Shadow watched as Horace crept behind the children and whispered into Cathy's ear, "Hello, child."

Cathy leapt to her feet and whipped around to face him. Startled, Jake threw himself to the ground and crawled away. This pleased Horace to no end as the imp enjoyed the element of surprise.

"Prince Horace," Cathy said, stepping in front of Jake.

"I would say I'm surprised to see you here, Cathy. But I am not." Horace glanced over his shoulder. "You can come out."

Shadow slipped from the trees and stood beside the prince.

"Shadow!" Jake darted from behind Cathy and ran to him, wrapping his arms around Shadow's chest. "I knew you'd find us."

Shadow peeled away Jake's arms and stepped back.

Jake frowned at his friend. "Aren't you pleased to see me?"

Prince Horace snorted with amusement, his yellow eyes glowing even brighter. "Well, tell him?"

Jake's gaze darted between the shadow and the imp. "Tell me what?"

Finally, Shadow spoke. "Boy, I am sorry. I would have spared you." It was a pitiful apology from a pitiful creature who felt sick to his stomach with shame.

"What have you done?" Cathy asked, as though she didn't already know.

Shadow opened his mouth to explain, but Horace, eager to see her reaction, spoke first. "He was leading you to me."

"Why?"

"You know why, Cathy. You are a Gem Maker. Mummy knew it from the moment she set eyes on you. And you, young man." Horace turned to face Jake. "Will be a fine addition to mummy's collection. A human boy, here in the fairy realm, is a rarity indeed."

Jake's lip trembled. "Shadow, you were leading us to them?" He pointed his shaking finger at the imp. "So, they can turn me into a doll?"

Shadow stared at his feet, hoping the ground would swallow him whole. "Yes."

"How could you?" Jake lowered his hand, and a tear ran down his cheek, splashing onto Phillip's woollen jumper.

"He traded your sister for a transformation spell. To become flesh and bones. Finding you was simply a bonus," Horace answered, enjoying every moment of Shadow's disgrace.

"I knew it!" The rage swelled in the pit of Cathy's stomach. "I knew we couldn't trust you."

Shadow shook his head. "You don't understand. I wish to be real. I am a nobody, an outline."

Horace nodded in agreement. Shadow was a no body. He was all smoke and illusion created by the maze.

"You are a coward," Cathy said, unable to look at Shadow any longer.

Horace couldn't have said it better himself.

"This place is awful." Jake backed away from Shadow, his eyes fixed on the face of his enemy. "You are awful, and I want to go home."

Horace had heard enough.

"Boy! However bad you think this place is, I assure you it's worse." The imp grinned. "If it's any consolation, Shadow will get nothing. He has proven himself incompetent, and I do not reward fools."

Shadow flinched. He wanted nothing from Prince Horace, not now. At least, that's what he told himself.

"Was it worth it, Shadow?" Cathy asked, her face red with rage. And glaring at Horace she said, "Wait until Hex hears what you have done."

Prince Horace tutted. "Now, child. Don't believe for one moment Hex will save you. His magic cannot work inside my castle... And on that note." Horace pulled the silver coin from his waistcoat pocket. "It is time we left."

"I hate you both," Cathy yelled, the heat in her belly spreading up through her chest and into her throat... until she hiccupped six rubies and two diamonds.

Horace lunged, catching three of the rubies with his free hand. Studying the precious stones he said, "Fabulous, my dear. It seems we were right. You truly are a gifted Gem Maker."

In a flash, the imp flicked the magic coin into the air and as it tumbled back towards his palm, Cathy, Jake, and Prince Horace vanished in a plume of green smoke. Leaving a nasty odour in the air.