Tick-tick-tick from the edge of the sewer. If he can’t get to that watch in time, or if it rolls into the sewer . . .

The wraith springs on top of him again. “Get off,” Isaac yells.

He hears a whistle and a shout from the far street corner. Two policemen run toward Isaac and the wraith as they struggle on the ground. He remembers from the Alexandria library—in letting go of the watch, he made himself and the wraith visible.

The wraith pulls away, making for the watch in a quick crab-crawl.

“No,” Isaac yells, and the policemen’s footsteps grow louder.

“Here, you,” one of them shouts. “Stop!”

Isaac leaps over the wraith just as the watch begins to ping its sweet but deadly chime. One, two, three . . .

How? Not enough time.

It must be short on time because Isaac didn’t fully wind the watch. Four, five, six . . . He throws himself forward, over the wraith, reaching, his fingers just shy, and the wraith shoves Isaac from behind. His fingers brush the watch and it starts to roll down, down, but Isaac pulls and reaches until he can wrap his fingers around the skull—ten, eleven, twelve—safe in his fist.

As Isaac takes hold of the watch, the police arrive. The wraith scrabbles on the ground behind the vanishing boy, and the police reach to grab it. Isaac sees their bewildered faces as he falls back through time, now a ghost to them, while they are left to struggle with an abominable monster.

CHAPTER 53

Isaac

1942

Isaac fell right back into another commotion.

Everyone was exactly where they were when he left, but they sprang into action when he returned. Leo and Kat ran for Colin, hoisting him between them as they fended off the dreadful Miss Gumble, who reeled with confusion, having lost her creator. Amelie and Lark, carrying frying pans, made for the hutch and the door behind it while Willow hovered above Isaac.

“Willow! Wait,” Isaac shouted. “Wait until they’re all through the door.”

Willow made whimpering noises as they zinged back and forth overhead.

From the shadows of the hallway outside the kitchen, surrounded by brambles, Moloch appeared, his single red eye piercing the dark. Ame and Lark were through the door, and then Leo and Kat with Colin, and Isaac put his shoulder to the hutch and shoved it shut just as they disappeared. Isaac grabbed the scroll map from the table.

Moloch grinned. “I don’t need them, do I? I just need you.” Daemon bared his teeth and growled.

Moloch looked up at Willow and pointed at them. “Don’t you dare.”

Willow zipped back and forth, faster and faster, saying, “Ow! Ow, that hurts! Ow!”

Isaac shouted, “Willow, now.”

Willow screeched and magicked Isaac away. In the instant before disappearing, Isaac saw Moloch’s expression change from triumph to anger, and he heard the dire wolf howl.