“How long has that been going on?” asked Loki.

“Since I first started calling you to come to me,” said Danny. “But now it’s time to see what Set has to say.”

“Then let us stay,” said Pat.

“And give him more options of people to jump into?” asked Danny.

“We’re so much stronger now,” said Enopp.

“Stronger than Set?” asked Danny.

Enopp shrugged.

“Are you stronger than me?” asked Danny. “Because he was stronger than me. And stronger than Hermia. Please go, all of you.”

“But Hermia can follow any of us.”

“Set won’t follow anyone but me,” said Danny, “because I have nine-tenths of his kingdom inside me now, as part of myself. I’m not going to give it back. Nor are you going to give back your share. Go, please.”

They all left, except Pat and Loki.

“So you think you’re immune?” asked Danny.

“No,” said Pat. “I just don’t mind dying, if I might help you somehow.”

“I do mind dying,” said Loki, “but if I don’t watch, I’m not sure I’ll know what actually happened.”

Chapter 21

21

Hermia appeared in front of the bench almost at once. She glanced from Danny to Pat and smiled. “How judicial. The judges sit on the bench.”

Danny didn’t bother answering, and Pat was already skilled in saying less than she was thinking.

“I’m not causing any harm, you notice,” said Hermia. “Having Set inside me hasn’t changed my character at all.”

Pat laughed a little.

“Set, we’re not interested in hearing your lies,” said Danny. “I brought you here to talk to Hermia.”

“It’s really just a means of transportation. Like owning a new car.” Hermia sniffed. “Still has the new-car smell.”

“Hermia’s not struggling,” said Pat. “Maybe this really is her talking.”

“It isn’t,” said Danny. “Because I can hear her inward screaming.”

“Then maybe Set sounds so much like her because he’s found a compatible host,” said Pat.

“Hermia was wrong and she was arrogant and she was ignorant. Now the only way to set her free is to get Set to jump to someone else.”

“Is either of you volunteering?” said Hermia.

“Been there, done that,” said Danny.

Hermia turned to Pat and grinned. “I really like being female better.”

“You’ve never been anything at all,” said Pat.

“Hermia,” said Danny, “I know you can hear me, because when he ruled over me, I heard and saw everything.”

“Of course I can hear you,” said Hermia. “Just because you and Set didn’t get along doesn’t mean he and I can’t hit it off.”