“Well, of course you’ll be there,” Crow said, rolling his eyes. “You’ll be privy to all my sordid secrets. Now, since we’re in a hurry, I’ll show you how it’s done.”

The charm was a variation on the one Han had used a lifetime ago to bring Abelard’s crew to Aediion. Except it would be just Han powering the journey.

“Make sure you have considerable power on board,” Crow said. “Don’t skimp. You don’t want to leave him stranded here.”

“It’ll be tomorrow sometime,” Han said. “Lucius never comes to town, so I’ll have to go up to his place.”

“I’ll be here. As always.” Crow turned away, dismissing him.

“Hold on,” Han said, standing his ground. “I still don’t get it. Why did you change your mind? Why did you tell me how to bring Lucius to Aediion? When I was ready to give you what you wanted?”

“Do you want the truth?”

“I was kind of hoping for it.”

“I was afraid.” Crow pinned Han with his blue-eyed gaze.

“Afraid?”

“I was afraid that once I had control of you, I wouldn’t be able to resist the temptation to take advantage. I was afraid of taking the revenge that I so richly deserve. And then I’d never forgive myself.”

To Han’s surprise, Adam Gryphon readily agreed to see him when he sent a message requesting a brief meeting. The Gryphon estate was on the lowest slope of Gray Lady—a socially acceptable location, if not as grand as Aerie House. The gates bore the twin griffin emblems of the house.

As Han approached the front porch, he noticed that carpenters swarmed over the outside of the house, removing some of the elaborate molding that iced the roofline like a bakery cake.

Inside, there were more masons and carpenters at work, and much of the furniture was stacked up and covered with canvas, as if ready to be shipped out.

Gryphon’s servant led Han into a book-lined library at the back of the house, which opened onto a paved veranda and gardens. Gryphon was out on the veranda, in his wheeled chair, reading.

Han’s former teacher greeted him with a smile, gesturing to another chair. “Alister. Welcome. Please. Sit. Would you like something to eat? To drink?”

Han shook his head. “I’ve just eaten, thank you.”

Gryphon dismissed his servant.

“Are you moving?” Han asked, nodding toward the disorder indoors.

Gryphon shook his head. “No, I’m just making some changes now that my parents are gone.” He gazed about critically. “It’s not that bad, really,” he said, chewing on his lower lip. “I think I can transform it into a place I could live in.”

“You didn’t like it before?” Han blurted. It looked like a palace to him.