“Why don’t you two…” his mother began.
“Go to bed…” his father continued.
“And we will see you…”
“In the morning…”
“See?” Nina said. “Freaky.”
Alex made no attempt to debate his parents’ decision-making process or plead in favor of not being sequestered at home for some indefinite period. Instead, he hugged and kissed them both goodnight and headed off to bed. It would do no good to argue with them and try to influence their thinking on the matter. He knew from experience that was more likely to result in the decision he least desired. He would have to hope they realized hiding him in the house while the Shadow Wraith’s followers were planning havoc didn’t make much sense. Otherwise, he’d have to find a way to defy them, and he really didn’t want to have to do that. Again.
Nina insisted he sleep with the door open, so she could come to his aid if something happened in the night. Alex didn’t point out she hadn’t been able to do much the last two times someone had tried to kill him. The look on her face and the tightness of the hug she gave him in the hallway before bed were enough to tell him she blamed herself for his near-death debacle at the docks.
“Thanks,” Alex said. “For tonight.”
“I didn’t do anything,” Nina said, her lips curling in an angry pout.
“You’d have thought of something to get me out of the river,” Alex said. “I have complete faith in you as my guard dog.”
“Thanks,” Nina said, her face brightening a little. “I suppose I could have found a fishing rod somewhere.”
“See?” Alex said. “A brilliant idea.”
“A leash would still be easier,” Nina said.
“Go to bed,” Alex said.
“Say hi to Batami for me,” Nina said as she stepped into her room and climbed into bed.
“Night,” Alex said.
Once in bed, he pulled the sheets up over his head and used the shard of glow-wand to read by as he thumbed through his copy of Spirit Magic Revealed. He had read the slender book dozens of times, but Batami had been correct when she had said it would only reveal its secrets slowly. Alex doubted he understood even a tenth of what the book explored and explained. However, one passage always intrigued him. He suspected it might be of some help in rooting out the Shadow Wraith’s followers. He found the passage, and read it again. Then again. It was still cryptic and confusing.
See within and see the sight that only sightlessness can see.
See the inner essence and know the inner nature.
See what is sought, but seek only to see the seeker.
Alex read it again. It might mean what he thought it did. However, it might mean something else entirely. Batami would know. He could ask her when they met for their nightly astral lesson. They were supposed to meet soon. Not long.
He yawned. It had been a long day. And he hadn’t had much rest the night before. He would have to rest later. When the Shadow Wraith’s followers had been found. When the Mad Mages had been dealt with. But first Batami and his question. He would ask her first thing. First thing. As soon as he…
“Ick.”
Alex’s eyes fluttered open. He was lying on his stomach in his bed. His mouth felt dry. His sister’s face was close to his own. Too close. She looked disgusted.
“You drooled on your pillow,” Nina said. “Oh, ick! It’s on my hand! I have your drool on my hand!” She wiped her wet fingers on his forehead and wrinkled her nose in revulsion.
“Hey!” Alex said, sitting up in bed. He barely noticed the drool. His forehead was already wet. He was soaked with sweat. It was stiflingly hot. It looked like it was going to be another blistering day.
“You overslept,” Nina said. Alex looked at the clock and then back to his sister. It was late. She was already dressed.
“Hurry up,” Nina said, walking out the bedroom door. “You’ll miss breakfast.”
Alex jumped out of bed, hastily pulling on his clothes. Missing breakfast wasn’t what concerned him. He had missed something more important — his astral meeting with Batami. He must have dozed off and slept too deeply. Why hadn’t Batami come to his dreams? She had before when he had fallen into a deep sleep rather than the light trance of astral travel. Maybe something had happened to her. That didn’t seem possible. There was one way to find out.
“I have to go see Batami,” Alex said a few minutes later while seated at the kitchen table with his parents. He shoved a spoonful of oatmeal leaden with dried cherries, pieces of walnut, and shredded coconut into his mouth.
“What happened last night?” his father asked before taking a sip from a glass of milk.
“I feel asleep,” Alex said after he swallowed.
“You’re pushing yourself too hard,” his mother said with a frown.
“I can push him for a while, instead, if that helps,” Nina said, her face bright and mischievous.
“This brings up the question of your safety,” his father said.
“Your father and I…” his mother began.
“Had a long discussion last night…” his father continued.
“About you…”
“And we are in agreement…”
“That your safety…”
“Is the same…”
“As the town’s safety.”
“You’re doing that freaky thing again,” Nina said. Alex shot her a warning look while their mother and father frowned at her.
“So we have decided…”
“That as much as we would like to lock you up…”
“To keep you safe…”
“And to keep you out of trouble…”
“It might be better to follow our earlier plan…”
“With some conditions.”
“What conditions?” Alex asked, trying to keep his excitement out of his voice.
“Nina is with you at all times,” his mother said.
“As well as your club,” his father added.
“Guild,” Alex and Nina said in unison.
“Whatever,” his mother said. “We’re willing to let you out our sight only because we know our presence will make it harder to find the Shadow Wraith’s followers.”
