In some ways, Kendra Saunders thought, this mountain cabin holiday that Carter Hall had persuaded her to come on qualified as a Big Mistake. She had enjoyed the drive up to the cabin, particularly once the track took them above the treeline and she could sit back and take in the sweeping views of the mountains and the river valley below. The cabin was unexpectedly nice as well - of course, it was 19th Century in style - but the large fireplace and plentiful supply of wood made the place cosy in the evenings. The views from doors and windows were incredible, particularly at dawn and sunset.

She had really enjoyed their flying sessions in and around the mountains, riding the thermals as if they were real birds. Carter - of course - had been a bit critical of her flying style at first. Then he had gone unexpectedly silent. She knew why and secretly hugged the knowledge to herself - with her lighter frame and greater suppleness, she was turning out to be better than riding the air currents than he was, with his reliance on his human and avian muscles.

The real problem, she thought, was that there was just the two of them - together all day, every day. The bickering had turned into quarrels. At the end of the last one, Carter brusquely announced that he was going fishing and had flown off on his own. She had spent a bit of time tidying the cabin and was just sitting outside enjoying the view and watching the birds - the real birds - swooping and diving through the sky. We could learn a lot from them, she thought, and then looked round, realising that Carter was back.

''Sorry'' he half-mumbled.

''It's OK'' her attention was more on the four large fish he was carrying - so he really had 'gone fishing'.

They cooked them over the open fire and they were delicious. Unfortunately, only having each other for company turned things a bit niggly again as the evening progressed. It was then that there was a knock on the door.

Carter turned and looked at the door in surprise. 'Who could have come all the way up here?'' he wondered aloud.

''Open it and see'' Kendra said sweetly ''I've heard that's what normal people do.'' Her remark reflected the latest phase of their current 'discussion'.

He gave her an irritated look and strode over to open the door - then he fell backwards onto the cabin floor.

She stared at his motionless form in bewilderment for a moment, then realised two people were standing in the doorway. A second later, she was on her feet, her wings emerging, preparing to fly at these two strangers. Her action was too late.

''Well'' Rip said with some satisfaction. ''Six down, two to go.''

''Then we persuade them to cooperate'' Eve replied, with a touch of trepidation.