‘You’ve got what you wanted,’ Elliot muttered, trying to block out the swarm of Daemons screeching gleefully overhead. ‘Now it’s your turn.’

Thanatos watched contentedly as his army filled the sky with their celebrations. He pulled the pocket watch from his robes and opened the case to stare lovingly at the Chaos Stone once more.

‘Absolutely,’ he said, snapping the lid shut. ‘A deal is a deal. But there’s just one more thing I want to show you.’

‘I just want—’

‘It won’t take long,’ Thanatos said casually, leading Elliot away from the Daemons. They walked back towards the Phlegethon and Thanatos’s office – but before they reached either, Thanatos headed into a warren of tunnels that glowed a dull red. Elliot followed him, feeling the heat intensify with every step. They had not gone far before Elliot pulled up, sweat running down his face.

‘I can’t,’ he panted. ‘Too . . . hot.’

‘Oh, yes, of course,’ said Thanatos, stopping a few paces ahead. ‘I forget that your feeble mortal body can’t withstand this heat. Shame – I wanted to show you just how helpful you’ve been.’

‘What’s down there?’ asked Elliot, wiping his sodden forehead with his sodden T-shirt.

‘The Earth’s core,’ declared Thanatos with a flourish. ‘You see, even with the Chaos Stone, it would take me a while to visit natural disasters on every part of the Earth.’

‘I’m sure they can wait,’ panted Elliot, crouching to the floor. He could barely breathe for the heat.

‘But I can’t,’ said Thanatos, looming over him. ‘I’ve waited long enough. You see, the Earth’s core is like the beating heart of the world. If I attack that, it will feed into every part of the world above. In one fell swoop, I can unleash the elemental power of the Chaos Stone on the whole planet . . . and still be finished for lunchtime. Clever, aren’t I?’

‘Genius,’ said Elliot. ‘But you said you wouldn’t harm me and Mum.’

‘True,’ said Thanatos. ‘Out of deference to you, I intend to leave Great Britain alone. I like it there. It’s damp. Dingy. Grumpy. I feel quite at home.’

Elliot pulled himself up to standing again. He stared defiantly at Thanatos.

‘Enough,’ he said. ‘Just give me my mum back.’

‘Of course,’ said Thanatos simply. ‘Follow me.’

Elliot hesitated. Surely, after everything, Thanatos wasn’t going to make it this easy for him? But he followed the Daemon regardless. What choice did he have?

‘It’s quite simple,’ the Daemon of Death announced, leading Elliot to the pathway that Virgo had walked out of an hour earlier. ‘All you need to do is lead her back to the Earth. Before sunset. But you’ve got plenty of time. Off you go.’

‘And?’ Elliot said, trying not to betray his impatience. He just wanted Josie back where she belonged.