runestone absorbed his life force before Kanno could. And now it’s

part of me.”

“You mean… like Billy and Merlin?”

Wyrdrune shook his head. “I—I don’t know. I’m not really sure.”

“Then he really isn’t dead?”

“In a way, I guess he is, ” said Wyrdrune. “And in another way,

he isn’t. His life energy lives on. I can feel it within me. ” He

glanced down at what remained of Leila and breathed a heavy sigh.

“It’s over now. We’ve won.”

“Until the next time, ” Kira said.

He met her gaze. “Yes. Until the next time.”

She came into his arms and they stood together on the summit,

holding on to each other tightly.

EPILOGUE

“The news media reported rr as an earthquake,” Kira said as she

finished up the story. “A lot of people were hurt trying to get down

off the mountain, but fortunately, nobody was killed. A few

witnesses reported seeing Leila whipping up the spell, but nobody

took that very seriously. It could have been much worse.”

“What happened to the guy who ambushed you?” asked

Makepeace. “Did the police arrest him?”

“They never got the chance,” said Wyrdrune. “Don Nishikawa

killed himself. Committed ritual seppuku. Although it’s possible he

may have had a little help. Shiro Kobayashi’s body was discovered

in his apartment. Leila must have killed him. Or maybe it was

Kanno. Anyway, it doesn’t matter now. Fugisawa got a department

funeral, with full honors. It was too bad about him. He was a good

man. Sakahara and Katayama got the credit for solving the Ginza

murders, with Yohaku’s help. And instead of being retired,

Katayama’s been promoted. The I.T.C. agent who came down to

take charge of the case was so impressed with him that he

arranged a transfer for him. So we now have one more connection