“Thank you.” Zani’s eyes teared up. There was so much more she wanted to say, but she didn’t think they had the time. It was time for them to go.
“Will you take it to Catalina and give it back to Ondalune now?” Zani asked. She reached back inside the bag, intending to pull the amulet out and hand it to him.
He gave her an odd look and shook his head sadly. Then he held his hand up to halt her.
“I’m sorry. I assumed…” Zani hesitated. “Is she … is she no longer alive?”
“She is alive, and quite well.” Burnside corrected her. “And I’ve told her to expectyou.”
“Me?” Zani asked, confused. “Why would I bring the stone to her? She’s your niece. You’ve been watching over her all this time!”
“Because, my dear.” Burnside touched her cheek tenderly. “The bloodstone amulet is tangled in your family history as well now, and we both have a chance to make things right.”
Suddenly, with a massive jerk and a screech of brakes, the train juddered to a halt.
“I’m afraid this is my last trip,” Burnside said, squeezing Zani’s hand. “I’m out of time.”
The wall behind him rippled like the surface of a pond. Zani watched, horrified, as he dipped his left leg in. She clung to his hand.
“But where will you go?” She felt tears welling up.
“I’d like to think there’s a Monte Cristo sandwich waiting for me on the other side of this port.” Burnside smiled mysteriously as he slid his left arm and shoulder into the rippling wall.
“Don’t go, Burnside!” Zani begged. “Please don’t leave me here alone.”
“Don’t worry. Will should be along any time now.” Burnside’s eyes were taking on an otherworldly cast, as if he was looking at something that he could see and she could not. His smile grew wider as she felt him slipping something into the palm of her hand that was still grasping his. It was the key fob with the charms. She saw now that there was also a small, shiny airship-shaped key attached as well as what looked like a dog whistle. “The dirigible won’t be far. You can summon it with the whistle. Don’t worry, I left all the papers and the manual with Will.”
She struggled to hold on to him, but his fingers were growing slippery, and somehow less solid. He stepped back another step and his other leg and chest disappeared. Only his face remained.
“Farewell, Zani. Please tell Minodaura I’m sorry. There’s a slight chance she might…”
But he didn’t get to finish what he was saying as he slipped through the wall.
By the time she felt the welcome pressure of Will’s familiar hand on her shoulder, all she could see was Burnside’s goofy smile, and even that was fading fast.
“Farewell, Porter.” Will saluted.
And then he wrapped his arms around her.
People fear time travel because they fear change. But here’s the secret that porting has taught me: What’s meant to be has already happened, is happening, and will happen again. Your essence has echoes. Your potential is infinite. You’re not changing fate when you time travel. You’re fulfilling it.
BURNSIDE PORTER,THE WAY OF THE LEY
Chapter32
The Porter’s Gift
“Ican’t believe you came.” Zani spun around to embrace Will. “Oh, Will!” she sobbed into his shoulder. “How did you know where to find me?”
“Shhhh,” he comforted her. “I told you I’d come for you anywhere, anywhen, didn’t I?” He placed his hands on her shoulders. “I meant it then, and I still mean it now.”
“How did you know I came back to the train to–? ”
“Burnside left me a note,” Will interrupted. “He told me he was bringing you here.”
The train lurched forward, throwing Zani into Will as it fired back up.
“We should go.” Zani peeked into the corridor. “I’ll be coming out of my compartment any moment now.”
