I realized I’d been manipulated, but I didn’t know how thoroughly until I found myself unable to move. This couldn’t have been Chaz – in addition to being dead, Guardians can’t do this kind of things to other Guardians. Daemon’s can’t either. A couple of deities, but I didn’t know any that would ally with daemons, and a Prince of Hell always leaves me feeling – tingly. I looked away from Chaz’s gleeful face and bofled myself into a moment between times.

I’d been touched. Influenced. Controlled. I got out of the whole Guardian business to avoid this kind of crap. Who, and what, and why? Not for Chaz and his little sideshow… oh, wait.

Who was suddenly clear. She’d touched my hand, induced a change. She must have also… there.

I could see it within my mind, now – the sniplet of herself that let her have control. Now that I knew about it, I erased it from my mind, not before sending the equivalent of a high-voltage shock back through it.

I was back. Chaz was still there.

“You’re next.”