The grimace won out. He shook his head and turned to them, his face grim. "Bad news. 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 shes helped--James Dean, Jimi Hendrix, Kurt Cobain."

" I dont know who any of those people are. "

,, Okay. Why is she bad? ,,

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, shed 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 them a sideways look.

"Before she got outcasted?" She guesses.

" before what? "

"Titania banished her to the mortal realm," Puck said quickly, as if he was really going to say something else. "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?"

,, Why does she want to see us? ,, She asks, annoyed.

" Yes, why does she want to see us? "

"Hey, man. Don't look at me. I don't know what she wants. Just that she's been looking for you."

"WE CANNOT GO TO THIS LEANANSIDHE NOW," Ironhorse boomed, making the teens jump and the ceiling rattle. "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 the girls intently. There was an eager look in his eyes, as well as a sudden change in mood. "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.