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middle of your experiment.”
    Orpheon gave Gwen a slow smile. “Or perhaps it was your xyridium medallions?”
    Rubicas nodded. “It may also be related to the star aja crystals, which we had never tried for this purpose before.”
    “In other words, it could have been a thousand things,” Vic said.
    Gwen’s shoulders slumped. “You
can
send us back home, can’t you?”
    “Perhaps,” Rubicas said. “
If
we could recreate the conditions. Hmm.”
    Orpheon shook his head. “These were the only star crystals we had, and now they are ruined. Few other sages around the city have star aja, but we have been anticipating a new shipment for some time. The trading vessel has not yet arrived. It was due to bring both the star aja and a new instructor from Afirik four days ago.”
    “Can’t we use some other kind of crystal?” Gwen persisted.
    Rubicas blinked his inscrutable gray eyes. “If the door opened only because of the star aja…”
    “Then we must wait until our shipment arrives,” Orpheon finished.
    “If, however, the power surge came from the crystals arranged by your own sage —”
    “My father,” Vic corrected.
    Rubicas continued as if he hadn’t heard him, “If he linked with the crystals in this world to open a new and unexpected door, then we must re-create the experiment. Do you think he will try again on his side?”
    “He won’t give up on us,” Vic said stubbornly.

8
     
    IN AN OBVIOUS EFFORT to get the unexpected visitors out of the way while the sage and his apprentice contemplated the problem, Lyssandra glided to the door. “Let me show you more of our island.”
    Trying not to let anxiety and uncertainty get the best of her, Gwen met Vic’s gaze, violet sparring with aquamarine. Unconsciously, at least, both of them had realized at a young age what a powerful effect their unusual stares could produce, and people often remarked on what extraordinary eyes the “twin cousins” had. She knew without asking that Vic was ready to jump into any adventure, but she hesitated. Someone had to keep a level head here.
    Gwen glanced around the damaged laboratory, not really wanting to leave. Unpredictable situations made her worry. “What if the crystal door unexpectedly opens up again whenwe aren’t here? What if we miss our only chance to get back home?”
    Vic was enjoying the moment without worrying about future problems — as usual. “Come on, Doc! You know you’ll regret it forever if you don’t see everything that’s here. That would be like going to the Grand Canyon on vacation and staying in the car.”
    It irritated Gwen that her cousin didn’t seem concerned. So much was still unexplained. On the one hand, she wanted to analyze the evidence in the chamber — mirrors, burned crystals, and so on — to see if she could logically deduce what had happened. On the other, she probably ought to learn about this strange world in order to better take stock of their situation.
    “All right, let’s see. Number one, we’re stuck here anyway for the moment.” Gwen ticked off the list on her fingers. “Two, our medallions are made of xyridium, a metal that seems well known here, but we never found anything quite like it on Earth… so maybe our moms have some connection to Elantya. Maybe there’s a clue here somewhere. Three, we have no idea what might help us get back home, so we’d better learn all we can. Four —”
    “Four, this place is cool,” Vic interrupted, taking her by the arm and propelling her into the corridor toward Lyssandra. “Explore now, make lists later.”
    Although she saw no imminent danger in looking around, Gwen didn’t like knowing that she couldn’t return to her familiar Earth whenever she wished. What if she and Vic were stranded here for the rest of their lives? Maybe she worriedtoo much. At least Lyssandra, Rubicas, and Orpheon seemed friendly enough.
    Outside, the air was fresh, scoured by pleasant breezes. The sky was the perfect color of a