The Prophecy Machine

48

“I dreamed, Finn. I've never had such a wonderful, frightful dream. I thought I was only me, then I saw I was everything that was, everything that could possibly ever be.

“I looked through a million eyes, saw a million lives. I almost saw the poor thing I'd been before. That's when the dream wasn't good anymore, it got awful after that. I didn't want to know, I didn't want to be that again …”

“Everyone's having dreams, it seems. I never cared for them myself. They were either so good I didn't want to wake up, or so bad I thought I never would.”

“Thank you for finding me, love. I think I was gone an awfully long time.”

“Much too long, Letitia. Any time at all is too long for me.”

“I think I'll try and sleep some more.”

“I think that's a bad idea. I'd rather you'd stay awake, dear.”

It was too late, though, she was gone once again.

Finn was relieved that she'd come to her senses, but not at all sure she was wholly herself, that something wasn't missing somewhere. Time, he was certain, would chase any frights from her head. He vowed he would hold onto that.

The way was most confusing now. Either that, or the howl and the clatter of the horrid device had loosened every nerve in his head. Right seemed left, and left seemed right. Letitia had been light at the start, but she was quite heavy now. That, and his foot, and the kettles and skillets that constantly weighed him down …

Sometimes he was certain he'd gone to sleep himself, but Julia seemed to squawk if he tried to nod off. How could she manage such a feat? he asked himself. She couldn't see him from her perch, and her senses weren't as fine as that …

“Damn it all, Finn, watch where you're about. You're as loud as that miserable device.”

Finn jerked awake at once. “Sab-Sabatino! What are you doing here?”

“Please, craftsman, not the obvious. What is any one doing here? Ah, you found the lady, I see. I'm so glad, I was most distressed. Heavens, what happened to your lizard?”

“What I'm doing, dear fellow, since you feel you have to ask, is trying to get down to that thing. These pesky Foxers keep getting in the way. They're thick as flies, you see.

“Ah, watch your step here,” he said, brandishing his blade. “I've caught one or two, possibly three.”

“I'd say three's correct,” Finn said, holding his lantern up high. Three dark figures slumped in untidy lumps against the wall.

“Clearly, the Foxers know you're here. If they're as many as you say …”

“Doesn't matter, I have to go. Father's down there, I'm sure. He and I have to settle things, once and for all.”

Finn didn't like the sound of that.

Then, down the narrow hallway, past some forgotten wall, the thunder and the rumble, the howl and the shiver of the awful device shook the ancient house. Finn felt that if he didn't hold on, he'd be quickly swept away.

“Dr. Nicoretti told me about your mother. I'm sorry she passed away.”

Sabatino looked annoyed. “This is ill-timed, Finn. And you're a bit late with your concern, which is none of your business, anyway. Uncle has a very big mouth.”

“Why do you think the Foxers are here? What did the Nuccis do, what happened in the past?”

“What happens,” Sabatino said, his eyes dark with anger in the dim lamplight, “if I stick you in the belly right here? Who'd ever know, and who'd ever care?”

“Me, for one. You, for another. If I'm not here, you'll have to take the Foxers on yourself.”

Sabatino looked delighted. He hadn't thought of that.

“Let's get at it then, brother in arms. Can the pretty stand by herself, or will you carry her into combat?”

“I can stand just fine,” Letitia said, possibly awake for some time. “And don't call me a pretty, that's not all I am.”

“My pardon, then,” Sabatino said with a bow. “I am in your debt, ma'am.”

“You're in the soup, both of you,” Julia said with a screech and a howl, “if you don't take heed right now!”

The Foxers were on them then as quickly as that, making odd little sounds, little coughs, little hacks, waving their blades about. And, Finn noted, wearing their silly black masks, so no one could guess just who they might be …