{"id":447,"date":"2026-01-03T20:40:00","date_gmt":"2026-01-03T20:40:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/epub-book.com\/download\/piers-anthony-xanth-44-skeleton-key-anthony-piers\/"},"modified":"2026-01-03T20:40:00","modified_gmt":"2026-01-03T20:40:00","slug":"piers-anthony-xanth-44-skeleton-key-anthony-piers","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/epub-book.com\/download\/piers-anthony-xanth-44-skeleton-key-anthony-piers\/","title":{"rendered":"Piers, Anthony – Xanth 44 – Skeleton Key – Anthony, Piers"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Book Preview<\/h3>\n
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Chapter 1<\/p>\n

Squid<\/p>\n

Squid paused as she passed a quiet pond in a glade, admiring herself in the reflection. She looked exactly like a normal, unremarkable, human eleven-year-old girl who might start turning pretty in a couple more years if she worked at it. Dull brown hair, faded gray eyes, turned up nose. Nobody who was anybody would look twice at her, maybe not even one and a half times. \u201cGreat!\u201d she exclaimed, snapping her fingers.<\/p>\n

\u201cHello!\u201d<\/p>\n

She turned. There was a nondescript boy, about twelve, emerging from a path leading to the pond. He was calling to her. \u201cYes?\u201d she answered cautiously.<\/p>\n

\u201cDon\u2019t worry,\u201d he said as he approached. \u201cI\u2019m not going to molest you. I\u2019m twelve, too young for that. Maybe next year.\u201d<\/p>\n

She simply stared at him, delivering The Look. She had practiced it for just such an occasion. Not that she could be molested by him or anyone; she was pretty much proof against that.<\/p>\n

\u201cThat was a joke,\u201d he said, suddenly uncomfortable.<\/p>\n

\u201cSome jokes aren\u2019t funny.\u201d But she had made her point. \u201cYou called to me. Who are you and what do you want?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m Zero. My talent is to zero in on things. I practice it all the time. Today I am zeroing in on importance, and I got a strong signal, so I followed where it led.\u201d He paused, confused. \u201cYou don\u2019t look like much.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWell, I am<\/span> not much,\u201d she retorted.<\/p>\n

\u201cOh, but you are! At least you\u2019re supposed to be.\u201d<\/p>\n

This was curious. \u201cSupposed to be what?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThe most important person in the universe. But you look like an ordinary girl.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThank you,\u201d she said coolly. That was, after all, exactly what she was trying to look like, but he didn\u2019t mean it as a compliment. \u201cSo your talent must have misfired this time.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNo. It\u2019s right on target. Maybe I\u2019m misunderstanding.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cMaybe,\u201d she agreed, becoming intrigued. \u201cMaybe I\u2019m going to grow up to be the most beautiful creature, but I\u2019m not there yet.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s for sure. Right now your panties wouldn\u2019t freak out anyone.\u201d That was a not-so-secret weapon women had in Xanth: when men became obnoxious, the girls could lift their skirts and flash their panties, and any man who saw them freaked out until someone snapped their fingers or did something else to jolt them out of it, by which time the girls would be safely gone.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m not wearing any panties.\u201d<\/p>\n

Zero laughed, embarrassed. He tried to peek under her skirt without seeming to, but didn\u2019t succeed. \u201cThat must explain it. But it leaves the mystery of why you are so overwhelmingly important. What is your talent?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t have any talent. At least not a magic one.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cBut everyone in Xanth has a magic talent,\u201d he protested. \u201cIt\u2019s in the Big Book of Rules the Good Magician has. Everyone knows that.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNot me,\u201d she said. \u201cThe rule is that everyone either has magic, or is<\/span> magic. I\u2019m the latter.\u201d<\/p>\n

He looked at her more carefully. \u201cAre you sure? You sure look human. Are you a lady elf or something?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNo. I have no human ancestry at all.\u201d<\/p>\n

He shook his head, perplexed. \u201cThen what are you?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m an alien cuttlefish.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAre you teasing me? Those are sea creatures.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNo. I wear a human form when I\u2019m on land, and in the water too, usually. But it\u2019s only a form. That\u2019s why you couldn\u2019t see under my skirt: it\u2019s more apparent than real. My clothing is merely colors.\u201d<\/p>\n

He actually blushed. He of course had thought his sneak peek attempt was not noticed. Boys tended to be unsubtle; it took them decades to become truly sneaky. That was why women were so effective in managing them. \u201cShow me your real form, then.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNo.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cJust your form without clothing, then.\u201d<\/p>\n

Another way to get a peek? \u201cNo.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou are<\/span> teasing me! You\u2019re no alien creature.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cSo my terrific importance remains a mystery.\u201d<\/p>\n

He laughed. \u201cI admit it. You\u2019re a huge mystery.\u201d<\/p>\n

Then Squid saw something. \u201cFreeze,\u201d she said urgently. \u201cThere\u2019s a stink horn behind you. Don\u2019t step on it.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOh, come on<\/span>. I won\u2019t fall for that,\u201d he said, stepping back. \u201cBig joke.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNo,\u201d she said, alarmed. \u201cThere really is!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHa. Ha.\u201d Then his heel came down on the stink horn. It made a foul-smelling noise, and a filthy brown stench emerged from it. \u201cOops!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cRun!\u201d she cried. \u201cI\u2019ll distract it!\u201d <\/p>\n

Zero didn\u2019t argue. The noxious cloud was already reaching for his legs. He bolted for the forest. No one wanted to be smeared by such a stink.<\/p>\n

Squid went into action. \u201cNyaa! Nyaa! Can\u2019t get meee!\u201d she cried.<\/p>\n

Annoyed, the cloud roiled toward her, swelling dangerously. Traces of garbage flashed dully in its bulges, such as decaying eggshells melted by the rot inside them.<\/p>\n

