"We were betrayed last night by Camira," Laura said.
"Members of the Society surprised us and captured the house. They thought the threat of harming their hostages was enough to convince me to lead you into their trap."
"There are no more hostages," Berrigan laughed. "Not after that little stunt! Your nephew is dead. So are your sister and her husband. Same with Corbin and Sam and Lois."
Laura's face went rigid. Her lip twitched. "You would have killed them either way. At least I managed to save some lives."
"You're still all dead," Berrigan assured her. "You're just prolonging your demise."
"Get out of him, Wayne," Laura snapped.
"I'm enjoying the ride," Berrigan replied. "How did it feel to kill your prize pupil?"
Laura glared. "I never would have suspected Camira."
"You heard the lady," Tanu said, laying his thick forearm across the back of Berrigan's neck. "Get out."
"You need to lay off the Twinkies," Berrigan gasped, his voice strangled.
"I can make things very uncomfortable for you," Tanu promised.
"You're not hurting my body," Berrigan panted. "Do what you want to Berrigan."
"Hold him, Trask," Tanu said.
Trask switched positions with the Samoan. Tanu withdrew a needle and a small bottle from his satchel.
"You going to sew me to death?" Berrigan chuckled. Tanu dipped the needle into the bottle. "I can cause you plenty of pain without harming your host." Tanu touched the needle to Berrigan's neck.
A full-throated, scream issued immediately from Berrigan. His eyes bulged and spittle ran from his lips.
"What are you doing?" Laura asked in distress.
Tanu removed the needle and Berrigan sagged into unconsciousness. "The potion sends a message of extreme pain to the brain," Tanu explained. "It does no actual damage, just talks to the nerves." He pricked the needle against Berrigan's neck again. "The narcoblix truly has withdrawn, or he would be writhing." Tanu rummaged in his bag and pulled out another small bottle. Unstopping it, he wafted it under Berrigan's nostrils.
The young man convulsed and his eyes opened. He struggled against Trask, his eyes on Tanu. "Who are you?"
"They're friends, Berrigan," Laura soothed, crouching into view. "Be still."
"What happened?" he asked, somewhat calmer.
Laura caressed his forehead. "That narcoblix drugged you and stole your body. This is the team we've been awaiting. Answer me a question or two, to make sure you're in possession of yourself. What is your Aunt Jannali's favorite song?"
"Moon River.'"
"As a child, what did you like in your mashed potatoes?"
"Little cubes of Spam."
"What is the farthest your Uncle Dural has thrown a spear?"
"I don't have an Uncle Dural."
"Welcome back, Berrigan. Ready to help?"
He nodded, and Tanu helped him sit up. Closing his eyes, Berrigan rubbed his temples. "My head is pounding." He opened his eyes. "What about Camira?"
"She's dead," Laura said flatly.