That wasn't the half of it. There were at least half a dozen transgressions he could name without pausing for breath that didn't even begin to touch Hendrik's manner. The accursed label alone counted for too many sleepless nights spent trying to convince himself none of it was true.

Eleven breathed deeply, fingertips pressing into the hollow of his chest. His granddad's advice had never seemed so difficult to follow as it was now.

"Mordegon stole that power from me. Near as I can tell, I've been sent here to regain it. ..What will you do?"