The Fairy Guard carried a torch in one hand and gripped Cathy's arm with the other. He marched her along the longest, darkest tunnel, to the furthest cell.

"You don't have to hold me so tightly. You're hurting me," Cathy grumbled, trying to free herself from his vice-like grip.

"After last time, I'm not taking any chances," the guard replied and squeezed her arm even tighter.

"I have no magic. I cannot escape."

"Yeah, right. The great-granddaughter of Hex, the sorcerer, has no magic. You must think I was born yesterday?"

"I'm a human. Not a fairy. I don't have a drop of magic in my entire body."

The guard snorted in disbelief. "I almost lost my job because of your deception. I wouldn't trust a word you say."

The guard stopped outside the cell where King Julius had imprisoned Hex and unlocked the door.

"Only fitting, don't you agree?" The guard shoved her into the cell and slammed the door.

"I suppose."

The guard's voice softened as he said, "You appear to be a smart girl. So why did you do it? Everyone knows Hex is a villain. He deserves to be locked up for the rest of his miserable existence."

"You wouldn't believe me if I told you."

"Probably not." The keys jingled as the guard locked the door.

Attaching the keyring to his belt, the guard turned and trudged back along the corridor. Taking the only source of light with him. Before plunging Cathy into darkness, he yelled, "Try escaping this time, and I'll boil you in oil."

From the dark came a muffled sob.

"Jake, is that you?"

Another pitiful sob.

"Where are you?" She tried to feel her way, but there was only space. "Jake, I can't find you." She stumbled and fell. Her hands sank into the damp straw covering the floor. "It's so dark... I wish... I wish I had a candle."

The fabric of her dress shimmered softly as a candle appeared on the floor in front of her.

Picking it up, she searched the cell.

Tucked into a corner, Jake sat with his arms wrapped around his knees. Cathy dropped to the floor beside him.

"Are you hurt?" she asked, checking his face for signs of injury.

"No." He sniffed and wiped his nose on his arm. "Cathy, where are we? What's happening?"

"When I used the mirror cleaner from under Flo's sink, it was a spell. A magic potion to open a portal into the fairy realm. I didn't know. How could I? I didn't even believe fairies existed."

"You've been here before?"

"Yes." There was so much to tell. She hardly knew where to begin.

"When?"

"It's difficult for me to explain because they altered time in our realm. They create spells to confuse, potions to trick, and... and... magical contracts to deceive... But some are kind." She clasped her pendant and continued, "A sorcerer called Hex took me. He thought I was someone else."

"Who?"

"Flo."

"Why would a fairy sorcerer from this awful place want to kidnap our nan?"

"Because she's, his daughter."

Jake stared at Cathy for a moment and then shook his head. "You're lying. Spooky Flo is..." Jake searched for the right word. "Erm... like what dad says... electric."

"You mean eccentric."

"That's what I said... eccentric. But she's no fairy."

"Your sister is telling you the truth, boy," said a deep voice from the darkest part of the damp cell.

Cathy rose to her feet and waved the candle in the voice's direction, creating a strange, eerie shadow.

"Who's there?" Cathy stood in front of Jake and pushed him against the wall.

"Ouch," he grumbled, as his back bumped against the stone.

"Shush."

The dark silhouette of a goblin peeled itself from the grey stone wall. "My name is Shadow. I'm here to rescue you."

"Nice name. Easy to remember," Jake said, sliding out from behind Cathy.

"I thought so." Shadow stretched his arms above his head. "After all, you wouldn't call a stone, Bob."

"Or call a brick, Shirley," Jake said with a grin.

"Exactly." Shadow jogged on the spot as though limbering up for a marathon.

"Why are you helping us? Everyone here thinks I'm a traitor."

Shadow stopped jogging and said, "I'm aware. Hex sent me."

"He knows I'm here?"

"Yes, and the boy," Shadow jerked his chin towards Jake.

"My name is Jake. Pleased to meet you." Jake stepped forward with his hand outstretched.

"Good name. Not so easy to remember." Shadow grasped Jake's hand tightly and shook it vigorously.

Jake's teeth rattled at the force of Shadow's handshake, but he said, "You can call me Boy... if you like."

Shadow grinned. "Boy, it is."