Aid and betrayal. Esmer had healed the crumpled toy for a reason. Linden needed to believe that he had not intended yet another form of treachery.

Her refusal to be helpless was a pale mimicry of Stave’s; but it sufficed.

While Infelice concentrated on stifling the last of Stave’s intransigence, his fundamental birthright, Linden withdrew the racecar from her pocket and tossed it toward Jeremiah.

Stars flared in repudiation. Bells clamored denial across the caldera. But they had no effect on the toy’s passage.

The racecar resembled Stave’s fierce stubbornness. It was Jeremiah’s birthright; his inheritance.

He still faced his construct, motionless and lost. He had not once turned his head to glance at his mother. He could not have caught even a glimpse of his toy.

Nevertheless he claimed it. Deft as legerdemain, his halfhand plucked the racecar from the air.

In that instant, he appeared to receive the full potential of Anele’s gift. His whole body became an exultant hymn of Earthpower, as rich as the Elohim’s chiming, and as profound. Grasping the racecar, he looked as mighty as a Forestal.

The deep thrum of his construct repulsed stars and bells and coercion.

Do you see? Linden asked Infelice, too weak to form words aloud. Do you see him? He’s my son.

Jeremiah’s transformation and the loud demand of his portal snatched Infelice away from Stave. “No!” she sang, shouted, yelled. “You will not!”

Swift as a whirlwind, the spangling of stars and jewels swept around Jeremiah. Infelice left only enough power in the air to hold Stave and Linden where they were; only enough to prevent Linden from using her Staff or Covenant’s ring. All the rest of her music and her ineffable majesty spun around Jeremiah; bound him like a cocoon.

In spite of his new puissance, he did nothing. Infelice was too strong for him.

Her sendaline whipped about her as she strode toward Jeremiah to complete her purpose.

But her second step took her directly into the path of the charging Ranyhyn.

She had forgotten about them—or had underestimated them. She may have believed that mere animals could not resist her compulsions. She may even have believed that they would not; that they would recognize her supremacy and be daunted.

She should have known better.

Doubtless Infelice’s magicks would protect her. Hynyn, Hyn, and Khelen were Ranyhyn; but they were only Ranyhyn. She was Elohim. Their inborn Earthpower could not overcome the forces at her command.

Nevertheless she had noticed them too late.

Khelen was in the lead. He crashed into her, drove her to the dirt, and pounded away, leaving her to be trampled by Hynyn and Hyn.

Their hooves did not touch her. She vanished in an instant—and almost instantly reappeared behind them.

During her brief flicker of absence, however, all of her stars vanished with her.