“Alger,” Lucius breathed. His burled hands scrabbled in his lap as if trying to gain a purchase on the idea. “Alger alive. Who would’ve thought?”

“Well, not exactly alive,” Han said. “He claims he’s been hidden in his old amulet all this time.” Han touched the serpent flashpiece, then remembered that Lucius couldn’t see it. “He describes himself as a remnant. Not a ghost, exactly, but…he can’t exist in real life. Not as himself, anyway.”

Lucius licked his lips, his face more pasty pale than usual. “You sure about that, boy? You sure he can’t find a way?”

“Well.” Han shrugged. “He says not.”

“Anything’s possible when it comes to Alger Waterlow,” Lucius said. “If I’m alive, then he could be too. Did he say anything about me?” He pawed at Han’s arm. “Did he say what he wants? Tell me.”

Han shook his head, worried the old man might have a stroke. “He hasn’t said much about the past, except that he wants revenge on the Bayars. He seems…he seems bitter about what happened.”

“He should be bitter,” Lucius said. “He’s got reason.” Turning, he groped for his bottle and pulled the cork with his teeth. He splashed product into a cup, his hand shaking. Then drained it and poured again.

“He also seems to blame Hanalea,” Han said. “For betraying him.”

Lucius shook his head, eyes squeezed shut, his hands wrapped around his tin cup.

“But—is that even possible?” Han went on. “That he could last a thousand years hidden in an amulet? Based on what you know about magic, and what you knew about him?”

“You listen to me,” Lucius said, his eyes popping open again. “I don’t know how it could be done, but if anybody could do it, he could.” He emptied his cup with one gulp and refilled it. “Sweet Thea of the mountains, Alger’s come back.”

“Whoa, now,” Han said, putting his hand on the old man’s arm. Lucius flinched, nearly spilling his drink. “I’m not absolutely sure it’s him. It could be some kind of a trick. I was hoping you could tell me something—some question I could ask him that only he would know the answer to.”

“Something Alger would know.” Lucius frowned, blotting his forehead with his sleeve. “Let me think.”

While he was thinking, Han rose and refilled their teacups. Except for Lucius’s, which was still full.

“Here’s two things,” Lucius said abruptly. “Two things that only Alger would know. First, what was their secret meeting place—him and Hanalea’s? And what did he give to her as a love token when they were betrothed?”

“All right,” Han said, thinking Alger and Lucius must have been tight friends if Lucius knew those kinds of secrets. “What are the answers?”