Lise blinked once, then followed Puck inside.

Ares waited outside.

The inside was musty and warm. Puck closed the door behind them, plunging the room into blackness. Ash spoke a quick word, and a globe of blue fire appeared over his head, illuminating the darkness.

The pale light washed over a grisly collection of horror. A skeleton in a top hat stood along the far wall beside a mannequin with an alligator head. Skulls of humans and animals decorated the room, along with grinning masks and numerous wooden dolls. Glass cases bore jars of snakes and frogs floating in amber liquid, teeth, pestles, drums, turtle shells, and other oddities.

"This way," came Grimalkin's voice, unnaturally loud in the looming silence. He led the way down a dark hall, where portraits of men and women stared at them from the walls. He led them into a room cluttered with more grisly paraphernalia and a round table in the center covered with a black tablecloth. Five chairs stood around it, as if someone were expecting them.

Lise followed Grim, while at the same time looking around the store with a bit of interest.

Isiea follows him.

As they approached the table, one of the desiccated faces in the corner stirred and floated away from the wall. A skeletal woman with tangled white hair shambled toward them, her eyes hollow pits in a withered face.

"Hello, children," the hag whispered, her voice like sand hissing through a pipe. "Come to visit old Anna, have you? Puck is here, and Grimalkin, as well. What a pleasure." She gestured to the table, and the nails on her knobby hands glinted like steel. "Please, have a seat."

Lise glanced around, then obidiently sat.

Isiea sits down.

The boys and the cat followed suit.

The hag came to stand before them. She smelled of dust and decay, of old newspapers that had been left in the attic for years. She smiled at the girls, revealing yellow, needlelike teeth.

"I smell need," she rasped, sinking into a chair. "Need, and desire. You, children." She crooked a finger at the girls. "You have come seeking knowledge. You search for something that must be found, yes?"

(One of you needs to ask the questions)

"We're looking for our brother, Ethan."

Lise will let Isiea talk. For now.