Legends of Amacia: Mysteries of Tiamat
Lynxian Telepathy between Mates

Hannibal awoke in his bed witha yawn, wearing only his sweat pants. When his eyes focused, he saw the littledigital clock on the nightstand next to the bed reading 10:03 am. He lookedaround thinking that the night before had been just a strange dream. He rubbedthe side of his face with his hand, immediately realizing someone was in thebed with him. Selina lay right next to him in the nude, cuddled up against hisside with a soft purr rumbling out of her chest as she breathed. Her arm drapedacross his chest and her hair covered part of her face. He sighed, realizing itwas not a dream, but that it actually happened. He had actually gotten marriedto Selina and she was sleeping next to him as his wife. The sight instantlyreminded him of the previous night where they wrestled with some of theirdeepest fears. Then he thought of the night Selina spent giving him the purrtherapy the day after he woke from his Teacher-induced coma. A soft smile creptacross his lips. He put his arm around her and she shifted position, rollingtowards him and laying her head on his shoulder while still asleep. Her armdrifted across his chest as she laid leaning against his side. The silky smoothfeel of her furry chest and belly pushing against his bare side and chest asshe lay against him enchanted him. It felt so pleasant.

Hannibal gazed at her andmarveled at the events that brought him to share his life with such an imposingand beautiful creature. He gently stroked her silky hair and smelled her scent.It was a pleasant odor resembling wildflower perfume, but it was unlikeanything he had ever smelled before. Her purr seemed to reverberate within hischest and was very relaxing. He laid there for a half hour, soaking up her purrand considering what new things he would learn from her. Pondered how she woulddo under the stress of the expedition he was about to undertake, Hannibalrubbed her back gently with his left arm while he caressed her arm with hisright hand. “God you’re beautiful,” he whispered. “How did I ever get so luckyto replace such a priceless treasure?” She suddenly shifted her weight as agrowling yawn rose from her. Hannibal looked down as she opened her beautifulbluish-green eyes from her position at his shoulder. “Good morning, princess.How did you sleep?” he asked.

“Wonderful!”Selina answered. “I haven’t slept that good since I was a child. It seems thattherapy session last night about our fears really worked wonders for me. I feelso at ease right now lying here with you. Thank you so much for helping me withthat. I’ve been so insecure about my looks since I was mauled in that attack.Now, I feel I can cope with it.”

“You’remost welcome,” Hannibal cooed, giving her a gentle squeeze. “And thank you for helpingme let you in.”

“You’rewelcome,” Selina purred happily, laying her head on Hannibal’s scarred chestover his heart after shifting directly on top of him while straddling his leftleg. “I love you so much.” Hannibal blushed deeply, becoming concerned at herposition. Pressing her ear to his chest, she heard his heart beginning tothunder. “Calm down, Hannibal,” she purred wrapping her arms around him.“Nothing’s going to happen. Just relax.” Her purr rumbled and Hannibal’s eyesgrew wide as the purr penetrated his chest instantly, slowing his racing heart.“That’s it, my prince,” she cooed upon hearing his heart calming down. “Relax.I just wanted some intimate physical contact with you. That’s all...not tomate. We’re not allowed that luxury yet.”

Hannibalembraced her with a relieved smile. “You caught me a little off-guard with thatmove,” he confessed, stroking her back gently. “I’ve never held you like thisbefore. Your skin and fur are so soft and silky that it gives me shivers. It’sactually quite extraordinary. Makes me want to hold on and never let you go.”

“I thoughtyou’d like it,” Selina replied, looking up into his face. “But it seems westill have some work to do with those fears of yours, don’t we?”

“I guess wedo,” Hannibal admitted, “By the way, when I woke up, you were purring in yoursleep. Is that something you do all the time or is it something you have towill to do? I only ask because I remember the last time we shared the same bedwhen you purred all night for me to help me recover from the hit the Teachergave me.”

A surprisedlook crossed Selina’s face. “Really; I was purring in my sleep?” she asked witha hint of surprise in her voice.

