Originally published as: The Spook's sacrifice.

Includes excerpt from The last apprentice, rise of the huntress (bk. 7)

The maenad assassin -- The spook's bestiary -- Changeling? -- Decisions -- Alice Deane -- A dreadful prophecy -- The journey begins -- The young ladies -- What I am -- A delegation of thirteen -- Night attack -- Lamias -- My blood -- Portents -- The approach to the ord -- Fill the cup -- Fire elementals -- A bargain -- Your fate -- The truth of things -- A sharp tooth -- Last words -- His fearsom majesty! -- It can't be true -- The journal of Thomas J. Ward.

As the Spook's apprentice, Tom Ward must protect the country from the creatures of the dark. But now a dangerous ancient witch, Ordeen is about to rise. If Tom joins the army Tom's mother has mustered to confront Ordeen, the Spook will abandon him as his apprentice. What sacrifices will be made for the battle against the dark?