I don''t know how long I lay there, alone, exhausted, afraid, the stake still clutched in my hands.

    Finally, I hold up a hand before my face. I expect to see blood and exposed bone and sinew. Instead my arm is whole, unmarked.Advertisement

    It was a mind trick, the flayed skin, the burning.

    It''s over.

    Avery is gone. Disappeared. As if he never existed. My heart thuds a dirge in the center of my chest. It could have been me.

    Should have been me.

    I can''t figure out why it wasn''t.

    The answer comes from a now familiar voice.

    Avery was careless. He underestimated you. And your loyalty to your friend.

    I look around slowly, too weary to be startled. Casper?

    Are you all right?

    I gather strength, pull myself into a sitting position. My hand goes to my neck. There''s some blood but Avery never got a real hold.

    Thankfully. Where are you? Why don''t you show yourself?

    All things in time, he says enigmatically. I just wanted to be sure you were all right. Robert is out back with the car. He''ll take you home.

    Home. I shake my head sadly . I don''t have a home.

    Sure you do. Avery''s place is yours now.

    I sniff. I don''t think so.

    But it''s true. You vanquished an old soul in defense of your own life. All his possessions are yours.

    What if I don''t want them?

    Up to you. But before you dismiss it out of hand, think of how much good you could do with that kind of wealth. You could help a lot of people.

    I have to think about that.

    No rush. You have all the time in the world.