"She hasn't betrayed anything. All you know is her screen name. And the message was probably relayed through several points. Believe me, she's quite clever enough to be untraceable. "
"You don't have to tell me how clever she is," I said. "But I guess I asked you, didn't I?"
I was still stunned. I was holding in my hand a response to my most serious telepathic communication.
He handed me a map. He had folded it to the appropriate section and circled the island. I instantly committed it to memory.
"Why do you think she sent this message through you?" I asked.
"For convenience, obviously. She gathered the intelligence. She wanted you to have a precise summary of it. And also, it shows a kind of trust in us. She's acknowledging that the Talamasca is not your enemy or her enemy. "
"That's certainly true," I said. "But what can she mean with all this about intervention and inevitability?"
"Lestat, if you'll forgive me, it's plain. She's asking you not to become involved in something where Darwinian forces may be at work. And she's telling you a drama is being played out on an isolated island where the world might not take notice. "
"That isn't what she said. She said she couldn't tell what was going on. This message is extremely tantalizing. Well, to me, anyway. I don't think it will be to Mona. "
"Both interpretations are correct," he said with a sigh. "What are you going to do?"
"Go there, old boy, what do you think?" I said with relish. "I can't wait. I mean, I have to wait. But I'll head out with them at sunset. "
I folded the letter and put it inside my coat. I did the same with the map.
"Tomorrow I teach Mona about our most frightening gift. I've been putting it off-not wanting to overwhelm her. Quinn and I can take her to that island in less than half an hour. "
"You have to teach her more than the art of flight," Stirling said. "The Taltos are much stronger perhaps than you imagine. "
"In what particular way?"
He thought for a long moment. "You've met humans with the telekinetic ability to kill," he said.
"Yes," I said. "You're talking about Rowan. You don't have to be so cagey with me, Stirling. I've sought your hospitality. At First Street we sat at a round table together. For me, that's rather like the human custom of breaking bread. And now this E-mail from Maharet. So what are you driving at?"
"That Rowan's power, formidable as it is, didn't work for her with Lasher. That's why he was able to abuse her and keep her prisoner. The Taltos are simply too strong, too resilient, too elastic. "
"That's a good point, but surely you don't think these creatures are a match for me," I said. "You have no idea of the evil engine that lurks behind this fancy facade of mine. Worry not. But I'll take the time to find out Mona's full capabilities. There's no calculating Mona's strength. We've spent so much time on her state of mind, we haven't developed those talents. Thank you for coming with this. Now I have to bid you au revoir. Why don't you stick around? I can smell bacon cooking in the kitchen. "
"Take care," he said. "I'm devoted to you, all of you. I'll be anxious on your account until I hear from you. "
I headed back to Aunt Queen's room.
Big Ramona, black cotton uniform, white apron, came barreling down the hall.
"Didn't you offer that Englishman a cup of coffee? All you had to do was stick your head in this kitchen, Lestat. You're underfoot enough around here to do that. Don't you go, Mr. Oliver! Can't you smell that coffee perking on the stove? You sit right down. You're not driving off without some grits and biscuits and scram
bled eggs. I got bacon and ham on the stove. And Lestat, don't you go tracking that mud all around in Aunt Queen's room. Do you go looking for mud when you go outside? You're worse than Quinn. You take off those boots now, and Allen'll polish them again. Got to hand it to you, four o'clock,
Patsy's ghost did not come! And I had a dream not half an hour ago, Patsy's in Heaven. "
"Eh bien, Madame,"I called out, reverting at once to stockinged feet and standing the boots neatly side by side outside the bedroom door. "Never have my boots received such loving attention. You know, this is really like living somewhere. "
"Yes, indeed," she hollered over her shoulder, "should have seen that gal, all dressed in pink cowboy leather, singing, 'Gloria in Excelsis Deo!' "
I froze. You saw that!
I went into the bedroom, latched the door tight, surveyed the inviting bed, dove into it and pulled the covers up over my head. No more. No more! Down pillows, yes, Oblivion, will you please get on with it!
There came a nudge against my back, and I rolled over.