Book excerpt: Jack's family are Shian, 'otherworld' creatures who have crept in and out of human affairs throughout history. And Jack's family are special: working for the Shian Congress, they have been watching over the Stone of Destiny - one of the great Shian treasures - for seven hundred years. Its homecoming has energised the dormant Shian folk, giving renewed strength to their ancient powers and gifts. However, the prospect of the Stone's power causes different factions to quarrel as they did centuries ago, and when Jack's parents disappear separately, under mysterious circumstances, the trouble is just beginning.