. We’re mostly stocked up here since I’ve been keeping up with it. Except for the ice cream. We’ll get some of that and maybe some other chocolate stuff too.”
“Good, Jack.”
At the sight of Jack putting on his coat, Nomad came close and brushed against his leg.
“Yeah, big boy. Me and you. Like always.”
The big dog didn’t bark, but he did lead them out through the garage.
Minutes later, Gabriel’s spoon full of ice cream paused in midair.
“Lin, I’m surprised you’re awake already. Are you rested enough?”
“No.”
“Do you feel more like yourself?”
“A little. Sleep helps.”
“And Taylor? She’s still sleeping?”
“Yes.”
“We’re all very happy to have you both back. It’s been six weeks, Lin.”
“I forgot about weeks. Only sunrise, sunset, and forever in between.”
“That’s not a bad way to live either. Were your days good?”
“Gabby, there was no good or bad. Only living.”
“Were you and Taylor together the whole time?”
“Yes. Always close. Even in the family.”
“What family?”
“All around us. So many. But we knew them all. And they knew us.”
“What did they know of you?”
“They knew we were special. They knew we could help. And we did.”
“Taylor helped with the weather?”
“Yes. She learned starting and stopping rain, snow, storms, wind, and—”
“She learned Windcraft, Lin?”
“Yes, if that’s what it’s called. She helped the family many times. Hawks can’t hunt when the air beneath their wings is taken.”
Gabriel stared at her for a moment before continuing.
“And you helped the family too?”
“None of the family was ever hurt by anyone or anything. We stopped every threat. I wasn’t Lin, she wasn’t Taylor, and we still did it.”
“Jack hasn’t told me what it was like when you two returned, but he said it was quite an experience.”
“They weren’t happy to lose us.”
“No, I don’t suppose they—”
“I had no memory of Lin or Taylor or anyone else. I listened to God’s Words every moment.”
“How were you able to come back?”
Lin paused to wipe at each eye with a fingertip.
“I heard the Words saying ‘I am with you, I am with you,’ all the time. Then I heard, ‘I am with you, Lin.’ I began to remember Lin.”
Her eyes squinted, but no tears began trickling down her cheeks.
“God spoke to me, Gabby. I knew I was dying. Why else would God say that name?”
“You felt like you were dying, Lin?”
“Yes, as a crow dies. I knew only that I wanted one last look at something, and I brought Taylor to a roof. We looked down on a man and a dog in the snow. Taylor wanted to go back to the family. I brought her closer. We looked over the edge at the man and dog looking back up at us.
“The family attacked them. The family didn’t want us to die. After they’d told their anger to the man and the dog, Taylor and I died.”
“Oh, Lin, you didn’t really die.”
“I died. She died.”
Gabriel waited and watched, but she shed no tears.
“Now, Taylor and Lin live.”
“We’re glad you’re alive again as Lin and Taylor.”
Lin wiped at her eyes and said, “Don’t eat all that chocolate, Gabby.”
She didn’t smile, but Gabriel did and said, “Jack is out buying more.”
She blinked several times and said, “Still cold. Still cold.”
Without another word or gesture, she turned and disappeared into the living room and back under the blankets.
Jack parked his truck in the driveway, he and Nomad jumped down and slammed the doors, Jack with a hand and Nomad with a push from his forehead, and they walked past Lin’s Temt8tion in the garage. At the entry leading to her laundry room, he hit the switch to lower the garage door. His strong arms were loaded with bags mostly full of chocolate items, and a heavy sack of food for Nomad lay over his shoulder.
“That’s good, Jack. Lin wanted me to save her some of this,”—Gabriel held up the empty ice cream bucket—“but I didn’t. It’s quite good.”
“She was awake again? How was she?”
“She’s coming back, but it’s not quick. I believe the more she and Taylor sleep, the more they return to the Lin and Taylor we know.”
Jack set the bags on the table and lowered the dog food into the pantry. Then, he peeked around the corner into the living room and saw both of them covered up to their chins in thick blankets. Their heads were tipped back again, and Taylor snored lightly. Jack dragged the back of his hand across his eyes as he stood and quietly watched them. He took a quick look down the hall and saw the guest room door closed.