Squid dived into the pond and swam, shedding her clothing, which was indeed more apparent than real. The cloud boiled after her, across the surface. The water recoiled from the fetor, forming a dent, but couldn\u2019t escape.<\/p>\n

She could readily have outdistanced the smelly cloud, but she didn\u2019t. It still could reverse and go after the boy. She lingered to tease it more. \u201cYou think you\u2019re so awful? You\u2019re just a blob of nothing!\u201d<\/p>\n

The cloud turned an angry, dirty red and forged on after her, extruding streamers of crud. Oh, it was mad!<\/p>\n

Then she saw something else. It was a loan shark, attracted by the commotion. That was a real danger; she knew it would take an arm and a leg if she let it. Not that she had arms or legs, but it could still seriously hurt her.<\/p>\n

She dived, reverting to her natural squid form; mainly eight long limbs like tentacles. She jetted a small cloud of ink. The shark snapped at the ink, but she was already dodging around and beyond it. She could actually handle a shark, if it wasn\u2019t too big, by wrapping her tentacles around it and squeezing it until it surrendered, but right now it was more useful as a distraction.<\/p>\n

Meanwhile, the malodorous cloud caught up to the action, colliding with the shark. The shark snapped at it, getting a mouthful of stench. That got its attention, and the two faced each other, neither one accustomed to giving way. That was the distraction she needed, so Squid quietly swam to land, reformed as a girl, and clambered safely out.<\/p>\n

She paused to color-in her clothing, so as not to be mistaken for a juvenile nymph. Then she resumed her walk to the next glade, where she had a meeting. The epic battle between shark and cloud continued: she suspected that both parties would regret it. But at least she had saved Zero from a cruel stenching. He was an innocent boy, not deserving of punishment like that.<\/p>\n

That reminded her: why did Zero think she was so important? Obviously she wasn\u2019t, but it was curious that his magic had led him to her, which was the second minor mystery of her day so far.<\/p>\n

Now she wondered about the first one. Her brother Santo had quietly asked her to meet him here privately, away from the fire boat. It was not like him to be secretive. What was on his mind? So she had left the craft quietly, unnoticed, and set out on her nature walk, which had soon turned mildly adventurous.<\/p>\n

Then she arrived at the glade. Santo was there. He was a nondescript thirteen-year-old boy, on the verge of early manhood. He could have passed almost unnoticed in a group, and usually did, for the same reason as Squid; he was by no means ordinary, and did not want to attract attention. Three reasons: to start, he was really an unrecognized Magician; he was close to a genius; and he was gay. Their siblings and friends knew it, but were good at keeping secrets. \u201cGood enough, Squid. I was concerned by your delay.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI got distracted by a boy, a stink horn, and a loan shark. Sorry about that.\u201d <\/p>\n

He laughed. \u201cI\u2019m sure you handled them efficiently.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI did. But that reminds me; the boy\u2019s talent is to zero in on things. Today it was importance. He said I was the most important person in the universe. Isn\u2019t that crazy?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNo.\u201d<\/p>\n

Squid did a double-take. \u201cYou were supposed to laugh. You know I\u2019m an alien cuttlefish, so I\u2019m weird, but I\u2019m not important.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIt is not a joke,\u201d he said seriously. \u201cThat\u2019s why I needed to talk with you. There is serious mischief afoot, and you\u2019re in the center of it.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cMe! I\u2019m not out to make any trouble for anyone. You know that.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI know it. But you may not have a choice.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWell, I want a choice,\u201d she said stoutly.<\/p>\n

He didn\u2019t argue; that was not his way. \u201cTalk with Aria.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cPrincess Aria from the future? She\u2019s my friend, but she visits with Noe. You know that.\u201d<\/p>\n

Then she paused, because something odd was happening. A presence was joining her, in her mind. Hello, Squid<\/span>.<\/p>\n

\u201cAria! What are you doing in my head? We\u2019re friends, but you know my alien nature makes you sick.\u201d<\/p>\n

Not any more, <\/span>the princess said. That is, we remain friends, but I have learned how to be with you, at least briefly. It\u2019s important<\/span>.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt must be. What is it?\u201d<\/p>\n

You are the protagonist for this story.<\/span><\/p>\n

Squid rocked back. \u201cWhat?!\u201d It was tricky expressing both a question mark and an exclamation point together, but she managed it.<\/p>\n

You know I can\u2019t lie to you when I\u2019m in your mind. You\u2019re the main character.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI know you wouldn\u2019t lie to me anyway. Friends don\u2019t lie to each other, any more than siblings do. But I don\u2019t see how I can believe something so weird.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cBelieve her,\u201d Santo said, evidently knowing what Aria was telling her.<\/p>\n

\u201cBut this, this\u2014I\u2019m not even human!\u201d Squid protested. \u201cI can\u2019t<\/span> be the main character.\u201d<\/p>\n

That makes no matter mind. Accept it and move on.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThere\u2019s more?\u201d<\/p>\n

Much more. Santo will tell you.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThank you, Aria,\u201d Santo said, again picking up on what he couldn\u2019t hear.<\/p>\n

Bye. <\/span>And she was gone.<\/p>\n

\u201cNow hold on just a dogbone minute,\u201d Squid told Santo before he could open his mouth again. \u201cMy credulity is getting overloaded already, but Aria says there\u2019s a lot more you have to tell me.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYes. That is why I asked you to meet me here. There is much to impart.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cCan it wait? I think I need to sleep on this protagonist business, if it\u2019s true. I have no idea how to do it.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cTalk to Jess, when you return to the boat. She was the protagonist for the last story.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhere Xanth almost got taken over by the big bird, Ragna Roc. I remember. But she\u2019s off on a gig.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWe are about to transport her to a new performance site. She will be aboard when we return to the boat.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOh.\u201d That deflated Squid\u2019s argument. She was stuck for the rest of the news. \u201cOkay, let me have it. What am I going to be involved in, that makes me so infernally important?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cBecause you will be the protagonist, it is required that you either participate in, or be aware of, all relevant events.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou mean what everyone else is doing? When I\u2019m not even there?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYes.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAs if I could keep track of nine other children and scattered adults. This is already heading for a bust. Santo, I can\u2019t be in several places at once.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHence the addition of a special talent to your repertoire.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cMy repertoire! I hardly know what that word means! But from the context I think it means my collection of magic talents. I don\u2019t have even one talent.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou do now. Your shape-changing ability will be improved so that you can emulate any creature and any age, though you won\u2019t be able to change your mass.\u201d<\/p>\n

