Kiara Pride-Lander
and the Half-Blood Princess
By K.J. Amethyst
Chapter 1
Talbot Street
KIARA
Hello, my dear readers. We are now journeying into the sixth year in my story. This year will be a bit lighter than the last, for Chrissie gets in a relationship this year (which no one is really happy about), but unfortunately ends in disaster, and you will see what happens between Chris and I. But this year is not all fun and games, oh no, for we learn more about Zira's past and ... something horrible happens at the end of this year ... something that affects one of my best friends in a way I never expected ...
But, more on that later. Right now, all you need to know is that there is a chill in the air which is caused by the Stingers because of their breeding, and a couple of people are to visit Triphorm in this chapter. And I shall being seeing you in chapter three.
0000
All across the country, a chilly mist had settled itself, feeding its dark and dampened despair into every mind, young and old, rich and poor. It seeped into every city and town, and hung over every roof like a great dark cloud of despair. It drifted over a quiet street where nothing much was heard in the dead of night, apart from a few rushing cars and the lonely footsteps of someone walking home, and a cat padding its way down the street.
But then, with a very faint pop, a slim hooded figure appeared out of thin air on the pavement. The cat dashed underneath a car and froze, its eyes fixed upon this strange new phenomenon. The figure seemed to take its bearings for a few moments, then set off with light, quick strides, its long cloak rustling with every step it took.
With a second and louder pop, another hooded figure materialised.
"Wait!"
The harsh cry startled the cat, whose eyes glinted feebly in the light from a lamppost. It leapt from its hiding place and up the street. There was a flash of green light, a cry, and the cat fell back to the ground, dead.
The second figure turned over the animal with its toe.
"Just a cat," said a woman's voice dismissively from under the hood. "I thought perhaps an Auror - Latchy, wait!"
But her quarry, who had paused and looked back at the flash of light, was already scrambling up the road.
"Latchy - Latchna - listen to me - "
The second person, the woman, caught up with the first, a man, and seized his arm, but the other wrenched it away.
"Go back, Katie!"
"You must listen to me!"
"I've listened already. I've made my decision. Leave me alone!"
The man called Latchna gained the top of the road, which was split at a T-junction. The woman, Katie, followed him. Side by side they stood looking right, on to a different street, where lines of mixed houses and flats stood on either side, their windows blind in the darkness.
"She lives here?" asked Katie in a voice of contempt. "Here? In this Muggle dungheap? We must be the first of our kind ever to set foot - "
But Latchna was not listening; he was marching down the street, his feet set and determined.
"Latchy, wait!"
Katie followed, her cloak streaming behind, and saw Latchna marching not that far ahead of her. The streetlamps shone brightly in the pending darkness. The pursuer caught up with her prey just before the pavement ended, this time succeeding in catching hold of his arm and swinging him around so that they faced each other.
"Latchy, you must not do this, toy can't trust her - "
"The Scarlet Lady trusts her, doesn't she?"
"The Scarlet Lady is ... I believe ... mistaken," Katie panted, and her eyes gleamed momentarily under her hood as she looked around to check that they were indeed alone. "In any case, we were told not to speak of the plan to anyone. This is a betrayal of the Scarlet Lady's - "
"Let go, Katie!" snarled Latchna and he drew a wand from beneath his cloak, holding it threateningly in the other's face. Katie merely laughed.
"Latchy, your own sister? You wouldn't - "
"There is nothing I wouldn't do any more!" Latchna breathed, a note of hysteria in his voice, and as he brought down the wand like a knife, there was another flash of light. Katie let go of her brother's arm as though burned.
"Latchna!"
But Latchna had rushed ahead. Rubbing her hand, his pursuer followed again, keeping her distance now, as they moved even deeper into the deserted street of mixed houses and flats. At last, Latchna turned right into the driveway of number fifteen, Talbot Street, but instead of walking straight up the front steps, he walked down a narrow walkway down the right side of the house, which led to the basement flats. He pulled back the gate and walked into a garden that was overgrown with weeds and walked right to the end flat, where a light shone through the curtains.
He had knocked on the large window pane sealed into the door before Katie, cursing under her breath, had caught up. After a few seconds, they saw a woman with long strawberry-blonde hair parted in curtains around a sallow face and icy-blue eyes.
Latchna threw back his hood. He was so pale that he seemed to shine in the darkness; the long blond hair streaming down his back gave him the look of a drowned person.
