“What makes it different?”

“You become much more likely to develop more than one kind of shaping talent, and those talents tend to be unusually strong. But the abilities take longer to show up. I don’t currently see shaping potential in you. Not any. That is rare. Almost everyone has at least a little shaping talent. Having absolutely none is less common than having a lot. I expect that one day, you’ll discover powerful skills.”

“Really?” Cole said, excited by the thought of having ways to help his friends besides flying through the air with a sword. “How long will it take?”

Declan shrugged. “That’s where it gets complicated. It could take years. Or it could never happen.”

Cole’s excitement dimmed. “Is there anything I can do to speed it up?”

“I’m unaware of any techniques that would hasten the process,” Declan said. “But I do know this: If the slavers were looking for slaves with shaping potential, and they knew you came through voluntarily, and they saw that you displayed zero potential, you would have been their top pick.”

“Even though I might be a dud?” Cole asked.

“They would gladly take that chance. According to the odds, your talents will show up eventually, and when they do, they’ll be strong.”

“But that potential doesn’t help me much right now,” Cole said.

“True,” Declan said. “Perhaps not for a long time.”

Straightening, Cole steeled himself. “With or without shaping powers, I need to help my friends. Do you know how I can find them?”

“If they went to Junction City, I could direct you there,” Declan said. “So could Mira. Many people you would meet could point you in the right direction. But stealing a slave is a serious crime. According to the laws of the land, your friends legally belong to the High King. I don’t expect you could free them on your own. Even if you managed it, I doubt you would remain free. You’d be caught and punished, as would they.”

“You’re saying there’s nothing I can do?” Cole asked in frustration. “I have to try. It’s my fault my friends are here in the first place. I took them to the place where they were kidnapped.”

“Deliberately?” Declan asked.

“Not on purpose,” Cole said. “But my friends got grabbed. The slavers only missed me by accident.”

Declan pressed his fingertips together. “There may be ways for you to help your friends. However, if you go to Junction alone and try to free them, you will probably fail. Here is my advice: Stay close to Mira. If she defeats Carnag and reclaims her power, it will deal a major blow to the High King. Mira could become the focal point of a revolution. Before Stafford claimed the throne, it was unlawful to go beyond the Outskirts to hunt slaves. The best way to free your friends would be to topple his regime.”

“The High King made it legal to take slaves from Earth?” Cole asked.

“Before Stafford, that was always forbidden,” Declan said. “The Outskirts has a long and unfortunate history of slavery, but at least there were limits. Believe it or not, the High Shaper before Stafford wanted to abolish slavery entirely. But Stafford pushed everything in the opposite direction. Now slavery thrives more than ever.”

“My friends and I aren’t the first people taken from my world as slaves?”

Declan shook his head. “Far from it.”

“Then why haven’t I heard of mass kidnappings?” Cole asked. “When the slavers came after me and my friends, they took dozens of kids. It should be major news.”

“Ah,” Declan said. “The Wayminder didn’t explain it all to you.”

“We only talked a little.”

“Cole, when people travel from your world to ours, those who know and love them best remember them the least.”

Back at the slave caravan, the redheaded guard had claimed that their parents wouldn’t remember them. Cole had assumed the man had been exaggerating. It took him a moment to muster a reply. “My parents won’t remember me?”

“Those who should remember you most will have forgotten all about you,” Declan confirmed. “They no longer know you exist.”

“What about someone like my teacher?” Cole asked. “I’m on the class role. Won’t she notice I’m missing when she takes attendance? She’ll call my name. . . .”

“Your teacher won’t notice,” Declan said. “As people try to focus on you, they’ll end up ignoring you. Evidence of your absence may remain, but people won’t pay attention to it. Not your family. Not anyone.”

Cole chewed his bottom lip. He and his friends were even more alone than he had realized. Nobody missed them. Nobody was looking for them. Getting home really was all up to him. And if they got home, what then? “Can it be fixed? Will they ever remember us?”

“Save that question for a Wayminder,” Declan said. “I simply don’t know.”

Cole wanted to scream. What if he had permanently been wiped from the minds of his family? If he ever made it home, his life might never be the same. It was too awful to contemplate. He had to believe there was a way to repair the problem. “Why did the High Shaper expand slavery?”

“I can only guess, Cole,” Declan said. “Maybe he likes the economics. Slaves increase many opportunities for the ruling class. Also, slaves from Earth are more likely to be strong shapers. I know he adores power.”

“You’re right about one thing,” Cole said, anger smoldering inside. “The High King is my enemy. He ripped me and my friends from our lives. He’s holding my best friends captive. But he’s the king! How am I supposed to overthrow him?”

“You’re not alone,” Declan replied. “That’s my point. You need support. A rebellion has been brewing for some time. The four exiled Grand Shapers all want to see Stafford fall. During his rise, he made many enemies. The return of his lost daughters could be the key to his ruin. Help Mira, and the chance to truly free your friends could follow. Even a failed rebellion could provide you with the help and the distraction you would need to liberate your friends.”

Cole tried to sort through the pros and cons. Staying with Mira would mean delaying any rescue attempt. But if it improved his chances to succeed, it might be worth it. When he had tried to save his friends back at the caravan, he got caught in no time. He didn’t want to repeat that mistake. Jenna and Dalton would probably be much harder to free from the royal palace. Once free, where would they run? Cole wasn’t sure whether they could ever get home.