I look closely. He's evidently got his weaselly hands on a broadcast from Channel One Who Is The One-and changed it. The caption accompanying the footage now reads: THE PERSON EXECUTED HERE WAS NOT WISTERIA ALLGOOD BUT AN INNOCENT GIRL NAMED MARGO. THIS WAS A MURDER.

The screen cuts back to the totally annoyed news anchor. "People of the New Order," she says, "as you can see, a small group of terrorists is attempting to undermine our broadcasts. Pay no attention to that absurd caption under the pictures. We are getting unequivocal verification from the Office of Executions that the public enemy seen here is indeed Wisteria Allgood."

Now Byron's manipulated caption reads: IF IT IS WISTERIA ALLGOOD, WHY IS SHE IN A HOOD SO WE CAN'T SEE HER FACE?

The newscaster puts her finger to her earpiece-clearly her producer or producers are urgently advising her about what to do next.

"Citizens of the New Order," she continues, "the Office of Executions wishes all to note that the single reason Wisteria Allgood is in a hood is that witches cannot cast spells when they have hoods over their heads."

Byron smiles smugly. Another caption appears under the newscaster: LIAR! WE CAN SEE IT IN YOUR EYES.

Whit and I are speechless. My brother actually looks impressed with Byron's efforts, while I'm thinking he just ruined my chances of hiding from all the New Order-loving neighborhood snitches.

I launch another lioness attack, and Whit catches me just in time.

"Stay out of my life, you creep! Did it ever occur to you that I might be perfectly happy to be presumed dead?"

"I say way to go, Byron baby," Sasha cuts in smoothly. "You looking to be our leader of the week anytime soon?"

"Over my dead body." I glare at Sasha. He'd been referring to the Freeland tradition of appointing leaders for one week at a time-to avoid the corruption that power usually brings.