“It would appear to be possession. There are severe limitations to both, but there are more risks with replacement. However, for possession to work, a constant mind-link with the one being possessed must remain intact at all times. Only someone with the level of Malachai’s talent could sustain it for any length of time.”

“So the father is still alive. That’s a good thing, right?” Randall asked.

Coralis nodded, successfully masking the thought, It depends on how you define alive. He placed Brianna on the table and sat facing her in an ornately carved chair. “Tell us everything.”

“In a nutshell?” Randall took a deep breath. “Dai She is holed up in a cave deep in the earth with the world’s largest crystals, aided by the elder Leach—who, I guess, is actually Malachai—and when the full moon peaks in about an hour and a half, he will focus all that bad energy into the crystals, and by using the Corsini Mappaemundi, will rip apart the surface of the planet.”

Coralis sat heavily in a chair as the full gravity of the situation registered. “That’s about as bad as it gets.”

Randall nodded. “I also don’t know how much longer I can keep this connection.”

“Why?” Coralis leaned forward, concerned. “What has happened to you?”

“Let’s just say I haven’t been treated with kid gloves.” He smiled. “But I’ll be fine.”

“Randall … ” Coralis paused. “When this is over, come back. I’ve been a fool and you were right to task me. But there is much to be done, and I will need your assistance.”

“Will do.” He turned away, hiding any emotion he might be feeling, but suddenly stopped, as if remembering something important. “Coralis, if my wands have been contaminated, how am I able to connect with … whatever this is?”

Lois reached into her bag and snapped open a compact mirror, holding it up for Randall to see. “That is my daughter, Brianna.”

“Huh.” He examined his image from several angles. “Cute but not very useful. I prefer being a falcon.”

“To answer your question,” said Coralis, “the energy that caused the girl’s transformation included moonbeams from the bad moon. Malachai has been building his strength from exposure to that same energy—hence the connection. I had not considered what effect this energy was having on her until now, but it bears keeping an eye on.”

“You don’t think she’ll turn on us, do you?” Randall asked.

“Hey!” Henry yelled. And in that moment something triggered inside him. Brianna wasn’t an annoying little brat any longer. She was an important ally. No! She was as much a part of him as his own aura. And he knew, there and then, he would protect her at any cost. “She’s as much on our side as anyone else in this room, so back off!”