“Just Suria is fine,” Julia sighed.
“I would hear Dave’s plan,” Night Thorn spoke from the other end of the table. She streamed into a large-screened datapad, propped on a stand so she could see everything. She had created a face for herself combining human and Pirr features—and a mop of thick hair inspired by Yeti fur. “How do you propose we stop this necromancer when we are weak?”
“Thank you, Prin the Dwarf.” The Yeti grinned. Coraolis and Dante stole looks at Jack, and both shrugged. “Your skill will be most valued. Dave proposes to use masonry to seal off all entrance to the evil one’s lair, then recruit priests to sanctify grounds all around. This will stop bad priest’s evil reign until we become strong to fight him.”
Julia looked thoughtful. Dante looked amused. Isabel and Khiann returned from the kitchen, balancing large bowls of popcorn and drinks, which they passed around.
“What happened? Did we decide?” Isabel asked.
Khiann scoffed. “They are entertaining the Yeti’s plans, even though Dave has a demonstrably low Intelligence rating.”
Bava gave her a sly look that Jack nearly missed. He pretended to pick a die off the floor so no one would see him fight back laughter.
“It is not polite to discuss one’s attributes,” Bava told her, wagging a furry finger.
Jack straightened and cleared his throat, his face warm. “Either way, folks, we’re at the end of what I have prepped. Let me know what you decide so I can prepare for next week.”
“Bava, will you still be here next week?” Isabel asked.
“Of course! Bava has not visited New Orleans or the Chicago. Friend Jack vowed to take Bava to the Land of Disney too.” Bava grinned, his eyes sparkling. “Bava shall remain on Earth until New Year to experience the celebrations.”
“Bava’s never been on vacation before,” Dante added. “He wants to do everything at the same time.”
“When will Bava again be on the wonderful Earth? Only fate knows.”
The game broke up, but Khiann made everyone stay until they had eaten the popcorn she and Isabel had just made. Afterward, Jack packed his books and dice, looking at Khiann in the corner of his eye. She hadn’t cracked a smile all night, yet she was the most relaxed she’d been since Cavey. She’d been exiled from Pirr and had decided to stay on Earth for now.
The Pirr seemed depressed perhaps, but everyone in the group made special efforts to be kind to her. The Evolved had all been in her position once, and they were living proof of hope for her future. Besides, without her galaxy-wide dispatch, where would they be? Slaves to Wyrms perhaps?
“Are you doing okay?” he asked her. “How are the others?”
Khiann had chosen exile over returning to Hoi for trial. The priest, Unnua, had broken with the church after seeing the evil of the Wyrms. Other Pirr followed. Earth gave them asylum, at least for now.
“We are exiles. We may never go home unless we seek our deaths.” Khiann shrugged, and the cloud passed from her face. “I am humbled by Earth’s generosity, and honored by your friendship.”
“Same here.” Jack clasped her shoulder. “Let me know if you need anything.”
“Of course.” Khiann got up and turned away, ears wilting. That meant she was embarrassed. Time to let it go.
Jack stepped on the patio for some fresh air before leaving. The cool winds broke up the August humidity, bringing him the scents of the city: street vendors, trees in the park, and other, less pleasant odors. It smelled like home.
The door slid open behind him, and Isabel stepped onto the balcony. She offered him one of her beers and leaned against the railing beside him.
“Finally home.” She sipped her drink and craned her head, looking for stars. “Are you happy?”
“Absolutely.” Jack followed her gaze and noticed the brightest object in the sky was a satellite in orbit. “We’re all Earthside again for a few years, assuming the peace holds. We’re all due.”
“What will you do?”
“Well, I’m not much of a teacher, and I don’t want to be a guinea pig forever.” He smirked and nudged her. “I thought I’d write about the Pirr Conflict, my life as a Mystic…something.”
“I’d love to read it. I have to wonder what goes on inside that head of yours,” she teased. “That’s one way to find out, right?”
“It might be,” he chuckled. He turned and looked at her. “What do you want to know?”
“Hmm. Well…I thought you would ask me a question when you got back, but maybe you’ve forgotten.”
“Well, you know…” he trailed off, but kept looking at her. “Maybe you better ask me, just so we’re on the same page.”
She laughed. “So coy, Jack Gagnon? Fine, okay. Will you have lunch with me tomorrow? As a date?”
His face broke into a smile so wide he thought he might pull his face muscles. “Izzy, I would be delighted.”
She beamed at him. “Good. Don’t stay out here all night.” She poked him and went back into the apartment.
He restrained the urge to shout in joy at everyone on the block. He smiled up at the sky, then he went inside too. His grin hadn’t gone away, and it earned him a look from Dante.
Khiann and Isabel stood in the kitchen, Izzy showing Khiann how to make a peanut butter and jelly sandwich, saying something about how jelly should never be first.
“Why?” Khiann’s gaze studied the process. She looked deep in contemplation.
Jack went to the table and dropped into a seat. “So what now?”
