“So, people and those dragon things,” said Wad, “but only if she’s touching them.”

“So far,” said Danny. “Trying to figure out how much damage Set can do?”

“I need to know the limitations on what he can get Hermia to do,” said Wad. “And the limitations on what I can do to Hermia.”

“Killing her wouldn’t kill Set,” said Danny.

“But killing her would deprive him of her set of abilities,” said Wad. “Who else can do these things?”

“When Pat separated the boys, they both saw and understood. I think they can do it. And when I helped Anonoei get possession of Bexoi’s body—she can do it.”

“I know,” said Wad. “Not sure how dangerous that makes her—I don’t trust my ability to judge people anymore. Least of all women. But the boys. They’re young. They’re vulnerable.”

“Enopp seems to be the one who learned the most,” said Danny. “But maybe I only think that because he’s also the talker. Who can guess what Eluik knows and what he can do?”

“So if Hermia dies,” said Wad, “Set will want to jump to you, to Pat, to Anonoei, Enopp, or Eluik.”

“Or you,” said Danny.

“Who, me?” Wad chuckled. “I’m just an ordinary Gatefather.”

“He won’t jump to me,” said Danny. “I proved I could shut him down.”

That was the pertinent skill. “Can you teach me how to do that?”

“I can try,” said Danny. He seemed hesitant.

“But … do you want to?” asked Wad, amused. “After all, I’m the terrible Gate Thief. How can you trust me with so much power?”

“It’s not that,” said Danny. “It’s … When I taught Anonoei, I had to take possession of Bexoi’s body first, to get rid of Bexoi’s ka and to show Anonoei how to go deep.”

“You don’t want to take possession of me?”

“It wasn’t Anonoei’s original body,” said Danny. “She knew how to ride inside someone else. She’s a manmage. But you—what if I go deep and it drives you out like it did with Bexoi, only you can’t come back? What if it kills you?”

“Sweet of you to care,” said Wad. “But I don’t expect to live forever.”

“You’ve come closer than most,” said Danny.

“Only a few centuries from two thousand years,” said Wad. “That’s still a long way from forever.”

“Like I said, closer than most.”

Wad shook his head. “I would risk my life to learn it, but you won’t risk killing me to teach it. I understand the choice. For now. And I thank you for warning me.”

“I’d rather not kill Hermia,” said Danny.