It began as a game to him, another facet to worming his way into Alex’s mind. This was all as calculated as the animals he documented and dissected. Trying to prove to Alex that together they could do the unthinkable.

He didn’t expect to begin to care. That wasn’t part of his brain chemistry. He had a goal, to fulfill the destiny written for him in the twelfth century, one with him as the Spade, and Alex as the Jack.

What he had sought was to tip Alex over the edge, to make him realize his full potential. He had the Jack, and his Maraclea.