“Jack,” Gabriel said after Jack had taken a seat in the kitchen, “there is much we must discuss with her, but we shouldn’t wake them. Perhaps she—”
“I feel a lot better, Gabby. Hi, Jack.”
“Oh, Lin, I can’t tell you—”
“Hold me, Jack.”
Jack stood quickly but approached her carefully while they looked into each other’s eyes. When he stood right in front of her, he reached out to gently hold her arms and pulled her close. She kept her arms straight at her sides but rested her head against his shoulder.
She looked down at the bags on the table and said, “Chocolate things. You found chocolate for me, Jack?”
“Yeah, I sure did. Do you feel like sitting with us and having some?”
She hesitated.
“If you wait too long, maybe Gabriel will eat it all. You know that’ll happen.”
She let out a short, strange laugh, and he hugged her more tightly.
“Okay, Jack. I can sit.”
She eased herself down onto a chair and held it with both hands while looking over all the bags. After several seconds of studying her choices, she reached into the nearest bag and dragged out the largest chocolate bar.
“Good choice, Lin,” said Gabriel. “The magic of chocolate in an uncomplicated form.”
Lin didn’t answer, but she did unwrap it, held it with both hands, and took a huge bite. She chewed and turned only her eyes to watch them both. Gabriel waited quietly and let her eat.
Jack said, “Well, I need more than chocolate. Anyone else want a sandwich?”
“No, thanks,” said Gabriel. “Chocolate sustains me well enough.”
Lin watched him moving around the kitchen, and she’d finished the whole candy bar just as he sat down with his lunch.
“That helped. Eating chocolate—that feels like me.”
She closed her eyes and took several deep breaths. When she opened them again, Jack spoke.
“I didn’t know if you’d ever come back. If it wasn’t for Nomad keeping me company, I’m not sure I would have made it.”
“Nomad. Nomad’s a good boy. He’s my sweet fluffy boy.”
At that, the big dog drew near for the first time and laid his massive head on her leg. She reached down and rubbed his head and played with his ears.
“I bet you missed him,” said Jack.
“I didn’t remember him, Jack. Or you. Even when Taylor and I looked down at you from right above on the roof. You were only a man and Nomad only a dog.”
“Somehow, I knew that was you up there. Don’t ask me how, but I knew.”
“They attacked you and Nomad. I watched them.”
“Yeah, I’m not really comfortable in your backyard anymore,” Jack said with a laugh.
Lin didn’t laugh but turned to Gabriel.
“It’s all coming back to me now. I’m mostly Lin again. Gabby, the main thing is that it wasn’t me—all those feelings in those worlds Gloriana put me in. She did that to me.”
“She admitted it, Lin, before Taylor attacked her with her Windcraft. She said she’s learned how to impose feelings on someone, and they become convinced that the feelings are theirs. It was a plan to get you to intend away your powers so she could take them as her own. She said she’s done it many times.”
“That’s how she got so powerful?”
“Yes, I believe so.”
“I remember those feelings she gave me. I know they’re not mine, but I remember them. I did want to give up my powers. It almost worked.”
“And she admitted giving Taylor the powers of a Glyphin. She didn’t know who would be affected like that, but it happened to be Taylor.”
“She caused all of that to force me, or someone like me, to save her and then give up their powers to her? That’s unbelievable, Gabby.”
“Her power is matched by her craftiness. She almost succeeded.”
“I was so close to giving it all up. I think God showed me an answer, and I listened. I had to save Taylor more than anything. We flew away.”
“You did save her. And yourself too.”
“I’ve never felt anything like that. My intent was a giant sun inside me. You saw how many birds came for us.”
“It was quite a sight.”
“Now, we’re back, and I will kill Gloriana.”
“Lin, you do have free will again. I only ask that you give it some time and don’t commit to an act you might regret.”
“I don’t feel capable of regret. Like Taylor said: we act.”
“I will ask Taylor to be merciful too. It was quite a wind that attacked Gloriana on your porch.”
“She was kind. She could have started a storm in that vile woman’s lungs. Taylor exploded many hawks and owls.”
Jack and Gabriel turned and stared at each other for a few seconds.
