They glanced up as Li Kin entered and then, as they saw the wolf-shape that moved beside him, they sprang up, reaching for their guns.
Li Kin flung up his hand to stop them. He bent down, shielding Nelson's wolf-body with his own body, and said with a strange dreamy smile, "Put on the thought-crowns, my friends. You are about to learn something of the powers you fight against."
Nelson watched them as they picked up the platinum circles and put them on, frowning, their hands still ready on their gun butts.
He sent his thought out to them. "Haven't you a word of welcome for me — Eric Nelson?"
Van Voss swore and drew his gun. "A beast-spy from Vruun, who tries to trick us like children! Get out of the way, Li Kin."
But Sloan snapped, "Hold on, Piet." Nelson could feel his mind probing, testing.
Nelson told them, "You don't believe? Then listen."
Rapidly, he reminded them of things they had done together that only Eric Nelson could know. Gradually Van Voss' heavy jaw fell and his gun slid back into the holster. He sat down, staring.
Sloan let out a long harsh breath and swore softly. "How was this done and why?"
"The punishment of the Guardian!" said a voice from across the hall — a voice full of fear.