"Erm... Hex," Chester said. "Are you alright?"

Even though the images had vanished, Hex stayed knelt in front of the crystal ball. This was not the sorcerer Chester knew. The sorcerer, who would rage with fury, create a storm, and destroy a tree.

This time, there was only silence.

"Do you know what's wrong with him?" Chester stared up at Prince Sebastian.

"No." Sebastian turned to his bodyguard. "Terrance, do you know?"

"No, Your Royal Highness." Terrance shrugged.

"I know who Prince Horace is," Sebastian said, "But I'm unfamiliar with the other... creature."

"His name is Shadow. I tried to warn Hex. Shadow is not to be trusted."

Hex's top lip curled.

"And the girl?" Sebastian asked.

"She's Hex's great-granddaughter. The boy is his great-grandson."

Hex's right eye twitched.

"But they're human?" Terrance asked.

The sorcerer's eyebrows rose.

"They were born in the human realm. Hex kidnapped Cathy and brought her here." Chester watched Hex closely. "It's his fault they're in trouble."

A small spark flickered between Hex's fingertips.

Chester shuffled away from the sorcerer.

"If he'd left the girl where she belonged..."

Hex slowly stood.

Prince Sebastian and Terrance retreated farther away from Hex.

Chester stayed put, and trying not to tremble, he cleared his throat and he said, "Shadow wouldn't be leading her into a trap."

The sky turned black, and the wind howled.

"I. Did. Not. Kidnap. Cathy!" Hex growled. His cloak flapped behind him. "It was a mistake!"

Rain pelted the forest.

"Either way, what are you going to do about it?" Chester slid sideways behind a tree and held his breath. Any moment could be his last.

The forest illuminated with a sudden flash of light, and Chester peeked around the tree. "Hex," he called. The sorcerer was nowhere to be seen. Prince Sebastian and Terrance stepped out from behind their trees.

"He's gone," Terrance said, scanning the forest.

"Uh-oh," Chester replied.

*

Hex appeared by the Brook of Spells. Kneeling, he searched the ground for tracks but found nothing. He stood to gauge the direction of the Castle of Jewels. Shadow had a brief head start, but he would catch up.

With a sweep of his cloak, Hex turned to leave, almost stepping on a fluffy black and white cat. The cat stared up at him with large green eyes. Hex glared back. He hated cats, and they played havoc with his allergies.

"Be gone," he hissed, waving his hands to shoo the cat away. The cat's eyes narrowed into slits. "I said... go!" He pointed towards the trees. "I'm not in the mood to be bothered by a flea-infested feline."

"I heard you the first time," Lilybeth replied as her tail flicked angrily. "And I'll have you know I don't have a single flea... The absolute cheek."

Hex rubbed his itchy eyes. "You can talk?"

"Of course, I can talk."

Hex scratched his chin. He figured things weren't as they seemed because cats rarely spoke.

"Who are you?" he asked. And then sneezed.

"My name is Lilybeth."

"I am Hex. A powerful sorcerer. Some say the most powerful sor..."

"I know who and what you are," Lilybeth interrupted with more than a hint of disgust.

"Then I find myself at a disadvantage. What are you?"

"I'm Cathy's Fairy Godmother."

"Since when?"

"Since you kidnapped her."

Hex sighed. "I did not kidnap Cathy."

"If you say so," Lilybeth said. "I followed the children from the castle prison to find out what Shadow's plotting."

"He's leading the children into a trap. Shadow works for Prince Horace and Agnes."

"I know." Lilybeth's whiskers twitched.

Hex crouched and leant forward so his nose almost touched Lilybeth's. "You know! And you've done nothing! What kind of Fairy Godmother are you?"

Lilybeth ignored Hex's obvious contempt. "I've already warned Cathy. Have faith that she is intelligent enough to work out Shadow's plan. And trust that she'll know what needs to be done."

Hex stood and rubbed his temples. "She's just a child."

"Don't underestimate her, she saved you."

Lilybeth was right. Cathy had surprised him repeatedly with her resilience and quick thinking. Even so, he worried. "If anything happens to her... I'll never forgive myself."

Lilybeth stared at the sorcerer with a puzzled frown. Maybe Cathy was right, and Hex wasn't the wicked sorcerer she believed him to be.

"I'll take care of the children, but you, Hex, have someone else to rescue."