Dee shuddered. He knew his masters wanted him alive so they could remove his immortality, watch him age before their eyes, and then make him immortal again. He would be cursed to endure an eternity of suffering as a very ancient humani. “How do you know this?” he wondered.

Machiavelli’s voice lowered to a whisper. “My American companion was contacted by his master.”

“And why are you telling me?”

“Because, like you, I too have failed in my appointed task,” Machiavelli said urgently. “Perenelle escaped the island. In fact, I am trapped on Alcatraz.”

Dee could not keep a smile from spreading across his face, but he bit down hard on the inside of his cheek to prevent himself from speaking.

“There may come a time when you and I need one another, Doctor,” Machiavelli continued.

“The enemy of my enemy is my friend,” Dee answered, using the ancient saying.

“Exactly. Doctor, it is time for you to run, to hide. Your masters have declared you utlaga.”

The line suddenly went dead. Dee slowly slipped his cell phone into his pocket and looked in the mirror one last time. He was utlaga, a wolf’s head, an outlaw. And then he laughed aloud: the last being the Elders had declared utlaga was the Elder Mars Ultor.

CHAPTER SEVEN

CHAPTER SEVEN

When Josh limped back to the house, Aunt Agnes was standing in the doorway, waiting for him. Her narrow face was fixed in a scowl and her thin lips had vanished completely. “You flung the phone on the floor and then stormed out of the house,” she snapped as he started up the steps. “I want an explanation, young man.”

“I don’t have one. Sophie was…” He hesitated. “Sophie was calling me.”

“You didn’t have to throw the phone on the floor.”

“I’m sorry.” Josh took a deep breath, determined not to say anymore. He was worried about his sister; the last thing he needed was his aunt nagging him.

“Phones cost money…”

Josh slipped past his aunt. “I’m going to finish talking to Dad.”

“He’s gone. It was a bad line-and a lot worse after you dropped the phone,” she added. “He said to tell you he’ll call back later. Your mother said neither of you is to leave the house until she talks to you. She is very unhappy with the pair of you,” Aunt Agnes added ominously.

“I’m sure she is,” Josh muttered. He crossed the hall, making his way toward the stairs.

“And where’s your sister?” Aunt Agnes demanded.

“I don’t know,” Josh said truthfully.

The old woman folded her arms and squinted up at him. “You mean she just left without even stopping in to say hello?”

“Something important must have come up,” Josh said, plastering a smile on his face, even though he felt sick inside.