"What took you so long?" Cathy flung herself at Hex, wrapping her arms around his chest and almost knocking him over.

"It's a long walk," he replied, regaining his balance. Hex took a moment to take in Cathy's bedraggled appearance. Her beautiful dress of stars had lost its sparkle and, to his dismay, so had she. Hex struggled to control his anger as the desire to reduce Prince Horace and his vile mother into piles of smouldering ash made his fingertips tingle.

"I missed you." Cathy looked up at him, her blue eyes glistening with tears.

Not used to displays of affection, Hex felt unsure what to do next, so he whispered, "There, there, pet. Don't cry. I'm here now." And quickly he added, "I have missed you, too." This was true. He had missed Cathy more than he believed possible. She was as dear to him as his own daughter.

A quick shuffle of small feet drew Hex's attention to the broom cupboard where Jake stood. The boy looked as if he hadn't bathed for a month. His hair was a mess, his face was mucky, and mud splattered his clothes. Hex stepped around Cathy and gingerly approached him.

"Hello, boy. I'm pleased to meet you. I am your great-grandfather, and you may call me Hex." Hex held out his hand and waited.

Jake stepped forward and hesitantly took the sorcerer's hand. "Hello, sir... erm... Hex."

With a smile reserved for only the most important fairies, Hex shook Jake's hand. "And what is your name?"

"Jake."

Hex nodded. "Good. Very good."

"I hate to break up this heartwarming family reunion, but we should leave," Chester said, nervously looking behind him.

"Yes, before a guard finds us, or worse, Prince Horace," Shadow added, peeling himself from the castle wall.

"YOU!" Cathy snapped at him. "What are you doing here?"

"Helping me," Hex said, his smile vanishing as quickly as it appeared.

"You can't trust him," Cathy said.

"He led us to that horrid witch," Jake added, refusing to look at Shadow.

"I know he's a deceitful toad, but he's the only creature to survive the maze. I need his help to navigate my way out."

"Steady on," muttered Chester, feeling rather offended.

"You're going into the maze?" Jake said, his eyes wide with disbelief.

Hex turned to Jake. "I am, and you're coming with me."

"Why would I step foot inside Horace's maze?"

"Because you two are safer with me than alone."

Before Cathy could argue, she heard the distant patter of impish feet.

"Let's go!" Hex grabbed Cathy by the arm and steered her along the corridor. Chester, who didn't need to be told twice, scurried after them.

"Boy! We must run," Shadow said, fighting the urge to follow Hex. Blast that rotten potion!

Jake shook his head. "No. I'm not going anywhere with you."

"Please," Shadow begged. "I have to go."

Jake looked behind him.

The footsteps sounded closer, and with no more time to waste, Shadow decided to act. He lunged forward and threw Boy over his shoulder. Luckily, the child weighed no more than the average pixie.

Jake yelped with fright and squirmed and kicked and tried to free himself. "Put me down!"

"This is for your own good." Shadow raced towards Prince Horace's throne room. And the hidden trapdoor that led to the maze.