“Yes, youwere,” Hannibal answered. “I woke up about half an hour before you woke up andyou were definitely purring while you slept. It was very nice, very relaxing. Iloved it.”

“Huh…Ididn’t realize I was doing it,” Selina replied. “I don’t know for sure why I dothat. I just can. Most of the time, my purr will subside sometime after I fallasleep, even if I’m providing purr therapy for someone. I didn’t realize mypurr could last all night while I’m asleep. Maybe I’ll ask dad about it. Hemight know why.” Selina rolled off Hannibal to his left, lying on her side withher head on the pillow and her left arm resting on her side and hip in aseductive manner. Her right arm lay curled against her bare chest and belly.

Hannibalrolled toward her on his side, laying his head on the pillow. He stared intoher eyes with a warm smile, loving what he saw. “God; you’re so verybeautiful,” he murmured, stroking her cheek with his finger, “and loving,intelligent, and so fun to be around; it’s amazing. I love every second we’retogether. I can’t believe I was so afraid to let you in.”

“Samehere,” Selina replied. “By accepting me as I truly am, scars and all, youredeemed me from a life of self-imposed isolation and fear. And it seems thatsleeping nude with you finished driving that fear away. Thank you so much.” Shetook his hand and placed it over her heart, holding it firmly to her breast.“I’ll love you forever for that,” she declared.

“You’rewelcome,” Hannibal answered, smiling broadly as he felt her heart poundingthrough her breast. “And may I add that you can do the most amazing things. Youtalk to animals, and that purr of yours is wonder that never ceases to astoundme.”

“Talking toanimals is nothing. You just have to know how to understand them like I do. Ibet you could learn to do it too,” Selina murmured, letting go of Hannibal’shand. “And the purr is just a little thing common to all Lynxians. It’s nothingreally special.”

“What elsecan you do?” Hannibal asked with some curiosity, withdrawing his hand from herchest. “I remember you said not too long ago that there were some things Istill didn’t know about you. Don’t you think that maybe it’s time to share someof it now that we’re married?”

Selinasmiled and shifted her position, sliding right up to him, throwing an arm andleg over him while continuing to lie on her side. While looking him in the eye,she said, “Yes, I suppose I should. Here’s another thing I can do since we’resuch a perfect match.” She stared at Hannibal and he became lost in her eyes.Suddenly, he heard her within his mind. Can you hear me? she thought. I’m telepathic. I can seeinto your mind and speak to you without physically speaking.

Hannibal’seyes grew round as a look of amazement crossed his face. Oh my god; I can hear youclearly, he replied in his mind. Can you hear me?

Yes, mylove…I can, Selina thought. This is truly unusual for your species to beable to respond in this manner. Apparently, you have abilities you’recompletely unaware of.

Wow.This is unreal. I’m actually communicating with you telepathically,Hannibal thought as they stared into each other’s eyes. I haven’t been ableto use telepathic contact since.... He trailed off, almost afraid to sayit.

“Oh my,”Selina murmured, truly surprised by his reaction. “It seems we still have morefear therapy to go through. Maybe I should see why.”

“No, don’tdo it,” Hannibal insisted fearfully. “You have no idea what you’re going tosee. It’s too gruesome and evil.”

“I’ll bethe judge of that,” Selina said boldly, penetrating deep into his mind, intohis memories. She surfed through his memories and suddenly came to that onegroup of dark memories that caused the problem. Selina watched that group ofmemories and saw the torment and destruction he caused when he had incrediblepsychic powers because of his demonic possession before he became a Christian.She gasped in horror, tears welling up in her eyes as she witnessed theincredible sorrow, pain, and torment Hannibal endured at the hands of the demonprince Dezarcus. Hannibal tried to block access to those horrid dark memoriesbut he was unable to. Selina had natural telepathic abilities far beyond whathe had even at the height of his psychic power. He became an open book to herthat he could not shut. She began to sob at what she saw, finally breakingcontact with Hannibal’s mind, unable to stand the horrid memories any longer.She bawled and Hannibal comforted her with a gentle embrace.

