1. The Shadow of Jupiter

The sun was setting over Contigo when the four travelers arrived, but the violet stone of the tower on the horizon still glittered brightly in their eyes. The wind blew chaotically, as Isaac assumed it always must in Contigo; even though they were miles from the ocean, the aroma of salt could still be sensed, mixed into a delightful perfume as the winds from the coasts, forests, and mountains all converged on the village. The lazy grass swayed slowly in the wind, as if used to its gentle but constant motion.

"Do you see it?" Mia said excitedly, pointing to the horizon to the north as the fading sun shined in her blue hair. "Is that really it?"

"Yes," Isaac agreed instantly. "At last, we've reached it. And, as far as I can tell, we're still ahead of Felix. We are the first to reach Jupiter Lighthouse."

Mia frowned. "We're not there yet, Isaac," she said. "But to see it at last, after all we've been through . . ."

"I don't remember Venus Lighthouse being that big," Garet mumbled, crossing his muscular arms. "Maybe it's just a trick of the distance. Do you think we'll reach it tomorrow?"

"Yes," Isaac agreed. "We'll get there tomorrow for sure. As for tonight . . . I wonder if this place has an inn?"

Ivan had been perfectly silent since the group had entered the village. He had barely glanced up at the lighthouse on the horizon; in fact, he was more interested in the village itself. Looking around at the shadowy houses and feeling the breeze in his long, light brown hair, he shivered. "This place . . ." he said quietly. "It gives me the creeps. It's . . . it's awfully cold here, isn't it?"

"It's a little chilly," Garet agreed. "But you'll feel better when we're all having dinner at the inn."

But Ivan shook his head. "I don't feel like eating or sleeping," he said distractedly, his violet eyes gazing toward the orange sun sinking beyond the mountains to the west. "Do you think we could talk to some people around here?"

"That's a good idea," Mia said. "Maybe some of them know something about the Lighthouse. The other Lighthouses were just full of puzzles and traps. I think the more we can learn before we go in, the better." She turned to Isaac, the unofficial leader of the group. Isaac didn't talk much, but the others had come to realize silence was Isaac's way of organizing his thoughts. And he was good at it. How simple it was for the others to let this contemplative boy make all of their decisions. . . .

"It's settled," Isaac decided now. "But let's try not to attract too much attention. If Felix and company come through here in the next few days, we don't want them knowing we've been here, and no one knows how far they are behind."

As Isaac and Mia departed to talk to an elderly couple that had been watching them curiously since their arrival, Garet nudged Ivan with his elbow. "I know what's on your mind," he said, grinning. "You just want to use Mind Read, don't you? It's been awhile, and you're practically addicted to the stuff."

Ivan was a Jupiter Adept, which meant he could command the Psynergies of the wind. His power also included minor psychic abilities, including Mind Read, which, he had to admit, he tended to overuse whenever there were fresh minds available. Garet had once jokingly compared Ivan to a vampire. Mind Read could not be used without making physical contact with someone, and occasionally this got Ivan into trouble. Some people simply didn't like to be touched. But lately, Ivan had grown better at reading people's minds without being noticed at all, particularly when his friends were available as distractions.

"I don't know," he said now to Garet, smiling wearily. "Maybe people will tell us everything we need to know."

"You know it never works that way." Suddenly, the Mars Adept grinned mischievously. "I'll help you," Garet suggested, ". . . if you let me hear every once in awhile."

Ivan blinked. "You mean? . . ."

By grasping hands, Ivan could share his Mind Read with others. Usually, when the group needed information, he and Isaac would go together, asking questions aloud and then reading minds. Isaac would simply touch Ivan and hear everything his Mind Read picked up. But Ivan didn't usually share his ability with Garet and Mia as well--it would just look too strange to have all three of his traveling companions touching him while he was touching the person they were questioning.

"Oh, come on!" Garet insisted. "You and Isaac always get to hear everything! I just want to be included just this once!"

Ivan rolled his eyes and smiled at his friend. "Sure," he said at last. Isaac wasn't at hand, and he did need someone to distract his targets.

"Great!" Garet exclaimed, seizing Ivan's hand and pulling. "Let's go, then!"

His violet eyes widening, Ivan was jerked along behind the muscular Mars Adept.