I’m still not entirely sure how it works, because I used a combination of ancient spells and coding. But we have clear images of fake Jax going about his day on one of the old laptop computers. We know the human authorities get that image on their system: A system that uses a kind of magic we are yet to get to the bottom of.
But at least they remain sublimely confident that Jax is doing their bidding, when for the past three years he’s actually been working for us.
And that’s not the whole story…
I sit, brooding and chewing on my thumbnail. Clem deserves to know what happened to Jax, but it could shock her if she finds out too soon. Then she could get a case of Labyrinth overwhelm.
If that happened, you’d have to comfort her.
An image of me picking her up and cradling her to my chest, enters my head, and I have to push it firmly away. It’s ridiculous how all these fantasies keep hijacking my brain. Some of them are lustful, but others are… mushy and romantic.
Shit, I’m going crazy here.
Even so, excitement bubbles inside of me at the thought of going home to Clem.
Home.
The word gives me pause.
I haven’t felt this good since Dad and Mom were together in that old house, with us orclings playing games, and the walls resounding with our laughter.
CLEM
I’m placing the final lot of documents into a folder when the phone rings on Otis’s desk. I only realized it was there after I cleaned up all the mess.
I stare at it for a few moments before picking up. “Hello, Cane residence.” I guess that’s the right thing to say.
“Clem, it’s me.”
“Sammy!” I cry, delighted to hear her voice.
“Did Tippy bring you some clothes today?” my bestie asks. “I have this image of you still swamped in my dress.”
I look down at the perfect tight leggings and little tee, the sneakers on my feet. “Yes, casual wear and a suit and blouses too, for work situations.”
“I bet they look great on you.”
“I think so, they feel good. I’ve got your dress to give back to you. Will I see you today?” I ask hopefully.
There’s a moment’s silence. “Um, not today.” Then, in a much more serious voice, she says, “Actually, I’m calling because Arlo and I are going away.”
“Oh, nice.” I try to hide my disappointment. “For a holiday?”
She laughs a little thinly. “I wish. No, we’re heading to a lower level to hide out.”
“Hide out from what?” Spidey fingers of fear creep over my scalp.
“Well, Arlo believes we should leave level one for a while. With me being pregnant and all. Now that we know you were being shadowed, Arlo thinks we should head deeper into the Labyrinth.”
“Are you worried that jerk might come down here?”
“I guess there’s always a chance a human spy might pose as a peripheral, and if they found me…”
The shiver now travels down to the base of my spine. “They’d try and take you back to Sparkle, experiment on you… and your baby,” I finish for her.
I hear Sammy sigh. “Yeah. I mean, it’s unlikely at present, but we can’t take any risks.”
“So where are you going?”
