BY THE TIME THEY ARRIVED back at the castle, it was dark. Elena, Yakov, and Lieutenants Ignatius and Patel waited for them with sombre expressions. Cat had barely spoken the entire time. Alek could sense the guilt weighing on her and he knew from experience that there was little he could do about it.

He caught her when she slid down from Loushka and said to those gathered. 'We can talk tomorrow.'

Elena held a hand up and he stopped. 'Yes, we can after you've dealt with ...