“It’ll kick in. Just give it a moment.”

My vision blurred just then, and I let out a gasp of surprise. Colors swirled in a confusing pattern, then my vision suddenly snapped into focus. I wasn’t staring at Rylan anymore… I was looking at myself, through Rylan’s eyes. And the shock stamped across my features was almost comical.

“By Magorah, this is strange.” I slapped my hand to my forehead, then grimaced as I watched myself make the motion. “Do you think you could not look at me? It’s really weird to be looking at myself from outside my own body.”

“Sure.” Rylan switched his gaze to Iannis, and gave him a long once-over. My gaze traveled from the hem of his robes—dark red today—up his chest, and lingered on his face for a long moment. Iannis’s eyes narrowed, then his violet eyes sparkled with something that looked suspiciously like amusement.

“Oh, knock it off!” I stomped my foot, having no other outlet for my frustration. I wanted to punch Rylan in the arm, but I worried I would miss since I couldn’t actually see him.

“Fine, fine.” Rylan’s gaze switched toward the canopy of tree branches. “Is there anything else I need to know, or can I get going now?”

“No, you should go,” Iannis said, urgency entering his tone. “If you delay any longer, they might become suspicious.”

“True.” Rylan’s gaze turned toward the hill that blocked our view of the compound. “I’ll be off then.”

He turned away and headed deeper into the woods. Letting out a deep sigh, I lowered myself onto the log and prepared to be a spectator in one of the most important missions I’d ever participated in.

16

Rylan didn’t waste any time. He dashed through the trees at lightning speed, somehow managing not to make a sound as he dodged branches and roots along the way. He made it to the spot where the vehicle was hidden, then paused just at the edge of the forest.

“Drop the illusion,” I said aloud to Elnos. A moment later, the car popped into view.

“Thank Magorah,” Rylan said to me as he hopped into the driver’s seat and pulled the key from his pocket. “For a moment there, I thought you expected me to drive an invisible car.”

“Ha-ha,” I said, rolling my eyes. It was really strange, feeling my eyes roll in my head while my vision stayed stationary. The sooner this was over and I was back in my own head, the better.

Rylan turned on the engine, then peeled out into the road with a loud whistle of steam.

“For Magorah’s sake!” I yelped. “Don’t drive that thing around like it’s a race car! You’ll arouse suspicion.”