“Why is this sword so important?” Gabriel asked.

“It was used by Sparrow, a Japanese Harlequin. He was the only Harlequin left in Japan: the last survivor of a noble tradition. Sparrow was known for his courage and resourcefulness. Then he allowed a weakness in his life.”

“What was that?”

“He fell in love with a young college student. Yakuza working for the Tabula found out and kidnapped this woman. When Sparrow tried to rescue her, he was killed.”

“Then how did the sword get to America?”

“My father tracked down the college student. She was pregnant and hiding from the Yakuza. He helped her flee to America and she allowed him to take the sword.”

“If this particular thing was so important, then why didn’t your father keep it?”

“It’s a talisman. That means that it’s very old and contains its own power. A talisman can be an amulet or a mirror-or a sword. Travelers can take talismans with them when they cross over to another realm.”

“So that’s why we ended up owning it.”

“You can’t own a talisman, Gabriel. Its power exists independently of human greed and desire. We can only use a talisman or pass it on to someone else.” Maya looked again at the edge of the sword. “This particular talisman needs to be cleaned and oiled. If you don’t mind…”

“Sure. Go ahead.” Gabriel looked embarrassed. “I didn’t spend time polishing it.”

Maya had brought along supplies to maintain her own sword. Reaching into her suitcase, she picked up a piece of soft hosho paper made from the inner bark of a mulberry tree. Willow had taught her how to treat a weapon with respect. She tilted the sword slightly and began to wipe the dirt and smudge marks off the blade.

“I’ve got some bad news, Gabriel. A few minutes ago I contacted another Harlequin through the Internet. My friend has a spy inside the Tabula organization and he confirms that they’ve captured your brother.”

Gabriel leaned forward in his chair. “What can we do?” he asked. “Where are they holding him?”

“He’s being kept at a guarded research facility near New York City. Even if I knew the location, it would be difficult to free him.”

“Why can’t we contact the police?”

“The average policeman might be honest, but that doesn’t help our cause. Our enemies are able to manipulate the Vast Machine-the worldwide system of computers that monitors and controls our society.”

Gabriel nodded. “My parents called it the Grid.”

“The Tabula can break into police computers and insert false reports. They’ve probably placed a message into the system that you and I are wanted for murder.”

“All right, forget about the police. Let’s go to where they’re keeping Michael.”

“I’m just one person, Gabriel. I’ve hired Hollis to fight, but I don’t know if he’s reliable. My father used to call fighters ‘swords.’ It’s just a different way to count up the people on your side. Right now, I don’t have enough swords to attack a research facility defended by the Tabula.”

“We’ve got to help my brother.”

“I don’t think they’ll kill him. The Tabula have a plan that involves something called a quantum computer and the use of a Traveler. They want to train your brother to cross over into other realms. All this is new. I don’t know how they’re going to do it. Travelers are usually taught by someone called a Pathfinder.”

“What’s that?”

“Give me a minute and I’ll explain…”

Maya checked the blade again and saw a few small scratches and pits in the metal. Only a Japanese expert called a togishi could sharpen this weapon. All she could do was cover the blade with oil so that it wouldn’t rust. Picking up a small brown bottle, she poured oil of cloves on some cotton gauze. The sweet smell of cloves filled the room as she gently wiped the blade. For a second, she knew something with complete certainty. This sword was very powerful. It had killed and would kill again.

“A Pathfinder is a special kind of teacher. Usually it’s a person with spiritual training. Pathfinders aren’t Travelers-they can’t cross over into other realms-but they can help someone who has the gift.”

“And where do you find them?”

“My friend has given me the location of a Pathfinder living in Arizona. This person will find out if you have the power.”

“What I really want to do is fix my motorcycle and get out of here.”

“That would be foolish. Without my protection, the Tabula would eventually find you.”

“I don’t need anybody’s protection, Maya. I’ve stayed off the Grid for most of my life.”

“But now they’re looking for you with all their resources and power. You don’t understand what they can do.”

Gabriel looked angry. “I saw what happened to my father. The Harlequins didn’t save us. Nobody did.”

“I think you should come with me.”

“Why? What’s the point?”

Still holding the sword, she spoke slowly, remembering what Thorn had taught her. “Some people believe that the natural tendency of mankind is to be intolerant, hateful, and cruel. The powerful want to hold on to their position and they will destroy anyone who challenges them.”

“That seems pretty clear,” Gabriel said.

“The urge to control others is very strong, but the desire for freedom and the ability to show compassion will always survive. Darkness is everywhere, but Light still appears.”

“And you believe this is because of the Travelers?”

“They appear in every generation. The Travelers leave this world and then return to help others. They inspire humanity, give us new ideas, and lead us forward-”

“Maybe my father was one of these people, but that doesn’t mean that Michael and I have the same ability. I’m not going to Arizona to meet this teacher. I want to find Michael and help him escape.”

Gabriel glanced at the doorway as if he’d already decided to leave. Maya tried to find the calmness she felt when fighting. She had to say the right thing or he would run away.

“Perhaps you’ll find your brother in another realm.”

“You don’t know that.”

“I can’t promise anything. If you’re both Travelers, it could happen. The Tabula are going to teach Michael how to cross over.”

Gabriel looked her straight in the eyes. For a moment, she was startled by his courage and strength. Then he lowered his head and, once again, became an ordinary young man wearing jeans and a faded T-shirt.

“Maybe you’re lying to me,” he said quietly.

“You’ll just have to take that risk.”

“If we go to Arizona, are you sure we’re going to find this Pathfinder?”

Maya nodded. “He lives near a town called San Lucas.”

“I’ll go there and meet this person. Then I’ll decide what I’m going to do.”

He stood up quickly and left the room. Maya remained on the couch with the jade sword. The blade was oiled perfectly and the steel flashed as she swung the sword through the air. Put it away, she told herself. Hide its power in the darkness.

VOICES CAME FROM the kitchen. Stepping softly so that the wooden floor wouldn’t creak, Maya entered the dining room and peered through a crack in the door. Hollis and Vicki had returned. They were preparing lunch while they gossiped about their church. Apparently two old women had argued about who could bake the best wedding cake, and the congregation had taken sides.

“So when my cousin picked Miss Anne to bake her cake, Miss Grace came to the reception and pretended to get sick eating it.”

“That doesn’t surprise me. But I am surprised she didn’t slip a dead cockroach into the cake batter.”

They both laughed at the same time. Hollis smiled at Vicki, and then looked away quickly. Maya made the floor creak to let them know she was in the next room, waited a few seconds, and entered the kitchen. “I talked to Gabriel. He’ll put the new tire on and we’ll leave tomorrow morning.”