She smiled. \u201cHow about a big bird? Will I be able to fly?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYes, when you learn how. At first you may find it practical mostly to glide.\u201d<\/p>\n

This was shape-changing of a nature well beyond her present capacity. She was indeed being upgraded. \u201cIs that all?\u201d she asked humorously, as if it wasn\u2019t already way beyond any expectation she might have had.<\/p>\n

\u201cNo. It is incidental. The main addition is attuning.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIs what?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAttuning. When anyone speaks of you, you will hear it, and see it, though you can not affect it, and will remain attuned to the scene as long as their awareness of you remains. It is limited, and they will not know of your presence, but it should be effective for this purpose.\u201d<\/p>\n

She realized that Aunt Demoness Fornax must have done it, quietly upgrading her as she had done for the others before. But she felt unworthy. \u201cThis purpose of completely ruining a story by putting a nothing person into it.\u201d<\/p>\n

He looked at her severely. He had evidently perfected a Look of his own. \u201cIf you don\u2019t stop denigrating yourself, I will have to hug and kiss you.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou wouldn\u2019t dare,\u201d she said, laughing. \u201cHave you forgotten you\u2019re gay, and anyway I\u2019m your sister?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou are my sister, and I love you. That has nothing to do with romance, and everything to do with reassurance and support, which you seriously need.\u201d<\/p>\n

She considered that.\u00a0.\u00a0.\u00a0. then she crumpled. \u201cOh, darn,\u201d she sobbed. \u201cI\u2019m overwhelmed, and I haven\u2019t even heard the rest of it.\u201d<\/p>\n

Then he was holding her while she cried, and kissing her pretend hair, and it did help. There was no one closer to her than her four siblings, and he was the most significant of them, in part because he truly understood what it was like to be different. He knew her for what she was, an alien cuttlefish from the future, and loved her regardless. That counted phenomenally.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou are worthy, Squid,\u201d he murmured. \u201cOf this, and whatever else is to come. Never doubt it.\u201d<\/p>\n

After a suitable time she dried out. \u201cOkay, I think I\u2019m ready now. You know these things because Fornax is your adoptive mother. Sock the rest of it to me.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cMyst and Firenze are being upgraded too. They will have near Magician class talents, but must not show them unless absolutely necessary. All of you must help each other keep the secret.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWe do that anyway. We always help each other.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYes. But we may be severely tested. Something big is about to happen, and we will have to handle it without adult help.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cSomething big? What?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t know. I think even the Demons don\u2019t know the whole of it. But it will happen.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s scary.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYes.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat else?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cA special child is about to join us. You will have to help him.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWho? How?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHis name is Larry. You must be his nominal girlfriend.\u201d<\/p>\n

Squid was taken aback, again. \u201cHe\u2019s human? You know I can\u2019t be any human\u2019s girlfriend, because\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI said nominal. There is a parallel; the way Noe is my girlfriend.\u201d<\/p>\n

She took stock. \u201cNoe knows you are gay, but she plays along and helps cover for you when that will help. She even kisses you, making it look romantic. And you do like her, but\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cBut there will never be a true romance,\u201d he finished.<\/p>\n

\u201cSo is this Larry fellow gay too? So I need to pretend he\u2019s hot for me?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNot exactly. He\u2019s not gay.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThen what?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHe is transgender. A girl in a boy\u2019s body. Larry\u2019s true identity is female, Laurelai.\u201d<\/p>\n

Squid digested that. \u201cSo it\u2019s like a girl dating a girl, only not by preference.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYes. The two of you may on occasion need to embrace and even kiss, but it will never be a real romance, only a show.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cBecause I\u2019m a cuttlefish and he\u2019s a girl and that\u2019s nobody else\u2019s business.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYes.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cJust as you and Noe sometimes hug and kiss in public.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cExactly.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWell, if you can do it, I guess I can do it. But why do I have to? I mean, why bother to be a fake couple? Why can\u2019t he or she simply tag along with us for a while?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cBecause that will help conceal the secret. So that no one should suspect.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cSuspect what?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThat Fornax is taking up secret residence within the mind of Laurelai.\u201d<\/p>\n

Squid gazed at him, amazed again. \u201cAunt Fornax is going to be with him?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWith her. She can\u2019t associate in that manner with a male.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWith her, then. Why?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThe Demon Xanth suspects that another Demon is secretly interfering with the Land of Xanth. This is a trap to catch that Demon in the act.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThis is a Demon contest! We should steer the heck clear.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWe support Fornax.\u201d He looked at her. \u201cDon\u2019t we?\u201d<\/p>\n

Squid yielded. Now it was clear why this meeting had had to be private. Squid had to know, but it had to be secret. Who would ever suspect a female Demoness hiding in a male body? And of course the siblings supported Fornax; they owed her everything. \u201cWe do. But we need to tell the other siblings, because they will know the moment they touch him\/her. We don\u2019t want their surprise to give it away.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWe will tell them, quietly,\u201d Santo agreed.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhen do I meet Larry?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThis evening. I will take you there.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWill I stay with him?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNo. He has to go see the Good Magician Humfrey, who will assign him to the boat. That is when you will officially meet him.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cSo why don\u2019t I just wait for that, then?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cBecause you will need to explain things to him, privately,\u201d Santo said patiently. \u201cHe may not wish to cooperate. You will persuade him.\u201d<\/p>\n

