Ennael woke slightly to a familiar sense. She did not open her eyes but knew that she was in a boat, rocking steadily with the waves. She could feel Will right behind her with one of his hands resting on her head.

"Will?"

Will jumped slightly and looked down at Ennael resting by his side. He guided the tiller gently with his left hand and brushed her forehead with his right.

"How are you feeling?"

"Will, why do I sense dead?"

Will did not answer this. His hand stopped in its movement across her forehead.

"Will, what time is it?"

Will remained silent. Ennael opened her eyes and looked in shock at the darkening sky. The sun was setting. Ennael braced herself and forced herself to sit up, looking at Will.

"Why did you go? You knew we weren't supposed to travel at night."

"We have enough time. We will make it to the gates before the sun has set."

"Will, there are dead hands waiting at the shore."

Ennael turned her head to see the shore almost upon them. Twenty feet away from the dock was a small clump of trees, providing shelter for dead hands until night fell upon them.

"Will we have to hurry."

Just as Ennael finished her sentence the boat had met with the side of the dock. Will jumped out and began to tie off the boat. Ennael crawled to the edge and Will helped her out of the boat.

"I can't believe you decided to go."

"I'm sorry but we have enough time to make it. Can you stand?"

Ennael tried to stand by herself but she crumpled down to the dock. Will knelt beside her, cradled her and lifted her up into his arms. Will ran as fast as he could down the dock. With the extra weight Ennael knew they would never make it to the gates before nightfall. She could sense the dead hands becoming restless and stronger with each sinking moment of the sun. They were half way to the city gates when there was a rustling in a bush up a head to their right. Will tightened his grip on Ennael. Was this the end? A small Albino boy jumped from behind the bush and into their path.

"About time I found you. What do you think you're doing travelling after dark?"

Ennael knew the familiar voice and turned her head to look at the boy.

"Mogget! I'm so glad to see you."

"There's not enough time. We need to get you inside."

Mogget grabbed Ennael but Will was reluctant to let go. Ennael gave him a nod of reassurance. Will was able to run faster with Mogget carrying Ennael.

"They're coming. The dead hands, they've left their cover and they're heading right for us. Faster!"

Mogget shrilled as he looked behind them and quickened his pace. Will stumbled a bit but was able to keep up. They could hear the dragging footsteps of the hands following them. The gates were coming closer and closer. The guards stationed up above the gates saw the sight below and opened the gates for the three. They were safe. Charter Marks reigned down behind them and hit the following hands. As soon as Mogget, Ennael and Will were in side the city walls, the gates shut behind them. Guards met them straight away.

"I am taking the princess and her companion to the castle. If you have any questions direct them to King Touchstone or the Abhorsen Queen."

Mogget burst through the guards with Will running right beside them. The palace didn't seem as far away from the walls as Ennael remembered it though she had never ran from one place to the other.

As they burst through the doors of the castle, Will fell to his knees panting. Mogget laid Ennael beside Will.

"I'll go get your father."

Ennael nodded and Mogget transformed into a white cat and sprang down the hallway and out of sight. Will stared in bewilderment at the boy's transformation then turned his attention to Ennael. She held her side tightly and winced a bit in pain. He held his hand to the side of her face and her head turned into it.

"I'm sorry. I should have waited until dawn."

Ennael shook her head.

"We made it."

Ennael held his hand and looked into his eyes.

"Thank you."

Will smiled at her appreciation. Hurried steps were getting louder down the hall. Three dark figures and a white cat, which was Mogget, came running down the hall towards Will and Ennael. Ennael turned her head towards the sound and cracked a smile.

"Father! Aunt Lirael!"

Prince Sameth and Lirael fell to Ennael's side. The third figure knelt beside Will.

"Will what happened?"

Ligir looked at Will then down at his cousin.

"The bite, it wont heal. It continues to bleed."

Sameth and Lirael turned their attention to Ennael's left side. Her clothes were stained with blood.

"The bite was from a dead hand?"

Ennael nodded to her father's question. Lirael's face broke into confusion.

"This isn't right. It should have healed… unless… Ligir go get The Book of the Dead."

Ligir looked at his mother with a look of confusion and shock then raced to his room to retrieve the book. Lirael returned her gaze to Ennael's side. Sameth looked frantically from Ennael to Lirael. Lirael caught his gaze. Apprehensiveness stung her eyes.

"I think we should get her to her room. She'll be more comfortable and this might take some time. You never know what the book might do."

Lirael stuttered a bit. Ennael knew there was something wrong, very wrong. Her aunt was always strong, and never showed weakness. This was a new side to her. Will looked at Lirael, nodded, then cradled Ennael and lifted her up. Lirael and Sameth lead the way down a long hallway. Mogget darted between the steps. They climbed the steps to the second tallest tower in the palace. The room had belonged to her father when he was a boy but he let Ennael have it since he had no use for the room anymore. Will laid Ennael gently on the bed. Two Charter sendings entered the room after them. Ligir was managed to find them, The Book of the Dead clutched safely under his arm. He handed the book ever so gently to Lirael as if it was made of porcelain. She sat herself down on a nearby chair. She had placed her hands to open the book then looked up at the staring faces.

"I am not sure how long this will take. You should all get some rest while you can. I will wake you as soon as I find something."

Ligir nodded for her did not dare to argue with his mother. Both Sameth and Will refused to budge from their spots. Lirael threw a threatening glance at Sameth but he looked straight at her and returned it. Ennael looked up at Will, still clutching his hand.

"You need rest."

She whispered as she ran her other hand down the side of his face ever so gently. Will just blinked slowly and looked at her.

"I'll be fine. They'll wake you if they find anything. Go get some rest. You need it."

Will seemed reluctant to move but Ennael gave him a stern look so he left his seat beside her and walked to Ligir.

"Come on. There's an empty room you can stay in just down the hall."

Ligir led him out of the room. Ennael smiled slightly then turned over to see that her father and aunt exchanging threatening glances at one another.

"Father you need some rest. I'll be fine. The Sendings will get you if Aunt Lirael finds anything."

Sameth didn't seem to budge. He kept looking at Lirael in a stern and concerned way. Lirael tried not to meet his eyes and turned to acknowledge Ennael. She smiled sweetly and turned back to her nephew.

"Your daughter's right Sam. Get some rest for once in your life."