"Me?" he breathed.

Zechariah looked at him. "You believe me?"

"No," said Justin. "But I think you believe this crazy story. And if you do, others might, too. If those monsters attacked us just because they thought I was someone I'm not, then... Then Ahlund is dead because of me. And the town at the gate was attacked because of me. And it's my fault Leah's stranded here, instead of on her way home. And if those things hurt anybody in Deen, it's my-"

"Now, hold on," said ...