It sounded even worse, hearing it spoken aloud.

Han nodded, staring down at his hands. “Now I think he’s doing it just as I close the portal and cross back. I think he crosses with me. Then he takes over.” He looked up at Dancer. “One time I found myself on the eighth floor of Bayar Library, with no idea how I got there. Tonight, I had documents stuffed inside my shirt that I’d never seen.”

“What kind of documents?”

“Old papers and maps. From the library, apparently.” Han pulled the strange documents from his carry bag and spread them out on the bed.

Dancer looked them over and shook his head. “Don’t go back,” he said. “There’s your solution.”

“I’m going back,” Han said. “I won’t let Crow keep me out of Aediion. It an’t—isn’t his turf. But I need to find a way to keep him out of my head.”

“What you need is a talisman,” Dancer said, stretching out his legs. He wore leggings and clan boots under his wizard robes. “One that protects against mind magic.”

Han recalled what Mordra had said—that the clans had developed talismans against possession, making it less useful as a tactic.

“You know where I can get one?” Han said, feeling somewhat more hopeful.

Dancer shook his head. “Back home, maybe. Here, I’d have to research and then make it. I’ll talk to Firesmith.”

Han’s hopes faded a little. “Can you really do that?”

Dancer shrugged. “I’ve never done it before. And there’s no good way to test it ahead of time.” He tilted his head back. “That’s why you should stay away.”

“Like I said, I don’t have much choice.”

“You go back day after tomorrow?”

Han nodded.

Dancer rocked to his feet. “I’ll get to work, then.”

Han held up his hand. “Dancer. One more thing. Were you in my room today?”

His friend shook his head. “No. Not until now. Why?”

“Someone’s been in here. I thought maybe you’d come in to get something.”

Dancer shook his head. “Maybe you were here and didn’t know it,” he said, rolling his eyes.

“Did you see anyone else hanging around? The Bayars?”

Dancer shook his head. “They were at the Dean’s Dinner. First I saw them all day. I was with Cat until I had to get ready to go.”

“You were with Cat?” Han asked, surprised. Since when did they spend time together willingly?

Dancer nodded. “She says she might leave the academy.” He slid a glance at Han. Not accusing, exactly, but close.

Han stared at him. “Why?”

“Why don’t you ask her?” Dancer said pointedly.

“Let’s go see her now,” Han said, stung by guilt.

“You go,” Dancer suggested. “I have to research your talisman.”

But when Han walked over to the Temple School, Cat wasn’t there.