“I tried towarn you,” Hannibal murmured. “You saw what I was and what I’ve endured didn’tyou?”

Selinathrew her arms around his neck and embraced him tightly. “Oh Lord; you’veendured so much pain, sorrow, horror, and terror. No wonder you were fearful touse the telepathic contact. You’re afraid it would draw them back to you,” shereplied softly after composing herself. “You caused so much grief anddestruction because of them. You must never forget where the Lord brought youfrom, never. Truly, His infinite mercy has delivered you from the hands of anevil and a hell I can’t even imagine. I had no idea how much damage they did toyou even after seeing all your scars. It’s a miracle that you didn’t just endit all. Now that I’ve seen what happened to you, I know we’re truly destinedfor each other. Furthermore, after what we did last night, it would beinappropriate for me not to share with you in like manner. Would you like tosee my hurt?”

Hannibalhesitated for a moment, pondering her request. “How?” he finally asked. “Idon’t have telepathic ability like you do. Not even at the height of my psychicpower did I even come close to your ability. Plus, I lost all that power when Iwas delivered.”

“Don’t beafraid,” Selina urged. “Demons and the legions of evil aren’t the only ones whocan give psychic ability. Our Lord also gives it, but only to a select few whocan use it to His glory. Psychic ability given by the Lord isn’t learned bywitchcraft or mental exercises. It’s a gift to be used only within His Will.Those select few are often hardwired for it from the day they were born withoutrealizing it. I’m apparently one of those who have had this ability hardwiredinto them since birth. My father also has this ability. So don’t be afraid. Iknow what I’m doing. Trust me.”

“Okay, Iwon’t be afraid,” Hannibal returned hesitantly as they locked eyes again.

Selinare-established contact with his mind. Can you hear me? she thought.

Hannibalanswered, Yes, I can.

Good.Now exercise your gift and follow me, she thought as they linked hands intheir minds while doing so physically. Selina then led Hannibal deep into hermemories, revealing her greatest triumphs and tragedies. They passed by recentevents, going back to the time of her rescue from the supernova, passing by itinto memories of Kaitia itself. Hannibal saw the incredible beauty of Kaitiansunrises and of the planet itself. She led him into her deepest recess andshowed him her greatest losses and sorrows. He saw exactly how much he and shewere alike in their lives. He saw her childhood; how cruel her classmates inschool were to her. Repeatedly, he saw betrayals by those who pretended to beher friends. He saw the loss of her mother and her twin sister, who lookedalmost exactly like she did and how it devastated her. He saw the love of herfather as he tried to compensate for the loss of her mother and sister. Thenshe hesitated before going any farther.

“What isit?” Hannibal asked aloud.

“It’s theevent of my mauling,” Selina replied. “I’m scared to reveal it because of thepain it holds.”

“Do youwant to show me how it happened?” Hannibal asked.

“Yes,”Selina replied. “But I don’t know if I should. I don’t think I’m ready.”

“I thinkyou actually are since we’re having this conversation,” Hannibal declared.“Otherwise, you would have never brought me into that part of your mind. Youwant me to see it so together we can conquer the ghosts that are haunting you.You’re tired of fighting it. I can see that. I’m here to help, but you have toshow me everything no matter how bad or ugly it may be. Only then, we’ll dealwith it together. As you said a few moments ago, trust me. I’m asking you to dothe same. You can do it. I believe in you.”

“Okay,”Selina whispered in a fearful tone, pulling Hannibal back into her memories.“But be warned, it’s gruesome; the worst thing to ever happen to me.”

“It can’tbe any worse than what I’ve been through with Dezarcus,” Hannibal affirmed.“We’ll fight this thing together.”

Selinanodded and finally opened her most hideous memory to him.