"Latchna!" said the woman, once she had opened the door a bit, so that the light from the kitchen shone upon him and his sister too. "What a pleasant surprise!"
"Tiana," he said in a strained whisper. "May I speak to you? It's urgent."
"But of course."
She stood back to allow him into her flat. His still-hooded sister followed him without invitation.
"Triphorm," she said curtly as she passed her.
"Katalina," she replied, her thin mouth curling into a slightly mocking smile as she closed the door with a snap behind them.
They walked up the short hallway, past the stairs on her right which led up to a bedroom and bathroom, and through the door that stood directly opposite the stairs. Through it was a long kitchen and lounge area, that was separated by an archway. In the kitchen a small table stood beside the window; a long bench area stood opposite an alcove where a chimney would be, which had a cupboard on top of it at the place where the archway was; behind it was a sink with a couple of cupboards hanging over it, a washing machine next to the sink and cooker in the corner. In the lounge was a Muggle light that was quite dim, seeing as there was no window. The walls were completely covered in books, most of them bound in old black leather; a threadbare sofa, an old armchair and a rickety table stood spaced a little apart: the sofa stood against the long wall, the armchair stood a little away from it and the table stood in the middle of the room. The place had an air of neglect, as though it were not usually inhabited, which was made more aware by the fact that there was a leak in the corner of the room where the archway was, which Katalina looked at in disgust and gave the corner a wide berth.
Triphorm gestured Latchna to the sofa. He threw off his cloak, cast it aside and sat down, staring at his white trembling hands clasped in his lap. Katalina lowered her hand more slowly. Dark as her brother was fair, with heavily lidded eyes and a strong jaw, she did not take her gaze from Triphorm as she moved to stand behind Latchna.
"So, what can I do for you?" Triphorm asked, settling herself in the armchair opposite the brother and sister.
"We ... we are alone, aren't we?" Latchna asked quietly.
"Yes, of course. Well, Wormy's here, but we're not counting vermin, are we?"
She stood up, went over to the table and picked up a little bell, which rang loudly. A few seconds later, low footsteps could be heard coming down the stairs and a man came around the door.
"As you have clearly realised, Wormy, we have guests," said Triphorm lazily.
The man crept hunchbacked further into the kitchen. He had small, watery eyes, a pointed nose and wore an unpleasant simper. His left hand was caressing his right, which looked as though it were encased in a bright silver glove.
"Latchna!" he said, in a squeaky voice. "And Katalina! How charming - "
"Wormy will get us drinks, if you'd like them," said Triphorm. "And then he will return to his bedroom."
Wormy winced as though Triphorm had thrown something at him.
"I am not your servant!" squeaked wormy, acoiding Triphorm's eye.
"To assist, yes - but not to make you drinks and - and clean your flat!"
"I had no idea, Wormy, that you were craving more dangerous assignments," said Triphorm silkily. "This can be easily arranged: I shall speak to the Scarlet Lady - "
"I can speak to her myself if I want to!"
"Of course you can," said Triphorm, sneering. "But in the meantime, bring us drinks. Some of the elf-made wine will do."
Wormy hesitated for a moment, looking as though he might argue, but then turned towards the bench, where he pulled a tray and a dusty bottle forwards. He set the tray upright and put the bottle on it; he then went to the cupboard on the bench, opened it and pulled out three glasses, which he placed on the tray. He then carried the tray into the lounge, placed it on the rickety table and then scurried back up the kitchen, through the door to the stairs, shutting the door closed behind him.
Triphorm poured out three glasses of blood-red wine and handed two of them to the brother and sister. Latchna murmured a word of thanks, whilst Katalina said nothing, but continued to glower at Triphorm. This did not seem to discompose her; on the contrary, she looked rather amused.
"The Scarlet Lady," she said, raising her glass and draining it.
Both brother and sister copied her. Triphorm refilled their glasses.
As Latchna took his second drink he said in a rush, "Tiana, I am sorry to come here like this, but I had to see you. I think you are the only one who can help me - "
Triphorm held up a hand to stop him, then stood, moved slowly to the kitchen door and pointed her wand at it. There was a loud bang and a squeal, followed by the sound of Wormy scurrying back up the stairs.
"My apologies," said Triphorm, once she had sat down in her armchair again. "He has lately taken to listening at doors, I don't know what he means by it ... you were saying, Latchna?"
He took a great, shuddering breath and started again.