“They’re not likely to show their faces with a famous warlock hanging around you,” his father said, looking at his mother. “And me being with you won’t help, either.”
“So stay with the Guild and keep those whistles handy,” his mother said, giving his father a smile and taking his hand.
“Everywhere,” his father said. “Take Ben and Clark to the restroom with you.”
“Yuck,” Nina said.
“We were going to make it your job,” his mother said.
“Mom, I’m eating,” Nina said, her face scrunching up with distaste.
“Thanks,” Alex said to his parents.
“Don’t make us regret it,” his father said.
“And don’t do anything reckless,” his mother said.
“Seriously, Mom?” Nina said. “Who are we talking about?”
“I’ll be extra careful,” Alex said, trying to sound responsible as he took another bite of oatmeal. His parents glanced at each other and frowned. Maybe he had sounded excited instead of responsible.
The sun sat just above the treetops when Alex and Nina stepped outside and headed to the Guild House. Clark and Daphne were already there, working hard at deciphering the secrets of the mysterious cauldron. The large, black pot sat on the woodstove with a small fire burning in the iron chamber beneath it.
“Any luck?” Alex asked.
“The gorping thing is driving me crazy,” Daphne said, throwing down a wooden spoon in frustration. “Every potion I try to make comes out completely wrong.”
“Maybe it’s the onions,” Nina suggested with a giggle. Daphne glared at her and Nina fell silent.
“Well, the magic of the cauldron is doing something, but it’s doing something different every time,” Clark said.
“Two exac
t potions made exactly the same way, and they came out different,” Daphne said.
“Ah, and they smelled bad,” Clark said.
“I’m sure you’ll figure it out,” Alex said, patting them both on the shoulder, which required quite a stretch between their respective heights. “But we have something else we need to do this morning.”
“What in the name of Hyperion’s hernia has happened now?” Daphne asked.
“Somebody tried to kill Alex again last night on the way home,” Nina said.
“Hmm, maybe we shouldn’t let you out of our sight,” Clark said.
“My parents had the same thought,” Alex said. He explained what had happened and how his parents had decided to react to it. Then he explained why he needed them all to go with him to see Batami in the White Forest. Then, when Ben, Rafael and Victoria arrived, he explained it all again.
“It seems we have a very busy day ahead of us,” Victoria said. “A meeting for you with Batami. Searching the carnival for the Shadow Wraith’s followers and the anti-astral artifact. Then foiling the plans of the Mad Mages. I should have packed a lunch.”
“Hmm, you’re right,” Clark said, absent-mindedly rubbing his stomach. “We should take something with us.”
“Food,” Ben said. “It’s always food with you two.”
They grabbed some snacks from the Guild House food locker, an old, wooden cabinet stuffed with dried fruit, nuts, candy bars, potato chips, and sodas. Afterward, Alex dug out his old bicycle from the garage and used the hand pump to fill the deflated tires. Half an hour later, everyone except Victoria laid their bikes in the grass outside Batami’s hut. She sat on a small wooden bench of unpainted, but bone-white wood, a pitcher of iced lemonade and a glass seated beside her. Sufina, the giant white wolf, lay in the grass at her side.
As they walked up to the hut, Alex noticed Victoria’s tail twitching nervously.
“I’m the one who should be nervous,” Alex said. “I missed our lesson.”
“I know it’s irrational,” Victoria said, “as she as proven herself to be friendly, but every time I’m near Sufina, I have an overwhelming desire to run. As though she might change her mind and decide to have me for dinner.”
“That doesn’t sound irrational to me,” Rafael said, surreptitiously eying Sufina. “You won’t see me changing into a rabbit while we’re here.”
“Thank you, Rafael,” Victoria said. “That was ever-so-comforting.”
“She seems nice enough to me,” Alex said, unconsciously smiling at Sufina as he approached the hut.
“I missed you last night,” Batami said as Alex and the others stepped into the shade of the white-leafed trees beside the hut.
“I feel asleep,” Alex said, his eyes darting away in sheepish guilt. “Deeply asleep.”
“You must have had a taxing day,” Batami said.
“And night,” Alex said.
“I see you brought company today,” Batami said, looking past Alex to the rest of the Guild.
“We’re his bodyguards,” Nina said, proudly squaring her shoulders.
“In case someone tries to kill him a third time,” Rafael added, frowning at Alex.
“A third time?” Batami said, her eyebrows rising in question. “It seems you’ve been keeping busy.”
“Keeping all of us busy,” Daphne said.
“Why don’t you tell me about it on a walk through the forest?” Batami said as she stood up. “Your friends can stay here and enjoy the lemonade.” She gestured to a long, white wooden table under a tree not far away. The table had two white benches on either side. “There are more glasses in the house. I’m sure Daphne can find them. Don’t wander about,” she added, catching Daphne’s eye. “The house is easy to get lost in.” The exterior of Batami’s hut magically led to the interior of a house much larger, which Alex suspected was hidden somewhere deep within the White Forest.
“Sufina will make sure you are all safe while I am gone,” Batami concluded. Sufina gave a long low growl that seemed to imply some kind of dissatisfaction, but she remained lying in the shade.
