Zareen the lynx came bounding across the field. She looked more closely at the body of the dead personifate hare, then at Master White and Tinubu. “The qwortzite has been ripped right out.”

“It’s like what happened at the beginning,” said the personifate cat.

“What do you mean?” asked Prue.

“It was before my time, but early on there were incidents of people catching and dissecting personifates to learn their secrets.” The personifate cat shivered. “It all stopped when people came to accept that the qwortzite was useless without knowledge of the technologies used to capture the spirits.”

“Indeed, but I doubt that would be the cause here. It’s likely a confused wild animal,” said Master White. “Nevertheless, say nothing to anyone until we’ve spoken with Master Woolstenbury.” Master White glanced at Prue, Agapantha and Edwin. “That means you too. We don’t want panic breaking out – Master Woolstenbury will want to handle it directly.”

They nodded obediently.

Master Tinubu went to alert Master Woolstenbury, while Master White sent the hawk up to the top of the chimney to fetch the picnic blanket, then they carefully wrapped the body before Zareen took it in her mouth and hurried back to the main factorium building.

The three exchanged a wide-eyed look as the personifate crowd swiftly dispersed.

Master White turned to them. “I think we’ll call it a day, apprentices. You can go back to the house. Craftsman Primrose will be conducting your lessons tomorrow.”

Back at the house, they were greeted by Lavender and Liddy, who were dusting the pictures in the hallway.

“You’re back early,” Lavender remarked, then she noticed Edwin. “Ah, Edwin. Master Woolstenbury said we should expect you!”

“We’re delighted to have you at the house,” said Liddy. “We’ve put you in with an apprentice called Samir who’s been here six moon cycles. I’ll show you up.”

“Before you go, there are some letters on the mantelpiece in the parlour, girls,” said Lavender. “I haven’t had a chance to sort through them yet.”

Prue’s stomach lurched with a sudden realization; if her parents had written to her, they would address it to Prue Hayward, not Frances! She’d be found out. “I’ll have a quick look for us,” she said hastily, then looked to Agapantha and Edwin. “I’ll meet you both upstairs in a minute.”

Liddy, Edwin and Agapantha climbed the stairs, while Lavender continued with her dusting. Prue hurried to the parlour and looked through the letters. Sure enough, there was one for “Miss P Haywood”. She ripped it open and drew in a long breath.