This threatened to be even more of a challenge. \u201cPersuade him to take a girlfriend when he\u2019s not even really a boy, and not gay?\u201d<\/p>\n

Santo smiled. \u201cNoe persuaded me. Surely you can rise to the occasion.\u201d<\/p>\n

And Aunt Fornax, hidden in Laurelai\u2019s mind, would be watching. A challenge indeed! \u201cI will try,\u201d she promised bravely.<\/p>\n

\u201cI am sure you will. Larry will know that Fornax is there, but neither of you will ever speak of it thereafter. Not until the mission has been completed.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cGot it,\u201d she agreed.<\/p>\n

\u201cNow it is time to return to the boat. You will want to talk with Jess.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI will,\u201d she agreed, remembering.<\/p>\n

Santo walked to a rock by the side of the glade. He rolled it to one side. There, behind it, was the open mouth of a tunnel. \u201cAfter you, important person.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cSo that\u2019s how you got here unobserved,\u201d she exclaimed. \u201cYou made a tunnel.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s what I do,\u201d he agreed.<\/p>\n

It was indeed. That was his magic talent, tunneling; only it wasn\u2019t limited to small or local tunnels. He could also tunnel between worlds. Maybe between galaxies. That was why he was a Magician.<\/p>\n

\u201cThank you.\u201d She got on her hands and knees and crawled through the tunnel, not caring if he saw her nonexistent panties. Apart from being a sibling, why would he care?<\/p>\n

The passage was only a few feet deep. Then they emerged at the edge of another glade. But this one was in a completely different terrain. The tunnel had seemed short, but had actually covered a fair trek. All part of Santo\u2019s magic.<\/p>\n

When they were out, Santo turned and snapped his fingers. The tunnel disappeared. He was through with it.<\/p>\n

Ahead of them was Fibot, the Fire Boat they lived on. It looked like a beached rowboat, with a small mast for a sail, but that was deceptive. They walked to it, climbed over the gunwale, and stood on the small deck between the oars. <\/p>\n

There stood a small robot dogfish and a small black bird. The robot\u2019s face screen flashed. \u201cWelcome back, kids,\u201d the bird translated. \u201cWhat are you up to?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThat is private, Peeve,\u201d Santo said. \u201cThat\u2019s why we discussed it away from the boat.\u201d<\/p>\n

The screen flashed again. \u201cTata is annoyed,\u201d the peeve said.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe will share when we can,\u201d Santo said.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe love secrets,\u201d the peeve said. \u201cBut not from us.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWe don\u2019t mean to tease you,\u201d Squid said. \u201cIt\u2019s just that something came up unexpectedly, and we have to deal with it.\u201d<\/p>\n

The dogfish\u2019s screen showed a star going nova. He remained annoyed.<\/p>\n

They walked on to the hatch in the center and climbed down into it, using the handholds.<\/p>\n

And they were in the yacht. It was enormously larger than the rowboat, and far more modern. All part of the magic.<\/p>\n

\u201cAh, there you are, back from your walk in the wood.\u201d It was Nia, physically twenty-two years old, dark brown hair, gray eyes, so lovely she could make a passing man walk into a tree-trunk without realizing. Mentally she was sixty-two, having been severely youthened by an encounter with a youth spring, but they regarded that as private information. \u201cYou missed dinner, but I saved some for you.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThank you,\u201d Santo said. \u201cWe appreciate it.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou\u2019re up to something,\u201d Nia said perceptively. Sometimes her true age peeked through; she was far more knowledgeable than her appearance suggested.<\/p>\n

\u201cI have a private mission,\u201d Squid said. \u201cSanto filled me in on it.\u201d<\/p>\n

Nia glanced sharply at her. \u201cYou\u2019ve changed. You look the same, but you\u2019re different. What is it?\u201d<\/p>\n

Squid looked at Santo, uncertain what to say.<\/p>\n

\u201cThere\u2019s a new story beginning,\u201d Santo said. \u201cShe\u2019s the protagonist.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cBut please, it\u2019s private,\u201d Squid said quickly.<\/p>\n

\u201cAs you wish,\u201d Nia agreed. \u201cI\u2019m not one to pry. Not openly, anyway.\u201d<\/p>\n

They laughed. \u201cThank you,\u201d Squid said. Nia was highly observant, and her talent was to animate a pair of phantom eyes that floated anywhere she wished and observe things. Indeed, she did not need to do it openly.<\/p>\n

\u201cOh,\u201d Nia added. \u201cJess and Magnus boarded while you two were out. We\u2019ll take them to their next gig. It\u2019s routine. Just so you know.\u201d<\/p>\n

As Santo had known. \u201cI want to talk to Jess,\u201d Squid said.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m sure she\u2019ll be happy to see you again.\u201d<\/p>\n

The two ate quickly, then walked down the hall to the Jess and Magnus suite. Squid knocked.<\/p>\n

Jess answered. She was not an impressive woman at first glance. She had dirt brown hair, dull green eyes, and a dull figure. But Squid knew her, and saw a fine person. \u201cHello, Squid!\u201d Jess greeted her. \u201cIt\u2019s so nice to see you!\u201d<\/p>\n

It came across like a joke, but Squid knew better. It was Jess\u2019s curse that nobody took her seriously. To get around it, Magnus had finally renamed himself Nobody. That had worked wonderfully; they were believed to have a marvelous love life. Not that Nia would ever be so crass as to mention what her phantom eyes had seen. But she hadn\u2019t denied it when questioned.<\/p>\n

\u201cAnd you mean it,\u201d Squid said.<\/p>\n

\u201cOf course I do! You know that. That\u2019s one reason I like you and the siblings. You have learned to take me seriously.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYes,\u201d Squid agreed. \u201cI\u2014I think I need your advice.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOh, are you planning to become an entertainer? Do come in and talk.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cUh, not exactly,\u201d Squid said awkwardly as they entered and Santo faded discreetly into the background, as he often did. It was almost a secondary talent.<\/p>\n