“I hope she never chooses to do that.”
“Okay, we can wait but not for long. What about the hunter thing we trapped when I rescued Gloriana? Where is it? Is it here?”
“I haven’t heard or seen anything, Lin,” said Jack. “If it’s somewhere in the world, it isn’t around here.”
“I never sensed it anywhere in South Georgia either,” said Gabriel.
“You’ve been in Georgia?”
“Yes, and I suppose I should fill you in on that. We followed through on the arrangements you made last time you were in St. Simons. Do you remember the gift shop? That was purchased and renamed Sunny’s Magic Island Gift Shop. I’ve been there helping her run the place.”
“If I would have known her true nature, I never would have wanted that. She never deserved any kindness from me.”
“No, we know that now. But at that time, that was a remarkably kind act from you. Renato has helped us, too, and he’s still there.”
“Renato? How? I thought you—”
“I found a way, Lin. You should see how happy he is now to be alive again.”
“Well, good. And Lee? Have you heard from her?”
“No. If she’s helping Tayo in some way, we know nothing about it.”
“Then, we’ll forget about it,” she said and continued to play with Nomad’s ears.
After unwrapping another chocolate bar and taking a bite, Lin continued.
“I’ve learned something else, Gabby. I’ve learned to separate myself from the feelings Gloriana forced on me. No feelings from another world will ever confuse me again. I can go to whatever worlds I want and do whatever I want. I’ll still be me when I come back.”
“You can find the worlds Gloriana created for you?”
“Probably. I think they still exist out there somewhere. Or I can make my own. I know how to make my own strings of Islands of Time.”
Gabriel paused to study Lin before speaking.
“It’s like you told me—how it starts with imagination. Then intent. Strong intent.”
“If you’re going to talk about magic stuff, maybe I’ll take Nomad out for a walk. How does that sound?”
“Okay, Jack,” said Lin, “that’s a good idea.”
They waited until Jack had put on a coat and gloves, Nomad had barked once at the ceiling, and they both filed out through the back door.
“Before we discuss traveling to worlds you create with your intent, there’s something else I need to tell you right away.”
“No, Gabby, you can’t leave. Not after all—”
“Lin, I’m not going anywhere. You’ve convinced me that I can do good here too. It’s about Gloriana.”
“Don’t try to talk me out of it. Or Taylor.”
“I won’t. But can you hold off on that for a while? It doesn’t have to be today, does it? Or even this week? Can you agree to give it a week and see how you feel then?”
“Sure, but then I’ll kill her. What do you need to tell me?”
“Gloriana is in your guest room.”
Lin’s jaw dropped, and she stared and shook her head. She felt like engaging her intent and viewing the magic all around her, the infinite magic supporting everyone and everything in every instant. From there, it would be easy to go to Gloriana’s magic, her spirit, and do any damage she could imagine. The easiest thing would be to bring her completely beneath the concrete floor of her basement and leave her there. Or maybe to allow time to resume right after placing her on the freeway. Or she could—
“Lin?”
Lin shook her head and focused on Gabriel.
“What’s she doing there? Taylor got rid of her.”
“Almost. She was pinned against your porch railing like a piece of scrap paper. Then, the two of you fell asleep, and we brought her inside.”
“Why?”
“She has knowledge that can help Taylor. And you, if you decide to become a Glyphin yourself.”
“What knowledge? Oh, you mean those numbers. Those forgotten numbers that have been purged from all memory when they killed anyone that knew about them. That’s what you’re talking about, isn’t it?”
“Yes. It could be of good use.”
“You said I can become a Glyphin too?”
“Yes, I believe so.”
“Taylor already has control. I watched her many times.”
“Can we be sure that, as a human, Taylor still has that much control over the storms she might create? Gloriana could offer techniques that will help if she needs it. That could benefit your Glyphin career,”—Gabriel paused to grin at Lin—“as well.”
“Okay, Gabby. You do make sense. We can learn from her before we kill her.”
“You said a week, didn’t you, Lin?”
“Yeah. Sure.”
She stared into Gabriel’s big brown eyes without a smile.
“Good. Okay, on to other business. Are you sure those memories Gloriana imposed on you don’t still have you in their grip?”
