Right then, I really am sorry for the delay. Hopefully I will be able to keep writing this story as we've just had a bought of snow! And that's how this story started so here goes. I hope you all like it.

Reunion

An hour and three unfortunate, undressed and unconscious guards later, Philippa and her rescuers emerged from the dungeons dressed as none other than guards. They looked quite normal and Philippa was glad that the clothes covered her ice band, because she found it hugely embarrassing that she not use her powers.

"Come on," she beckoned to the others as they walked down the passages of the palace without any hope of knowing where they were or where they were going to find John, Nimrod and Groanin.

They were just about to climb the stairs when they heard the sound of footsteps.

"In here," Benjamin pulled the other two into a small archway that hid them well enough as the people passed without looking back. If they did, then they would have to come up with some kind of excuse for being there.

To their surprise, the party that passed were two guards followed by John, Nimrod and Groanin with two more guards bringing up the rear. Their three friends looked rather defeated and Philippa noticed that both Djinn had a silver bracelet around their arms identical to her own. She shivered, they were inhumane. What kind of a coward removes his enemies' powers from them? It was only a sign of weakness to need your enemies unconditionally weaker.

Sonny took charge as the party disappeared around a corner signalling that they should follow them and find out where they were going. Nobody had any objections so they set off.

"Stealth," warned Benjamin because Philippa very nearly tripped over a loose stone.

"Sorry," she mumbled.

"Not to worry," said Benjamin.

They continued, led by Sonny who seemed to know exactly where he was going.

"Stop," said the boy suddenly pushing them back behind a curtain.

Philippa could have sworn her heart stopped for a moment. She knew she was holding her breath, but didn't dare to let it out in case it made a loud noise. They stood silently and after about half a minute, they heard the dutiful footsteps of guards pass them.

"That was only three of them," announced Sonny when they had gone.

"So that means there's still one down there," concluded Philippa. "How do you suppose we do this. We need to make sure we don't get caught."

"Well, why don't we just...go down the stairs until we can see a guard and then I'll knock him out," suggested Sonny.

"Right," agreed Philippa uncertainly.

"Right," said Benjamin after her.

He trusted Sonny with his life. He had left his monastery just because the boy had asked him too and he had come all the way to Russia before accompanying him to this palace. If there was anyone he felt safe with, it was this boy.

They walked steadily down the stone steps around the spiral until Sonny caught sight of the guard and motioned for his team to stop. The other two halted.

Then something Philippa hadn't expected happened.

Sonny raised his hand like he was commanding some kind of magic and whispered a word that she could not hear. All of a sudden the guard was lying on his back in a deep, dreamless sleep.

If Philippa hadn't been sure beforehand of who he was, she was now. This had to be Buck. What with his appearance and his powers. How could she have ever convinced herself otherwise?

She flung her arms around his neck almost making him fall down the stairs, but luckily he was strong enough to withstand the onslaught.

"Er...What are you doing?" he asked slowly.

Philippa went bright red, she had forgotten that he didn't seem to know who he was himself.

"It's was just to say...er...thank you," but she sounded so unconvincing.

"Right," he said.

Philippa let go of him and they continued down the staircase until they came in sight of the cell where John, Nimrod and Groanin were being kept. They all looked very glum and it pained her to see them that way.

"Guys," she said.

All three looked up.

"Philippa!" they exclaimed in unison.

"We'd knew you'd be safe," said John before the rest of the rescuers appeared. "Dybbuk!" he said angrily.

"No, no," said Philippa urgently. "It's Buck," John didn't respond. "The good Buck whom we all thought was dead."

"It can't be," said John his mouth open now.

"I'm not Buck I'm Sonny," insisted the frustrated boy.

"I think we can all catch up later," interrupted Nimrod. "Mind getting us out of here Phil?"

"I can't," she replied rolling up her sleeve to reveal the silver bracelet.

"Oh," he sounded disappointed.

"But I can," said Sonny and he muttered his word again.

The door swung open as if somebody had just kicked it. The three people in the cell stared at him as if he had just confirmed their suspicions. They didn't say anything though as the boy obviously believed he was Sonny.

"What now?" asked John.

"We need to take down Dybbuk," decided Nimrod. "His snowstorms are causing havoc."

"But how?" asked Philippa. "Only one of us has magical powers still."

"I think we can help," came a familiar voice.

All of them turned round to see who it was who had spoken and found themselves faced by a huge Siberian Tiger and a tiny bee.

"Mr Rakshasas!" exclaimed John. "And...and...Faustina?"

"That's right," she replied. "Don't mind if we join do you? Anybody want to share a body?"

She looked purposely at Philippa.

"Alright," Philippa sighed. "If you must."

"Thank you," she smiled and Philippa knew everything that Faustina was thinking as soon as she entered her body.

"Now let's go," said Sonny as the bee flew away, free of it's possessor.