The Elders (Mind Dimensions #4)(23)

“When will this Mind Dimension conversation take place?” I ask.

“Soon. Could be in a minute, could be in an hour. It depends on when they all wake up, and they don’t use alarm clocks.”

“Where’s Kate?”

“She went to stretch her legs.”

I lick my dry lips. “Do you have anything to eat or drink?”

George points downward, at a basket sitting on a piece of cloth. “There’s some breakfast.”

I examine the cloth. It looks like it’s made of the same potato sack material as his outfit. If he were to lie on it, he’d blend in like a ninja. “You were planning a picnic?”

The basket, which is just a plastic crate, is filled with cheese, bread, cold cuts, and those little single-use condiments they have at fast-food places. Drink-wise, there’s some sparkling water and a couple bottles of beer. Beer in the morning?

“I knew there was a chance we’d have to wait, so I came prepared,” George explains at my look.

I sit down on the cloth and make myself a sandwich. George joins me on the ground and mimics my legs-akimbo pose.

“I wanted to apologize,” he says, “about Kate attacking you, and about the secrecy.”

I shrug. “She wanted to make sure I couldn’t use my body as a weapon against the Elders, and I’m not too surprised that this place is a secret.”

“I’m glad you understand. I think it’s always bad to start a new relationship in the spirit of distrust.”

“Well, for what it’s worth, I don’t trust you either, and I trust the Elders, people I haven’t met, even less.”

“This is precisely why I wanted to take this chance to talk to you,” he says. “If there’s anything I can do to repair this—”

“Ever the Ambassador, huh?” I give him a sardonic look.

“Actually, that title is probably misleading, as my actual role doesn’t require me to be diplomatic in the way that the Unencumbered ambassadors are. I just want to foster goodwill because you’re a relative and I feel like you’re a good person.”

Huh. Well, this is my chance.

“You know,” I say carefully, “I was curious about something. Hillary told me of a rumor. She said the Elders can Split into the Mind Dimension while already in the Mind Dimension, thus reaching a different version—”

“I know about those rumors,” George says, his eyes looking even older than before. “I really wish you hadn’t chosen this topic as a means to forge trust, because I’m afraid I can’t substantiate those rumors.”

“I don’t think they’re just rumors.” My sandwich tastes dry, so I add a tiny packet of mayo to it.

“What you described is a subject that we, the Ambassadors, do not discuss. That’s all I’m allowed to say on the issue.” He looks genuinely regretful.

“Great.” Mira-like sarcasm creeps into my voice. “I feel a strong urge to trust you coming on already.”

George twists off the cap of one of the beers and takes a sip. “I know how this will sound, but ask me anything else, and this time, I’m sure I’ll be of more help.”

“Okay. This one is another rumored ability.” I add extra cheese to my sandwich and take a hungry bite.

“Good.” He offers me his Guinness. “There aren’t any more abilities I’m restricted from discussing.”

I fight my instinct to refuse the beer, and instead accept the bottle, taking a sip. Even though Guinness, with its soup-like texture, is probably my least favorite beer, a welcome wave of relaxation spreads through my body. I hope this little bonding activity will cause George to rethink his stance on not telling me about Level 2.

Sharing beer like this reminds me of when Bert and I shared a forty of Crazy Horse, which I later learned wasn’t beer, but malt liquor. That day became known as the time Bert and I woke up at the Kappa Alpha Theta sorority house without knowing how we’d gotten there or why we’d gone. If either of us got lucky that day, no girl came forward to admit it. Then again, us being teenagers, we assumed they didn’t step forward because they didn’t want it known that they had broken the law by sleeping with underage boys. And yes, in case it wasn’t clear, Bert and I had a strange college experience.

“I heard it’s possible to control where you appear when you Split into the Mind Dimension,” I say and pass the bottle back. “Are you allowed to discuss that?”

George takes the bottle, finishes it, and gives me an evaluating look. “Under normal circumstances, I wouldn’t tell you about it, but I’ll break the rules this one time.”

I give him an encouraging nod, doing my best to look grateful, and take another bite of my sandwich.

“The skill is indeed real,” he says. “It’s something only the Elders, the Ambassadors, and those in our inner circle know about.”

“Is it an innate skill only a few possess, or is it something that can be taught?”

“I see where you’re going with this,” he says. “Yes, I can teach you—I wouldn’t have told you of its existence if I weren’t willing to do that—but be warned: it’s a skill that requires much practice.”

“Gentlemen,” Kate’s teasing voice intrudes. She sounds as if she left unsaid, And I use that term loosely.