They all stopped in front of the great hall, where two massive gargoyles guarded each side of the doors. The gargoyles had huge bulging eyes and mouths open in silent screams. Ugh, grotesque. Cinn shuddered. Maybe Holgarth should go high-tech with his security system. She wasn’t sure waking these guys was a terrific idea.

Holgarth held his staff in one hand while he beckoned to his helpers with the other. “Join hands. The end person holds my hand. During the ritual I’ll call on your power to join with mine in waking these two protectors. They in turn will wake the others in the park.”

“That won’t be necessary.” The rumbling male voice was all too familiar.

Cinn turned with the others. The hooded wizard stood behind them. He hadn’t been there a moment ago.

“Where the hell did you come from?” Bain didn’t sound intimidated.

“From inside the castle. Where else?”

Cinn didn’t mistake the humor underlying the wizard’s answer. Well, if it was a joke, he was the only one who got it.

“Tell me your name.” Holgarth’s voice sounded intense. He certainly wasn’t amused.

Cinn agreed with Holgarth. Something wasn’t right with this guy. Dacian moved closer to her and pulled her hard against his side. She felt the tension in his body.

“If you know my name, I give you power. Now why would I want to do that, wizard?” He gestured at the gargoyles. “You want to awaken them. Why?”

“Butt out.” Edge of the few words.

“Okay, you don’t want to tell me why. How about if I awaken them and then leave? After I’m gone you can give them their orders.”

Holgarth started to speak. “I don’t think—”

The wizard exhaled in mock weariness. “Look, I came a long way to try out for this job. I’ve already given you one demonstration of my power. Let me do this.” Then he paused as if considering something. “Unless you weren’t serious about finding a replacement. If that’s the case, then I think you need to refund me the money it took for me to come here.”

There it was. The challenge. Holgarth would either have to give this new guy a chance or admit he really wasn’t looking for someone to take over his job. Cinn thought Holgarth had figured he’d never find anyone suitable. Well, this wizard had called his bluff.

With a terse nod, Holgarth gave his permission. “You’ll need the power of these others.”

“No, I won’t need any help.”

How much power did this guy have? Cinn watched him. Suddenly, a staff appeared in his hand. Evidently this was tougher than lifting the castle off its foundation and then making everyone forget it had happened. But he didn’t wave or pound the staff. He simply held it as he muttered some words.