"I do nice work, don't I?" the young man asked, noticing the direction of Max's gaze. It was DuPris-and his shape-shifting skills were impressive. If he was at all afraid that Max was going to attack him again, he didn't show it.

Max did a quick check of his group, not allowing his eyes to linger on Liz. They were doing pretty well at the show-no-fear thing themselves. "We came to make you an offer," he said.

"Well, do tell," DuPris drawled. As he spoke, his face returned to its usual shape. "I used that ridiculous southern accent for too long. I'm having trouble getting rid of it." He stood away from the door. "If we're going to do business, you might as well come inside."

The place hadn't been used in years. There were sheets over the furniture in the living room DuPris directed them to, and a layer of dust coated the wood floor.

"I'm surprised you were able to find me," DuPris admitted. "I didn't think you would have mastered the lavila this soon after your akino."

Max shrugged. He had no clue what DuPris was talking about, but there was no reason for him to know that. If he wanted to think Max had more powers than he actually did, great.

"You want the ring. We want Adam and Isabel. If they aren't here, we have nothing to talk about," Michael said. The polite chitchat was obviously driving him crazy.

A door at the other end of the living room swung open, and a little boy and girl stepped through. As Max watched, they began to change. The girl's dark hair turned to a deep wine color, then to a rusty brown, then lightened quickly to Isabel's honey blond. Her eyes lightened and brightened to Isabel's blue. Her body stretched up and grew curves, not something Max especially wanted to see. In an instant the transformation was complete.

But not. Isabel's eyes were the right shade of blue, but they were empty. Her face lacked any animation. She and Adam were like the most expensive mannequins ever created.

"Release them," Max ordered. "You're not getting the ring unless you can prove they're unharmed."

"You have a lot of demands," DuPris commented.

"I have the ring," Max answered. A worthless ring that would basically kill anyone who used it. He hoped his expression wasn't betraying any hint of that little fact.

"You have a point," DuPris conceded.

And then Isabel was running to Max. She grabbed him and held on to him so hard, it hurt. "You're okay," he whispered in her ear. "We'll be out of here in a couple of minutes."

She pulled away. "Is Adam…?"

"I'm here," he answered.

Max turned and saw him standing next to Liz, his green eyes focused and alert. "Good to have you back," Max told him.

"This is all quite touching," DuPris said. "Now give me the ring."

Max reached into his pocket and pulled out the ring. Moment of truth, he thought. He handed it to DuPris.

"Good to have you back," DuPris said to the Stone.

The Stone began to glow, and the hair on Max's arms prickled. It was time to leave-and fast. As Alex had said, they should be standing way, way back at this point. He jerked his chin toward the door.

Michael nodded. "We'll leave you two alone together," he told DuPris.

"That's not necessary. In fact, I won't hear of it," DuPris answered. "I want to try this baby out. I bet with the Stone, I can take control of all of you at the same time. Any takers?"

The living room exploded with the Stone's purple-green light before Max could even consider connecting to the consciousness.

And it was over.

DuPris had him. Had all of them. Max couldn't see the others-his eyes were locked straight ahead-but he knew if even one of them was still free, they'd be attacking DuPris right now.

"That was too easy," DuPris complained as he headed over to Max. "It sort of spoiled the fun." He licked his finger and used it to smooth out Max's eyebrows, then he moved on.

Was he touching Liz now? The thought made Max feel as if he were going insane. He couldn't even turn his head to look at her. Forget his head. He couldn't even move his eyes.

DuPris moved back into his field of vision, his face so close to Max's, it blotted out everything else. "Your girlfriend is delightful," he commented. His tongue flicked out and brushed across his upper lip, as if he was enjoying the taste of something. "But I don't think I'll touch her yet. She's worth savoring."

He can read my thoughts, Max realized.

"Yes, and they're very predictable," DuPris answered. "Very human, I'm afraid to say. Poor Max, all in a knot at the idea that I might get a little too close to Miss Ortecho. Don't worry. Though she is very attractive."

Michael could practically feel the fury pouring out of Max, a fury that matched his own.

"Another predictable human response," DuPris said, circling around in front of him. "I must say I'm disappointed in you, although I suppose I must take into account that you were raised here. Well, raised is perhaps not the correct word. Pitiful unwanted little Michael, the orphan boy. You haven't had an easy time of it on this planet, have you? Skipping from home to home where no one liked you well enough to keep you." He reached out and straightened Michael's collar. "Don't worry, Mikey boy, I'm going to keep you forever and ever."

Michael wanted to rip off DuPris's head and drop-kick it across the room. Yeah, and then do a victory dance on his body.

DuPris laughed. "Very colorful," he said. "I think you need a demonstration, something to help you adjust to your new circumstances."

Michael's heart began to flutter. Get a grip, he ordered himself. Don't let this clown scare you.

DuPris shook his head. "You're not exactly quick, are you?" he asked.

Michael's heart jerked in his chest. It isn't fear causing this, he realized. It's DuPris. His heart jerked again. A little harder and it could rip the veins and arteries connecting it to his body.

"That's right. And you know what would happen then," DuPris said. "Bu-bye!"

All Michael could do was stand there motionless as his body turned against him. Pain speared up his left arm. His heartbeat doubled, then doubled again, each frantic beat yanking on the veins and arteries.

White dots exploded in front of his eyes. A metallic taste flooded his mouth. Bu-bye! he thought wildly

And then his heart slowed down. The pain subsided. His vision cleared, and the first thing he saw was the satisfied smile on DuPris's face.

"Consider that the first class of New Reality 101," DuPris told him. "And you will be tested later."

Even if DuPris hadn't had control over her, Maria didn't think she'd have been able to move. The terror would have kept her rooted in place.

"Now that's what I like to hear," DuPris said. "What a good little bunny you are."

She felt a hand pat her on the head. Oh, God, he was right behind her.

"I've always wondered what kinds of thoughts bunnies are capable of having," he continued. "Let me just look around for a minute."

Memories began to flash through Maria's mind. She saw herself lying on her stomach, drawing a lavender pony. Watching her mother get dressed for a date. Buying her first box of tampons. Using a feather duster to wake the other kids in her preschool class up from a nap. Refusing to dissect a worm. Kissing Michael.

"Ah, interesting," DuPris murmured.

The memories continued to race by, but now they were all of Michael. Michael flicking cake batter at her. Michael slow dancing with her. Michael laughing at her imitation of a serial killer on Prozac. Michael staring intently into her eyes. Michael listening to Maria babbling that he had to choose between her and Isabel.