“No, don’t!” cried Xena. “I mean, for pete’s sake, how inconsiderate are you! We don’t want any wizard war while we’re right here.”

“I do,” said Wheeler.

“No you don’t,” said Hal.

“Buy the tickets for all of you,” said Danny, “and hang on to the change or use it to buy food. Pat and I will be in when we can.”

“If,” said Xena.

“Move,” said Pat, giving Xena a little push.

Hermia was laughing, and not nicely, as Danny’s friends walked briskly away.

“Glad to provide you with amusement,” said Danny.

“You should have let them stay. Remember, I’m the one who told them what you are and explained everything. I’m part of your group whether you like it or not.”

“Not,” said Pat softly.

“Maybe you’ll like me better when we’re done here,” said Hermia. “Because I’m here to relieve you of a burden you aren’t really qualified to bear.”

“Me?” asked Pat.

“You?” asked Hermia, looking annoyed. “What, are you pregnant? If you are, then I’m not relieving anything. No, I’m talking about what Danny’s got inside him.”

“No,” said Danny. “Don’t do it. I don’t think you can, but don’t even try, because believe me, you’re the one who isn’t ready.”

“I’m qualified because I’m the only one who’s got any perspective. You’ve picked up Loki’s absolute horror of letting Set get to Westil, but—”

“Look at her Sutahites,” said Pat. “Not a cloud outside of her, they’re riding inside, as if they were her gates.”

“I don’t have gates,” said Hermia. “You took them.”

“Inside her hoard,” said Danny. “So many.”

“Do you think they’ve possessed her?” asked Pat. “Do you think she’s making her own choices?”

“I know she is,” said Danny. “Her mind is made up. She has no idea of what she’s doing, but she also doesn’t care about the consequences, because all that matters to Hermia is that she’s hungry to prove that she’s greater than I am.”

“I don’t have to prove that,” said Hermia. “The real question is, am I greater than Loki?”

“The one thing you don’t understand,” said Danny, “is that you’re not greater than Set.”

“Gate away, Danny,” said Pat.

“She can follow me anywhere,” said Danny. “I can’t hide from her.”

“Exactly,” said Hermia.

“So do the insane thing you came here to do,” said Danny, “and then I’ll decide how to respond.”

Hermia smiled. “I didn’t come here for you, so I don’t care how you respond, Danny North. Once you were the most important thing that ever happened in my life. But now that place has been taken by someone else.”

Danny said nothing.