A muchyounger Selina along with a dozen Lynxian children of varying ages huddled in acargo hold of a star cruiser under attack by an enemy of the Kaitian Empire.The ship was nothing more than a moderately armed merchant vessel travelingbetween Kaitia and a colony outpost at the edge of Kaitian space. Explosionsrocked the ship as the enemy vessel attacked, followed by the enemy shiplatching on so the attackers could board the Kaitian ship. Selina had broughtthe children on the ship to a secured cargo hold and barricaded the entrance atthe order of the captain. She and three of the older children carried plasmablasters. The unarmed children cowered behind the crates while Selina and herthree armed assistants pushed against the barricade as something pounded on thedoor from the outside so hard that buckled it with each hit. “Hold fast!” sheshouted urgently to those helping her. “We can’t let them in.”

“We’retrying, Selina!” a male Lynxian of thirteen years replied fearfully.

Selinaflashed a smile at the boy. “I know you are, Eric,” she acknowledged.

Withoutwarning, the ship shuddered violently from a massive explosion in anotherportion of the ship. Selina and the children barely kept their feet because ofthe shaking. The pounding attack on the cargo bay door suddenly ceased, leavingthe bay eerily quiet.

“What’s goingon,” another Lynxian boy of fourteen asked in a trembling voice. “Why did theystop?”

“Maybe theydecided that there’s nothing in here they wanted,” a Lynxian girl of thirteensuggested. “Maybe they decided to leave us alone.”

“I doubtthat,” Selina replied in a concerned tone. “That’s a Zoarian ship that attackedus. They never leave Lynxians alive in their wake.”

“So what dowe do?” Eric asked.

“We keepour heads down and pray the captain can send us some help before the Zoariansbreak in here,” Selina stated.

“I don’twant to die,” the Lynxian girl said, shaking with fear.

“We’re notgoing to die, Christina,” Selina said firmly. “Help will come.”

“What’sthat?” the second Lynxian boy asked, hearing something outside.

Selinalistened closely, putting her ear to the bulkhead. Her face fell dramatically.“RUN!” she shouted, sprinting away from the wall. Before she or the otherchildren had moved three steps, the bulkhead door, wall, and barricadeexploded, catching them in the blast. Selina dove for the floor but caughtsignificant shrapnel in her chest and back. The force of the explosion smashedher against the nearest stack of crates fifty feet away, almost knocking herout. Selina scowled in agony, forcing herself to her feet, her blaster ready.As she looked around, she saw Eric’s body blown into three pieces whileChristina lay unconscious nearby with serious burns and lacerations. The otherLynxian boy staggered to his feet, leaning against the crates to her left. Bloodgushed from his ripped side and right arm.

“No,”Selina moaned as she choked on the smoke from the explosion. “I have to protectthe children.”

In theblink of an eye, four alien invaders ten feet in height wearing heavily armoredweapons suits stormed through the breech, looking for victims. The helmetedsuits thudded loudly as the invaders entered. “Search the bay!” the leaderbarked. “Take the cargo, and kill anything Lynxian!”

The woundedLynxian boy uttered a cry of rage and desperation, rushing the invaders, firinghis plasma blaster. He felled one of the invaders with his blaster before twoof them opened fire with their weapons, blowing the boy to pieces with abarrage of fifty shots in twenty seconds. The boy’s limbs flew in everydirection as the heavy caliber weapons of the enemy ripped him to pieces.

Selina,flushed with rage and adrenaline, opened fire killing the two invaders who hadslain the boy with expertly aimed head shots. The leader scowled upon seeingSelina kill his comrades and opened fire with a pulse cannon built into the armof his suit. Selina dove out of the way, but again became caught in the ensuingexplosion that impaled pieces of the floor and crates into her chest, abdomen,and arms. The blast flung her against the bulkhead and before she could regainher wits, the leader pounced on her. Grabbing her by the throat, he smashed herinto the wall seven feet off the floor, partially crushing the back of herskull and fracturing her spine. “Stupid little Lynxian bitch,” the leadergrowled, lifting the visor on the outside of his face shield to look her in theeye. “You dare attack a Zoarian special forces commander and his men? I’llteach you to mess with us!”

