Gatefather Read Online Free Page A

you,” said Stone, “you just came. But I’m glad you did. Because I can talk to some people who might know what to do about it.”
    â€œDanny would rather that we kill him,” said Pat, “than let his body be used to hurt other people.”
    â€œEvery time I hear people talk about what somebody else ‘would want,’” said Hal, “it’s always pretty much the opposite of what they’d really want.”
    â€œYou’re a perceptive young man,” said Stone, “but in this case, Pat has a point. Danny North is a good man. Not perfect, because gatemages are all pranksters and brats, but he wouldn’t want his body used to harm other people. So here’s my hope: If he still has enough control to keep the Belmage from getting the use of his gates, then maybe he can stop him from doing other things, too.”
    Pat noticed that the other three girls all reacted to that idea. Laurette with a little nod, Sin by resting her head on her hands, Xena by staring off into space as if remembering something. As if the idea of Danny stopping the Belmage from using his body to do harm meant something to each of them.
    Don’t read too much into body language, Pat told herself. You’re a windmage, not a mind reader.
    But maybe Stone noticed it, too. Maybe it really was something.
    â€œI think Xena asked the right question,” said Hal. “Should we avoid Danny? Or would that just tell the Belmage that we’re on to him, and put Danny in worse danger?”
    â€œYou think this Set guy might possess one of us ?” asked Sin.
    â€œHe’d prefer a mage,” said Stone.
    Pat appreciated the fact that he didn’t look at her when he said it.
    â€œBut in a pinch, any body will do. And I mean it that way—not ‘anybody’ but ‘any … body.’ He could go into a dog or a horse or—”
    â€œPigs,” said Sin. “The Gadarene swine.”
    â€œAnybody who comes near Danny is a potential target,” said Stone.
    â€œHow near?” asked Wheeler. “Do you have to be touching him? I mean, Nicki was, like…”
    â€œWe know what Nicki was doing,” said Stone, “and no, there doesn’t have to be physical contact. Some people have more resistance than others, though. I think Danny is particularly strong, and that’s why the Belmage set up a situation where he could trick Danny into inviting him in. That gives Set way more access than if he jumps in out of the blue. There are stories of how it can sometimes take a long time to worm in and take full control. Since this subject first came up, Veevee’s been doing a lot of research and trying to work up a sort of biography of Set. Though it’s hard to distinguish what’s done by Set himself and what’s really the work of the Sutahites.”
    â€œSo it wouldn’t really make any difference, whether we’re close by or not,” said Hal.
    â€œIf he wants one of you, he’ll find a way to get close enough.”
    â€œSo we should act like nothing’s different?” asked Xena.
    â€œFor the time being,” said Stone.
    â€œExcept Danny felt us all come here,” said Xena, “so he’ll know we did something without him and he’ll ask us.”
    â€œField trip to our nation’s capital?” suggested Sin.
    â€œOh, right,” said Wheeler.
    â€œI was being ironic,” said Sin.
    â€œJust tell him you’re planning a surprise Christmas present,” said Stone. “But don’t volunteer it. Make him pry it out of you.”
    â€œAnd if he really pushes, tell him we couldn’t think of anything,” said Pat.
    â€œYeah,” said Xena. “What do you get for somebody who can shoplift anything he wants without ever getting caught?”
    â€œDanny doesn’t steal,” said Pat.
    â€œUnless he needs to,” said Stone. “Don’t impose your