“Now we feast,” Bava informed him, shoving a bowl of popcorn into Jack’s hands. “Bava is not so fond of the popped corn. It sticks in Bava’s teeth.”
“Ah, so now we know one food item that’s safe,” Dante joked and pretended to flinch when Bava snarled at him.
“Let’s play another game,” Coraolis said. “I’ve got a classic. Anyone up for Pandemic?”
“This is the name of a game?” Night Thorn asked, then nodded as she looked it up for herself on the apartment’s data connection. “Ah, I see. We cooperate to defeat disease. I would like to try this.”
“Agreed,” Bava rumbled.
Jack decided he could go home later. He nodded and shoved some popcorn in his mouth while Coraolis fetched the game. He looked across the table at Julia, and she smiled.
“What’re you thinking?” she asked.
“Just that it’s good to be home.”
Julia nodded knowingly.
Coraolis returned and opened the game box. Cards were passed out, rules explained, and Jack felt contentment wash over him. His best friends sat all around him, and the galaxy was at peace. He couldn’t ask for more than that.
Author Notes – Valerie Emerson
May 7, 2019
If you’re here, you’ve reached the end of the book. Thank you for sticking with me. I feel very lucky to be here and grateful to everyone who came along for the ride.
I spent my winter with the Mystics and their friends, and I’m going to miss them. Writing their story has been one of the most challenging and satisfying experiences of my life. I’m grateful to Craig Martelle for giving me this shot, and to our eagle-eyed editor and insightful beta readers. This series wouldn’t be half as good without them.
The Mystics are in for a much-deserved rest, but their world is full of wonders and dangers. The universe could call them back to action at any time, and I’d love to return to this world someday. If you enjoyed this book, I hope you’ll support us by posting a review and sharing with your friends.
It’s still early in the year, and you can expect to find more stories from me soon. In the meantime, if you like the Mystically Engineered series, you may like the anthologies that include some of my stories. I’ve got links to them all on my Amazon author page and on my website.
Thanks again for reading.
—Valerie
Author Notes - Craig Martelle
Written May 15, 2019
Thank you for reading this series. I
t doesn’t get any better than that.
Again a monster thank you to Valerie for her work in making this story come to life. We have been working on this project for a long time and it’s bittersweet to see a series come to a conclusion.
We’ve gone through the trials and tribulations as the characters have grown, and I’d like to think that we’ve grown with them as well. Are we better today than we were yesterday? I surely hope so as that is what I strive for.
So many more stories to tell, but not in the universe of Mystics and dragons. Those will be in your mind as you think about what was and what could be.
We are storytellers, after all. Each and every one of us.
Peace, fellow humans.
Craig Martelle’s other books (listed by series)
Terry Henry Walton Chronicles (co-written with Michael Anderle) – a post-apocalyptic paranormal adventure
Gateway to the Universe (co-written with Justin Sloan & Michael Anderle) – this book transitions the characters from the Terry Henry Walton Chronicles to The Bad Company
The Bad Company (co-written with Michael Anderle) – a military science fiction space opera
End Times Alaska (also available in audio) – a Permuted Press publication – a post-apocalyptic survivalist adventure
The Free Trader – a Young Adult Science Fiction Action Adventure
Cygnus Space Opera – A Young Adult Space Opera (set in the Free Trader universe)
Darklanding (co-written with Scott Moon) – a Space Western
Judge, Jury, & Executioner – a space opera adventure legal thriller
Rick Banik – Spy & Terrorism Action Adventure
Become a Successful Indie Author – a non-fiction work
Metamorphosis Alpha – stories from the world’s first science fiction RPG
The Expanding Universe – science fiction anthologies
Shadow Vanguard – a Tom Dublin series
Enemy of my Enemy (co-written with Tim Marquitz) – A galactic alien military space opera
Superdreadnought (co-written with Tim Marquitz) – an AI military space opera
Metal Legion (co-written with Caleb Wachter) – a galactic military sci-fi with mechs
End Days (co-written with E.E. Isherwood) – a post-apocalyptic adventure
Mystically Engineered (co-written with Valerie Emerson) – dragons in space
Monster Case Files (co-written with Kathryn Hearst) – a mystery adventure series
If you liked the story, please write a short review for me on Amazon. I greatly appreciate any kind words, even one or two sentences go a long way. The number of reviews an ebook receives greatly improves how well an ebook does on Amazon.
If you liked this story, you might like some of my other books. You can join my mailing list by dropping by my website at www.craigmartelle.com where you’ll always be the first to hear when I put my books on sale. Or if you have any comments, shoot me a note at [email protected]. I am always happy to hear from people who’ve read my work. I try to answer every email I receive.
Amazon: www.amazon.com/author/craigmartelle
BookBub: www.bookbub.com/authors/craig-martelle
Facebook: www.facebook.com/authorcraigmartelle
My web page: www.craigmartelle.com
Dragon Redemption Page 17
