Dairine appeared in one of the many gardens that were built in and around the palace where Roshaun lived. It was a spot where she had taken to arriving so that she wouldn't infringe on Roshaun's privacy. She was just about to step out from behind a tree when she heard soft voices, and hesitated.

"Really, Alyra, there is no need to worry about me," said a voice that Dairine recognized as Roshaun's.

"On the contrary, there is every need!" A girl's voice replied fiercely. "I have traveled throughout the villages in disguise, I know of their plans! The only reason that you survived the last assignation plot was because of me! I fear that you do not take these threats seriously enough, believing that your so-called 'wizardry' makes you invincible."

Dairine winced on Roshaun's behalf. Those were strong words. When he did speak, his words were slow, measured, and not without a hint of anger.

"How dare you suggest that I do not take my duties seriously enough? Have you forgotten that it was wizardry that caused this situation in the first place? I seek reform, Alrya! I have no wish to rule. The current system is taxing to all parties involved, so why not abolish it? It is the right choice, the only choice, that we now face."

"How can I be certain that those are your own words, Roshaun?" The girl responded, her voice cold and full of contempt.

"I speak for no one but myself, Alrya, and always have." Roshaun didn't sound angry anymore, but rather tired, as though he'd had this conversation many times before.

"I'm afraid," the girl admitted, her voice trembling with anguish, "I…I cannot lose you, Roshaun."

Roshaun's voice was softer and kinder than Dairine had ever heard it as he said, "You won't have to."

Hating herself for doing so, Dairine took a careful peek around the edge of the tree to find Roshaun holding a pretty blonde girl who looked as if she were struggling not to cry. They were so intent on each other that they didn't notice Dairine, who turned on her heel and fled. It looked as though she'd intruded on Roshaun's privacy after all.

After a few days of laying around the house in a stupor, Kit decided it was time to get up. He took a shower, dressed, and was trying to put his shoes on the wrong feet when he realized what a pathetic mess he truly was. He could fully understand why Nita had broken up with him. The only mystery was why she had tolerated him for so long.

Kit took a walk with Ponch and tried his best to push these thoughts away, but they kept coming back. Finally, after they had circled the block twice and Kit hadn't said a word, Ponch decided to take the initiative.

What's wrong, boss? Ponch asked.

Kit sighed deeply and replied in his best I-hate-the-world voice, "Everything."

Nita?

Kit shot a surprised look at Ponch. "Yeah, how'd you know?

I'm a dog, Kit, not an idiot, Ponch responded, and Kit had to smile. It was a weird twist of life when your dog was a supreme being who knew a hell of a lot more about the universe than you did, but Kit had adjusted pretty well.

"I know that," Kit countered, "I just didn't know you understood human stuff."

I understand most things, said Ponch matter of factly. Anyway, what exactly is the problem?

Kit thought about it. He thought about the other night at Nita's house. He thought about how much he loved Nita. He thought about how well they worked together. But no matter how much he thought, the only honest answer that he could come up with was that he didn't know, and was about to say so when they were attacked.

It happened so fast that Kit was even sure what direction they came from. One second he was walking along his peaceful suburban street with Ponch, the next he was lying flat on his back, breathing hard and looking wildly around and trying to find the creature that had knocked him over. All her saw were what looked like shadows, darting around him and Ponch in an utter frenzy.

Kit wondered briefly if he'd gone insane, then decided it didn't matter. One way or another, he had to fight these strange shadow creatures. "Ponch?" He gulped.

Yes, boss?

"Are you ready?"

Always.

Kit took a deep breath and, feeling the power that Ponch had lent him, tasting infinity on his lips. It always scared him slightly to do wizardry with Ponch – one wrong step and he would be obliterated by the sheer might of Ponch's power. But he couldn't get tied up in those kinds of thoughts. He had to act, now.

Quickly he said the last three syllables of a spell that would send the creatures back where they had come from, a sort of 'net' that would capture them and throw them back where they belonged. The last word fell from his lips, there was a terrible, inhuman scream – and then the dancing shadows were gone.