"What do you think you are doing?"

Cathy awoke to find Hex glaring at her, his fingers poised in mid-air, ready to turn her into who-knew-what.

"I was working on a plan all night and I needed paper—So I won't forget any of the details," she explained, gathering her papers together and arranging them in the right order.

"You can read?" Hex's eyes narrowed into slits.

"Yes, I can read... and write."

"I don't believe you. Show me those papers," he ordered with his hand outstretched, waiting for Cathy to hand over her ideas.

She slid from the chair and moved away from the sorcerer, tucking the papers behind her back.

"I'll only show you my plan if you make me your apprentice," Cathy demanded, surprising herself with her audacity.

"How dare you suggest such a thing?" Hex growled his face flushing red. But he lowered his hand to his side.

Noting the sorcerer's hesitation, Cathy felt braver.

"I have devised a plan so cunning, it will impress even you. I promise. But I want your word that you'll teach me everything you know about magic."

Hex scowled at her, and then he grinned. She'd expected to be vaporised, but Hex seemed amused.

"Very well, you have my word."

Cathy held out her plan, and he snatched the papers. Throwing back his cloak, Hex read. The sorcerer's eyebrows raised as he peered over the pages at her.

"Hmm..." he muttered and continued reading. Hex walked to the window, leaning towards the early morning sunlight, and read the last three pages. Where she'd included a full set of architectural drawings and a rough estimate for the cost of ingredients.

Hex pinched the bridge of his nose. Cathy stayed silent. Her palms were sweating, but her mouth was bone dry as she waited for his verdict.

"It seems I have underestimated you," he said, lowering the pages. "This sweetie house of yours is a work of genius. I'll meet with Prince Horace and Agnes to discuss where and when to build it. You will join us."

"As you like."

 *

Standing in front of a full-length mirror, Cathy studied her reflection. There was no getting away from it. Her time with Hex had taken its toll. Dark shadows circled her eyes, her cheeks had hollowed and her hair was dull. And now, to add to Cathy's dreary appearance, Hex insisted she wore a plain brown dress, white apron, and brown lace-up shoes.

Sighing, she turned to leave the room, just as Hex stepped in... without knocking.

"I have a gift for you, Cathy," he said, fidgeting from one foot to the other.

"Oh."

"Yes, it's a reward for your work. It's a family heirloom. And, as you are the closest thing I have to a daughter," Hex cleared his throat, shoving a small box into her hand, "it's yours." And without a backward glance, he left her open-mouthed with shock.

The box was tricky to open, but eventually, she opened it without damaging the soft leather case. Inside was a gold pendant. It looked old and very expensive. If it had been a gift from anyone else, she would have loved it. But she wanted nothing from Hex, so she tossed the gift onto her bed and grabbed the pages from her dressing table. Shoving them down the front of her apron, she headed towards the library.

 *

The witch and her son were sitting opposite Hex, waiting for Cathy to join them. Although it was a mystery why a girl Hex said 'barely functioned' was so important.

"Ahh, Cathy, come here and meet Prince Horace and the delightful Agnes." Hex nodded toward the wicked pair.

Agnes seemed flattered, and she batted her wispy eyelashes at the sorcerer. Horace grimaced, then sighed, as though bored.

"Why is she here?" Horace asked, pointing a clawed finger at Cathy.

"Because Cathy has a plan."

"But did you not say the girl was a twit?" Horace sniped.

"I believe I said... barely sentient. But that's irrelevant now." Hex turned to Cathy and said, "Show Prince Horace your plan."

She pulled the pages out from her apron and handed them to the Prince. Horace unfolded the crumpled paper and read.

At first, the imp sighed and tutted. Then he smirked and said, 'Hmm.' Then he leapt to his feet as if his chair had caught fire and yelled, 'EUREKA!' Before sitting back down, refolding the paper, and clearing his throat.

"Well?" Hex asked.

"It's... it's... its pure genius," Horace said. "Mummy, you read it." He passed Cathy's plan to the witch.

Agnes unfolded the paper.

At first, she squinted at the writing, and then she reached into the pocket of her cape, pulled out her spectacles, and popped them on the end of her hooked nose. As she read, Agnes nodded enthusiastically before saying, "My, my, Hex, your human is quite the mastermind."

"Do we agree? This is the way forward?" Hex asked.

"We do." Agnes handed Cathy's plan back to her.

"We need to decide where to build." Hex tapped his foot.

"I think we should build it in the Whispering Woods. I know of a clearing large enough to accommodate our sweet little house. It's between Pixie Village and the Brook of Spells. Many, many children play in those woods." Horace's face beamed with delight.

"Perfect," Agnes added, wringing her bony hands.

"Then it's decided." Hex leaned forward in his chair. "One more thing. You promised me a way to steal the children's magic..."

"Ahh, yes. I haven't forgotten," Agnes replied. And with a click of her fingers and a flash of green light, a scroll appeared in her lap.

"This sleeping potion is powerful. The victims... sorry, children... will never wake. Then you may extract their magic." Agnes handed the magical scroll to Hex.

Hex's eyes twinkled as he clutched it to his icy heart.

"Very good," he muttered.

"We must go, mummy," Horace said, standing and holding his arm out for his mother. "We have an unruly dragon to reprimand."

Agnes gazed at her son adoringly and looped her arm into the crook of Horace's elbow. The magic coin appeared in Horace's hand, and he flipped it with his thumb and finger. Silver glinted in the sunlight as it flicked upwards and tumbled back down, landing in the imps palm, and with a flash of green light, they vanished.

"Well, that went better than expected. Although, I wish they wouldn't use their magic in my home. It takes ages to get rid of the smell. Open a window!" Hex swept out of the room.

Cathy wished more than anything to own a magic silver coin. Then she could travel far away from Rune Hall.