Oliver marched into Professor Amethyst’s office. The man already appeared to be waiting for him because the decor he’d chosen was the one he’d used when Oliver had taken his test—a worn leather sofa and battered coffee table. A pot of tea was already boiled with two cups laid out beside it.
“She’s spoken to you?” the headmaster said, turning from his desk to look over at Oliver.
Oliver nodded and swallowed the painful lump in his throat. “Yes. Esther told me she’s dying. That her sickness is incurable. But it’s not, is it?”
The professor gestured to the couch. “Please, Oliver. Take a seat.”
Reluctantly, Oliver did as he was told. All he wanted was for Professor Amethyst to tell him how to save Esther. But he would have to go through the motions before the headmaster provided any details.
The old man sat in the seat opposite him, tugging up his suit pant legs as he did. He poured the tea, handing Oliver a cup. Oliver took the cup and saucer and rested them in his lap. He was far too focused on Esther to drink tea.
Professor Amethyst took a long sip. “I understand you’ve been through a lot these past couple of days,” he said, finally, resting his cup onto the coffee table. “And you have learned about some of the tools for seers.”
Oliver nodded. “The compass. The amulet. And the vision well.”
“And…?” the head master prompted.
Oliver pondered for a moment. Then he remembered. “Oh. The Obsidian knife.”
Professor Amethyst nodded. “In the correct hands, like Newton’s, a seer invention can be used for extraordinary good. But that power can also be greatly abused. In the wrong hands, a seer invention can have devastating consequences.”
Oliver grew impatient. “Please, Professor, can we talk about Esther? There has to be a way to save her.”
The headmaster smiled. “I’m building up to that. Patience, dear boy.” He took another sip of tea. “There is, indeed, a way to save Miss Valentini.”
Oliver sat up straighter. His heart leapt. “What is it? I’ll do anything.”
Professor Amethyst’s tone was very grave. “It is extremely dangerous. You will need to go back in time and find a very precious item belonging to seers. A wonderful invention. One of the best. It, and only it, can save Esther’s life.”
Oliver stood. “I’ll go. Right now. Open a portal for me and I’ll step through it.”
Professor Amethyst remained seated. He glanced up at the boy. “It will be a very dangerous journey. And I must warn you, Oliver, it is extremely unlikely you will succeed. There is no way back, no wormhole I can create for you to return through. You’ll need to find one there, which is nearly impossible. It’s a one-way journey.”
“There’s no such thing as impossible,” Oliver replied.
The headmaster smiled. “Your devotion to Miss Valentini admirable.”
“It’s worth the sacrifice,” he said decisively.
Professor Amethyst studied Oliver’s determined face. Finally, he sat back and nodded.
“Very well, then, Oliver Blue. You shall have your journey.”
Oliver nodded, feeling his eyes well with tears.
A dangerous journey. A one-way journey.
He could not let it be. Not for his sake. But for Esther’s.
He must find it, whatever it was, and return to save her life.
For without her alive and well, what would he be?
Nothing, he realized. Nothing at all.
And it was in that moment that he realized: he loved her.
He loved her more than he loved himself.
He took a deep breath, and all his fears melted away.
Whatever the journey, whatever the dangers, he would face them.
It was time, once again, to leave.