‘You tried to kill me,’ I said calmly. Now that I was in control, I was starting to enjoy myself. My hair was flying up behind me like Superman’s cape – or so I imagined. Unfortunately the gusting wind was making my eyes water. My ear was still buzzing irritatingly. Next time I tried this, I’d remember to bring goggles – and perhaps ear plugs as well. Bob perched on my elbow, grinning manically.

‘I’m sorry,’ the Bull babbled. ‘But it was only a matter of time before you came after me for what I did.’

‘Tell me. Tell me what you did.’

‘I’m going to die,’ he moaned. ‘Tipsania will be all alone. She’s just a kid. She’s not going to manage.’

No. I was just a kid when he’d treated me like shit. Now we were all adults. I glanced down at the castle again. As this was my first skydive, it was difficult to estimate how much time we had before we reached the ground. It didn’t look like it would be long.

Almost casually, I reached over to the Bull’s left hand and eased it away from my body. He clawed it back but I twisted away. With only one set of fingers linked to me, the Bull’s terror was growing.

‘There’s no time,’ I said sadly. ‘I’m going to have to go. It’s a shame because I really wanted answers.’

‘No. No. Don’t go.’ His eyes pleaded with me.

‘Give me your true name and I’ll take you back with me.’

His face went pale. ‘I can’t do that.’

I shrugged, which isn’t easy to do in midair. ‘Your choice.’ I turned my attention to his right hand, prying off one finger.

‘You said you were a pacifist. This is murder.’

I considered. ‘It’s more manslaughter than murder. I didn’t intend for this to happen. You just came along for the ride.’

‘You’re going to rot in hell.’

‘Probably.’ I pointed down. ‘Hey, look! I can see sheep!’ I pried off another of his fingers. They were remarkably fat and squat; clearly he wasn’t a piano player. ‘Before I go, do you want to know what the hardest part of skydiving is?’ The Bull stared. My grin widened. ‘The ground.’

‘Alright! It’s Cul-Chain. My true name is Cul-Chain.’

A wave of power filled me. It wasn’t just an emotional reaction, I felt a physical surge as well. ‘Let’s test that, shall we?’

‘There’s no time!’

‘I’m off,’ Bob announced, breaking into our conversation. I’d almost forgotten he was there. He pulled his parachute cord and jerked upwards. ‘I’ll catch up with you later, Uh Integrity!’

I looked down. The ground was getting dangerously close. ‘Let go of me, Cul-chain,’ I ordered.