“I’m sure.”
“But they still fascinate you?”
“I wouldn’t say that. Remembering them is entertaining, nothing more.”
“You have been through so much, Lin. Your mayhem erupted not long ago after you’d buried it when you were fifteen. You fought to get control of it, and almost immediately after that, you were pursued by Lancaster Wolfe to read the Words of God. That left you tired and weak, and the Glyphin power put into the Words by Gloriana opened a path to you. She took you three times, each world a lesson for you, or so she said. And that all led to you taking Taylor away for six weeks. And now, you are back.”
“It’s a lot, Gabby. But I’m stronger now. My life for the last six weeks has made me stronger.”
“I know that the worlds Gloriana put you in, and the lives you lived in those worlds, were upsetting. But you also found some enjoyment there. You said you liked being a different Lin for those times, doing things you would never do in your real life.”
“Yes, that’s true. I didn’t expect how those lives would take control of me like they did. It’s why I had to leave. Taylor couldn’t control her Glyphin powers, so I took her too.”
“Now, you feel you’re strong enough that if you were in other worlds like that, behaving as a different Lin, you’d be able to keep the lives separate?”
“I won’t go back to any world Gloriana created, but I’m strong enough now. I’ve learned that while I was gone.”
“How?”
“There was never a time when feelings mattered more than life. If I felt cold, life continued. If I could not find food, I lived my life. When I killed bobcats and coyotes, there was no fear, and I didn’t need anger.”
“Yes, I understand. I believe you are that strong, Lin, but there’s another danger you must understand if you ever decide to try any of that. You must remember to not dwell in any particular world. Go there once, and if you wish to travel again, go to a different world. If you repeat your visits to a world of your own creation, it will become more real each time. If you were to travel there enough times, I believe you are strong enough to remember that it’s still a world of your own creation, but you might not be able to return to this world. And eventually, that world will define you.”
“You mean, I’ll become whatever I am in that world? For how long?”
“Forever. If you give those worlds enough of your intent, they will attain a reality of their own. When they do, you will become that different Lin, even if you find a way to return here. If you thought it was difficult last time, know that it would be nearly impossible if you took it that far. We’re talking about the effect of nearly-real worlds, Lin, not just whatever power Gloriana used.”
“And while I’m there, those worlds are as real as this one?”
“Only for you. The choices you make are yours. What happens to you really happens. They are real experiences but only for you.
“You knew before, from the flights Gloriana imposed on you, that there were no consequences to whatever you did there to others. You said you broke most of Ben’s bones in one of the worlds. That affected you—you felt bad about that. But Ben didn’t. It wasn’t really Ben.
“Living with no consequences might be what’s attracting you to go again. But at some point, the world you create with your intent will become real and define you. You can’t anticipate when that will happen. You might think you have plenty of time, and then you’ll feel the door slamming shut. I’d advise you to not take that chance.”
“I probably won’t.”
“Good. But if you do decide to take a little vacation,”—Gabriel paused to give Lin a big smile—“at least try to learn something there.”
“What do you mean?”
“Your intent can do many things. And your control over the magic of all things gives you infinite possibilities. A world you create could serve as a place to practice new powers. You might even become a Glyphin in one.”
“Really? Huh. I never thought of that. Okay, if I do go to one, I’ll try to come back with a new skill to surprise you. I guess it makes sense that I’d have my powers in those worlds too.”
“Only if that is your intent. If you intend to be without your powers, you will not be able to find them there—they’ll be behind a barrier of your own creation. But the doorway to return can still be found. Remember, though, that if that door slams shut, you never will find your powers or return.”
Lin thought back to the desperation she’d felt before she left with Taylor. An image of a whole new life, one without powers, had consumed her. The life she’d craved had her far away from the storms of Taylor’s uncontrollable Glyphin powers. Somewhere warm. A dim hotel room . . .
“I don’t plan to go anywhere. I’ve done enough flying lately.”
“Good.”
“Where are those worlds, Gabby?”
“You might as well ask where this world is. There’s no answer to that, Lin. This world and whatever worlds you inhabit on your flights exist in the vast forever our minds can’t comprehend.”