And Eternity by Piers Anthony Page B

said it like that, but it is true. She birthed you when she was mortal and could not marry, so gave you up to a Gypsy woman, who gave you to the family who adopted you. When she assumed the Office of the Incarnation of Nature, she had the power to influence your life, but felt that would be a conflict of interest, so she made no attempt to locate you. Instead a friend asked me to watch over you, and that I did, visiting you in your dreams. When you died, I couldn’t tell her, but I still tried to help you, so that you could achieve some satisfaction. I hoped that I would be able to tell her that you died but were satisfied, but it got complicated.”
    It got complicated
, Orlene agreed.
Jolie, how can you still try to help me, after what I did?
    What did you try to do that was so bad? Vita asked.
    “It wasn’t her fault,” Jolie said.
    I tried to rape her.
    Vita made a thought-whistle. How could.. “She was turned magically into a man, whose passion then overwhelmed him,” Jolie explained before Orlene could get into more guilt. “I am still trying to help you, Orlene, because I know you, and know that you would never have done such a thing in your normal state, either living or dead. It was the cruel prank of the Incarnation of Night, making you pay for your audacity in wanting your baby back.”
    Some prank!
Vita thought admiringly.
But you know, men do like to do it to women, and you can’t trust any man who denies it. That’s why I know what to expect from the Judge.
    I don’t think so, Orlene thought.
The Judge glowed.
    He had a glow on?
    What?
    “She means was he intoxicated or under the influence of some drug,” Jolie clarified.
    Oh. No, I mean I can see when a person is right for another, and the Judge is right for anyone. He’s a good man, a very good man.
    Jolie had forgotten about Orlene’s talent. Some people had individual magic, such as Gaea’s for enhanced music, and Orlene’s magic was to be able to orient on any person or people and tell by a glow she perceived whether they were suitable for each other. It was interesting that she endorsed the Judge. He had struck Jolie as a good man, but such impressions could be mistaken.
    Well, we’ll see how he is when he gets me alone in his house.
Vita concluded.
You know, I can see why you’d be sent to watch Orlene, she being related to an Incarnation, but I’m sure not related! What’s so important about a black teen whore?
    “I wish I knew,” Jolie said.
    They relaxed, feeling the lethargy of the pill. It did seem to be countering the drug withdrawal pangs for Vita.
    In the afternoon they were conducted to the formal hearing. Judge Scott sat at his tall desk, in the traditional robe of the office. The clerk read out the charge, and the Judge dismissed it, with a warning to Vita not to repeat the offense. It was all done in a minute, and the next defendant was brought up.
    They walked out of the courtroom and to the carpet access. Immediately a carpet sailed up, recognizing Vita. They boarded, and it took off.
    Vita peered down.
There’s the pimp’s limo!
she thought.
So he was waiting for me!
    “He was waiting for you,” Jolie agreed. “With Spelled H in one hand and a club in the other.”
    God, I want to go to him! I mean, for the H
.
    You are off the H!
Jolie retorted.
    You offered to testify,
Orlene thought.
You could have gotten that beast locked away. Why didn’t you?
    “It’s almost impossible to make it stick,” Jolie said. “And new pimps and drug runners come in as fast as the old ones are taken out. It’s hardly worth dealing with the minor criminals; it’s the big ones the law wants.”
    The carpet sailed up and over the city, following the established carpet routes. Jolie peered down, noting the activities on the tops of the megabuildings. Some were set up as parks, with shrubs and trees growing, and garden paths, and even fair-sized ponds. Others were set up for sports, with tennis courts, running tracks, game fields