“I never meant to kill you or deceive you in any way. I’ve never done that. The deal was fair from the beginning, but things didn’t go as planned. It happens sometimes. Another deal we made—the Pronouncement of Wonder—I offered in exchange for saving my son,” Grandpa Falkor said solemnly.

Xavier and my mother watched him closely, trying to predict his next move. Grandpa Falkor threw the gun aside and began lighting the candles around the room.

“I will keep the promise I made to ...