“You’re responsible for the barrier,” said Milo.

Jesper looked at him, and said nothing.

“It keeps the Hounds out,” Milo continued. “The Shining Demon, too, I’m guessing. You’re hiding from him, the same as we are.”

“Is that right?” Amber asked the old man. “Well, that’s great! It means we can work together!”

“I don’t need your help to keep them out,” said Jesper.

“But … but we’re on the same side!”

The burned man chuckled beneath his mask.

“I doubt that,” said Jesper. “The barrier keeps Astaroth and his representatives at bay, but he can still send through his little demons and killers to try to cut my throat.”

“He didn’t send us. I swear.”

Jesper peered at her. “What were the terms of your deal with him, to get like this?”

“I didn’t get this way because of a deal,” she said. “My parents, they bargained, but I was born this way.”

“Hmph. Interesting. Then what did you do to make him angry enough to send the Hounds?”

“I … I cheated him.”

A smile twitched at Jesper’s mouth. “I see.”

“We’re not your enemy. We can be allies if you’d just let us.”

Jesper turned, walked back to the window, his hands once again behind his back. “Why? What do you propose? In what way can you possibly bring any advantage to me? You have drawn the Hounds back to Desolation Hill. You have focused Astaroth’s gaze upon me again after all this time. We are not, and can never be, allies. Your presence here is unwelcome.”

“But … but nowhere else is safe.”

“Desolation Hill isn’t safe. Not for you.”

“So what are you going to do?” Amber asked. “Hand us over to the Hounds? You’d be sending us to our death.”

Jesper shook his head. “What they do with you is not my concern.”

“Bullshit,” said Amber. “Handing us over is the same as killing us.”

“I don’t involve myself in such matters,” Jesper said. “I leave that to Chief Novak and his fine police force.”

“Your Chief of Police has already murdered a man!” Amber said. “He shot him right in front of us!”

“Philip Daggett was a serial killer,” Novak said, sounding bored.

Jesper waved his hand. “I don’t involve myself in such matters,” he repeated. “My police take care of the unfortunate necessities. I focus on keeping this town running.”

“What did you do?” Milo asked, his voice quiet.

Jesper turned to him.

“You know why the Shining Demon is coming after us,” Milo continued, “but why is he coming after you? What did you do?”

“You really want to know, Mr Sebastian? Then answer my question. Are you a demon also?”

Milo didn’t say anything. But after a moment he shifted, and Jesper hurried closer, eyes wide.