It was all wrong. Mothers were supposed to comfort kids, not the other way around. Mucum’s head lit up like lightning. No wonder they took Shiv. Buddy clever, too. Ark’s stupid sense of honor would lead him like a timber goat to fungus.

“Go home! You’re only a child! You should never have become part of this,” she sobbed.

“But I am part of it, and Ark needs my help.” They’d come this far together. He wasn’t going to let the stupid twig down now.

“But the Warden said Diana protects!”

“Good for her. I think I might jes’ lend a helping hand, eh? Maybe you should get back to yer hubby? He’s a good gaffer, by what Ark told me. I’ll look after yer boy, but I need to go now.”

Mrs. Malikum looked lost and uncertain, a small figure in the dusky treescape, as Mucum backed away. Then he turned and ran, hoping to catch Ark before he did something totally conkers.

24• BAIT

The sun had long gone, leaving only drizzle and darkness. Petronio needed to keep sharp as he crouched behind a parasite laurel bush that sprouted from the side of the woodway. The flask of coffee helped: scalding and sweet, the way he liked it. As the chill of evening descended, he pulled his cloak around him and sipped silently, then sat back satisfied in the shadows.

This spot was perfect for an ambush. The boy would come. Petronio had no need of prayers; his plans were simply made to be fulfilled.

When Petronio felt the telltale vibrations on the branchway, he knew it wasn’t a wild boar off for a midnight snuffle, but a boy driven by a sense of honor.

“Evening, Malikum. For a plumber’s boy, you don’t half cause a lot of trouble!”

The voice that came from behind the laurel was unmistakable. “Petronio!” it said. “I thought your family was low, but kidnapping my sister really scrapes the barrel!”

“Oh, does it? But it brought you here, didn’t it?” There was a sharp sound as Petronio lit a candle lantern and placed it on the branch.

That was when Ark realized who had been the target. His sister was the worm used to catch the wriggling fish. “If it’s me you want, then let her go!”

“Honestly, that’s just the sort of sappy rubbish I’d expect from you. Of course it’s you I want!” The blade that slipped out of the shadows gave his words an edge. “As for your sister, she can stay here to keep your family quiet.”

“Where is she? If you’ve hurt her, believe me, I’ll make you pay!”

A monster mealworm had better motives than this slimy, overfed brute. He’d dealt with one, now he’d sort out the other.

“Ha! Listen to you, sewer boy. Suddenly got magical powers, have we?”