The Elders (Mind Dimensions #4)(40)

“We’re here,” says either Louis or Frederick, and a few Elders move aside so Alfred can see them.

“Victoria is the one who’s missing,” the other twin says.

Everyone appears to be talking about the Celebration. Half of the Elders are sitting on comfortable benches around the gazebo, while the other half are mingling. As I look them over, I take comfort in the fact that not a single person here is wearing black, which further confirms what Gustav said: my attacker was not an Elder. Of course, if my attacker were an Elder, he could’ve changed his clothing, and maybe he hadn’t bothered using Teleportation when trying to kill me. On second thought, who says he didn’t? He showed up behind me without me noticing. Maybe it was Teleportation and not stealth? But then why run away from me instead of going poof?

When Victoria walks in, flashbacks of our earlier encounter interrupt my thoughts. She winks at me as though she knows how I feel. I try to avoid looking down, so as not to draw attention to what’s happening there.

“Yes, I know. I’m fashionably late as always,” Victoria says in a parody of Gustav’s voice. “Sorry about that.”

“It’s not a problem.” Gustav ignores her jibe. “But now that we’re here, let’s talk.”

Everyone goes quiet and looks at me expectantly.

“What?” I ask no one in particular.

“You’ve had time to think,” Alfred says. “What say you?”

“I didn’t really—”

“If I may,” Gustav interrupts. “You seem like a very curious young man. You’ve asked me about Nirvana, and you were impressed with Frederick’s ability to Teleport.”

“Yes,” I say cautiously.

“And I’m sure you’d like to learn about these things, as well as other things you haven’t even dreamed of?”

I nod. “Yes, of course.”

“Well then.” He folds his arms in front of his chest. “There’s only one way we can tell you these secrets.”

“I think I see where you’re going with this and I have to say, I did have time to think about this whole business of peace between Readers and Guides.” I stop myself from squinting nervously.

“And?” Gustav asks.

“I think it’s a great idea, and I’d love to help.”

“That’s wonderful,” Gustav says.

My face clearly didn’t betray me this time, in large part because I meant what I said. It would be great to put a stop to the whole Pusher versus Leacher nonsense, and I would be happy to help . . . after I save my friends and family. That’s the part I leave unsaid.

“I hope you don’t take us for fools.” Alfred rubs the top of his hairless head. “You will not learn any secrets until and unless you’ve proven yourself.”

“That goes without saying,” Gustav says and looks at me expectantly.

“Sure,” I say, my eagerness genuine. “How can I prove myself to you guys?”

“To start, we would need to get to know you better, as we do with all Ambassadors,” Alfred says.

“Okay,” I say “That sounds easy enough. What would you like to know?”

“What he means is that you would live with us for some time,” Victoria says, her pearly canines flashing. “Given that four Sessions is what’s customary for a regular Ambassador, I propose we make it five in your case.”

“I was going to recommend six, actually,” Gustav says.

I look them over, not comprehending. Then it dawns on me. “You want me to spend six days—as in, six hundred years in the Mind Dimension?”

“We know many people who’d give their right arm for such an opportunity,” says an Elder whose name I have yet to learn.

“Right, of course.” I try to keep my tone even. “And I’m honored, but I kind of have something to do off-Island, something that can’t wait even one day. Any chance you can teach me a few things now, and I’ll prove my worth when I get back?”

“Impossible,” Gustav says, his gaze darkening. “Part of the reason we need this time with you is so that you can understand which secrets are worth knowing and which are not. For instance, you’ll learn that Nirvana is an unfortunate waste of Reach—a resource that is much better spent on extending our Sessions.”

Crap. I can tell by Gustav’s expression that he won’t budge on this. Still, I feel like I should at least try. “How about one Session?” I suggest. “Wouldn’t a hundred years give you enough time to get to know me?” If they go for this, I’d have to hang out with a bunch of strangers for an entire lifetime, but I’d bear it if the end result was learning how to enter Level 2.

Gustav gives an adamant shake of his head. “Six Sessions, that’s the best we can do.”

I conceal my intense disappointment and say, “I’m afraid I can’t do that. I really do need to get back. With or without you teaching me, I have to leave the Island as soon as possible. I’d be happy to return and prove myself later.”

“In that case, you’ll spend this one Session with us, and then we can discuss the possibility of you returning,” Gustav says, his features tightening. “One Session won’t take any real-world time away from your life.”