It's the Week of Masks, a festival held to chase away evil spirits. But Lailu doesn't have time to worry about demons. She has bigger fish to fry - or, rather, griffins, now that she's been asked to prepare a mystical feast for the king's executioner, Lord Elister. Unfortunately, Lailu's meal is overshadowed by the scientists' latest invention : Automatons, human-shaped machines that will respond to their masters; ever order. Most people are excited by the possibilities but the mechanical men leave Lailu with a bad taste in her mouth. After finding a dead scientist, Lailu, Greg, Hannah, and Ryan must discover the truth behind the murder, before hostilities between the elves and the scientists boil over faster than hydra stew!