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saying. He was right, as usual. Going down the path of trying to explain the existence of Wanderers would be an enormous undertaking. It would be something she might be able to do in conjunction with the SETI Institute. That was, after all, the hub for extraterrestrial science. She shook her head. This wasn’t even that, though. This was terrestrial… the Wanderers weren’t from
outer space
but were part of life on earth. She had to freeze her thoughts from forming hypotheses and designing studies that would allow her to study them. That would be all-consuming. And there were more important things that needed her energy at the moment—her children, her husband. The only way to be effective would be to follow Larry’s advice—learn to live and deal with the new challenges that lay ahead for her family.
    She turned to Larry and sighed. “Yes, you’re right. Right now, I need to deal with the immediate challenges. I don’t understand those, so I guess I really need to find out what I am supposed to do. I wish Rupert hadn’t left in such a hurry. He didn’t get a chance to tell me anything.”
    “He left?” Larry asked.
    “Yes.” Olivia updated him, describing the visit from Jagger.
    “That sounds serious. I can’t imagine him leaving you so soon after your discharge from the hospital. I thought Spencer had offered to handle things until you recovered?”
    “I am guessing that whatever it is must be very important. His dark demeanor unsettled me.”
    Larry’s face grew grave. “I wonder if this will affect Kellan? He’s still with Arizona, right?”
    “I don’t know, but he was when I left to come here. Call him?”
    As Larry reached for his cell, a form took shape in front of them. They both got to their feet and hurriedly stepped behind the couch. Olivia watched the form become defined until a young man was revealed. A Wanderer.
    “My apologies. Did I startle you?” The young man with ginger curls and wide blue eyes took a few steps back.
    Larry moved forward so that he was shielding Olivia. “Yes. This is a high security building. We aren’t used to visitors just popping in. Who are you?”
    “Please don’t be afraid. His Highness sent me.”
    Rupert? Olivia emerged from behind Larry and stared at the ginger boy. He couldn’t be much older than Harry, and he was clearly a Wanderer. “Where is Rupert?”
    “He was in London when he summoned me. My name is Bruno. I have been sent to be your Wanderer.”
    “My Wanderer?” Olivia repeated, slightly bemused.
    “Yes. I have been asked to stay by your side.”
    “Oh? Why, and for how long?”
    “Until I am asked to do otherwise,” he replied.
    “Why would I need a Wanderer by my side? What is going on?”
    “You are our queen,” he said simply.
    Olivia looked at him blankly, then laughed. “Your queen?”
    “Yes, the queen of the Wanderers.”
    “That’s ridiculous. I can’t time travel.” She accepted that Rupert was now the leader of this paranormal group that seemed to live among them, but for her to be counted among them was absurd. And to be suddenly deemed their queen? Just silly.
    “I understand your surprise. His Highness told me that you didn’t yet know and that this would be your response. He asked me to appeal to you, to trust in his judgment, and to humor him for now.”
    Olivia felt slightly annoyed. Isn’t that what she’d been doing since he’d asked her to
come find him two years ago
? Hadn’t he promised to be open with her? She closed her eyes. His intentions had been honest, but time had not allowed him to update her. She wondered if this was going to be a regular thing—him disappearing at the drop of a hat to whatever Wanderer emergency was in session. That would be unacceptable. He had to find a way to keep her informed.
    She looked up at Bruno. “So, you work for me?”
    “Not exactly. My orders come from His Highness, but I have been asked to keep you safe and assist you if I can.”
    “Good. Well, the