Jess merely waited for her to continue.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou\u2014you were the protagonist for the last story, weren\u2019t you?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYes, undeserving as I was. It was quite an experience.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2014I understand I am to be the protagonist of the next story.\u201d<\/p>\n

Jess laughed, then quickly sobered. \u201cNow I\u2019m doing it; not taking you seriously. I apologize.\u201d But she glanced at Santo, who nodded from within his seclusion, confirming what Squid said. Jess and Santo had a special mutual respect for each other. \u201cAnd you have no idea how to proceed.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYes!\u201d Squid agreed. \u201cI mean, maybe there\u2019s been a mistake, and I\u2019ll mess it up. If it\u2019s true. It\u2019s so confusing.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI know exactly how that is,\u201d Jess said. \u201cBut now I understand it better. First, you have to realize that being the main character of a story does not necessarily mean you\u2019re important, or that you have to do anything special. You\u2019re just an observer, centrally placed so that those who read or hear the story later know what\u2019s going on. The viewpoint character. You\u2019re like a little recording camera. You can just go about your business as usual and it will work out. Many protagonists don\u2019t even know they\u2019re protagonists. So it must be simple, if they can do it without knowing. You can surely do it too.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cBut, but what if I am<\/span> important? A boy told me I was the most important person in the universe. I know that\u2019s ridiculous, but suppose any part of it is true?\u201d<\/p>\n

Jess glanced again at Santo, who nodded again. \u201cIt just might be true. Stranger things have happened. That suggests that more is going on than we know.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI guess. But how do I handle it?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s easy. You just ignore it. You must be the person who is fated to be in the midst of significant events, and as long as you see them happen, you have no further responsibility. You\u2019re the most important person in this story, pretty much by definition, because without you there wouldn\u2019t be<\/span> a story, but you\u2019re still just an observer. Relax and enjoy it.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAs men tell the girl who\u2019s about to be raped?\u201d Squid asked pointedly.<\/p>\n

Jess looked sharply at her. \u201cHow old are you?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cEleven. But the Adult Conspiracy doesn\u2019t address me perfectly, because I\u2019m an alien animal.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cSquid!\u201d Jess said, shocked. \u201cYou\u2019re a person<\/span>! Never forget that.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAnd the boy called me the most important person<\/span> in the universe.\u201d<\/p>\n

Jess sighed. \u201cI suppose I walked into that one. But important or not, being the protagonist is not rape. It\u2019s just a position.\u201d She paused, wincing. \u201cLet me rephrase that. It\u2019s just an outlook. All you have to do is observe, and that\u2019s the gist of it. You\u2019re probably best off simply putting it out of your mind. What will happen, will happen, regardless; it\u2019s not your responsibility to make it happen, just to watch as it goes by. Everything else is automatic, as the confusing events and thoughts somehow get organized into a coherent narrative. And in due course it will pass, and someone else will be the main character for the next story, and you\u2019ll be an anonymous has-been, as I am.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI hope it\u2019s soon,\u201d Squid said fervently. \u201cBut thank you, Jess; your advice does help. I will try to watch things go by without feeling responsible.\u201d<\/p>\n

Jess nodded. \u201cThere\u2019s something else. The protagonist normally winds up happy, no matter how scary it seems before the end of the story. With fame, or glory, or merely a nice boyfriend.\u201d She glanced at the bedroom where Magnus must be sleeping. \u201cSomething good. So at least you know you\u2019ll survive and prosper. That\u2019s a nice guarantee that few other folk have.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWho would want to be my boyfriend, except another cuttlefish? And I don\u2019t think I\u2019d want one of those. I\u2019ve been here too long.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThere will be something. Believe it,\u201d Jess said earnestly. \u201cI fell in love with Magnus, but thought he could never love me back, even if he wanted to. Because of my curse. But he found a way. You\u2019re a good girl, regardless of your origin or anatomy. There will be someone for you.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cLike maybe a boy who is really a girl and has to fake it,\u201d Squid said sourly.<\/p>\n

Jess glanced a third time at Santo, who nodded again. \u201cOh Squid, I\u2019m sorry. I think you have a hard course ahead. But I do believe it will all work out for you in the end, as it did for me. You just have to persevere.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAs if I had a choice,\u201d Squid said with resignation.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m sorry,\u201d Jess said. \u201cI\u2019m just trying to help.\u201d There was actually a tear of sympathy in her eye.<\/p>\n

But Squid was fed up. \u201cDon\u2019t bother.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cSquid,\u201d Santo said. \u201cRemember when I dissed Noe and you chided me?\u201d<\/p>\n

Squid remembered, and realized that she had just done the same to Jess, for no better reason. She was abruptly overwhelmed. \u201cOh, I\u2019m sorry, Jess! I\u2019m sorry.\u201d She dissolved into tears.<\/p>\n

Then Jess was holding her comfortingly. \u201cIt\u2019s all right, Squid. I understand. You\u2019re under a lot of pressure. It\u2019s all right.\u201d<\/p>\n

Squid glanced blurrily at Santo. \u201cIs it?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYes,\u201d he said with an eighth of a smile. \u201cBut don\u2019t do it again.\u201d<\/p>\n

Then they all had to laugh, albeit more from awkwardness than humor.<\/p>\n

\u201cWho decides who is the protagonist, anyway?\u201d Squid asked. \u201cThe Muse of History?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t believe so,\u201d Jess said. \u201cI understand that she was once a protagonist herself, and she didn\u2019t choose it. No, it seems to be some anonymous figure who has the mysterious power to do it.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIf I could believe that, I\u2019d have no trouble believing that we are all just figments of some fool\u2019s sick imagination.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cMe too,\u201d Jess agreed.<\/p>\n

