PROLOGUE

The Council of Souls

Present Day

THE Council’s gavel echoed through the infinite courtroom. The defendants: Souls A6-21684 and L3-38742 were “old” by Time’s standard and had been attached to many humans. But on this day only two of the souls’ assignments were important. Soul A6-21684 and its human counterparts Maggie Fuller and Rio Laraquette. And, L3-38742’s assigned beings known as the warrior Tajan and Eddie LaCall.

Both had been accused of “enlightening” Rio Laraquette of her existence in another lifetime in the form of Maggie Fuller. If found guilty, the penalty would not be pleasant.

The Supreme Being laid the gavel on the podium. “Before rendering the preapproved verdict, new evidence has been reported by the Commission of Destiny.” The Deity’s gaze landed on one defendant and journeyed across the open expanse to land on the other, A6-21684—who had tried to take full responsibility for the infraction, thereby sparing its counterpart—soul mate—any liability. A sentimental, yet predictable, act that would undoubtedly go uncelebrated by everyone except perhaps L3-38742. “According to the Commission’s findings, neither soul is responsible for the breach in timelines perpetrated on Rio Laraquette.”

“Then who is?” a small voice at the far side of the jury asked.

“No one,” said the Supreme Being. “Before either soul revealed the truth, a kiss of fate had been bestowed upon the young woman when she happened upon the place where her soul had lived in a previous life.”

“So what do we do?” someone else on the panel asked.

“Leave her be,” another judge suggested. “It matters little.”

“Unless the souls are scheduled to reunite.” The Supreme Being’s words caused a hush to fall over the courtroom.

The accused souls’ eyes met, locked, and their faces lit with smiles.

“I have reviewed the subject’s future,” said the Supreme Being. “It is the court’s opinion that if she remains in an enlightened state it will impede her chances of living a productive life. Therefore, it is the ruling of this court that when Rio Laraquette falls asleep on this night all traces that she was once Maggie Fuller in a former life will be erased permanently from her psyche.”

“What about her cousin, Billy Tajan?” a jury member asked.

“He is not an issue.” The Supreme Being’s voice echoed across the panel. “Once it becomes clear to him that Maggie Fuller is nothing more to Rio than their common ancestor with whom she bears a strong resemblance, he will stop believing the truths that have been shown to him.”