"Ah. I saw that through the carpet, yes. It was like watching a drama on tV."

"It didn't feel like tV to me," I said. "How are you feeling . . . Mom?" she brightened. "Is that hard for you to say? Would you prefer calling me Aunt tracy?" I shrugged. "It's up to you."

"No, the choice is yours." she turned serious. "I know you have a painful question to ask. And I know you're afraid to ask it. But there's no reason to worry. What I did, leaving you with my sister, I would do again."

"Why?" I asked. Tracy sighed. "You're beginning to see that the world we live in is much more complex than you imagined. There are many forces at work on this planet. Some are here to help mankind, others are here to destroy us. And others still . . . They haven't made up their minds."

"You're talking about the djinn," I said.

"I'm talking about many things you have no names for yet. Suffice to say we have a significant role to play in the days to come. I turned you over to my sister because I had work to do. And you would have been targeted and killed because of my work." I struggled with her answer. "I guess you had to prioritize." tracy stared at me. "You were always my number one priority, Sara. You cannot imagine how devastating it was to give you up. To pretend you didn't belong to me."

"You were trying to protect her from the bad guys,"

Amesh said.

"Yes, Amesh."

"You never explained how you landed in a coma," I said.

"That's a story for another day." she paused and pointed a finger at me. "But let me make one thing clear. As important as my work is, yours is more important. Many people-and many who are not even human-are hoping you can help us." I shook my head. " I'm fifteen years old! I have to go back to high school. I have to graduate. When we woke you up, I was relieved. I thought you could take over now."

"I cannot 'take over,' Sara. I was never in charge to begin with."

"But can't I return to a normal life?"

"Is that what you want?"

"Yes. I mean, the last few days have been exciting, but I don't think I can keep it up. I'll crack."

"No, that's one thing you'll never do." she paused. "You can have a normal life, but it will mean turning away from your destiny."

"That's what the carpet said."

"That's what I said." she studied me. "this isn't a decision you have to make tonight. I merely bring it up because you need to start thinking about it. But understand one thing-you cannot go home to my sister. Your father would be waiting for you."

"What about me?" Amesh asked, worried. "Can I go home to mira and my Papi?"

"If you do you'll put them in danger. They'll use your family to get to you, and they'll use you to get to Sara. Either way, there's no going back for either of you."

"But you just said I can have a normal life if I choose to."

"If you want it, you can choose it right now. You can decide once and for all never to find the carpet."

"I found the carpet by accident," I replied. "I was just sitting there, at the edge of the pit, and I saw it sticking out of the mud. It was not a decision on my part. I didn't even know what it was."

"No one finds the Carpet of Ka by chance. It only comes to those who are led to it. And the person who leads them to it is always the same."

"That woman at the pit?"

"Yes."

"She was strange. Who was she?" I asked.

"You." I blinked. "I don't understand."

"But you do. Time is not a constant. It will take more time for you to fully understand the meaning of that phrase. And when you do you will take the carpet and travel back through time and give it to yourself." she paused. "You see, you can decide whatever you want. But destiny is more powerful than our personal desires. You were that woman who led you to the carpet. At some point in the future, and I'm not saying when, you will lead Sara to it again." I swallowed. "this is too much to accept, I'm sorry."

"Don't be sorry-be proud. You rescued me from my endless sleep. I, for one, am grateful to you both. You have given me back my life." she squeezed Amesh's hand. "You were brave to face such a powerful djinn."

He blushed. " I'm just glad I was able to help."

"But will you stay with me?" I asked, suddenly panicked. I needed at least that to survive.

"I'll stay with both of you as long as I can," she said.

"What about Harry? Your boyfriend? Do you know where he is?"

"I know where Harry is. You do, too."

"I do? I don't think so. He's my father, isn't he?"

"Harry is your dad. But you might know him by his nickname, what I used to call him. Hara." it was my turn to smile, and to cry.

"Who is Aleena?" I asked.

For some reason, my mother burst out laughing. She hugged me and held Amesh's hand.

"I'm afraid the answer to that question will have to wait," she said.