‘Yes. I have to go.’ I took a deep breath. ‘Look after yourself, May.’ I picked up my jacket, put it on and zipped it up, then I returned the harp to my back and gave her a wave. I really did have to skedaddle.

I looked at myself ruefully. Even standing next to May, I looked like a half-dead zombie. Maybe demons really were a ghoul’s best friend.

*

I made better time than I expected getting back to the Veil and I located the same spot that I’d emerged from with relief. Nothing followed me and I saw nothing else. Wherever those demons had marched off to, it wasn’t here. Thank heavens for small mercies.

I shook myself. The strange water from the Clyde had dried on my clothes and skin and black flakes fell off when I moved, like the world’s worst case of dandruff.

I gave the dark, unforgiving landscape one last look; I never wanted to come back here again. It seemed that there were worse places than the Cruaich after all. Even Aifric Moncrieffe and his wily, manipulative, murdering ways seemed a piece of cake compared to this nightmare. I took a deep breath and stepped back through the Veil.

The sensation as I passed through was as agonising as before and the noise as I came out onto home turf immediately put me on edge. My eyes darted round. Something was wrong; maybe one of the demons had invisibility as a Gift and had followed me here.

When I realised what was making the noise, I simultaneously relaxed and grimaced. I nudged Taylor with my toe. ‘Wake up!’

He mumbled something and rolled over. ‘Taylor!’ I crouched down and shook him. ‘You’re snoring loud enough to bring a horde of Fomori stampeding through the Veil. Wake up!’

He grunted and opened his eyes blearily. ‘Huh?’ He fixed his gaze on me. ‘Integrity! You’re back!’ He sat up and pulled me towards him, enveloping me in a tight hug – then immediately let go. ‘You smell worse than a badger’s arse. And what on earth are you covered in?’

‘Long story,’ I told him. I glanced back at the Veil. ‘Let’s get home to the others and then I’ll tell you.’

*

I’d never before had such a rapt audience. All four of them were on tenterhooks, listening to my every word.

‘You helped a Fomori demon?’ Brochan appeared thunderstruck.

I shrugged. ‘It seemed like the right thing to do.’

Lexie goggled at me. ‘She wanted to kill you!’

‘Out of instinct rather than anything else, I think.’ I gestured at myself. ‘I do look like the creature from the black lagoon. Besides, being a pacifist isn’t about apathy and turning your back. It actually involves taking action too.’

‘I’ll have to take samples,’ Speck muttered, still focused on my appearance. ‘It’s like no water I’ve ever seen.’

Lexie rolled her eyes. ‘Ever the scientist.’ She leaned forward. ‘And you levitated. Like hovered-in-the-air levitated?’ I nodded. ‘Can you do it now?’