Growing up as he did, Eric doesn’t bother thinking it’s impossible. He was haunted by Colchester for too long. Eric never really believed he was dead, despite everything that happened. He should have known it wasn’t enough.

Colchester could never be dead enough.

“I know who you were,” Eric says. “I’d know you whatever face you were wearing. Who’s the kid?”

“Does it matter?”

“That’s the new Merlin, isn’t it?”

“He was.”

“I’d heard you took his body. You need a host.”

“I was invited. We came to an arrangement. It’s delicate, but it works. He’s even stronger than you were.”

Eric summons his first defense, a magic shield to ward off evil, and holds it ready. He knows he’s already at a disadvantage, but he goes through the old moves anyway. He always figured something would come for him. It turned out to be later rather than sooner. The attitude slides back over him like a suit of armor. He knows how to talk to demons and monsters. He knows never to show fear.

The boy seems to feel the gathering power in the air. He smirks, an expression far too cynical for his angelic little face.

“You don’t need that. I’m not here for a fight.”

Eric hesitates. Then he laughs. “Yeah. Sure.”

The boy snickers, a nasty little sound. “I wouldn’t believe me either. But I’m not here to kill you.” He hops off the bed, and takes a few steps. “Come with me.”

“What?” Eric asks, because it’s the most intelligent thing he can think to say.

The boy makes a face like he can’t believe this is what he has to work with. “I’m not here to kill you,” he says again, slowly. “I’m here to make you an offer.”

The room tilts, and Eric finds himself someplace else.

Eric is shaken to realize he’s now at Snake Hill, shifted in space so quickly he barely noticed the transition.

The boy keeps walking, as if he had not taken one step in a room miles away and put the other foot down here.

Eric spent a full year mastering that trick, and he always needed a door to use as a prop. Whoever or whatever this kid is, he’s incredibly powerful.

“Come on,” the boy says again, and begins climbing up the grassy hill.

Eric knows he should try to get away from here. Find the others. Or he could start throwing magic around, and begin the fight that he’ll probably lose.

Instead, Eric follows and they walk in silence toward the top of the mound.

I’m stalling him, Eric thinks. I’m getting more information from him. I’m learning about his evil plan so I can stop him.

But that doesn’t sound terribly convincing, even to himself.