The Elders (Mind Dimensions #4)(41)

It’s true, but the idea of spending a century of subjective time in here while Mira and the others are being held captive feels wrong. Abhorrent, even. Not to mention, this would give the Super Pusher all the time in the world to make me Inert.

I take a calming breath, remembering how good they are at reading hesitation. I remind myself that Kate just went through public humiliation over spending twenty years in the Mind Dimension. Indeed, people would give a limb for such a chance. If the Super Pusher doesn’t kill me, I could use this time to figure out who he is. Focusing on this, I try to sound as enthusiastic as I can when I say, “That sounds like a reasonable request. I’ll do that much.”

Gustav looks at me like a hypnotist. He probably noted my hesitation, but I hope he realizes that people hesitate before making big decisions all the time.

Finally, he nods, almost as if to himself. “So it’s settled,” he says. “Why don’t you go enjoy the rest of the Celebration while we talk amongst ourselves?”

Translation: they want to talk behind my back. And since I couldn’t be happier to leave them, I just say, “Thanks. I’m looking forward to getting to know you all.”

It’s only after I leave that I realize I’m now without an Elder chaperone. If Gustav was right and my attacker was not an Elder, then I just became exposed. But hey, if the Super Pusher attacks me and I survive, I’ll be one-hundred-percent sure my enemy is not an Elder.

As I walk, I notice there are fewer people around. The few who are here have taken their masks off, but most still wear their black kimonos.

One such figure turns out to have a familiar face, so I shout, “George.”

A few of the people look at me in confusion. George waves and walks over, and I notice he looks tense, his features tired.

“Darren, what a funny coincidence. I was just looking for you.”

“You missed some cool stuff,” I tell him. “Did you see Kate fighting Frederick? It was insane.”

“I’m sure it was spectacular,” he says, not sounding particularly impressed. “Listen, I spoke to Alfred during the Celebration, and he requested that I introduce you to someone.”

I feel worry coming on. If an Elder were the Super Pusher, Alfred, with his interest in history, would be at the top of my list of suspects. I dismissed him thus far because he’s a bit too thin to have been my attacker, but what if he asked someone else to carry out his will? Could George be taking me to see that same attacker now?

“Is everything okay, Darren?” George looks genuinely concerned.

“Yes,” I lie. “I was just, err, wondering why he didn’t mention it. I just saw him.”

George waves his hand. “He wouldn’t have bothered other Elders with this. Besides, I know he thinks I’d be the better person to introduce you to her, even if I disagree.”

At the mention of the female gender, my worry is lessened and my curiosity is piqued. “Who is it? And why are you questioning Alfred’s idea?”

“Let’s just say it’s someone who might have a huge problem with the fact that you’re part Leacher. So if we’re to do this, perhaps don’t tell her?”

“I guess . . .” My worry returns; the Super Pusher would have the same problem.

“That also means not telling her who you are, as that would also tell her about your nature,” George says, clearly not noticing my discomfort.

“Fine, but can you explain whom we’re meeting?” I’m not too eager to meet this Reader-phobic mystery girl.

“You’ll see,” he says, his tone mockingly conspiratorial. “Her room is near the entrance of the Castle.”

He walks toward the looming structure and I follow, albeit reluctantly. Besides this person being slightly suspicious, we’re returning to the very place where I was last attacked.

“George, this Teleportation thing you taught me,” I say as we make a sharp right turn. “What Frederick did with it—”

“About that,” George says. “I would greatly appreciate it if you didn’t tell the Elders that I taught you how to Teleport.”

“Did you break the rules?” I ask, looking at him. “Kate saw you do it, and she didn’t object.”

“Kate knows to mind her own business. The Elders would only have a problem with it in your case. I think they want to monopolize their secrets as leverage.”

“So you know what they want from me?” I ask.

“No.” He rubs the stubble on his chin. “I just know they want something from everybody, and I know what you wanted from this trip, so it doesn’t take a rocket scientist to figure out what leverage they’d use on you.”

“I’ll keep it between us then,” I say. “And I appreciate you teaching me, by the way. The Elders should follow your example.”

He shrugs. “Like many people with too much power, they’ve lost their skill at diplomacy. I can’t afford to. Besides, to me, you’re family.”

“So can you also Teleport like they do?” I ask. “Like some kind of comic-book hero?”

“No,” George says, entering through the large Castle doors. “Nor would they teach you, unless you became one of them.”

“Oh . . .” My shoulders stoop a little. “That would’ve been cool.”