Selinastared hatefully into the reptilian eyes set in what appeared to be fusion ofcat and lizard, spitting blood onto the face shield as she tried to pry themetal hand of the suit off her neck.

“Time todie, Lynxian vermin!” the leader snarled. A set of four claws two feet longspanning eight inches shot out of the forearm of the armored weapons suit. Herammed the blades into Selina’s belly until they stuck in the bulkhead behindher. She shrieked as he let go of her neck, lifting her high off the floor withthe blades. Blood gushed from the wounds as the leader threw her against thenearest stack of crates. Selina crumbled from the hit, rolling to the floor.The leader rolled her over on her back with a vicious kick and then stomped herright leg, snapping it before slashing her from the right shoulder and breastdiagonally across her belly to left her hip. Another gurgling cry escaped herlips with the hit. “I’ll have your head, bitch!” he roared, grabbing her by thehair and lifting Selina off the floor. Spinning the blades sideway, the leaderpulled back to decapitate her. Before he could blink, several blaster pulseshit him simultaneously, coming out of nowhere. The first pulse sheared off hisbladed arm above the elbow while a second pulse blew off his arm at theshoulder. Three more pulses hit him in the side as two well-aimed pulses struckhim in the helmet, exploding his head in a spray of metal and brains. TheZoarian leader’s headless body fell like a tree next to Selina.

Just beforethe darkness closed in on Selina, she saw a bloody Nathanael hovering over herwith great concern as five other Lynxian soldiers watched warily. “Please,don’t die, Selina,” he begged, cradling Selina in his arms. The ship’s doctorknelt down beside her, giving her a sedative that pushed her intounconsciousness.

Hannibalwept at her tragic, vicious mauling. “Oh Selina, Selina, Selina,” he sobbed,gently embracing her as she wept. “What a horrendous thing to happen to you! Nowonder you were so fearful about showing me these memories. It’s a level ofviolence you should have never experienced. It’s appalling. But you needn’tfear it any longer. You may have been gravely wounded in that event, but yousurvived it. Not only did you survive it, you saved those other children. Yousaved them, didn’t you?”

When Selinacalmed down, she nodded. “Only after I woke up a month later in the hospitaldid I replace out that Christina and the other children who were hiding at thetime escaped serious harm,” she whimpered. “I was very happy to hear it, butfelt responsible for letting Eric and his friend die. I never really got overit. They weren’t just under my care; they were my friends. It was the firsttime I’d ever seen death so up-close and personal. The hate that Zoarian hadfor my people and me still boggles my mind. It makes me ill even thinking aboutit. I hope something like that never happens to me again. I don’t want to everbe responsible for someone else’s life.”

“I trulyhope it doesn’t happen again either,” Hannibal stated. “Unfortunately, there’sno guarantee that it won’t. And I hate to say it, but the level of hatred thatguy had for your people is something I am very familiar with from my dark days.Seems hatred like that must span the known universe. We just have to deal withit when it rears its ugly head. As for your guilt over letting your friendsdie, it wasn’t your fault. I’m sure they don’t blame you for their deaths. Youshouldn’t either. Let them rest. You made up for it by drawing the attention ofthe commander away from the other children. That has to account for something.You did remarkably well under the circumstances and saved many lives. Youshould be proud of yourself and the scars you received doing it. I’m sure yourfather is. Now that I’ve seen what happened, I know these scars are a badge ofhonor. Don’t let anything or anyone tell you otherwise. You made a differencethat day; a big difference.”

As Hannibalspoke compassionately about her trial, Selina felt the fear, grief, and guiltof that day melt away, giving her a great peace. “Oh Hannibal,” she purred,embracing him fondly. “You’ve done it. You showed me the way out of my prison!How can I ever thank you?”

