The stairwell was dimly lit with blue spheres. When the door shut behind him, silence swallowed them like a void.

  “Where are we going?” Plenty asked.

  “Just to the end of the stairs and a few doors down. Let’s hold the questions until we’re all seated and comfortable.”

  They reached the end of the stairs and turned down a dark hallway. Little light orbs twinkled in cool colors. The walls were dark and unadorned. Xavier stopped at a door and opened it with a strange unlocking object. He walked in and turned the light up to a warm brightness.

  The room was stately and elegant, with fresh flowers in vases. The art on the wall was elevated and distant. The table was a long slab of chisled walnut. The chairs were cushioned with feather seats and velvet fabric. Wars were launched and peace deals were negotiated in such rooms. Xavier took a seat and motioned for Charlie and Plenty to find a chair and sit down. They sat quietly.

  Xavier spoke to Charlie directly. “A mouse familiar was found smuggled indoors. It was trying to sneak downstairs. Your coat was found with mouse piss on it. Can you explain how that came to be?”

  Charlie’s eyes widened with surprise and panic. He shook his head. “I don’t know! I had no idea! I– I– I don’t– I would never! You know me!”

  Xavier’s eyes narrowed but his face was inscrutable. He turned his attention to Plenty.

  “If the mouse were alive, I could interrogate it myself. I’m grateful that you caught the familiar, but you understand how this also makes you look suspect.”

  It wasn’t an accusation. Plenty bit his cheek and nodded silently.

  Xavier sighed. He looked back and forth at Charlie and Plenty. “I see three possible explanations for tonight’s events. One: Charlie broke trust and broke the cardinal rule of Strangers by sneaking in a familiar. Explanation two: Plenty planted evidence. Explanation three: a third party slipped the mouse into Charlie’s pocket before he came in. Since I can’t ask the mouse, I’ll need some help figuring out what happened. In the meantime, I’m going to ask you both to remain in this room. You’re welcome to leave anytime, but that will not reflect favorably on your innocence. If you did nothing wrong, this will all be over soon.”

  Plenty remained silent.

  Charlie moaned, “Can I at least get a drink while this is happening?”

  Xavier smiled like the perfect host. “Of course. You drink a brown and sour, yes? I’ll have a couple plates sent in as well. House specials. Our chefs are the envy of Garden. You’ll be well cared for, I promise. This is one of our elite suites.” He stood up and moved toward the door. “If there’s anything you need, press this button here, and a host will be by promptly. But I ask you be patient while I find the help I need. That should take but a moment. Thank you, both of you, for cooperating. I’ll return shortly.”

  Then Xavier left the room, leaving Plenty alone with Charlie in awkward silence.

  “May I have my coat back?” Charlie asked indignantly.

  “Oh, of course. Sorry, I forgot I still had it,” Plenty answered, handing the man his coat.

  Charlie investigated it himself, sniffing around the pockets. His brows furrowed in consternation. “This was high-grade weaver silk. It’s ruined now. Mouse piss. The indignity.” He sounded on the verge of tears.

  Plenty sympathized with the young man. “I’m sorry about your coat.”

  Charlie looked daggers at him. “You probably put it there!”

  Plenty frowned and shook his head sadly. “This wasn’t me. If you didn’t do it, I have to assume someone used you to slip it in unawares. Did anyone bump into you on the way here tonight?”

  A dawning realization lit Charlie’s face. “Yes! An old vagrant tripped and ran into me while I was waiting for supper. That must have been when it happened! Oh! How am I going to convince Xavier? It’s not my fault!”

  Plenty tapped the young man’s shoulder. “It’s okay. Just tell Xavier, and he’ll go find that vagrant.”

  Charlie nodded in relief. “Yeah. Yeah.”

  At the same time, an older woman in a dark dress walked into the room carrying a tray with two drinks and two dishes. She had a quiet, friendly manner, putting down the plates and glasses with panache. Then she said, “Enjoy,” and exited the room.

  The food smelled incredible and tasted amazing. Even the chopsticks were lovely, engraved silver. It was like they knew what Plenty loved to eat and prepared it perfectly. White fish filet with sweet broccolini, carrots, and a half lemon. His drink was stiff, tart, and refreshing, with a ring of salt around the rim of the glass.

  Did you know this text is from a different site? Read the official version to support the creator.

  By the time they finished their meals, both Charlie and Plenty were relaxed and ready to get on with it, whatever it was. And Xavier didn’t keep them waiting long. He entered the room with a man Plenty recognized as Heathcliff, looking debonair as before. His shirt was mostly unbuttoned, exposing his furry and muscular chest. He smiled when he saw Plenty.

  “My newest friend! You’re already keeping things interesting. I can’t wait to see what else you have in store for us.”

  Plenty wasn’t sure how to take that, so he shrugged and said, “I’m just trying to do a good job.”

  Heathcliff kept smiling agreeably. “Great. That’s great. Here’s what’s gonna happen. We’re gonna hold hands for a bit, and you’re gonna remember some things. I’ll remember them with you. And when that’s done, you’ll be free to go. Quick and painless. Sound good?”

  Plenty and Charlie nodded.

  “Okay, great. Charlie, let’s you and me go first. Give me your hands. Like that. Very good. Now close your eyes and relax. Concentrate on what happened before you came in tonight. Picture a spot in your mind. Do you have it? Okay, good. Now concentrate on your toes. Think of where they were in your memory. Place yourself there. Now concentrate on your fingers. What were you holding? Can you feel anything? Focus on your breath. Were you relaxed this evening? Were you in a rush? Don’t worry if you can’t recall exact details. It can take some time to sink into a memory. Just relax your thoughts and fall back into this evening. Feel your legs. Where are you standing now?”