They hugged again and parted. Squid did feel better, if only because it was clear that Jess had not only made it safely through her own protagonism, but that she sympathized.<\/p>\n

Then it was time to intercept Larry. \u201cI have made a tunnel,\u201d Santo said. \u201cTo the enchanted-path rest stop nearest the Good Magician\u2019s castle where Larry will soon arrive. Are you ready?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAs I\u2019ll ever be,\u201d Squid said.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou will have to acquaint him with the situation, and persuade him to accept you as his girlfriend. I will be there to help, but you are the central figure. More important, you must persuade Laurelai to agree to host Fornax.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI have to do that? I thought she was already there.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWe know she has to be there, but this will be news to Larry.\u201d<\/p>\n

Squid sighed. \u201cAlready, this is more of a challenge than I like.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI have a forget spell. You must persuade him; then once it is done, he must forget she is there. The siblings can be trusted to keep the secret, but Larry might otherwise let it slip. But it does have to be voluntary on his part.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWorse and worse.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cSquid,\u201d he said seriously. \u201cI believe that one reason you were chosen for this role is that you are at least somewhat objective, because of your alien nature. We believe you can handle it. Don\u2019t disappoint us.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWe<\/span>? You and who else?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cMe and Fornax.\u201d<\/p>\n

She knew he wasn\u2019t fooling, because Fornax was in effect Squid\u2019s aunt and Santo\u2019s mother. They were expecting a lot of a minor person. \u201cOh, blip! All I can promise is to try.\u201d<\/p>\n

He smiled. \u201cThat should be enough. Make yourself pretty.\u201d<\/p>\n

To impress Larry, she realized. Because boys of any age were always more amenable to pretty girls of any age, even children, foolish as that was. It was so obvious a ploy that no sensible person would fall for it. Except a boy. A girl did not need to be smart, just pretty. She shaped her features to be fine and even, and formed her simulated hair to be verging on lustrous. Now it was no longer dull brown, but glossy brown.<\/p>\n

Then the mouth of the tunnel opened and they stepped through to the rest stop. This was a pleasant enclosure beside a placid pond, with milkweeds and pie plants, and a modest wood shelter. It wasn\u2019t fancy, but it sufficed for travelers on their way to the Good Magician\u2019s Castle. It was enchanted like the path, so that there were no dangers to travelers, and folk could relax and sleep in peace.<\/p>\n

There was motion on the nearby path. Someone was approaching. \u201cYou\u2019re on,\u201d Santo said, fading back.<\/p>\n

\u201cOn the spot,\u201d Squid agreed, with resignation. Suppose she blew it? Would there be major consequences for the universe? She tried to suppress the thought, with incomplete success.<\/p>\n

The figure came to the entrance to the rest stop and paused. He was an unimpressive, nondescript boy with blue-black hair and eyes.<\/p>\n

Squid stepped forward. \u201cHello,\u201d she called. \u201cAre you stopping here?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI hope to, if it\u2019s not already taken.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOfficial rest stops are never taken, only shared. I won\u2019t be staying.\u201d She smiled, showing dimples and even white teeth. She had her girl form down pat. \u201cHello; I\u2019m Squid, age eleven, with the ability to change the appearance of my clothing.\u201d She made her seeming dress turn green, then red, then back to brown. It was the standard pattern of introduction: name, age, talent. She had not called it a talent, as it was not magic, merely part of the nature of a cuttlefish, but he was free to assume it was magic. That kind of thing enabled her to get along without actually lying.<\/p>\n

\u201cI am Larry, age twelve. My talent is to change my apparent physical age, though not my mental age.\u201d He demonstrated by becoming two years younger, then two years older. His clothing did not change with him, so it fit awkwardly during the alterations.<\/p>\n

So far, so good. \u201cI am traveling with my sibling, Santo,\u201d Squid said, indicating Santo, who stepped out of the shadow. \u201cHe\u2019s thirteen, and makes holes.\u201d Santo demonstrated by making a small hole through the trunk of a nearby tree, as if someone had driven a spike through it. This, too, was an evasion; strangers tended to assume that that was the extent of his talent. Then the hole faded, leaving the tree intact. \u201cWe stopped by here to meet you.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cMeet me?\u201d Larry asked. \u201cWhy? I\u2019m nobody special.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAh, but you must be,\u201d Squid said. \u201cYou\u2019re on your way to see the Good Magician, aren\u2019t you? Because that\u2019s where this path leads. That means you\u2019re special in some way.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cMaybe,\u201d Larry agreed guardedly. \u201cBut not in any way that should concern a pretty girl like you.\u201d<\/p>\n

She straightened up as if surprised. \u201cYou think I\u2019m pretty?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cLook in the water.\u201d<\/p>\n

She walked to the edge of the pond and peered in. And was amazed. She wasn\u2019t just pretty, she was beautiful! Her hair was a glorious tiara flowing around her face and framing her shoulders. Her face was fair in a manner she had never before achieved. And her body was seductively shapely for her age, with legs even a grown woman would envy. She had succeeded far beyond her expectation. \u201cWow! I didn\u2019t realize.\u201d But as she spoke, she realized that Santo hadn\u2019t been fooling about the enhancement of her ability to modify her appearance. It had expanded by a magnitude.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe bleep you didn\u2019t. A girl always knows. What do you want with me?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cFirst let\u2019s get to know each other better. Then we can get down to business.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhy?\u201d he demanded. \u201cYou\u2019re about to move on and we\u2019ll probably never see each other again. There\u2019s no sense in getting to know each other better. We\u2019re not about to be friends or associates. Just tell me what you want of me, we\u2019ll settle it one way or another, and go our separate ways.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t think so. Sit down, and we\u2019ll talk.\u201d She sat on the green turf, aware that her lifted knees showed an unconscionable amount of her thighs under her simulated skirt almost to her mock panties. He would pretend not to notice, of course, but he would sit too so he could look without seeming to. As a boy he couldn\u2019t help it. Squid and her sisters had verified that many times, teasing boys while pretending innocence. It was practice for when they would become women with potent panties.<\/p>\n

