"But if you had to guess?" I pressed.

Harkat shrugged awkwardly. "I think we might run into… Steve Leonard, or find a clue which… points towards him."

My insides tightened at the thought of facing Steve again. I hated him for what he'd done to us, especially killing Mr Crepsley. But just before he died, Mr Crepsley warned me not to devote my life to hatred. He said it would twist me like Steve. So although I hungered for the chance to get even, I worried about it too. I didn't know how I'd react when I saw him again, whether I'd be able to control my emotions or give in to blind, hateful rage.

"You're frightened," Harkat noted.

"Yes. But not of Steve. I'm frightened of whatI might do."

"Don't worry," Harkat smiled. "You'll be OK."

"What if…" I hesitated, afraid I'd jinx myself. But that was silly, so I came out with it. "Whatif Steve tries to use my family against me? What if he threatens my parents or Annie?"

Harkat nodded slowly. "I thought of that already. It's the sort of sick stunt I can… imagine him pulling."

"What will I do if he does?" I asked. "He already sucked Debbie into his insane plot to destroy me not to mention R.V. What if"

"Easy," Harkat soothed me. "The first thing is to find out if… they still live here. If they do, we can arrange protection… for them. We'll establish a watch around their house… and guard them."

"The two of us can't protect them by ourselves," I grunted.

"But we're not by ourselves," Harkat said. "We have many friends in… the Cirque. They'll help."

"You think it's fair to involve them?" I asked.

"They may already be involved," Harkat said. "Their destinies are tied to ours, I think. That may be another reason why you felt… you had to stay here." Then he smiled. "Come on I want to get to the party before… Rhamus scoffs all the cakes!"