“No thanksare necessary,” Hannibal replied, kissing her gently on the lips. “I suspectthat we both have a lifetime of events that still imprison us and together weshall slowly break the walls down on these prisons. Healing starts byacknowledging the problem to begin with. By sharing this most potent tragicepisode of your life with me, you’ve taken the first step in healing. Now wecan take the next step together. What else do you have that you wish to sharewith me?”

“Just alittle more,” Selina replied softly, wiping the tears from her eyes. “It’s thelast event that pushed me into that hermit status.”

“Then byall means, show me, princess,” Hannibal said softly, holding her in his arms.“I’m here to help you. Together, we can conquer our fears and our own darkhearts.”

Selinareestablished the telepathic connection with Hannibal. With the newly foundpeace about her mauling fresh in her mind, her courage rose. She showed him theonly true friend she had on Kaitia and how close they were. Tears again welledup in her eyes as she revealed her deepest fears and secrets to Hannibal. Hesaw the incident Nathanael had spoken of where the shuttle her friend was onwas destroyed and what the officials did to cover it up. Hundreds perished onthat shuttle and when Selina found out the circumstances of her friend’s deathand why he died for no reason, Hannibal saw how she closed off everyone exceptfor her father from getting close to her. She finally led him out of hermemories and back to where contact had been first made. Hannibal wept for herlosses and hurts.

We havejust bonded in a very special way, Selina said in his mind. We haveshared our innermost being with each other in a way that no one can comprehendor take away.

Yes, wehave, Hannibal replied telepathically. The Lord has allowed us thisspecial connection that most people don’t even contemplate having. He’s so goodto us. Selina broke full contact with his mind. Hannibal held her in afirm, yet gentle embrace, still weeping for her losses as he rocked her.

“I had noidea we were so perfectly matched. We each heal the wounds the other hasreceived during our lives. You were so right. We are indeed soul mates,”Hannibal declared in a humbled tone. They lay there a few moments and thenHannibal asked her as merely a confirmation of what he saw in her mind, “Do youregret the terms of our marriage?”

Selinagazed intensely into his eyes. “You saw what I believe and I saw what youbelieve,” she replied. “I wouldn’t even think of violating that vow and neitherwould you.”

“I’m gladto hear that. I would never jeopardize those terms either. The Lord has givenso much to us. I just wouldn’t be right to violate those terms no matter howmuch we would like to,” Hannibal stated. “In fact, I have absolutely no desireat all to do it either. The Lord will prove us first.”

Selina laidher head on his shoulder and gave him a loving squeeze. “I’m sure He will,” shepurred pleasantly. Her face suddenly became subdued as she abruptly rememberedthe horrid nightmares she’d seen in his mind. “Hannibal, can I ask yousomething personal?” she asked.

“Sure,”Hannibal replied. “What is it?”

“I saw thenightmares you’ve had recently,” she admitted. “They’re atrociously bad, butone of them really stands out.”

“You sawthe mutation nightmare where I got turned into a woman by force, didn’t you?”Hannibal asked in a troubled tone.

“I did,”Selina whispered. “It bothers me that you’d keep having such a dream. What doesit mean?”

A troubledsigh escaped Hannibal’s lips. “I wish I knew,” he replied, his voice trembling.“That recurrent dream has haunted me since I first had it the night afterGabriel showed us what we were facing. It rattled my cage big time when itfirst happened, but now, I don’t know. It’s not like the other dreams. I’m sureyou noticed that.”

“I suredid,” Selina stated. “They felt more like memories than dreams. Why would youhave a dream or memory of being mutated like that? Moreover, who is thisstrange Lynxian woman that keeps showing up in your dreams? She’s obviously notme, yet feels strangely familiar.”

“What; areyou jealous of a dream?” Hannibal chided.

“No, ofcourse not,” Selina returned. “But it puzzles me why you keep dreaming of thisLynxian woman. You’ve never met anyone like before, have you?”

“No,”Hannibal replied. “You and Nathanael are the only Lynxians I know about. I haveno idea who this strange cat is, but like you, she feels so familiar and Idon’t know why. It’s a bit infuriating.”

