She stays silent, watching the interaction while trying to piece everything together.

The grimace won out. He shook his head and turned to Claire, his face grim. "Bad news, Princess. At one time, Leanansidhe was one of the most powerful beings in all the Nevernever. The Dark Muse, they called her, because she inspired many great artists, helping them produce their most brilliant works. You might recognize some of the mortals she's helped--James Dean, Jimi Hendrix, Kurt Cobain."

She nods, remembering the familiar names.

Puck shrugged. "But, as you should know, such help always comes with a price. None whom Leanansidhe inspires lives very long, ever. Their lives are brilliant, colorful, and very brief. Sometimes, if the artist was particularly special, she'd take him back to the Nevernever to entertain her for eternity. Or until she got bored. Of course, this was before..."

He trailed off, giving her a sideways look.

"Sounds depressing." She mutters.

Puck only shrugged. "According to some, Leanansidhe was growing too powerful, had too many mortals worshipping her, and there was talk that she wanted to make herself queen. Naturally, this made our good Summer Queen more than a little jealous, so she exiled the self-proclaimed Queen of Muse and sealed off all trods to her, so that Leanansidhe could never return to Faery. That was several years ago, and no one has seen or heard from her since. But, apparently," Puck continued, glancing at the three teenagers listening in rapt fascination, "Leanansidhe has a new following. A new little mortal cult ready to throw themselves at her feet." He smothered a laugh. "Pickings must be pretty slim nowadays."

"Hey," said the girl, narrowing her eyes at him. "What's that supposed to mean?"

She chuckles at the girls reaction before glancing around, "Grim, where are we supposed to go now?"

Grim was nowhere to be found.

"WE CANNOT GO TO THIS LEANANSIDHE NOW," Ironhorse boomed, making the teens jump and the ceiling rattle. God, he couldn't speak quietly if his life depended on it. "OUR MISSION IS URGENT. WE MUST GET TO CALIFORNIA AS SOON AS POSSIBLE."

"Well, we're not going anywhere now, not with ol' Deathbreath guarding the only way out."

"Come with us." Warren had spoken and was staring at Claire intently. "Come with us to Leanansidhe's," he urged. "She could help. You want to go to California? She can get you there, easy--"

"Warren," said the girl, grabbing his sleeve and pulling him aside. "Come here a second, would you? 'Scuse us a sec, people." Surprisingly strong for her size, she dragged him into a far corner. Huddled against the wall, they whispered furiously to each other, casting suspicious glances at Ironhorse over their shoulders.

She frowned, glancing up at Ironhorse before staring at the two whispering teens suspiciously. "Does she have a problem with Ironhorse coming?" She mumbles.

"Leanansidhe has always been unpredictable, and she has enough power to make that dragon look like a cranky Gila monster. But...I always say the enemy you know is better than the enemy you can't see."