Larry sat, but he didn\u2019t bother to look. That reminded her that he was actually a girl. \u201cWhy don\u2019t you think so? I\u2019ve been walking all day, I\u2019m tired, and I want to eat, clean up, and sleep the night so I\u2019m refreshed for the Challenges of the Good Magician\u2019s Castle. So please make it quick and dirty.\u201d<\/p>\n

She smiled, knowing that the expression now had much more force than it had before her enhancement. \u201cTell me why you want to see the Good Magician.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNo. That\u2019s my business, not yours.\u201d<\/p>\n

He was not being swayed by her appearance, as any normal boy would be. She knew why, but needed to make him tell her, so he wouldn\u2019t know she already knew. \u201cIt is<\/span> my business. Tell.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou\u2019ve got some nerve! It\u2019s nothing that would interest you.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIt interests me. Look, I\u2019m pretty sure you\u2019re not what you seem, or you wouldn\u2019t be here. I think I\u2019m even less what I seem than you are. That\u2019s why we need to talk. The faster you tell me, the faster we\u2019ll settle things between us and I\u2019ll be gone. So if you really want to be rid of me, that\u2019s how, maybe.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cMaybe?\u201d he asked suspiciously.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhen we talk, you\u2019ll understand why.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAll right<\/span>!\u201d he exploded. \u201cAnything to be rid of you! But first tell me why you think you\u2019re less what you seem to be than I am.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cFair enough. I look like a girl, but I\u2019m not. I\u2019m an alien cuttlefish from the future.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHa ha. Prove it.\u201d He thought she was playing a game with him.<\/p>\n

Squid gambled that a startling demonstration would accomplish her purpose. She let go of her human girl format and reverted to her natural form: a cephalopod with eight arms with suckers, and two tentacles. \u201cAnd I eject black ink when I\u2019m in trouble in the water,\u201d she said with her un-human mouth.<\/p>\n

Now he stared. \u201cI admit it: you surprise me. But cuttlefish don\u2019t have lungs; how can you breathe and talk in air?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI said I am alien, not local. I have gills for the water, and lungs for the air. I use whichever is appropriate, or both. And I color my skin to look like hair and clothing.\u201d<\/p>\n

His doubt was suffering. \u201cHow did you come here, when this is obviously not your natural environment?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cMy family was touristing in future Xanth, nigh fifty years hence, when suddenly the end came. They barely had time to put me in a carriage in the hope of saving me, before they were lost, orphaning me. I was rescued by two unlikely females, and brought here. Now I have four others from that same doomed future who are unrelated human children, but we all love each other as siblings and would do anything for each other. Santo is one of them.\u201d<\/p>\n

Larry glanced at Santo. \u201cYou\u2019re human?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI am,\u201d Santo agreed. \u201cBut I recognize Squid as my sister, and yes, I would do anything for her.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cEven though you know she\u2019s really an alien cuttlefish?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThere\u2019s no \u2018though\u2019 about it. If you tried to hurt her, I would hurt you without hesitation.\u201d<\/p>\n

Larry nodded. \u201cBy making a hole through me. I get it. Don\u2019t worry; I\u2019m not out to hurt anyone.\u201d He looked at Squid. \u201cPlease, resume your human form, and answer one more question, and I promise I will tell you my story. I will even look at your panties if you want, though they won\u2019t freak me out.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOne more question,\u201d Squid agreed, seeing victory on the horizon.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe two unlikely females who rescued you: who are they?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI will tell you if you promise to keep it secret.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI promise,\u201d he said without hesitation.<\/p>\n

\u201cOne is a basilisk in human form called Astrid. Her direct glance is instantly lethal, so she normally wears a veil. But she\u2019s a very nice person, when you get to know her.\u201d<\/p>\n

Larry smiled. \u201cI\u2019m sure.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThe other is a capital D Demoness named Fornax.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cFornax! She\u2019s notorious!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cSo you know her reputation. But she too is a nice person when you get to know her, and I consider her my aunt.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAnd my adoptive mother,\u201d Santo said.<\/p>\n

\u201cAnd we would do anything for them,\u201d Squid said. \u201cNow you know.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAnd I am amazed.\u201d He paused, organizing himself. \u201cVery well. It is my turn. I am a girl in a boy\u2019s body. My name is Laurelai, but I use Larry for my male form. I am going to the Good Magician in the hope that he can get me into the right body, a female one.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAre we now talking to Laurelai?\u201d Santo inquired perceptively.<\/p>\n

Larry\u2019s face smiled. \u201cYes, now that I have unmasked myself.\u201d<\/p>\n

Squid nodded. \u201cSo you\u2019re like me, in one respect: you look ordinary, but you\u2019re not at all what you appear to be.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cExactly. So you are perhaps in a position to understand my situation.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYes. So is Santo.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhy?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cBecause he\u2019s gay.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s not the same thing. I would like to date a suitable boy, when I am of age, but that\u2019s because I\u2019m a girl.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cDon\u2019t worry,\u201d Squid said, smiling. \u201cSanto doesn\u2019t want to date you.\u201d <\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s a relief!\u201d She glanced at him. \u201cNo offense.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNone taken, of course.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cSanto doesn\u2019t want to date you,\u201d Squid repeated. \u201cI do.\u201d<\/p>\n

There was a sudden pained silence. Then Laurelai spoke. \u201cThat\u2019s why you intercepted me? No way!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s the least of it, but let me explain. Santo has a girlfriend. Her name is Noe. Its mainly just for show, so he doesn\u2019t have to keep explaining himself to sometimes hostile strangers with ignorant opinions. They like each other, they understand each other, they make it look romantic, but it\u2019s not. It\u2019s protective coloration. You need something similar, and I\u2019m it.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t need any such thing! All I need is to achieve my true physical form. As it is, my talent is limited, because when I age beyond puberty the body starts getting these awful male notions I can\u2019t stand.\u201d<\/p>\n