“I agree,”Selina declared. “And what about that gold draken that you keep dreaming about;what does the draken have to do with anything? Who is he; what is his purpose?I didn’t think drakens even existed. The only thing I get from that creature isthat he’s not hostile and may be as old as time itself. It’s very strange.”

“You’redefinitely asking the right questions,” Hannibal replied with a wry smile. “Iwish I could answer them, but I can’t. I don’t know what these screwed updreams really mean. One thing I can safely say is that I hope and pray thatmutation nightmare is just that…a nightmare. I don’t know if I could handlebeing mutated like that for real. Still, there’s something going on there thatI’m not completely seeing. That strange woman in the machine eye in mynightmare always mentions that I need to be a completed soul, implying that Imay not be whole. It really bothers me. I hope the Lord sheds some light onthose screwed-up dreams because I’m batting zero on their meaning right now.”

Selinaclearly saw the dreams had rattled and continue to rattle Hannibal. She pattedhim on the chest lovingly and said, “Well, I guess we’ll have to wait for Hisinsight on them. I don’t have a clue as to what they mean either. But you don’thave to bear that burden alone now that you’ve shared it with me. I’ll help youcarry it. And if, God forbid, that supremely messed up mutation dream reallycomes true, I’ll not desert you. We’re soul mates. Even if you were magicallyturned into a female or even an animal, you’d still be my husband and soulmate. We just have to believe in each other and replace a way to reverse it.”

“Itrelieves me to hear you say that,” Hannibal admitted. “Being mutated like thatand you not wanting me because of it became a terrible fear the moment I hadthat dream. Thank you for the encouragement. It helps.”

“You’rewelcome, my prince,” Selina chimed, cuddling close. “Anytime; what are soulmates for?” Hannibal stroked her back gently with a new appreciation of her andher abilities.

After a fewminutes of silence, Selina said, “You know something. As much as I would liketo just lay here with you and just enjoy your company, we both know we’ve gotwork to do.”

“You’reright. We do have to get up,” Hannibal agreed. “Maybe later you can show mesome more of those special things you can do.”

“Sure,”Selina answered as they got up and dressed themselves. She first put on herwhite satin teddy as underwear. Selina then dug into her duffel and found herwork clothes: a pair of jeans cut off just below the knees, a short sleeveT-shirt, socks, and a pair of sneakers. She quickly dressed, putting on thejean shorts and T-shirt on over her teddy before pulling her hair back andbraiding it into a ponytail while Hannibal dressed in his usual jeans, longsleeve work shirt, and steel-toed boots. Minutes later, they sat the cafeteriaeating some fruit and cereal. The cafeteria bustled with activity as they ate.Nathanael and Harry showed up as they finished eating, sitting down across thetable to them.

“Dad, canyou tell me why I purr when I’m asleep?” Selina asked after Nathanael sat down.“Hannibal said I was purring while dead asleep this morning. I didn’t even knowthat I could do that.”

Nathanaelchuckled. “Don’t worry about it, princess,” he chimed. “All Lynxians do that,even me. It’s just one of the ways the body helps to relax and heal itself.It’s commonplace.”

Selinanodded as Hannibal asked Nathanael, “Are all Lynxians telepathic?”

Nathanael’seyebrow raised a little. “You and Selina merged, didn’t you?” he queried.

“Is thatwhat you call it when two people share their innermost being and memoriestelepathically with each other?” Hannibal asked.

“Yes,”Nathanael answered. “Merging is one of the most intimate acts a Lynxian can dowith their mates and can be of great value to their relationship. Even thoughmost Lynxians have a latent telepathic ability, not many of them cansuccessfully accomplish it.”

“What doyou mean ‘merged’?” Harry asked.

