The San Francisco Council House was in an uproar when our cab pulled up in front of it. First, Brendan had returned without me and then a huge magical discharge had been felt emanating from somewhere over San Francisco Bay. The Extinguishers and councilpersons alike were in a tizzy. Then I walked in holding the hand of a fairy and looking as if I'd been rolling around in a battlefield; frolicking with him in the blood and muck. I thought my father was going to burst a blood vessel.
"There he is!" Brendan pointed an imperious finger at Tiernan. "He must be the one responsible for that magic."
"He's not," I growled, "and I'm fine, Brendan; thanks so much for asking. Don't worry, this blood isn't mine."
"Extinguisher Seren." One of the councilwomen approached us. "Would you please tell us
