Chapter Three

six years later

"Your garden is lovely, Elyse," said Mohan as she explored the greenhouse. She stooped to study a colorful variety of flowers she could not name.

"Well, I can't take credit for it. Gardeners, you know. And everyone's gone, Mohan. I would have you use my true name."

Mohan rose. "Where is Eric?"

Ellarice picked idly at a vine. "In his room."

"Won't he come down and play with his friends?" Mohan asked with an unmistakable hint of insistence.

"You have no—" But Mohan cut her off with a glance — a flash in her eyes as though polished blades had passed in front of them. Ellarice looked as though she swallowed something unsavory, and then quietly said, "Yes, I'm sure he'd like that. I'll bring him down."

Mohan followed her inside. "We'll await you out back . . . It is a beautiful day for play, is it not?"

Ellarice did not answer, but turned and disappeared upstairs. Mohan's eyes followed her up.

Slowly, Mohan made her way toward the doors, taking in the architecture of the mansion and the artwork adorning its halls. She knew she was not alone.

"She's afraid, Mohan."

"We all know fear, Peia."

"Yes, but Ella—"

"What must be done will be done," said Mohan with strict demeanor. Then her expression softened and she hung her head and sighed. "I know . . . I know. Come, let us not speak of it."

Peia smiled and allowed her elder to take her arm and lead her back outside. As she took her seat on the veranda, her bag fell over and two books slid out. She quickly reached for them, but Mohan was quicker.

"Do you go nowhere without books, child?" She looked at the titles — Puff the Magic Dragon and The Littlest Wizard — and cocked an eyebrow at Peia, who smiled meekly.

"I've not broken my vow. They're only children's fantasy. And when he asks of such things, I answer . . . contextually."

Mohan laughed. "Trust you to pick such a word. So, tell me," she said, holding up The Littlest Wizard, "has little Albert shown any signs of . . . ?"

Peia looked down. "No. Nothing like . . . But he does love the magic specials that come on television, though. Can't pull him away from them."

Mohan smiled and looked to Syanna. "What of Diana?"

Syanna laughed. "No magic, but she sure loves to climb and tumble! When she's not gazing at the stars through a telescope with her father, she's up a tree. Every day she sets a new record height. She's given me quite a few scares, but she's never fallen. Actually, I was seriously considering signing her up for gymnastics next week."

"Excellent. You should do so," Mohan said approvingly.

"What about Hank?" Syanna asked in return.

Mohan thought a moment. "A spark, perhaps. There was one night . . . I heard him in his room when he should have been sleeping. I went in to check on him. As soon as he heard me, his light went out. But he couldn't have reached the switch before I walked in, and the switch was off." She smiled. "He's never let me catch him at that again."

"A light-bearer, perhaps?" Peia suggested.

Mohan shrugged. "Possibly."

She turned toward Leisha when Eric suddenly bolted between them to join his friends. She paused to watch him run out to the others. "A fast runner. Ellarice, we were just discussing—"

"The answer's 'no,'" Ellarice spat as she made her way to a chair. "There's been nothing."

Mohan glared at her for a second, but then turned her attention to Leisha. "You're quiet, child. But I sense you have something to share."

Leisha looked up. "It's probably nothing, but . . ."

"Go on," Syanna encouraged.

"Yes, tell us," urged Peia.

"I think . . . I mean . . . I saw Sheila talking to birds. It could have been my imagination, but . . . they seemed to be listening to her. And . . . and then she would speak as if answering them."

Mohan looked intensely interested. "Wonderful, Leisha! You must cast aside your doubt and encourage this."

Leisha's face brightened and she nodded. "I will."

And with that, silence descended. Understanding one another's thoughts, they contented themselves to watch the children at play.