“Selina isa highly skilled telepath,” Nathanael explained, looking at Harry. “She hasbeen gifted with it since she was born. Merging occurs when contact is madebetween two skilled telepaths where every thought, memory, and desire isshared; in essence, they share their innermost being with each other asHannibal suggested. But it’s rare because only true soul mates can accomplishthis and you know how hard it is to replace two skilled telepaths that are alsosoul mates. It’s an intimacy that’s far beyond anything that can be sharedphysically.” He then turned to Hannibal and asked, “You’re a skilled telepath?How’s this possible?”

“Apparently,by the grace of God is how,” Hannibal answered. He then gave Nathanael anabbreviated version of his days as a master wizard. After telling the story ofhis occult days and his conversion, he said, “I haven’t had or used any kind ofpsychic phenomena since then because of where the power originated; however,something has changed. We made contact this morning and apparently, I had notonly the ability to respond, but also to merge with her as you say. It was soeasy to do it too, not like when I was a wizard. Before, I would have tostruggle and really work at getting the psychic powers to manifest, oftenpaying a very painful price for its use. It actually seemed to me the longerour minds were linked the easier it became to do it. It’s totally strange.Selina suggested that I might actually be hardwired to handle telepathy, but Ijust don’t know for sure. All I know is that I couldn’t do it before thismorning and now I can.”

“You don’tsuppose the incident in the Library had anything to do with your telepathicabilities becoming more active, do you?” Selina asked; giving voice to athought that had just occurred to her.

“I don’tknow,” Hannibal admitted. “But it may have been a factor. All of the knowledgethe Teacher dumped into my head, even though it faded away right after ithappened, is slowly coming back in bits and pieces. As you all know, I canactually read and speak the Stone Language fluently now without the need of acomputer. It’s almost second nature now.” In order to demonstrate his boast, hespoke a couple of sentences in the Stone Language.

“Impressive,”Nathanael returned. “What does it mean?”

“I said thatyour name is Nathanael and that you have a very beautiful daughter I’m honoredto call my wife,” Hannibal replied. “I don’t know how I can do that, just thatI can do it.”

Nathanaelscratched his head and leaned back in his chair. “This is an interestingdevelopment,” he murmured. “You have dormant abilities becoming active becauseof the incident with the Teacher. Selina, be sure to stay with him and help himto deal with this. There may be more unforeseen consequences to that incidentwhich may crop up. Who knows what else may come out of that event.”

“Right,dad,” Selina replied. “I’ll keep a close eye on him.”

“Good; nowto business,” Nathanael said formally. “When do we need to be ready for theexpedition to leave?”

“How closeare we being ready with the preparations and supplies?” Hannibal asked.

“We can beready to go in eighteen hours,” Nathanael answered. “There are a few minoritems we’re still gathering but most of what we need has already been placed atthe portal.”

“Good…good,”Hannibal answered. “It looks like that fateful day has finally arrived. We’llgo in three days.”

“Verywell,” Nathanael said as he rose to leave. “We’ll be ready.”

“Oh,Nathanael, I have something I want to talk to you about later,” Hannibal said.“Could you come by about eight tonight?”

“Sure,”Nathanael answered. “I’ll see you later.” He turned and left the cafeteria.

“This isit, bud. Everything is a go,” Hannibal said, turning to Harry.

“Looks likeit,” Harry said. “We talked about it so long. Now the time has finally come.”

“Go and bewith your family. This may be the last time you get to be with them for awhile,” Hannibal ordered.

“I will.But I have some things I need to do first,” Harry answered as he got up toleave.

“Allright,” Hannibal returned, watching Harry walk away. He glanced at Selina andthought, This is going to be the hardest thing he’s ever had to do. I hopehe can do it.

Selinasmiled and responded, You’re a natural at telepathic communication. I’venever encountered anyone who had it come to them so naturally. He’ll be fine.

Hannibalsmiled at her response and said aloud, “I’ll try not to let it go to my head.”His face suddenly fell and a concerned look came across it. He looked intoSelina’s eyes and she felt his concern. “Something’s going on. I think we needto go to the core,” he said tensely.

Selina didn’t argue, sensing his worry. “Lead theway,” she said as they stood, going to a waiting golf cart and speeding away.