Hex tried to ignore the urge to turn back. It wasn't fear making his stomach churn and his palms sweat. Hex had already faced his worst fear and survived. He had lost the most precious people in his life: his darling wife, Rose, and his beautiful daughter, Florence. Nothing else could make him so afraid, or so lonely. And yet, the feeling grew with each step closer to the castle.

Hex stepped back, and the feeling eased. He stepped forward, and his stomach dipped.

"Hex," Chester said, peering up at the sorcerer with a frown. "What's wrong?"

Hex braced himself as he took another step forward. This time, the ache in his stomach stole his breath, and he dropped to his knees. "I-I-I don't know," he gasped. He may throw up, and Hex had not suffered a day's sickness in his long life.

Chester hopped beside him. "What can I do? How can I help?"

"You cannot." Hex lifted the sack over his head and dropped it in front of him. He untied the drawstring and pulled out Giggleton's crystal ball. He set it in front of him, and clutching his stomach he asked, "Where is Cathy?"

White wisps filled the globe and sweat trickled down Hex's cheeks as he waited beside Chester. Slowly, the wisps cleared to reveal a blazing fire with two children huddled in a blanket. Hex leant closer to get a better look at his great-grandson. Such a handsome boy, he clearly took after him. Hex managed a smirk, but his smugness was short-lived as a grey, scaly imp slipped between the trees and approached the children.

"Oh, no!" Chester yelled, his eyes widening and his chest heaving. He turned to Hex in a state of panic. "That's Prince Horace!"

Hex clapped his hands across his mouth to stop himself from yelling, "Run!" They couldn't hear him, and they hadn't seen the danger lurking behind them. Hex instinctively clicked his fingers, hoping to teleport to the children's location. But in this tunnel, so close to the Castle of Jewels, nothing happened.

Chester hopped up and down, muttering, "No, no, no... Poor, poor children!"

Hex shoved the crystal ball back into his sack, slung it over his shoulder, and scooped up the toad. Holding Chester tight, the sorcerer bolted through the dark, damp tunnel.

*

Shadow checked behind him every few minutes. Thankfully, he was alone. There wasn't a cockerel prince, a nosy guard, or a judgemental fairy godmother in sight. No one could track him. In the dark, he was invisible.

In front of him, beyond the trees, the children warmed themselves beside a roaring fire, and smoke billowed into the night sky. Attracting every predator in the valley. He should have taught them better.

Shadow almost stepped out of the trees, but a rustle made him pause. He slid behind a tree and waited. To his dismay, a silver coin glittered in the moonlight. He tensed as Horace slipped the magic coin into his waistcoat pocket. What now? What should he do? Shadow's mind raced. He had only seconds before Prince Horace captured the children, and he lost his chance of becoming flesh and bones.

Without thinking, Shadow leapt in front of the imp. "Prince Horace, what brings you here?"

Horace's yellow eyes glowed in the dark as he hissed, "Mummy sent me. She was concerned the children were unattended."

"Whyever, would she think that? I had everything under control." Shadow folded his arms to stop them from shaking.

"Hmmm..." Prince Horace glanced at the children. "I'll take it from here, Shadow. I no longer have need of you."

"But you said I was to bring them to the castle." Shadow sensed his future slip away.

"I know what I said. However, mummy has changed her mind. She feels you have not been entirely honest with us, and mummy despises lies."

Shadow almost choked. "I have been honest with you. I brought the children this far."

Horace grinned, his sharp teeth glinting. "Ahh... But you didn't. Did you think we wouldn't track you, Shadow?" The imp slipped his clawed hand inside Shadow's long black coat, slicing through its fine silk.

Before Shadow could object, Horace fished an earwig from the lining of Shadow's coat. Holding the bug in his palm, Horace said, "Meet, June."

The bug hissed in response. Startled, Shadow backed away. "That thing," he said, pointing. "Has been living inside my coat?"

"Yes." Horace grinned so wide Shadow could count all thirty-six of his teeth. "Gorgeous, isn't she?"

"No!" Shadow shivered.

"June allows us to hear everything. We've heard each lie you've told and witnessed your incompetence." Horace popped the earwig into his jacket pocket. "Our agreement is void. Now step aside!"

Shadow glanced between the imp and the children. With no choice other than allow Prince Horace to take them, Shadow obeyed.