Austin darted away from the tip of the Shard, passing Insidio while he was still regaining his balance. Virgil was suddenly acutely aware of the emptiness behind him. He took a glance, saw nothing but the darkness of the quarry. The freezing wind shot up the back of his shirt, making his jacket flutter like a cape.

Insidio turned away from Virgil, pointed at Austin as he stood there, on solid ground now and halfway to the trees, not wanting to abandon Virgil to his fate. He was a good kid.

“Don’t go far,” Insidio rasped. “I counted the votes. Tonight is your night to die.”

Ignoring the pain in his side and the hammering in his chest and the ice that was travelling down his left arm, Virgil powered to his feet and grabbed his old enemy. He wrapped his arms around him and Insidio frowned and grunted, no longer enjoying the game, but Virgil didn’t give him a chance to stop playing.

He turned, twirling them in a clumsy, mud-drenched dance until they teetered on the very tip of Edison’s Shard, and Insidio’s eyes widened as he realised what was about to happen.

Virgil threw himself over the edge, and took Insidio with him.

The fall was cold. Insidio shrieked and flailed, but didn’t shapeshift. He didn’t have time to become the Narrow Man again. He was stuck in this role he had assumed. Just like Virgil.

They plummeted, and Virgil smiled, and the darkness welcomed them.

Chapter 58

IN THE MIRRORED HALL in the Shining Demon’s castle, Amber curled into a ball, unable to breathe.

“I admit,” Astaroth said, “you have surprised me. After all the promise you showed when you first started running, I never imagined you would simply return here of your own volition. For what? For the well-being of your friend? I was never going to harm him, Amber. He is not mine to harm.”

Amber looked up to see Fool walking over to where Milo lay, a heavy chain in his hands.

“Let him go,” Amber croaked.

Astaroth looked at her with his black eyes. “Your friend is being returned to Demoriel, the Demon that blessed him. He is no longer your concern.”

Moving slowly, and feeling his way, Fool secured the chain around Milo’s neck.

“You have me,” Amber said, shaking her head. “Let him go.”

“You can only bargain when you have something of equal value to offer,” Astaroth said. “Your hands are empty, Amber.”

Tears coming to her eyes, Amber pushed herself up on to one elbow. She still wasn’t breathing right. “Not his fault,” she managed. “All mine.”

“He helped you run.”

“I asked him to. Please. I’ll do anything.”

Astaroth paused. “Interesting.”

She seized on the interest in his voice. “Name it.” She struggled to her feet. “Tell me what to do and I’ll do it.”

“You would agree to a bargain so readily?”

“I’ll do anything.”