Medallion

And then Reb remembered. The medallion! The moment had arrived. He thrust a hand under his shirt. Bringing forth the amulet, he held it high and cried out the formula that Mogen had given him.

He fully expected to see the beast fall down dead—but nothing happened! Again he cried the words, but the medallion, he saw, had grown dull.

Then, to one side, the form of Mogen suddenly materialized. She was dressed this time in black, with her hood thrown back.

Reb cried out, “Mogen, help me!”

Mogen did not move, and somehow she seemed to grow older, her face lengthening and her eyes turning into mere slits.

What's happening? Reb thought wildly, and he called out again. “Help me! The medallion isn't working!”

“You fool!” Mogen laughed, but it was a cackle, not the smooth laugh of the girl he had come to know. She seemed transformed into an old woman! Her fingers had grown into long claws, her face was wrinkled, her mouth twisted into a cruel sneer. “Now you know who I am. You were such an easy prey. Now you will taste what it is like to be under the power of the Dark Lord!”