The Elders (Mind Dimensions #4)(78)

“Yeah, he shouldn’t have attacked you personally on the Island,” Daleb agrees. “He was overconfident, where someone wiser would’ve Guided Kate to assassinate you.”

“Maybe he was afraid to do something like that in front of the Elders?” I counter. “Also, once he was pulled in by Fred, he wouldn’t have been able to Guide anyone. Can’t get to Level 2 from someone else’s Quiet. What I really want to know is: why did he attack me at all?”

“It’s not like his attack would’ve killed you. It would’ve just made you Inert. When Martin and his people forbade you to make anyone on the Island Inert, they wouldn’t have cared if you yourself became Inert. George probably only brought you to the Island to earn your trust, so that you in turn would bring him to the Temple,” Mimir suggests. “He didn’t actually want you to talk to the Elders. If anything, he was probably worried you’d tell the Elders about the Super Pusher. They might’ve taken that information very seriously.”

“I thought one of the Elders was the Super Pusher,” I think defensively.

“And that was reasonable,” Mimir responds, “but George didn’t know that was your theory, or maybe he thought you might blab regardless.”

“So he brought me to the Island and then tried to make me Inert, but to what end?”

“Probably so he could offer you help,” Daleb projects. “Being Inert would’ve made you more open to accepting his help. He would’ve suggested a rescue team of his own, with people already loyal to him. When making you Inert didn’t work, his plan needed only a slight readjustment, given that it was Frederick who provided you with a team. Since George was able to Guide them, he still almost got what he was after.”

I process all that for a moment, and then think, “Something else just occurred to me. Hillary suspected that George might become an Elder. She all but told me he was as powerful as one of them. I just didn’t fully—”

“I hate to interrupt this dialogue, especially given how cathartic it is for you, Darren,” Mimir interjects, “but you might run out of Depth at any moment, and we still have an important task for you to do. As Daleb pointed out, George almost got what he was after, and you need to make sure he doesn’t.”

“Okay, so how do I avoid pulling George in?” I think, refocusing my attention on the present.

“No idea,” Daleb replies.

“Me neither,” Mimir echoes.

“And if I do pull him in?”

“He’ll attack, and you’ll likely end up Inert.” Mimir’s thought is tinged with sorrow. “And I know you’re about to ask if we can help, but we can’t.”

“And let’s not forget that you going Inert will lead to the monks dying, and Mira and Thomas remaining in danger,” Daleb adds.

“Why can’t you help?” I wonder.

“We do not want the Elders to know of our existence,” Mimir explains. “And we have a moral code that strictly forbids us from interfering with a mind, even George’s. You wouldn’t understand.”

“Or approve,” I think, projecting my grudge as best as I can through my thoughts. “Fine, you don’t want to mess with minds. I can sort of understand that. But what about this secrecy? You mentioned it on the Island, which, I may add, caused me a lot of confusion. What you never explained is why? Why can’t the Elders know about you?”

“Why don’t Readers and Guides let Unencumbered know about their existence?” Mimir asks. “Why did you hide your true Depth from your friends?”

“Fine,” I reply. I’m convinced there’s more to it than he’s suggesting, but I’m confident he’ll remind me that time is running out if I press.

“Time is running out, though.” Mimir’s mental voice sounds mischievous.

“Any last-minute suggestions?”

“Use your instincts,” Daleb thinks at the same time as Mimir projects, “Pick at random.”

I pick the brightest constellation of the bunch—the one closest to me—and teleport there effortlessly.

Both Mimir’s and Daleb’s lights disappear.

“Guys, wait,” I think, but no response comes.

They’re gone.

Fine, I think pointedly. I’ll manage without you.

With that, I reach for my intuitively, or randomly, chosen victim.





*





The Leacher we’re tangled with is strong—strong enough to provide us with a rare challenge. Cutting through the battle rage is an unwelcome thrill of feminine awareness.

I, Darren, disassociate with disgust. I’m in the mind of Eleanor, who, despite the Super Pusher’s command to kill him, is lusting after Caleb. Without further ado, I start Guiding her:

The man you’re fighting is not your enemy. You will say the words, “Caleb, Darren did it. I’m now on your side. Help me take down the man responsible for all this shit.” Then you will get up and apprehend George. That’s your primary goal. If you see James or Kate trying to hurt the monks, try and stop them. That’s your secondary goal.

And with that, I exit Eleanor’s head.





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