"Tiana, I know I ought not to be here, I have been told to say nothing to anyone, but - "
"Then you ought to hold your tongue!" snarled Katalina. "Particularly in present company!"
" "Present company"?" repeated Triphorm sardonically. "And what am I to understand by that, Katalina?"
"That I don't trust you, Triphorm, as you very well know!"
Latchna let out a noise that might have been a low moan and covered his face with his hands. Triphorm set her glass down upon the table and sat back again, her hands upon the arms of her chair, smiling into Katalina's glowering face.
"Latchna, I think we ought to hear what Katalina is bursting to say; it will save tedious interruptions. Well, Katalina," said Triphorm. "Why is it that you do not trust me?"
"A hundred reasons!" she said loudly, striding from beside her brother to slam her glass upon the table. "Where to start! Where were you when the Scarlet Lady fell? Why did you never make any attempt to find her when she vanished? What have you been doing all these years that you've lived in Crighton's pocket? Why did you stop the Scarlet Lady procuring the Mirror of Wishes? Why did you not return at once when the Scarlet Lady was reborn? Where were you a few weeks ago when we battled to retrieve the prophecy for the Scarlet Lady? And why, Triphorm, is Kiara Pride-Lander still alive, when you have had her at your mercy for five years?"
She paused, her chest rising and falling rapidly, the colour high in her cheeks. Behind her Latchna sat motionless, his face still hidden in his hands.
Triphorm smiled.
"Before I answer you - oh, yes, Katalina, I am going to answer! You can carry my words back to the others who whisper behind my back, and carry false tales of my treachery to the Scarlet Lady! Before I answer you, I say, let me ask a question in turn. Do you think that the Scarlet Lady has asked me each and every one of those questions? And do you really think that, had I not been able to give satisfactory answers, I would be sitting here talking to you?"
She hesitated.
"I know she believes you, but - "
"You think she is mistaken? Or that I have somehow hoodwinked her? Fooled the Scarlet Lady, the greatest witch, the most accomplished Legilimens the world has ever seen?"
Katalina said nothing, but looked, for the first time, a little discomfited. Triphorm did not press the point. She picked up her drink again, sipped it, and continued, "You ask where I was when the Scarlet Lady fell. I was where she had ordered me to be, at Dragon Mort Magical Academy, because she wished me to spy upon Susan Crighton. You know, I presume, that it was on the Scarlet Lady's orders that I took up the post?"
She nodded almost imperceptibly and then opened her mouth, but Triphorm forestalled her.
"You ask why I did not attempt to find her when she vanished. For the same reason that Aakster, Yap, the Capellos, Silverfur, Narissa," she inclined her head slightly to Latchna, "and many others did not attempt to find her. I believed her finished. I am not proud of it, I was wrong, but there it is ... if she had not forgiven we who had lost faith at that time, she would have very few followers left."
"She'd have me!" said Katalina passionately. "I, who spent many years in Azkaban for her!"
"Yes, indeed, most admirable," said Triphorm in a bored voice. "Of course, you weren't a lot of use to her in prison, but the gesture was undoubtedly fine - "
"Gesture!" she shrieked; in her fury she looked slightly mad. "While I endured the Stingers, you remained at Dragon Mort, comfortably paying Crighton's pet!"
"Not quite," said Triphorm calmly. "She wouldn't give me the Defence Against the Dark Arts job, you know. Seemed to think it might, ah, being about a relapse ... tempt me into my old ways."
"This was your sacrifice for the Scarlet Lady, not to teach your favourite subject?" she jeered. "Why did you stay there all that time, Triphorm? Still spying on Crighton for a mistress you believed dead?"
"Hardly," said Triphorm, "although the Scarlet Lady is pleased that I never deserted my post: I had sixteen years of information on Crighton to give her when she returned, a rather more useful welcome-back present than endless reminiscences of how unpleasant Azkaban is ..."
"But you stayed - "
"Yes, Katalina, I stayed," said Triphorm, betraying a hint of impatience for the first time. "I had a comfortable job that I preferred to a stint in Azkaban. They were rounding up the Love Destroyers, you know. Crighton's protection kept me out of jail, it was most convenient and I used it. I repeat: the Scarlet Lady does not complain that I stayed, so I do not see why you do.
