Heading Home

The journey back to the Professor’s home was the polar opposite of the journey northward. The sun was bright, the mood was joyful, and everyone was talkative. I heard more laughter and saw more smiles in that trip back than in my entire (un)life to date.

Something about the transition from the island to the shore really drove home the reality of the changes that had just taken place, the sheer miracle of having a young woman’s life restored against all logic.

It was a pure joy to watch Naomi take in every sight, sound and smell with a vigor and an enthusiasm that echoed my own deepest desires. The momentary pangs of wistful regrets that I felt quickly dissipated as I watched a young woman in the full flower of her youthful life, knowing that she would now have an opportunity to be a mom to her only child.

I drove again, which gave me a chance to be lost in my own thoughts and to listen in on the conversations that Cerrydwen and the Frau engaged Naomi in.

Before we’d even hit the Mackinac Bridge, they’d already drawn more information out of her about her own childhood in New Orleans and the story of her getting caught up in Drake’s breeding program.

By the time we had crossed that massive bridge, Naomi was laughing and telling stories about all of the weird things that happened throughout her life, stories that revealed that she had some sort of raw, untapped skills that might make her a powerful Caster in her own right, if she only learned how to harness them.

Cerrydwen looked back from the front passenger seat to the Frau, gave her a knowing wink, and then turned back to Naomi. “Child, what you have been describing are the hallmark signs of a true Caster maturing. We have someone who will make a fine teacher, someone who will be able to teach you to find and master all of your previously hidden talents. She also happens to be babysitting your daughter Alexa at the moment.”

The Frau piped in, “Ravyn would make an excellent instructor, and I think she’ll love the idea of a young baby around as well. She was sold on Alexa the moment she saw her.”

It was my turn to pitch in. “I agree. But I am going to have to do something with Daniel. I don’t want to leave him hanging around Naomi and the baby.”

Cerrydwen looked over at me sternly. “And just what are you planning to do with him?”

I shook my head. “I’m not sure yet. But there is one more great injustice that must be addressed before I can really look to the future.”

Cerrydwen’s eyes narrowed. “The Iraqi woman?”

I nodded.

“Where is she now?”

“She is with the Merlin. I took her there to give her a chance to heal and get her bearings back, and to keep her safe from Drake.”

She nodded. “Yes, the crimes she suffered should be addressed and there is one man who must face them. I can help.”

I glanced at her briefly, before returning my eyes to the road. “How’s that?”

I felt more than I saw her dark grin. “You hold the memories of what he did to her. I am fairly certain that I can restore enough of them to him so that he will know who he was, and what crimes he committed. He doesn’t deserve to enjoy the blissful ignorance that he now enjoys.”

I shook my head. “You are one evil woman. I am glad you are on my side.”

“You should be.”

With that all too serious reminder, the conversation among the women began again as if I weren’t even there, something I rather enjoyed.