Chapter 5

“Who are you?” said the pretty lady behind the desk.

“Kucherenko, Khrystyna,” replied the pretty Ukrainian. “Ya know ... I didn’t think this thing was going to work.”

“Tyche Flintkote,” said the tiny replica of Sultry Wench Flintkote. She was still holding on to Krys’s shirt. “What have you done with my daddy?”

“We have absolutely GOT to fix the damn portals,” said the Ceiling.

“Your daddy?”

“John Walter Flintkote, my daddy,” Tyke said.

Ceiling said, “Sent him home weeks ago.”

“Didn’t.”

“Did,” Ceiling argued.

“Never appeared,” Tyke said.

“Nyet,” said Krys. “Cassie the orphan too.”

“Her,” Cassie Caretaker said, “We sent her home. Cassandra.”

Krys said, “Not without a fight. you didn’t.”

“You’re right about that ... not a lot of blood ... but several broken bones. She DID NOT want to go!” said the Ceiling. “Who taught that girl how to fight?”

“Daddy,” said Tyche. “What have you done with him?”

Krys asked who had the broken bones.

Sam, the healing chamber, demanded the pair be serviced. “Who knows what diseases they carry. Cassie Caretaker ... you will need to soak before you go home. I’ll bet the little one hasn’t been vaccinated.”

“What’s that?” asked Tyke.

“Told you so,” said Sam.

“Who had the broken bones!”

“The guards,” said Ceiling.

“Did she get to Chaos?”

“No,” said Sam.

Cassie Caretaker asked the main question, “How did you two get here?”

“The Flintkote portal.”

“You’re both female ... I know this is going to sound stupid ... but how?”

“Cynthia Flintkote bought a bunch of sapphires.” Krys rattled them in the palm of her hand.

Ceiling said, “No doubt about it ... the makers need to fix the machinery.”

“What?” said Krys. “How do you fix magic?”

“Science ... not magic,” said Sam.

“Never head the like,” said Krys.

“I WANT MY DADDY!” Tyke started kicking the desk, “AND I WANT HIM NOW!”

“QUIT THAT!” said the Ceiling.

“You’re damn lucky I can’t get to you, Ceiling.”

Cassie said, “Well ... we know who is the brave one.”

“Yup,” said Sam. “I’ll take her first.”