She whistles and three wolves slam Crowky down in the snow, where he struggles briefly, feathers flying in the air. Then he falls still. On the edge of the clearing the scarecrow army curl their hands into fists. They’re waiting for Crowky’s signal to attack, but something stops him. His eyes dart to the Box. That’s all he cares about. He wants my fear more than anything.

The side of the Box is still smooth and blank. There are no gleaming letters, but as long as the Box is close to me and Rose there’s a chance they will appear.

Hati calls her wolves off. Crowky shuffles backward, grabbing hold of the Box and holding it close.

The wolves start circling us again. “Well?” says Hati. “What are you going to do, Rose Trout? Join us, or be hunted down?”

I grab Rose’s arm. “Don’t listen to her, Rose. She’s your fear, remember? We have to run.”

“And you won’t be on your own,” adds Win. “You’ll have me and Arthur with you!”

This almost makes Rose smile. “Win, how can you protect me from a pack of wolves?”

“I’ll use my ninja skills,” he says.

Now Rose does smile. It’s a small smile, but it feels like a victory against Hati Skoll. And maybe she senses this too because she stamps her foot and says, “What’s your decision?”

Rose’s voice is a whisper. “I’m going to run.”

Hati is incredulous. “You really think these boys can help you?”

“Yes,” says Rose.

“Then you’d better start running. I’ll give you one minute each. That’s three minutes to get as far away as possible.”

“What . . . You’re letting us go?” I say.

Hati shrugs. “Unless it’s a fair chase, it’s no fun.” The wolves strain toward us, whining and snapping. “Not yet . . . ,” she says, her hands keeping them back. “Not yet . . .”

Suddenly a bright light catches my eye. It’s the Box. The writing is starting to appear. We have to get out of here before the message is complete. “RUN!” I shout, and the three of us dodge past the wolves and the waiting scarecrows. Win spies his half-snapped wand sticking out of the snow and grabs it.

We head toward the waterfall. We have no choice. If we run toward the sea, we’ll be trapped. Out of the corner of my eye I see Crowky creeping away with the Box.

“Whistle fur!” Win cries, waving his wand over his shoulder and sending a shower of marshmallows toward Hati and the wolves.

“Why did you do that?” I shout.

“Cool parting gesture!” he yells.

Rose groans, and slipping and sliding in the thick snow we run as fast as we can toward the gaping teeth of the Vampire.

Chapter 38