“As you wish, I will dispense with niceties.”

“I fail to see how there can be any in this situation!” I snap, causing Charlotte, who has just danced past me, to turn toward me with a worried frown. I must remain calm. I contrive not to meet her quizzical gaze.

“It really is quite simple, Lady Lilith. I am here to ask you for the Lazarus Elixir, for the spell that it requires, and for a list of its components.”

A chill grips me. Such a dread that I am robbed of words for a moment. When finally I rediscover my voice I cannot mask the tension in it.

“Are you quite mad?” I ask. “If you know of the existence of the Elixir, then you must be sufficiently informed about the workings of the Lazarus Coven to know I would never, under any circumstances, relinquish its details. Myself and my fellow witches are sworn to protect the Great Secret, with our lives, if necessary.”

“And with the lives of others?”

The terrible man even manages a polite smile as he forms the question which leaves me in no doubt as to what he has planned. The Elixir in return for Freddie. A simple trade. I glance about the room, but there is no sign of my brother. I am not surprised. I am not being challenged by the sort of person who would fail to put into practice the greater part of his threat. I know that. And now, thinking about what my father taught me, thinking about the dangers and threats he warned me of for so many years, I know who it is who stands before me. Ridiculous tears blur my eyes. I will not cry! I will not let this … creature see that I fear him. That I understand the gravity of the situation. I take a breath and raise my chin, putting a little more energy into the dance. I see his expression alter fractionally, registering surprise at my determination, I think.

“I have never, to my knowledge, stood in the presence of a Sentinel before,” I tell him.

“To your knowledge,” he repeats. The thin smile has gone now, and I can see from the lines on his face that this sterner, harsher countenance is more natural to him. “We do not announce ourselves,” he goes on, failing to resist the temptation to talk about his precious group. “Secrecy is the mainstay of our creed. Secrecy and strength. And we are strong, Lilith Montgomery, make no mistake about that. We mean to have the Elixir, and have it we shall. One way or another. You might consider yourself fortunate that I decided to offer you this chance to avoid any … unpleasantness. Leave with me now, take me to your beloved chamber—oh yes, we know all about that, we know all about you—take me there, give me what I want, and your pitiful brother will be returned to you unharmed.”