would strike in a manner that they could not possibly expect.

would strike in a manner that they could not possibly expect.

He practically trembled with anticipation. For hours now, he had been concentrating, emptying his mind

of all extraneous thoughts, achieving a meditative state of calm and isolation. Now he was ready. He

began the spell.

After the plaza had emptied of animals, the police removed the barricades and people started wandering

through the square, sitting on the benches or on the grass to watch others strolling by, or walking on the

paths or gathering in small groups, particularly the young people, and playing radios or guitars. Many

people simply strolled along the sidewalks around the plaza, looking into shop windows and examining

the displays of Indian jewelry, handwoven rugs, paintings, and ceramics, and the bars, cafés, and

restaurants in the area rapidly filled up to capacity.

Gomez sat in the front seat between Loomis and Modred. Billy and Kira sat in the back, Billy holding

Ramses in his lap. Loomis had never met Billy before, so he knew nothing of his transformation. They

had simply introduced him as Billy Slade. Loomis had asked only question. Was he the "third one"?

When they answered yes, Loomis knew exactly what they meant. Or, at least, he thought he knew. He

had assumed that Billy was the bearer of the third runestone. He didn't know that Modred was also

Wyrdrune and that he boretwo stones, one hidden beneath his shirt.

To disguise his appearance, since there was still an A.P.B. out on him, Modred wore a hat, a jacket with

a turned-up collar, and dark glasses. It was not the most effective of disguises, but then what police

officer would expect to see a wanted criminal sitting in the front seat of a patrol car with Loomis? In the

event that anyone did happen to recognize him, Loomis would claim that he had just arrested him. It was

better, Modred had decided, not to risk confusing Loomis by letting him in on his dual aspect at this late

stage. Besides, he had a good reason why he didn't want Loomis to see Wyrdrune.

"I don't know about this plan," said Loomis, nervously pulling on a cigarette. "I keep thinking of flaws in

it. The necromancer's not going to be out where anyone can see him. He'll probably be locked up in a

room inside a house or an apartment. How will the thaumagenes know?"

"Don't underestimate the thaumagenes," said Gomez. "Their senses are highly acute. A lot of pet owners

put in special doors for them, so they'll be able to get into the houses that way. Or they can use open

windows, balconies, rooftops . . . even if they can't get inside, they can get to where they can hear most

of what's going on in there."

"What if there's nothing for them to hear?" asked Loomis.