Squid hadn\u2019t thought of that before. A girl getting stuck with boy notions when she saw panties or whatever\u00a0.\u00a0.\u00a0. that could be awkward. She couldn\u2019t blame Laurelai for avoiding it.<\/p>\n

But that was not her concern at the moment. \u201cI think you do need it, because of the rest of it.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat are you talking about?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThis is more that is secret.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI will keep your secret,\u201d Laurelai said with resignation.<\/p>\n

\u201cThere is something big brewing, and they need a hidden Demon to sneak in and find out what\u2019s going on, because maybe there\u2019s a foreign Demon messing in Xanth.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI can see that would be a challenge. But what does it have to do with me, or with me having a pretend girlfriend?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cFornax needs a host.\u201d She waited while Laurelai worked it out.<\/p>\n

\u201cA female Demon would need a female host. I still don\u2019t see the relevance to me. I\u2019m no good for that, because my body is male.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cBut you<\/span> are female. Who would ever suspect?\u201d<\/p>\n

Laurelai had difficulty even saying it. \u201cYou want me to host a Demon? Because she could join me despite my male body?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYes. And I will be your girlfriend because that will indicate that you are what you look like, a boy. It\u2019s all fake, but necessary to fool the enemy Demon.\u201d<\/p>\n

She shook her male head. \u201cI\u2019d rather just have the Good Magician find me a better body.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cMaybe he will\u2014if you do this chore first. You know there\u2019s always a price for his help.\u201d<\/p>\n

Larry sighed. \u201cSo that\u2019s how it is.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s how it usually is,\u201d Santo said. \u201cBut there\u2019s more.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhy am I not surprised? You folk are a font of oddities.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou must never reveal Fornax\u2019s presence to anyone outside your body,\u201d Santo said. \u201cYou can\u2019t use any of her powers or give any hint. To ensure that, I will use a forget spell on you so that you don\u2019t even know she is with you.\u201d<\/p>\n

Squid knew he wasn\u2019t bluffing; he must have a spot forget spell with him.<\/p>\n

\u201cI haven\u2019t even agreed to do it!\u201d Laurelai exclaimed. \u201cAlready you are making conditions.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThis is important,\u201d Santo said evenly.<\/p>\n

\u201cI am coming to believe it,\u201d Laurelai said. \u201cVery well, let me meet her first. Then I\u2019ll decide.\u201d<\/p>\n

Santo closed his eyes for a moment. \u201cMother?\u201d he asked of the sky. Then he nodded. \u201cTouch me,\u201d he said to Laurelai.<\/p>\n

Laurelai stepped to him and touched his hand. And froze, eyes closed. \u201cOh, my,\u201d she breathed.<\/p>\n

Squid realized that Santo had made the connection for Fornax, so that she could locate and join Laurelai. The hidden girl was now meeting the hidden Demoness directly. What would be the outcome?<\/p>\n

Then Laurelai opened her eyes. \u201cI love her. We are friends already. But there is one thing; I don\u2019t want to forget her. I want to be able to commune with her anytime.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNo,\u201d Santo said.<\/p>\n

\u201cWait,\u201d Squid said. \u201cLaurelai is lonely. She has to be, hiding in a boy\u2019s body with no one for company. She\u2019s doing us an enormous favor. She deserves this.\u201d<\/p>\n

Santo hesitated. \u201cMother?\u201d he asked.<\/p>\n

Now the body changed, becoming infinitely more mature and formidable. It spoke. \u201cI am here, son.\u201d It was Fornax! \u201cShe wants a companion who understands. I was lonely too, for millennia, the loneliest of all the Demons, until I made friends with Astrid, and became aunt to the siblings and mother to one, and married another Demon. I remember. I would like to have another friend.\u201d<\/p>\n

Santo paused, working it out. \u201cThen a compromise; commune, but never reveal your presence outside your host, until it is time, lest the mission be compromised.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAgreed.\u201d <\/p>\n

Then the body relaxed, and Laurelai reappeared. \u201cThank you,\u201d she breathed tearfully.<\/p>\n

Then it changed again, and it was Larry. \u201cDid I miss something?\u201d he asked.<\/p>\n

\u201cYour kiss,\u201d Squid said. She went up and kissed him quickly on the mouth. \u201cWe may never do this again except in public,\u201d she promised.<\/p>\n

\u201cThank you,\u201d he said somewhat dryly.<\/p>\n

\u201cNow you will proceed to the Good Magician\u2019s Castle,\u201d Santo told Larry. \u201cTake your time. Relax for a day. Your appointment there is in two days.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI will be there,\u201d Larry agreed.<\/p>\n

\u201cTime for us to go home,\u201d Squid said. \u201cFarewell, Larry. We will meet again.\u201d<\/p>\n

Then Santo opened a new tunnel to the boat, and they went through. <\/p>\n

Squid relaxed at last. What a day it had been!<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

\n

Read the full book by downloading it below.<\/p>\n

DOWNLOAD EPUB<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Book Preview Chapter 1 Squid Squid paused as she passed a quiet pond in a glade, admiring herself in the reflection. She looked exactly like a normal, unremarkable, human eleven-year-old girl who might start turning pretty in a couple more years if she worked at it. Dull brown hair, faded gray eyes, turned up nose. … Read more<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":446,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[21],"class_list":["post-447","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-uncategorized","tag-piers-anthony"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/epub-book.com\/download\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/447","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/epub-book.com\/download\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/epub-book.com\/download\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/epub-book.com\/download\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/epub-book.com\/download\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=447"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/epub-book.com\/download\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/447\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/epub-book.com\/download\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/446"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/epub-book.com\/download\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=447"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/epub-book.com\/download\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=447"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/epub-book.com\/download\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=447"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}