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you have to come back here again.”
    Tania nodded. “I’ll visit you as often as I can,” she said.
    â€œI don’t think that would be wise,” said her mother. “At least not for the time being—not while your dad is still contagious.”
    â€œThen I’ll stay in London with you,” Tania said impulsively. “I’ll help look after Dad.” Angry tears burned behind her eyes. “Why did this have to happen? Everything was so perfect. And now everything is wrong and broken.”
    â€œMistress Mary, Master Clive, my good wishes go with you on your journey,” said Oberon. “I do not blame you for what has befallen us, for you were not aware of the danger you posed to my people.” He turned to Tania. “Take your Mortal parents into their own world, my daughter. Then return to me. Your knowledge of Mortal sickness may be of help to Hopie as she seeks a cure.” He strode to the tower and drew the door open.
    I won’t cry. I will not fall to pieces!
    Silently Tania led her parents into the soft gloom ofthe tower and up the spiral stairway to the upper floor. It was a simple room of bare stone walls and dusty floorboards. A single arched window cast a wedge of light across the room. Tania paused in the middle of the floor, holding out both hands. Her parents took her hands.
    Tania swallowed and took a deep breath. “Okay,” she said. “Now!”
    They stepped forward together. Tania made the small side step and saw the gray stone fade away to be replaced by the familiar surroundings of her bedroom in her home in the Mortal World.
    There was her bed with its yellow-and-gold-patterned duvet cover. Her cluttered desk with her new computer on it—a birthday present, hardly used. Bookshelves. A crowded chest of drawers. A bulletin board on the wall. Posters. A heap of school books on the floor. And through the window the everyday Camden skyline and a wreath of white clouds that stretched far out over London.
    â€œExtraordinary,” murmured her father.
    Her mother turned and cupped Tania’s face between her hands. “And now you have to go back, sweetheart,” she said. “Help your sister to find a cure before anyone else gets sick.”
    â€œI will,” Tania said. “But I’m still not convinced it was anything to do with Dad.”
    â€œLet’s hope so,” said her mother. She kissed Tania’s forehead.
    Her father’s hand stroked her shoulder. “Best not kiss good-bye,” he said.
    She screwed her face up. “Stop being so sweet, the two of you!” she said. “Do you want me to dissolve into a puddle on the carpet?” She pulled away from her mother, turning and looking at them. “I’ll see you soon, got me? I’ll be back soon !”
    â€œBe careful, sweetheart,” said her father.
    â€œAnd you.” Gritting her teeth, Tania stepped forward and a little to one side, and her parents melted away and she was back in Faerie.
    Oberon was waiting for her on the hillside, his back turned to her as she emerged from the tower, his eyes on the palace.
    She stood next to him, but a little apart. “They’ve gone,” she said.
    Oberon moved closer and put his arm around her shoulders.
    â€œIt was well done, my child,” he said. “I know how it grieved your heart to say farewell to them. But now we have grave work ahead of us. We must call the Conclave of Earls and await the outcome of their deliberations.”
    She looked up at him. “What’s the Conclave of Earls?”
    â€œA meeting of all the great lords and ladies of Faerie,” Oberon told her. “When such danger as this threatens the Realm, a monarch cannot make decisions alone.”
    â€œIt was one child,” Tania said. “I know it was awful,but it was only one child.”
    The King’s eyes seemed to burn into her. “Heed me, Tania,” he said, his