Seven Wonders Book 3 by Peter Lerangis Page A

now. For Professor Bhegad and for us. The Mausoleum at Halicarnassus is in Turkey, which isn’t that far from here, really.”
    â€œI can navigate,” Cass said.
    Dad closed his eyes for a long time, as if hoping this whole thing would go away. “My wife faked her own death,” he said. “My son is doomed. I’ve built a genetic company based on a false premise. I just flew off the ground but no one saw it happen. As a father, husband, scientist, and businessman, I have failed. Tell me I’m dreaming.”
    â€œYou’re awake, Dad,” I said, “and you’re not a failure. You’re the best dad ever.”
    Dad opened his eyes. Tears were forming at their corners.
    â€œI think I’m going to cry,” Aly said.
    Dad put an arm around my shoulder. “You realize,” he said, “this is totally flipping crazy.”
    â€œCrazy,” I said, “is the new normal . . .”
    â€œBut I can’t do this,” he said. “Not without further study. I’m sorry, son.”
    I pulled away. My knees felt like they’d been swapped out with saltwater taffy. Dad was standing before me in duplicate, then triplicate. His eyes were floating before me, wide and intense.
    â€œJack . . . ?” he said.
    â€œJack, what’s happening to you?” Cass demanded.
    I fell to my knees. “Just . . . a headache . . .”
    The last thing I saw before hitting the dirt were six pairs of arms reaching out to catch me.

CHAPTER EIGHTEEN
    W ORK TO B E D ONE
    T HE STORM RAGES . Though the building is not yet complete, it is a fine shelter, the construction solid. For my plans, it will be enough.
    I hear a thunderclap and look up. The door is open to the grim night. My would-be assailant lies unconscious over the threshold, at the feet of the guard. In silhouette the guard looks small and frightened, as though the worst is yet to come.
    He has no idea how much worse.
    At the foot of the stairs is a statue, not yet mounted onto the structure’s roof — a ruler who has died, and his wife who is still alive. For a moment I think about my own father and mother, a king and queen in a place long gone. My throat closes and I choke back a sob. I will never have the opportunity to do for them what I am about to do now for this ruler who calls herself queen.
    The ocean crashes at the bottom of the cliff. The building is cold and forbidding. But this will soon change. Beyond the building is an unspeakable place that will make this darkness seem bright, this bleakness seem like great cheer.
    The queen is about to rule again.
    I reach into my bag and remove the smooth cobalt sphere. The earth shakes but I am no longer afraid. It is all as it should be.
    I am Massarym. And there is work to be done.

CHAPTER NINETEEN
    T HE T AILOR W AKES
    â€œH E’S AWAKE . . .”
    â€œNo, he’s not . . .”
    â€œHis eyes are moving.”
    â€œJack? Jack, do you hear me?”
    Jack. My name is Jack.
    The dream was breaking up into flinty shards, images that shimmered and vanished. I could hear voices. Real, not dream voices. Cass and Aly. I tried to move my eyes but they weren’t working. I tried to talk but I couldn’t.
    â€œHe needs at least a half hour recovery, maybe more.”
    â€œHe can recuperate while we’re moving him.”
    Dr. Bradley. Aly.
    What was happening?
    A warm hand clasped my arm. I was moving. Rolling. “He wasn’t due for one of these for another week, you say?”
    â€œEarly. Like Cass.”
    â€œThen we can’t waste time. What about Bhegad?”
    Dad. Torquin. Dad again.
    â€œI appreciate the concern . . . but I will feel better . . . if someone destroys that banjo . . .” Professor Bhegad.
    â€œIs ukulele.” Torquin.
    Where am I going? What are you doing to me?
    WHY CAN’T I—
    â€œTaalk!”
    The rolling stopped. My eyes