hair was long and curly, worn to the shoulders in the style of an

adept. It was disheveled, and between some strands that hung

down over his eyes, there was the soft gleam of an emerald

runestone set into his forehead. There was a faint blond stubble on

his cheeks and chin.

“So did I, ” said Billy. “But it wasn’t a snake in my dream. More

like a giant lizard.”

“Or a dragon?” Modred said, raising his eyebrows.

For a moment none of them said anything.

“Last time something like this happened, ” Wyrdrune said, “it

was the Dark Ones.”

Kira sat down on the couch and gazed at the sapphire set into the

center of her right palm. “My runestone isn’t glowing, ” she said.

She glanced at Wyrdrune. “Neither is yours.”

“Nor mine, ” said Modred, referring to the enchanted ruby set

into his chest, over his heart. “But that could only mean that

they’re not close.”

“What was your dream?” asked Merlin, speaking through“ Billy.

“A man being crushed in the coils of a giant snake, ” said Kira.

She glanced at Modred. “Yours?”

“Similar, ” said Modred, “only I had the vision that he was

changing into a dragon.”

“An‘ I had one about a giant lizard comin’ up outta some bloke’s

back, ” said Billy.

“Was he Oriental?” Modred asked.

“Yeah, come to think of it, ‘e was.”

“With long hair, ” added Wyrdrune. “Like an adept.”

“That’s right, ” said Kira.

“Sound like anyone you know?” asked Modred.

She shook her head. “Not me.”

“Me, neither, ” Wyrdrune said.

“Ain’t never seen ‘im before, ” said Billy.