"I think you next wanted to know," she pressed on, a little more loudly, for Katalina showed every sign of interrupting, "why I stood between the Scarlet Lady and the Mirror of Wishes. That is easily answered. She did not know whether she could trust me. She, like you, thought that I turned from faithful Love Destroyer to Crighton's stooge. She was in a pitiable condition, very weak, sharing the body of a mediocre witch. She did not dare reveal herself to a former ally if that ally might turn her over to Crighton or the Ministry. I deeply regret that she did not trust me. She would have returned to power three years sooner. As it was, I saw only greedy and unworthy Quarrell attempting to steal the Mirror and, I admit, I did all I could to thwart her."
Katalina's mouth twisted as though she had taken an unpleasant dose of medicine.
"But you didn't return when she came back, you didn't fly back to her once you felt the Death Trail burn - "
"Correct. I returned two hours later. I returned on Crighton's orders."
"On Crighton's - ?" she began, in tones of outrage.
"Think!" said Triphorm, impatient again. "Think! By waiting two hours, just two hours, I ensured that I could remain at Dragon Mort as a spy! By allowing Crighton to think that I was only returning to the Scarlet Lady's side because I was ordered to, I have been able to pass information on Crighton and the Order of the Centaur ever since! Consider, Katalina: the Death Trail had been growing stronger for months, I knew she must be about to return, all the Love Destroyers knew! I had plenty of time to think about what I wanted to do, to plan my next move, to escape like Kula, didn't I?
"The Scarlet Lady's initial displeasure at my lateness vanished entirely, I assure you, when I explained that I remained faithful, although Crighton thought I was her woman. Yes, the Scarlet Lady thought that I had left her for ever, but she was wrong."
"But what use have you been?" sneered Katalina. "What useful information have we had from you?"
"My information has always been conveyed directly to the Scarlet Lady," said Triphorm. "If she chooses not to share it with you - "
"She shares everything with me!" said Katalina, firing up at once. "She calls me her most loyal, her most faithful - "
"Does she?" said Triphorm, her voice delicately inflected to suggest her disbelief. "Does she still, after the fiasco at the Ministry?"
"That was not my fault!" said Katalina, flushing. "The Scarlet Lady has, in the past, entrusted me with her most precious - if Narissa hadn't - "
"Don't you dare - don't you dare blame my wife!" said Latchna, in a fierce voice, looking up at his sister.
"There is no point appointing blame," said Triphorm smoothly. "What is done is done."
"But not by you!" said Katalina furiously. "No, you were once again absent while the rest of us ran dangers, were you not, Triphorm?"
"My orders were to remain behind," said Triphorm. "Perhaps you disagree with the Scarlet Lady, perhaps you think that Crighton would not have noticed if I had joined forces with the Love Destroyers to fight the Order of the Centaur? And - forgive me - you speak of dangers ... you were facing eight teenagers, were you not?"
"They were joined, as you very well know, by half the Order before long!" snarled Katalina. "And, while we are on the subject of the Order, you still claim you cannot reveal the whereabouts of their Headquarters, don't you?"
"I am not the Secret Keeper, I cannot speak the name of the place. You understand how the enchantment works, I think? The Scarlet Lady is satisfied with the information I have passed her on the Order. It led, as perhaps you have guessed, to the recent capture and arrest of Emmett Vaughn, and it certainly helped dispose of Pumbaa Warts, though I give you full credit for finishing him off."
She inclined her head and toasted her. Her expression did not soften.
"You are avoiding my last question, Triphorm. Kiara Pride-Lander. You could have killed her at any point in the past five years. You have not done it. Why?"
"Have you discussed this matter with the Scarlet Lady?" asked Triphorm.
"She ... lately, we ... I am asking you, Triphorm!"
"If I had murdered Kiara Pride-Lander, the Scarlet Lady could not have used her blood to regenerate, making her invincible - "
"You claim you foresaw her use of the girl!" she jeered.
"I do not claim it; I had no idea of her plans; I have already confessed that I thought the Scarlet Lady dead. I am merely trying to explain why the Scarlet Lady is not sorry that Pride-Lander survived, at least until a year ago ..."
"But why did you keep her alive?"
"Have you not understood me? It was only Crighton's protection that was keeping me out of Azkaban! Do you disagree that murdering one of her favourite students might have turned her against me? But there was more to it than that. I should remind you that when Pride-Lander arrived at Dragon Mort there were still many stories circulating about her, rumours that she herself was a great Dark witch, which was how she had survived the Scarlet Lady's attack. Indeed, many of the Scarlet Lady's old followers thought Pride-Lander might be a standard around which we could all rally once more. I was curious, I admit it, and not at all intended to murder her the moment she set foot in the castle.
