Shadow left the children inside Philip's ramshackle house with strict instructions not to leave. And then he ventured into the goblin town to buy enough supplies to last them the rest of their journey. Shadow couldn't rely on Cathy's dress of stars to supply everything they needed. Eventually, the magic would run out. But try as he might, he couldn't concentrate on the task at hand.

Shadow was experiencing a sensation he'd never felt before. It crept and slithered and niggled at the back of his mind. Convinced this must be guilt, Shadow tried to ease his conscience. Which was far more complicated than it seemed. To transform him into flesh and bones, it took powerful magic, and he knew of only one creature who could cast such a spell... Prince Horace.

Shadow considered his dilemma. What if he spared just one child? One was surely better than none. He could sacrifice Cathy to save the boy and Prince Horace would never uncover his deception... Not once Boy stepped through the mirror and returned to the human realm. Slowly, the uncomfortable niggling sensation eased, at least a little.

Opposite where Shadow stood, the baker's door flung open, allowing the smell of fresh bread, sugary cakes, and iced buns to drift into the cobbled street. Shadow waited for a cart laden with barrels of Pixie Brew to pass by and crossed the road. He was about to step inside the shop when a large, fluffy, black and white cat leapt onto the threshold and glared up at him. The cat's bushy tail flicked from side to side in anger. This was most unexpected.

"Lilybeth! What are you doing here?"

The cat's large, green eyes narrowed, and its long, white whiskers twitched. "I could ask you the same thing."

"Have you followed me?" Shadow felt the urge to run, but he wouldn't get far.

"I have. And I was right to do so." With a wave of her paw, twinkles of light swirled as she transformed into a fairy godmother.

Shadow looked around anxiously, hoping no one saw him with Lilybeth. "Can we go somewhere less conspicuous to talk?"

Lilybeth nodded. "Follow me."

*

Cathy left Jake in the kitchen whilst she searched the house for blankets and warm clothing. She climbed the rickety stairs with its broken spindles and wobbly handrail. Carefully, she dodged the gaps in the rotten floorboards and stepped into what must have been Phillip's bedroom.

The once fine now faded, blue curtains were half open and dotted with holes. Covered in thick dust were an oak wardrobe, a chest of drawers, and two bedside tables. This house had been deserted for far longer than Shadow had led them to believe.

Cathy pulled back the ruined bedspread from the brass bed and yanked the woollen blanket from underneath. She folded and rolled the blanket, using the cord from Phillip's robe to tie it. Then she searched the drawers for jumpers. In the top drawer, Phillip kept his socks, pants, and vests. Inside the middle drawer, he kept his pyjamas and t-shirts. In the bottom drawer, Cathy found his jumpers. She pulled out two jumpers and held them up to gauge if they would fit. Thankfully, Phillip must have been a short goblin, unlike his shadow, so although they smelt musty, and the sleeves were too long, they would do.

Cathy slung the blanket over her shoulder and, with the jumpers looped over her arm, she left the bedroom and headed down the stairs.
In the kitchen, Jake was busy exploring and she found him part-way inside the cupboard under the sink.

"Jake, come out of there!" Cathy ordered, wondering which spells Phillip kept hidden beneath his sink.

Jake crawled backwards and sat on the mucky floor.

"Why have you got those?" he asked and gestured towards the blanket and jumpers.

"Because we have to leave." Cathy threw a jumper at Jake. "Put this on."

Jake picked up the jumper and frowned. "But Shadow said we're to stay here and not go anywhere."

"We can't trust Shadow. He's leading us into a trap."

Jake shook his head. "No, he's not! He wouldn't. He's my friend."

"Shadow is no one's friend. He's leading us to Prince Horace's Castle of Jewels."

"I don't believe you." Jake threw the jumper and folded his arms.

Cathy's cheeks flushed with heat, and she stomped around the table. With her hands on her hips, she yelled, "I am not a liar! I am telling you; he's leading us into a trap. I saw the map inside King Julius' castle. Troll Village is in the fairy realm, not here. Beyond the sea is The Imp Empire. And there's only one reason Prince Horace would want me."

"Why would anyone want you?"

"Because I'm a Gem Maker."

Jake stared at her for a moment and then jumped to his feet. "You're a what?"

"A Gem Maker. I can hiccup gemstones."

Jake's face turned bright red. "You think I'm stupid. You're just jealous because Shadow likes me the best and you want me to hate him. Well, I don't. I hate you!"

She was trying to protect him, to save him, and he hated her. Cathy burned with fury. "You're nothing but a... but a..." And before she could call him an ungrateful brat, she hiccupped four diamonds and two rubies.

"Cathy!" Jake gasped, catching the glittering stones as they fell from her lips. "You are a Gem Maker."