An innocent question, thought Coralis. But how to answer it? Now was the time for honesty, not cagey riddles and half answers. And yet a truly honest answer might do more harm than good. Troubling times lay ahead. Not for the first time, he questioned whether he was doing the right thing—dragging this young boy further into the gaping mouth of danger. He could easily make a call to Molly and drop Henry and his sister at the next station.

But instincts were as important as knowledge. Coralis knew that Henry was a key player and very likely the first of his kind—the eighth generation of two strong Wandmaker lineages. And Coralis had almost missed him entirely. He chastised himself for becoming such a recluse and hiding safely within the walls of his castle. He owed Randall a debt of gratitude, for without his interference, whatever awaited them would have spiraled unchecked and unchallenged.

So he answered honestly. “No one can see the future, Henry.”

But he avoided the question.

“Astrology is not to be confused with astronomy,” Coralis began. “Astronomy is the scientific study of the universe, which includes planets, galaxies, and an entire host of phenomena that occur beyond our atmosphere. There are many areas of expertise within astronomy, such as aerolithology, the study of meteors. And astronautics, the study of space travel.

“But astrology tells us how all those celestial objects combine to affect our daily lives. It is something that is felt more than seen, which is why scientists will never be able to fully grasp it.”

“Excuse me, Coralis,” Henry interrupted. “Exactly what am I supposed to put in the drawer?”

The barest hint of a smile tugged at Coralis’s lips. “Just listen, Henry. I’ll tell you when to begin filing.”

“Do you really think my brain is big enough to hold it all?”

“Without a doubt.” He clutched Henry by the hands, his voice stern yet sympathetic. “Henry, I have put this off for too long already. We are entering into uncharted territory. Events await our arrival that cannot be foreseen. In many ways, I have been a fool with my head buried in the sand. I have ignored my responsibility to protect the Earth. Many, many years ago I was a young apprentice, full of hope that the positive side of human character would dominate for the good of all mankind. But the things I have seen … ” He paused. “I became jaded and began to lose that hope. I neglected my charge as a Grand Wand Master because I knew that power and greed could never be eliminated. There would always be an alpha ram who would lead an ignorant flock of sheep to do his evil bidding. All the wars, all the genocide, all the senseless slaughter of innocents … it will never end.”

Henry winced as Coralis’s grip tightened. He wriggled free and Coralis leaned back.