When it seemed to Mimi that no one else would be drifting out ofthe door she stepped from the bushes, her mind whirling. Leaves stirred as a squirrel hopped from a tree to the ground. Blake, of course, eyes wide.

"Did you see her?" he began. "That was her at the door, right?"

Mimi nodded. "Lavender came to the door, invited Jacob and Abe in. But that couldn't possibly be Lavender!"

"Than who was it?"

"She looks scarcely older than me!"

"But it was Lavender? It was definitely Lavender? It looks just like her."

Mimi sighed. "How did she look when she put the spell on you?"

"... Older."

"That was before I met her. Blake, why didn't you say something before?"

"About what?"

"About her aging. No one ages back and forth like that." Mimi wanted to scream. "Did that not strike you as unusual?"

He picked at a blade of grass, clearly embarrassed. "I guess I never paid much attention until now."

"And she said she was his daughter. His daughter, Blake! Can you believe that? I'm his daughter! She's his evil wife and now she's claiming to be his daughter. It's sick. Who says stuff like that?"

"Jacob will figure that out. Isn't that the reason he's in there?"

"Yes. He and Abe are inside with that… that thing." She stared the castle. "Blake, this is my home. My home and she ruined it! She is crazy. That is all there is it to it. I mean, who marries someone and then goes around saying she is the man's daughter? It isn't natural."

"You're finally angry about this." Blake smiled.

"I wasn't angry before?"

He shrugged. "I don't know. A week ago you did whatever she asked."

"I was under a spell."

"Which you escaped, albeit into another spell. Now you're here, she hasn't yet caught you, and you're mad enough to do something about it."

"Do what? We're the ones outside." She stared up at the castle. "Could we go in through an open window?"

"Mimi, this is your castle. You can do whatever you like."

If she were human she would blush. "There's one up there. My room, actually. She left it open."

"No tree branches near it."

"Climb on my back."

"Are you sure?"

"Of course I'm sure. It'll be fun for you. You haven't flown yet."

She spread out her wings as Blake climbed shakily onto her back, claws pinching into her skin. She grimaced.

"Sorry, Mimi."

"Not your fault you have claws. Just hold on." Of course his claws dug in deeper, but she spread her wings and flew to the window. Blake screamed.

"Oh, please, that was only a few stories." She laughed as Blake stumbled onto the windowsill, then took in the sight of her room.

Lavender had not touched it. Apparently her more youthful appearance had no need of Mimi's clothes. The door hung slightly open and thoroughly ignored. Everything was there. Her bed. Oh, the thought of sleeping in an actual bed! She could not resist hopping onto the bed and burying her bill into the pillow.

Blake peeked through the door. "I don't see anyone."

"Do you think she really took Jacob and Abe to see my father?"

"Where would your father be? Come on." His tail disappeared through the door, and Mimi followed.

She had no idea where her father would be.

The hallways were silent. Granted, for years they had been silent, but now it was just eerie. Did Lavender live all alone? Did she speak to Weatherbold? Was he even alive? She had ruined everything. There was supposed to be some noise. People visiting her father, looking for spells. Not silence.

At last they approached the kitchen, that tiny little room of Mimi's irritation. Voices came from it, Lavender laughing.

"Things have been dull her since Father retired," she said. "I'm sure you came here thinking of the hubbub of his career. Sadly he's just too tired anymore. This castle used to have people coming and going all the time."

"He's very famous for his magic," Jacob replied. "I can't wait to meet him."

Another laugh. Her young little laugh was annoying. "You will, you will. Right now he's resting. Here, have something to drink. You must be parched."

Mimi moved to find a hopefully hidden place to view the kitchen. Jacob and Abe leaned against the counter, awkwardly holding the cups Lavender put into their hands.

"It's my own recipe," she said sweetly. "Drink."

Abe looked ready to drop his cup, and Jacob just stared.

"Do you think it's poisoned or enchanted? Why would I do something like that? May I remind you that my father is retired? I promise, you'll find this not only perfectly safe to drink but also delicious."

Jacob glanced at Abe then took a gulp of the drink.

Mimi winced.

He brought the cup down, looking no worse for the wear. "That is quite good. What do you put in there?"

"Oh, it's just an herb tea, bits of this and that from the garden. Again, don't worry, you won't be turned into something. Abe, dear, go ahead and drink."

Abe did so, nervously.

"How long do you brew it?" Jacob asked.

For crying out loud, he was not going to start a cooking discussion with her!

"Five minutes after boiling," Lavender replied. She leaned toward him and touched his sleeve. "Didn't think anyone would be interested in how it would be done."

"I love cooking."

"Any good at it? I know a few things and I have a few specialties, but that's about it. I do like to think I have good taste." Another laugh. "Perhaps I should beg you to prepare something for me." She smiled.

Mimi felt a sudden stab of fury.

But Jacob slid away. "Um, maybe I could do that." He studied her face, half-frowning. "I'm sorry, Miss Lavender, but you look so familiar to me."

"I've lived here all my life. Maybe I just have one of those faces."

"Any relatives?"

She paused, finger on her chin. "I have a great-grandmother who lives in a city a few days' travel away."

"Is she in the same line of business?"

"Magic? Oh, Jacob, you ask silly questions. I have no idea what she does." She grabbed his hand. "Come, let's go see if Father is awake. "

Mimi and Blake slipped to a shadowy corner as Lavender led out Abe and Jacob. Abe no longer seemed quite so amused at the castle experience, and Jacob looked horrified by the woman grabbing his hand. At last, at the end of the hall, she released him. "Just turn left at that corner. I forgot something. I'll catch up with."

"You just want us to wander your castle alone?" Abe asked.

"Don't worry, I trust you."

Blake and Mimi darted into the kitchen. Mimi's heart pounded.

"I know you're there, Mimi." Lavender stopped in the middle of the hall, all playfulness gone from her voice. "Don't think I didn't see you at the door. And with a squirrel. Goodness, who could that be? There have been so many squirrels over the years. One of my favorite transformations. With whom have you met up?"

Mimi did not answer.

"I take it you're here with these more human friends. I still can't believe you came back. Silly girl, you brought them to me? How sneaky of you. Do they have any idea what I can do? I doubt it. Though I'd like to know how they discovered what you were. That fascinates me. I'll just ask a few questions. No poisoning, no spells, actually. I don't need anything from them. Now, anyway. I like the way I look right now, and that was all thanks to you. The older one, though, is rather handsome, I think. More handsome than your father, at least. Is that why you're back, Mimi? Did you come to look for him?"

Mimi couldn't hold back. "Where he is?"

"Oh, he's here. And he's fine. More or less. Maybe later, if you're a good girl, I'll let you see him."

She lifted a hand, and the kitchen door swung shut and locked.