"Of course, it became apparent to me very quickly that she had not extraordinary talent at all. She has fought her way out of a number of tight corners by a simple combination of sheer luck and more talented friends. She is mediocre to the last degree, though as obnoxious and self-satisfied as her mother before her. I have done my utmost to have her thrown out of Dragon Mort, where I believe she scarcely belongs, but kill her, or allow her to be killed in front of me? I would have been a fool to risk it, with Crighton close at hand."
"And through all this we are supposed to believe that Crighton has never suspected you?" asked Katalina. "She has no idea of your true allegiance, she trusts you implicitly still?"
"I have played my part well," said Triphorm. "And you overlook Crighton's greatest weakness: she has to believe the best of people. I spun her a tale of deepest remorse when I joined her staff, fresh from my Love Destroyer days, and she embraced me with open arms - though, as I say, never allowing me nearer the Dark Arts than she could help. Crighton has been a great witch - oh, yes, she has" (for Katalina had made a scathing noise) "the Scarlet Lady acknowledged it. I am pleased to say, however, that Crighton is growing old. The duel with the Scarlet Lady last month shook her. She has since sustained a serious injury because her reactions are slower than they once were. But through all theses years, she has never stopped trusting Tiana Triphorm, and therein lies my great value to the Scarlet Lady."
Katalina still looked unhappy, though she appeared unsure how best to attack Triphorm next. Taking advantage of her silence, Triphorm turned to her brother.
"Now ... you came to ask me for help, Latchna?"
Latchna looked up at her, his face eloquent with despair.
"Yes, Tiana. I - I think you are the only one who can help me, I have nowhere else to turn. Narissa is in jail and ..."
He closed his eyes and let out a moan of agony.
"The Scarlet Lady has forbidden me to speak of it," Latchna continued, his eyes still closed. "She wishes none to know of the plan. It is ... very secret. But - "
"If she has forbidden it, you ought not to speak," said Triphorm at once. "The Scarlet Lady's word is law."
Latchna gasped as though she had just doused him with cold water. Katalina looked satisfied for the first time since she had entered the flat.
"There!" she said triumphantly, to her brother. "Even Triphorm says so: you were told not to talk, so hold your silence!"
But Triphorm had got to her feet and strode over to the kitchen window, peered through the blinds at the deserted garden, then drew back from them. She turned and walked towards Latchna, frowning.
"It so happens that I know of the plan," she said in a low voice, once she had reached Latchna. "I am one of the few the Scarlet Lady has told. Nevertheless, had I not been in on the secret, Latchna, you would not have been guilty of great treachery to the Scarlet Lady."
"I thought you must know about it!" said Latchna, breathing more freely. "She trusts you so, Tiana ..."
"You know about the plan?" said Katalina, her fleeting expression of satisfaction replaced by a look of outrage. "You know?"
"Certainly," said Triphorm. "But what help do you require, Latchna? If you are imagining I can persuade the Scarlet Lady to change her mind, I am afraid there is no hope, none at all."
"Tiana," he whispered, tears sliding down his pale cheeks. "My daughter ... my only daughter ..."
"Dani should be proud," said Katalina indifferently. "The Scarlet Lady is granting her a great honour. And I will say this for Dani: she isn't shrinking away from her duty, she seems glad of a chance to prove herself, excited at the prospect - "
Latchna began crying in earnest, gazing beseechingly all the while at Triphorm.
"That's because she is sixteen and has no idea what lies in store! Why, Tiana? Why my daughter? It is too dangerous! This is vengeance for Narissa's mistake, I know it!"
Triphorm said nothing. She looked away from the sight of his tears as though they were indecent, but she could not pretend to hear him.
"That's why she's chosen Dani, isn't it?" he persisted. "To punish Narissa?"
"If Dani succeeds," said Triphorm, still looking away from him, "she will be honoured above all others."
"But she won't succeed!" sobbed Latchna. "How can she, when the Scarlet Lady herself - ?"
Katalina gasped; Latchna seemed to lose his nerve.
"I only meant ... that nobody has succeeded ... Tiana ... please ... you are, you have always been, Dani's favourite teacher ... you are Nerissa's old friend ... I beg you ... you are the Scarlet Lady's favourite, her most trusted advisor ... will you speak to her persuade her - ?"
