He soon came back with the cocoa, which Katie had to admit she was grateful for. She carefully pressed her hands against the cup to warm herself up.

"So what's the story, Dad?" she asked.

Kendall took a sip of his coffee, then put the cup down, his expression thoughtful.

"The rivalry hasn't been going on for that long, really. In fact, at first, the clans were friendly, they worked together. They fell in love and created new clans or one person joined their partner's clan. They were more like families."

"What changed?" Katie asked.

"The last clan leader elections," Kendall said with a heavy sigh.

"When you became the leader of our clan? Why?"

"... Because of who became leader to the Silverwolf clan."

"Didn't they agree with your being chosen?"

"No, they were very unhappy with it. And I can't say I was thrilled by their being leaders of the clan either, to be frank."

"Why not?" Katie inquired.

"He and I were friends in school," Kendall explained. "But then, we both fell in love with your mother, and when she chose me..."

"He never forgave you."

"That's right," Mr Thomas nodded. "And the fact that I went to a prestigious school afterwards and he didn't probably wasn't much help."

Katie waited, but her father didn't continue.

"That's it? It sounds kind of petty to me..."

"I suppose some grudges are harder to let go of."

Katie frowned.

"That explains the tensions between us and the Silverwolf clan," she said. "But what about the other clans? The Blackthorn clan, the Stormwell clan..."

"Well, it all came from our scuffle with the Silverwolf, as a matter of fact," Her father explained, his expression unhappy. "They didn't think the feud concerned them, so rather than pick sides, they prefer to distance themselves from both of our clans."

"It's probably a wise decision," Katie reasoned. "I mean, it's bad enough with just us and the Silverwolf clan... is that why we can't be with other clan members, because they won't let us for fear of looking like they're siding with us?"

"That is the basic idea," her father agreed. "I must confess it's not one I approve, but I understand the use of the precautionary principle."

"What about the Redwood clan, then?" Katie asked. "Why was it such a big deal when Gideon was going out with Belinda?"

"It was nothing against Belinda personally," Kendall answered. "And believe me, neither myself or your mother liked forcing them apart. But it was for their protection. The Redwood leader, unlike most of the others, clearly sided with the head of the Silverwolf. And we were afraid that Gideon and Belinda would come to harm if they stayed together. They didn't, but the fact they'd kept it a secret for so long was a large part of that. The moment it had gotten out, things would have most likely turned ugly, particularly if they'd been caught rather than coming out with it willingly."

"But why? They weren't hurting anyone..."

"Did Romeo and Juliet hurt anyone by falling in love? No. But their families hating each other did."

Katie sighed. He did have a point.

"... So until there's a new leader..."

"Our clans will be rivals," Kendall nodded.

"What if you tried talking to the Silverwolf leader?" Katie suggested.

Her father heaved a sigh.

"I have, putting forward the good of the clans, of the magical world... but he refuses to listen."

Kendall got to his feet.

"I'd better get started on dinner," he said. "Unless you wanted to know something else?"

"... No, that's it, I think. Thanks, Dad."

"My pleasure."

He stroked her hair as he walked by her to the kitchen. Soon, she heard the clanking of pots and pans and the banging of cupboard doors.

"I'll be in my room."

Her father nodded and she climbed up the stairs. She'd just kicked her shoes off and sat down on her bed when her phone rang in her pocket.

"... Lucy...?"

She picked up.

"Hello?"

She heard a small sigh of relief.

"Thanks for not rejecting my call."

"... I didn't think you'd call at all," Katie said carefully. "Last I heard, you seemed pretty angry."

"I was, for about ten seconds... then, right after I stormed off on you, I realised how stupid I was being. I mean, I had no right to talk to you like that."

"It's okay. I was out of line, too."

"It's just that... you're so lonely when you're not with me... I guess I was just trying to make sure you've got someone to turn to when I'm not there."

"I know," Katie said. "I appreciate the concern, but I'm fine."

"So... no more Luke talk."

"Only as potential boyfriend material," Katie amended. "I'm fine with his friendship, I just don't feel I have the strength to risk things getting any further..."

"Why not?"

"Because if I did... I might not be able to pull back if I have to."

Lucy was silent a moment.

"Promise we'll never fight like that again?"

"Promise," Katie said, smiling.

"Can I just say one more thing, though?"

Katie shook her head.

"What's that?"

"... I still think it's a shame."

Katie lay down on her bed with a heavy sigh.

"Yeah," she finally agreed. "It is."

The next day, Katie went downstairs to find her parents looking very sombre. The only times she'd seen them with such grave expressions was when something serious had happened.

"Mum, Dad, what's the matter?"

Hazel was upstairs getting dressed, so they invited her to sit.

"Tea, dear?" Her mother offered.

"Yes, please," Katie replied.

Moments later, Helaena had set down a cup of tea and a muffin in front of her.

"Did something happen?" Katie asked before taking a bite.

"Your mother doesn't think we should tell you, and I agree that Hazel's a little young, but I think you and your brother can be told."

"I just think it's unnecessary to worry them with that kind of information."

"And I think they're old enough to be told the truth," Kendall countered calmly. "They're not children any more."

"Gideon maybe not, but Katie is only seventeen!"

"Which qualifies as an adult in our world," her father reminded. "You know that."

Katie glanced at her parents. Her mother did not look happy.

"Fine," Helaena finally said shortly. "I'll go and check on Hazel."

And she marched out of the room.

"What did you want to tell me about?" Katie asked nervously.

She didn't much like her father's worried expression.

"The Silverwolf leader made an announcement this morning on the radio."

"About Victor?"

Kendall nodded.

*He said that the Unspelled police would never find the one who did it because they didn't know what to look for, and that he would be investigating himself. So far he's found nothing."

"What about you, Dad? D'you have any idea who did it?"

Her father sighed and shook his head.

"None. I would need more information on what happened to have an idea, but it's a Silverwolf member, so it's of course off limits to us."

Katie wasn't surprised. If the Silverwolf leader hated her family so much, there was no way he would let them have any say in the investigation.

"Is there any new lead?" she asked.

Kendall began to answer, when Helaena interrupted.

"No, Kendall, I think that's quite enough."

She had returned from Hazel's room.

"You really want her to have that on her mind?"

"She needs to know, it affects her too."

"Why? Why does it affect her?"

"Because the victim was a warlock, Helaena, as are all of us."

They looked at each other a moment. Katie watched them anxiously.

"She should know," Kendall finally said.

Her mother huffed and marched out, her long dark hair so similar to Katie's whipping the air. Katie peered guiltily at her father.

"Sorry about that..."

"Oh, it's not your fault, Katie," he said. "She just still sees you as three year olds."

Katie had to admit it sometimes felt that way.

"So what was this sensitive information she doesn't want me to know?"

Kendall sighed, his eyes turning thoughtful.

"You know the body was examined after it was found, don't you?"

"Yes," she nodded.

"Well, a warlock doctor also looked, secretly of course. And he found Victor to no longer have any magic in his body."

Katie's eyebrows pulled together a little.

"What's so strange about that? The magic always leaves our body when we die, doesn't it?"

"That's true," Kendall agreed. "But the warlock doctor was adamant the magic was drained before he died, and that it's most likely what caused his heart to stop."

Katie processed that a few moments, then her eyes widened as she realised what that meant.

"... Wait... so you're saying..."

Her father nodded gravely.

"Yes. Victor Dawson was killed by another warlock."