“Once Naberius was trapped,” Jesper said, “Astaroth chained him and left him to spend eternity underground. As for me, I began thinking of the day when Astaroth would come to claim my soul. So I stopped delivering the offerings to him, and instead delivered them straight to Naberius. I siphoned off his power and used it to construct the barrier around this town.”

“You’re using Naberius as a battery,” said Milo.

“It’s the only thing that will keep Astaroth at bay.”

“So the offerings,” Milo said, “the kids you’re killing, they’re being used to keep up Naberius’s strength?”

“I’m not killing them,” Jesper said quickly. “I couldn’t keep doing it, so I passed on the key to someone who could. I just … I don’t concern myself with that side of things anymore.”

Amber look at Novak. “Is that your job, then? Killing the kids?”

“We keep the peace,” he answered. “That’s not our department.”

“Is it you?” Amber asked, now looking at the burned man. “Do you kill them?”

“It is no one in this room,” said Jesper.

Amber frowned. “So who does it? Is it someone you hire? Is it a freelancer? Are you seriously saying you’ve outsourced your blood sacrifice?” She laughed. “This is crazy! I love this goddamn town! It’s all so messed up!”

“Do not mock us!” Jesper yelled in his quavering voice. “Do not mock the sacrifices made by our young people!”

“That you’re killing, asshole.”

Novak jammed his gun into Amber’s neck.

“Change back,” he said.

“Screw you.”

“Your smart mouth is getting you in trouble,” Novak said. “It’s going to get you killed right here and right now. Do yourself a favour and change back.”

Amber glared defiantly at Jesper, but when she looked at Milo he was nodding to her calmly. She gritted her teeth, and reverted.

There was no more pain from her healed fingers, but the headache kicked in immediately and she could feel the bruise from where Novak had struck her even as he tightened the cuffs. If she shifted now, she’d probably break her own wrists, so she stayed as she was. She’d had enough of broken hands for the time being.

“For the good of the town, the sacrifices must continue,” Jesper replied. He was much calmer now. “This is regrettable. What is also regrettable is your presence here, as it endangers the lives and well-being of the people of Desolation Hill. As a conciliatory gesture, I’m afraid we must give Astaroth what he wants, and hope that he’ll be satisfied with that.”

“You’re going to hand us over?” Milo asked.

“For the good of the town, I must. Chief Novak?”

Novak levelled his gun at them. “Walk,” he said.

Chapter 22