“That’s everyone,” he said when Milo got out of the car. “Ronnie and the others got back a few minutes after you headed off again.”

“Is Kelly with them?” Amber asked.

“Yes, indeed, all present and accounted for, dog included.”

Amber nodded, pleased with the answer, but looking conflicted nonetheless. After a moment’s hesitation, she changed back into the normal girl with the bright smile Virgil had come to know. She went to walk past him and he hugged her.

“Oh,” she said. “Um. Okay. I like your suit.”

“Thank you.” He gave her a squeeze, then stepped away. “We were worried about you,” he said. “Kelly, especially.”

Amber chewed her lip.

“Ah, and I have this for you,” he said, taking the brass key from his pocket and handing it over. “Austin had the presence of mind to keep it on him. Clever young man.”

“Yeah,” said Amber, only half listening to him.

“Into the house, you two,” Virgil said. “It’s cold in here and I’m an old man.”

He ushered them through the door, into the warmth.

“Stay away from the windows,” he reminded them. “And no lights, please. If any neighbours are around, they’ll come knocking, and they won’t be gentle.”

They headed for the dark living room, smelling hot chocolate and coffee before they’d even reached it. Austin sat in one of the armchairs. Linda and Javier shared the couch and Warrick sat on the floor, cuddling up with Two. Ronnie stood by the window, peeking through the curtains occasionally, and Kelly was on her feet the moment Amber walked in. Everyone had a steaming mug either in their hands or close by.

Kelly and Amber looked at each other like they had something important to say that neither of them could voice. Virgil shrugged to himself. Young people.

“All right then,” he said, “here’s how things stand at the moment. Mayor Jesper and Chief Novak are dead. Some of us may have reached an accord with the other police officers, but don’t count on it lasting. The demon in chains—”

“Naberius,” said Linda.

“—Naberius, thank you, he has had his sacrifice – a classmate of Austin’s.”

“He wasn’t a classmate,” Austin muttered.

“One of the demons after Amber is also dead,” said Virgil.

“Two of them, actually,” said Amber. “There’s only my parents now, and I’m pretty sure they’ve already left town.”

Virgil nodded. “Okay then. And how many Hounds do we know are dead? Kelly, there’s the one Milo killed, and the one you saw hanged. That’s two.”

“Novak killed one,” said Amber, “and I killed one with my parents. Family time, I guess. I saw a bunch of demons go after another one, but I don’t know if they managed to kill him.”