“Questions?” Crow’s gaze flickered to Han. “What questions?”

“You say you are Alger Waterlow, the last of the gifted kings. If so, then tell me where you used to meet Hanalea in secret, before you ran off together.”

“That’s no one’s business but my own,” Crow said, pressing his lips together as if he never meant to open them again.

“It’s our business if we’re going to partner up,” Han said.

“Send the copperhead away,” Crow said. “I’ve no desire to partner with him. Then we’ll talk.”

Han shook his head. “I want him here as witness. Otherwise, we’re both out of here.” It was street bravado. He couldn’t let Crow know how desperate he was for his help.

Crow scowled and gave in. “Very well. Hanalea and I used to meet in the glass house at Fellsmarch Castle,” he said. “There was a passage through the walls from her chambers.”

“Glasshouse?” Han said uncertainly. Lucius had said the conservatory.

“The conservatory,” Crow said, waving his hand. “It’s like a glass garden.”

Han struggled to keep his street face while his stomach lurched. Was it possible Crow was telling the truth?

“All right, then,” Han said. “Sounds plausible. What did you give Hanalea as a handfast gift?”

Crow’s eyes narrowed. “Who told you that?” he demanded. “Where is this coming from?”

Han hesitated a moment. “Do you remember Lucius Frowsley?”

Crow seemed lost. “Frowsley?” He shook his head. “I don’t really…” He looked up. “Do you mean Lucas?” he said. “Lucas Fraser? He was in school with me at Mystwerk. He was my best friend. But that was a thousand years ago.”

Han frowned. Had Lucius changed his name? “Maybe,” Han said. “It’s a long story, but he’s still alive. He gave me these questions. And the answers.”

“Lucas,” Crow whispered, more to himself than to Han. “Is it possible? I’d nearly forgotten about…that. He was so eager to live forever, but I had no idea if—”

“Just answer the question, will you?” Han said.

Crow’s brilliant eyes fixed on Han. “I gave Hanalea a ring—moonstones and pearls and sapphires. And she gave me a gold ring, engraved with her name on the inside, so I’d always have her against my skin.” He laughed bitterly. “The Bayars took it from me, along with everything else.”

“It’s really true, then,” Dancer said, his hand closing reflexively around his amulet. “You are the Demon King.”

Crow turned toward Dancer. Then stumbled back a step as recognition flooded into his face and fired in his eyes.

“Speaking of demons,” Crow said, his voice low and dangerous. “I believe you have a demon’s face.” Springing forward, he smashed into Dancer as he had done when he’d taken possession of Micah in Aediion. But again he bounced back, driven off by the rowan talisman.