he asked softly , still watching carter leave . well , it was decided that there was no way to stop them . wait a minute what about the guy who mugged him ? i nodded , the lump in my throat sitting there like a grenade . `` it could be a trick to get us to use our magic . '' i swear on my mothers grave ill make you pay if anything happens to my father . none would bend more than an inch or two ; the ring finger not at all . 