I paused and turned to her. “Ali, have you seen any Dreadfuls here?”
Her eyes became huge. Frightened she gasped, “No! Did you see any?”
“No,” I pressed my hand on her arm reassuringly. “I was just wondering, though if you've ever seen any Dreadfuls in Penelope's castle?”
She frowned. “Come to think of it, no. But then I don't visit that often.” She made a little face. “I don't actually care for Penelope.”
“I'm not a big fan either. And yet there have been several in Drakulya's palace,” I said. “Dreadfuls, that is.”
“What does it all mean?” Her blue eyes widened again.
“I'm not quite sure. Not yet, anyway. I've still to test some of my theories.”
Aljehambra laughed, hand to her middle. “Oh, you sound so like Joha and his theories!”
The music started up again. People surged onto the