Alex waved to his friends and Batami guided him to a slender path behind the hut. The path was worn down, its rich, dark earth a stark contrast to the bleached ivory colors of the forest around them. The path led straight into the forest for as far as Alex could see.
Chapter 14: Soul Sight
“What is this about another attempt on your life?” Batami asked as they walked through the chalk-colored trees.
“It wasn’t that bad,” Alex said, trying to sound nonchalant. He told her about being trapped on the runaway bicycle and how he had managed to survive. Then he informed her about how he had spent the day searching for the followers of the Shadow Wraith and the artifact preventing astral travel within the carnival. And, he told her about their lack of success.
“I am not surprised you have been unable to find neither the artifact nor its owner,” Batami said. “Whoever it is, they have had a long time to practice their deception. An artifact of that nature would be very difficult for anyone to find. If your father and mother cannot sense it, it is no wonder your large friend, Clark, could not sniff it out.”
“Maybe there is a way to break through the astral barrier,” Alex said, looking up at Batami.
“I have been attempting just that,” Batami said, pursing her lips, “with unfortunately frustrating results.”
“What happened?” Alex asked.
“Nothing,” Batami said, frowning. “Absolutely nothing. No matter what I attempted, the barrier remains intact. It was irritating beyond measure.”
“I’ve been thinking…” Alex said, looking up at the bone-white trees.
“Dangerous words,” Batami said, glancing down at Alex.
“I was reading something in the book,” Alex said. He didn’t need to say which book.
“Now I see why you came,” Batami said, leaning over to smell the flowers of a white-leafed jasmine bush.
“I was reading a section that seems to suggest it’s possible to see into someone’s soul-essence,” Alex said. “To see into the nature of it.”
“And you think if you can learn to do such a thing, you will be able to ferret out the followers of the Shadow Wraith,” Batami said.
“If I look the right way, I can see a person’s soul-essence,” Alex said. “What you’ve taught me has helped me get better at it. But the book was talking about something that sounds like reading someone’s soul. And I figure the soul-essence of someone trying to free the Shadow Wraith will be different in some way.”
“I’m sure it will,” Batami said, turning from the flowers to stare at Alex. “But what you speak of, Soul Sight, is not a thing to be done lightly, if at all. Seeing into someone’s soul-essence is not like reading a book. When you read the words of a book, you take them with you, in your mind, but they are yours to command. When you look deeply into the soul-essence of another, you are not reading, not seeing with your mind. Your own soul-essence must touch theirs. When you do, something of theirs stays with you. Clings to you. Haunts you.”
“But I could find out who the Shadow Wraith’s followers are,” Alex said, his tone insistent.
“At what cost?” Batami asked. “What will you see? And what will you do once you have seen?”
“I can handle it,” Alex said, standing a little straighter.
“Assuming you could,” Batami said, “there are other dangers to consider.”
“What dangers?” Alex asked.
“That the sight will not leave you once you have called it forth,” Batami said.
“I don’t understand,” Alex said.
“Seeing into a person’s soul-essence is a special kind of inner sight,” Batami said. “Like when your eyes adjust to a darkened room. Now imagine if your eyes stayed like that when you went back out into the light. That is what can happen with Soul Sight. It can remain forever once called upon.”
“But I would only do it once,” Alex said.
Alex contemplated this information in silence. The book had not hinted at this. It was a serious risk. To be forever forced to see the world through his astral eyes and always to know the depths of others soul-essences, to carry parts of them with him always. It would be enough to drive someone mad.
“I have to take the risk,” Alex said, having made up his mind. If the worst happened, it would only be worse for him. If the Shadow Wraith was released from its prison, that would be worse for everyone. “I don’t see any other way.”
“Neither do I,” Batami said, weariness filling her voice. “It was not something I could bring myself to suggest. I would risk it myself if I could enter the carnival grounds, but I cannot leave the White Forest in physical form and I cannot break the barrier around the carnival in my astral body. For the first time in many, many years, I feel trapped.”
“Does that mean you will help me?” Alex asked. “Teach me how?”
Batami stopped and stood motionless in the middle of the path. “I will show you what I know, but I can only show you so much. It is not a thing I have ever attempted.”
“Thank you,” Alex said. He looked up into Batami’s cloud-gray eyes and saw a deep sadness there. A sadness for him, he knew. There was a deeper sorrow there, as well, but there was no time to question her about it. “I’m sorry, for asking you to do this.”
“I expected you would,” Batami said with a sigh. “You’re too quick to pick things up from that book. I should have prepared myself. But, we are rarely ever prepared for the things we should be, even when we know what they are. Now, stand before me. Open your mind and heart and see with your astral eyes.”
Alex did as instructed, breathing deeply, calming his mind, quieting his thoughts, until his vision shifted to see through his astral eyes — the part of his mind that saw without sight. He could have closed his eyes then and seen the same vision, but he kept them open. Batami appeared as all living things did, with a pale blue-white glow. The forest shimmered behind her.
“Now look at my soul-essence,” Batami said.
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