“Isn’t there anything you don’t like about Las Vegas?”
He looked thoughtful. “Well, they don’t have a Burgersaurus. But no place is perfect.”
“Gee, I don’t know.” It was fun toying with him.
“Avy, I picked out a little place to visit in case you turned up. It’s called the Silver Bell Wedding Chapel. I don’t need anything traditional for me. I’m not orthodox. What do you say?”
She didn’t have to speak a word. She let her eyes answer.
Chapter 25
The Xanadu Theater was filled to capacity on opening night. A war hero, the mayor, several celebrities, even Pinky Donaldson’s entire showgirl troupe showed up. Of course, Pinky and the girls hadn’t come to watch Avy perform. The Amazing Sebastian had never looked more handsome or charming. There were more than a few moist undies in the audience that night. The show had gone off without a hitch. Well, except for one glitch. Avy had been required to fling her top hat into the air to perform the celebratory farewell when the curtain began to drop. Whether the fault resulted from the opening night jitters, a surplus of adrenalin, or with the costume design, the result was the same. Avy threw her breasts out of her costume top in front of sixty-five hundred attendees—the largest show audience in Las Vegas history. Of course, it being a Las Vegas crowd, the audience demanded an encore, thinking it was part of the act. Avy did manage to recover, but failed to cool Sebastian down backstage before he went looking for the costume designer with murder in his heart and vengeance on his mind.
The second show closed at eleven that night. Nothing extraordinary happened except for the elevated decibel level attributed to a wilder, boozier crowd. A tornado of panties, motel keys, love letters, and flowers ended up on the stage. The debris was so thick they had to use push brooms to remove it. When the curtain fell, Sebastian traipsed off through the wing, still obsessed with finding the costume seamstress.
One special guest, sitting in the furthest row in the back, approached the stage when most of the theater had cleared. The man held the largest bouquet of roses Avy had ever seen. She jumped off the stage to wrap her arms around Janus.
“I’ve missed you so much,” said Avy. “I’m so glad you came. I could feel you in the audience. I’m so sorry I didn’t—”
He put a finger on her lips. “You did everything right, daughter. There is nothing to be sorry about. You’ve arrived right where you were supposed to be—this place, this moment, into the arms of the man you love. This is the first time that I have been here with these flowers. It’s been a long journey, but we’ve arrived on the last page of this new beginning.”
She heaved a great sigh. “Then I guess it’s great to be home. For good.”
“For good,” he echoed, then linked his arm with hers. They walked up onto the stage. As they strolled through the wing, they spoke of many things. Some of the things they talked about concerned distant realms while other subjects explored victories, tragedies, timelines, and alternate histories. He enlightened her about the Conjurers—Sebastian’s folk, who they were and where they had come from. He explained the riddle of the Sun and the Moon, the Key in between. She listened with rapt attention, knowing that one day she would know it all, just like he’d promised. She also confessed that she had a lot more to learn because being a Gate-Walker held a special privilege.
“I think I know what my purpose is now, Father,” she said.
“No regrets or recriminations?” he asked.
“No, Father. I’m very happy now. I have everything I’ve always wanted. Where do you go from here?”
“Wherever there is trouble,” he said. He whispered something in her ear before raising his voice. “Once you’re settled, you’ll make pilgrimages too. It’s part of your calling. There is no shortage of heartache or misery in today’s world. For every shining divinity that abides by the light, there is an Emmaus, a Wax Man, to cast them into darkness. Part angel, part warrior, your days will be long but they will not be forever. Gird yourself now, for you will become ancient. Those of your ‘today’ will pass before you like flowers that have wilted under a sweltering sun. When your time comes to pass through the last Life Gate, you’ll combine souls with your mother.”
“I’m looking forward to that day with mother,” she said with a wistful swoon. “Gosh, I guess I’ll always be able to stay young for Sebastian no matter how old I get. Lucky him.” Then she looked perplexed. “If we have a child, Father, just exactly what will it be?”
He whispered again in her ear.
“No kidding? Now why does that sound like a leprechaun?” I can read your thoughts right now. You’re reminding me of a promise I made to someone. No, I will never abuse the privilege. Yes, I’ll learn much more about the Sun and the Moon, the Key in between. I promise you I will.
“That gladdens my heart,” said Janus. He held her shoulders. “Until I see you again, daughter.” He gave her a cheek a gentle kiss. He turned around, then walked through the folds in the stage drapes. They ruffled once, and lay still. A small piece of paper skittered across the floor.
Avy heard heavy thumps upon the stage. Sebastian emerged from around the corner. “There you are. Where have you been?”
“Sebastian, please don’t torment the costume seamstress. It wasn’t her fault. It was just the excitement. As for me, I’ve been talking with Janus. We had a nice visit. See?” She held out the bouquet of roses.
“How come I missed him?” Sebastian screwed up his face. “Damn it! He never wants to visit with me anymore. Where did he go?”
“Somalia. Then he’s off to Iraq. Don’t worry. You have to learn how to relax a little. You’re so intense.”
“I guess you’re right. I’ll take stress classes or something.” He looked at her with expectant eyes. “Avy? You have that crooked little smile on your face again. You’re up to something.”
She dithered. “I was just wondering about visiting hours. I have to keep a promise. There’s somebody I have to see.”
Sebastian held up his hands in surrender. “Sweetheart, I swear I’m not going to bug you about it or try to stop you. I won’t even ask you how long you’ll be gone. Just have a safe trip. Bring me back a souvenir or a hamburger. But damn it. I don’t know what I’m going to do without you. Again!”
“You’ll just have to get used to it,” she said with a sly wink. She handed him the bouquet.
Avy raised her wrist to her face to look at the compass. She stepped toward a closed fire exit door. “I won’t be long, love. Here’s a question for you that will give you something to think about until I get back. When we have a baby, try to guess what she or he will be. Chew on that one.”
###
Sebastian started to speak, but it was too late. He watched her dematerialize when she stepped through the heavy metal door.
He pointed an accusing finger. “Now that’s cheating.”
There could be heard a young woman’s laughter in the air over his head. It was almost a cackle, raising then lowering in volume. The voice stretched into a thin whisper, fading with the Doppler.
He hunched his shoulders in surrender and mumbled, “Looks like from here on out life’s going to be pure magic.”
The End
The War Gate Page 35
