ed like an unnecessary errand that Bain
explained.

As Cortin listened, she got coldly angry. Shayan was Evil personified,
true, but that gave him no right to torment one of the Protector's
priests! Kill him, yes--they'd all die, and Service personnel didn't
expect an easy death--but not subject him to agony for no reason except
the sheer pleasure of it! She was the one who was supposed to face
Shayan--and while the thought frightened her, she'd prefer it to having
her people do so.

When Bain finished, she said as much. "Not that he had any choice
under the circumstances, of course," she added. "But try not to get
into similar circumstances, would you all?"

"We will try," Chang said. "However, we may have no more choice in the
matter than Mike was given. And you should be in no hurry to face him."

"I didn't say I was in a hurry," Cortin said. "It might be a good idea
to get it over with, though. I won't win, but I might weaken him
enough the Protector will."

"You must not act prematurely," Illyanov cautioned, frowning. "You
have not found all the Protector's staff yet, and there may be other
things equally necessary to prepare His way."

"Not act prematurely!" Cortin snorted. "At this point, I don't really
feel like I'm acting at all, much less prematurely!"

"If you consider leading an attempt to completely restructure society,
extracting information vital to fighting terrorists, and preparing for
the Final Coming, to be not acting, I will agree. Otherwise, I would
suggest you remain cautious; direct action against Shayan, unless
unavoidable, is the Protector's prerogative."

Cortin grimaced. Illyanov's quiet, level words stung; she knew she was
doing useful work. It was just that it didn't feel like enough,
and--especially after Mike's gratuitous torture--she wanted to take the
sort of direct action Ivan said she shouldn't. It would be so
satisfying to go into the Vatican during a major public event and
challenge Lucius with his real identity, force him to take some sort of
action that would prove it! He'd kill her, of course, but it'd be
worth it to bring him into the open. "I'll behave, I promise--even
though I'd rather not. Isn't there anything I can do for Mike?"

"There is a possibility," Illyanov said thoughtfully. "According to
some of our writings, the Herald may be granted the use of some of the
Protector's powers--your truthsense may be one. Another should be
healing--thoug