"The Scarlet Lady will not be persuaded, and I am not stupid enough to attempt it," said Triphorm flatly. "I cannot pretend that the Scarlet Lady is not angry with Nerissa. Nerissa was supposed to be in charge. She got herself captured, along with how many others, and failed to retrieve the prophecy into the bargain. Yes, the Scarlet Lady is angry, Latchna, very angry indeed."
"Then I am right, she has chosen Dani in revenge!" choked Latchna. "She does not mean her to succeed, she wants her to be killed trying!"
When Triphorm said nothing, Latchna seemed to lose what little self-restraint he still possessed. Standing up, he staggered to Triphorm and seized the front of her robes. His face close to hers, his tears falling on to her face, he gasped, "You could do it. You could do it instead of Dani, Tiana. You would succeed, of course she would, and she would reward you beyond all of us - "
Triphorm caught hold of his wrists and removed his clutching hands. Looking up into his tear-stained face, she said slowly, "She intends me to do it in the end, I think. But she is determined that Dani should try first. You see, in the unlikely event that Dani succeeds, I shall be able to remain at Dragon Mort a little longer, fulfilling my useful role as spy."
"In other words, it doesn't matter if Dani is killed!"
"The Scarlet Lady is very angry," repeated Triphorm quietly. "She failed to hear the prophecy. You know as well as I do, Latchna, that she does not forgive easily."
He crumpled, falling at her feet, sobbing and moaning on the floor.
"My only daughter ... my only daughter ..."
"You should be proud!" said Katalina ruthlessly. "If I had daughters, I would be glad to give them up to the service of the Scarlet Lady!"
Latchna gave a little scream of despair and clutched at his long blond hair. Triphorm stooped, seized him by the arms, lifted him up and steered him back on to the sofa. She then poured him more wine and forced the glass into his hand.
"Latchna, that's enough. Drink this. Listen to me."
He quietened a little; slopping wine down himself, he took a shaky sip.
"It might be possible ... for me to help Dani."
He sat up, his face paper-white, his eyes huge.
"Tiana - oh, Tiana - you would help her? Would you look after her, see she comes to no harm?"
"I can try."
He flung his glass; it skidded across the table as he slid off the sofa into a kneeling position at Triphorm's feet, seized her hand in both of his and pressed his lips to it.
"If you are to protect her ... Tiana, will you swear it? Will you make the Unbreakable Vow?"
"The Unbreakable Vow?" Triphorm's expression was blank, unreadable: Katalina, however, let out a cackle of triumphant laughter.
"Aren't you listening, Latchna? Oh, she'll try, I'm sure ... the usual empty words, the usual slithering out of action ... oh, on the Scarlet Lady's orders, of course!"
Triphorm did not look at Katalina. Her icy-blue eyes were fixed upon Latchna's tear-filled blue ones as he continued to clutch her hand.
"Certainly, Latchna, I will make the Unbreakable Vow," she said quietly. "Perhaps your sister will consent to be our Bonder."
Katalina's mouth fell open. Triphorm lowered herself so that she was kneeling opposite Latchna. Beneath Katalina's astonished gaze, they grasped right hands.
"You will need your wand, Katalina," said Triphorm coldly.
She drew it, still looking astonished.
"And you will need to move a little closer," she said.
Katalina stepped forwards so that she stood over them, and placed the tip of her wand on their linked hands.
Latchna spoke.
"Will you, Tiana, watch over my daughter Dani as she attempts to fulfil the Scarlet Lady's wishes?"
"I will," said Triphorm.
A thin tongue of brilliant flame issued from the wand and wound its way around their hands like a red-hot wire.
"And will you, to the best of your ability, protect her from harm?"
"I will," said Triphorm.
A second tongue of flame shot from the wand and interlinked with the first, making a fine, glowing chain.
"And, should it prove necessary ... if it seems Dani will fail ..." whispered Latchna (Triphorm's hand twitched within his, but she did not draw away), "will you carry out the deed that the Scarlet Lady has ordered Dani to perform?"
There was a moment's silence. Katalina watched, her wand upon their clasped hands, her eyes wide.
"I will," said Triphorm.
Katalina's astounded face glowed red in the blaze as a third tongue of flame, which shot from the wand, twisted with the others and bound itself around their clasped hands, like a rope, like a fiery snake.
AN: Hello, me again. This is the first chapter in the sixth book. I am going to be posting once a week because I want to spend as much time on the seventh book as possible. As in the last book, all negative criticism WILL BE IGNORED! I hope you enjoy the story. The next chapter will be posted next Wednesday. See you then.