“And so…you took me because you thought I might go insane and break the world like Alger Waterlow?” Han wanted to sound cold, matter-of-fact, indifferent, but he was having trouble keeping the tremor out of his voice.

“Alger Waterlow was not insane,” Lucius growled, startling Han, who’d forgotten he was there. He glared sightlessly around the lodge. “I don’t care what you all say.”

Ah, Han thought bitterly. I should be reassured because crazy Lucius Frowsley says my ancestor wasn’t crazy?

“Hunts Alone, you’ve been like a son to me,” Willo said. “Maybe it began as an obligation, but now…”

“You’re not my mother,” Han said, indulging a cold, mean place inside of him. “I had a mother, and she’s dead.”

Averill, at least, had the grace to look embarrassed. “I’m sorry. We know this is too much to take in all at once.”

“So what’s this all about?” Han said, anxious to get it over with, to get out of their presence so he could deal with it on his own. He was beginning to worry that his street face would fail him. “Why are you telling me this now, after all this time?”

“We believe that these are the most dangerous times since the Breaking,” Willo said. “Gavan Bayar represents a grave threat to the queen and the royal line. The power of the Wizard Council is growing, and they very nearly married one of their own to the princess heir.”

“What does that have to do with me?” Han asked.

“We have told you this because you have a choice,” Elena said. “We will leave the cuffs on, and you can continue much as you have been. If you would like to stay at Marisa Pines, Willo will teach you the art of healing.”

“What about Demonai Camp? Could I go there?” Han demanded, knowing he was testing Elena’s patience.

“That depends,” Elena said, looking over at Dancer, “on how well this secret can be kept. If you are known to be a wizard, your life will be in danger at Demonai, even if you wear the cuffs. Above all, no one must know whose blood you carry.”

Han looked into her hard warrior face and wondered, Does she mean the Demon King’s, or Hanalea’s?

“So the Demonai warriors don’t know about me?” Han asked, thinking of Bird. And Reid Demonai.

Elena shook her head. “None except Lord Demonai and me. If you decided to keep the cuffs on, it’s best if they don’t.”

Han massaged his forehead. His cup of tea had gone cold. “You said I had a choice.”