The blood had drained from Justin's face. "No," he said.

Avagad smiled. "Remarkable, isn't it? Zechariah has always been so adept at bending people to his will."

"No," Justin said again.

"Oh, dear," said Avagad. "What's the matter? Your wise teacher who just happened to be in the right place at the right time to take you under his wing-is he not the unassuming, kind old hermit you thought he was?"

Justin shook his head. "You're a liar. I don't believe ...