  Charlie answered dreamily, his eyes still closed. “I’m waiting outside Pete’s purveyory. Someone bumped into me. His hair is long, grey, and unwashed. His clothes are torn and dirty. I push him off and forget about him. It was him. It had to be. He slipped the mouse on me.”

  “What color are his clothes?” asked Heathcliff.

  Charlie frowned. “Grey? No, brown.”

  “How old do you think he looks?”

  “Old. His face is covered with wrinkles.”

  “What about his shoes?” asked Heathcliff. “Can you see his shoes?”

  Charlie made a pouty face. “No. I can’t see his shoes.”

  “Do you remember anything else about the man?”

  Charlie whined like a child. “No. He’s gross. I just want him to go away.”

  “Okay, okay,” soothed Heathcliff. “I think we’re done. You’ve been so brave and helpful.”

  Charlie shyly smiled, his eyes still closed. Plenty got the feeling Charlie was asleep and dreaming.

  “I’m going to count to five, and as I do, you’re going to wake up slowly, okay?” said Heathcliff. “One. You were dreaming. It was all a dream. Two. You’re coming back to us now. Three. You’re refreshed and at ease. Four. You can stretch and enjoy the generous, hospitable kindness of Strangers. Five. Welcome back. Open your eyes.”

  Charlie yawned comfortably and blinked, looking around like he was briefly confused by his surroundings. But his confusion dissipated when he saw Xavier’s smiling face.

  “Are you ready to go back upstairs?” Xavier asked Charlie.

  Charlie nodded happily. “Yes, please. And thank you for such a lovely meal.”

  “Thank you for being such a trusted guest. Come. Let’s go, Charlie. I’m sure your friends are waiting anxiously.”

  “Oh! Yes, of course.” Charlie got up and followed Xavier.

  As he shut the door behind him, Xavier said, “I’ll be right back, Plenty. Would you like me to bring Hinata when I return?”

  “Yes!” Plenty almost shouted. He corrected himself. “Yes, please, and thank you. That would be wonderful.”

  Xavier nodded and shut the door, leaving Plenty and Heathcliff alone, sitting across from each other in a grand, stately room.

  Having seen a glimpse of what Heathcliff was capable of, Plenty was terrified being alone with him. Plenty kept his hands on his lap and stayed tense, ready to fight or flee.

  Heathcliff looked hurt, but he didn’t move. “I’m sorry for scaring you. Now you understand why I keep my family skill a private matter, but a job needed doing, and I owed Xavier a favor.”

  “What is your skill? I don’t understand,” Plenty said.

  “My name is Heathcliff Whisper. The skilled in my family can shape dreams and memories. It’s a rare skill, and my clan is small. The other clans hate and fear us. But you’re safe from me, I promise. I can’t do anything without your permission. My skill requires contact and trust to work.”

  Plenty listened and considered what he heard. He relaxed a little. Only a little. He could feel safe if Hinata were here. Or Gwen. Plenty had an idea.

  “I should have taken your advice,” Plenty said. “I took my daughter to Admissions, and they took her away from me. I need to reach her. I need to know she’s okay. How do you get back to Upper Garden? Is there a way I could come with you?”

  Heathcliff looked sympathetic, but he stayed seated and didn’t try to make contact. “I’m so sorry. I have a friend with an eagle mount. He gives me private rides. He wouldn’t be willing to help you, not yet, at least. Maybe if he got to know you, but I couldn’t say.”

  Plenty sank into his chair.

  “But I can check in on her and report back to you. I could do it tomorrow if you like.”

  Plenty felt a bit of hope. Win also promised to check in and report back, but Win was a self-serving extortionist. Another set of eyes on the situation might be beneficial. Heathcliff scared Plenty, but he’d been kind thus far. They needed friends. Plenty nodded. “Her name is Gwen Fisher. She’s 8 years old. She’s mute. And she’s a brilliant illusionist.”

  Heathcliff said, “Okay. I’ll check in on her first thing tomorrow. I give you my word.”

  Plenty exhaled a great weight off his chest. He nodded silently.

  The door opened and Hinata walked in, followed by Xavier. She looked worried but not too alarmed.

  “You okay?” she asked Plenty.

  “I’m okay,” he said. She looked relieved.

  Xavier spoke. “Hinata, thank you for coming down. This should be quick and simple. Heathcliff, care to walk us through it one more time?”

  Heathcliff said, “You bet. Plenty, you and I are going to hold hands, relaxed, here on the table. However’s most comfortable for you. When you’re ready, you’re going to walk me through what happened tonight, starting at the bar. Hinata, you’re welcome to sit or stand nearby. Whatever feels right to the two of you. You’ll be Plenty’s witness, so he’ll feel safer once the memory walk is done.” Heathcliff looked kindly at Plenty and extended his hands, palms up. “Whenever you’re ready.”

  -8-

  Plenty opened his eyes feeling astonishingly refreshed. He rolled his head around, cracking the stiff joints in his neck and sighing in satisfaction.

  Xavier spoke, bringing Plenty’s attention back to the present room. “Thank you for cooperating, Plenty. And Hinata. Both of you have proven yourselves commendable assets. Plenty, tonight you saved Stranger from insurmountable embarrassment. I owe you a debt.”