The demon answers with a low growl and lets its weight fall back on its haunches. At first it looks as if it might be sitting, submitting to my commands. But then, to my horror, I realize it is crouching, ready to spring.

“Stay back, Demon!” I am shouting at it now. If it leaves the circle I will lose what little control I have!

The demon turns its head, looking this way and that. It takes a shambling step forward, its broad foot crossing the wax of the small circle. It flinches, lifting its foot quickly, as if irritated, more than frightened. With a quick hop it leaps into the main circle, where it throws back its head and bares its teeth at me. If it senses how terrified I am we are lost. Fighting the impulse to run, I force myself to take a pace toward the creature. Surprised, or perhaps a little perplexed, it lowers its head and slides a fraction away from me. I take another step.

“Hear me, Demon. You were summoned by me, and so you will return to the Darkness at my bidding.”

The creature growls again but keeps low and retreats a little farther. It turns its gaze from me and begins to look around the chamber, shifting its weight from one back foot to another. It is in this instant that I realize what it is about to do. Spirits save us, it’s going to jump out. It wants to escape. It wants its freedom!

You foolish girl! Did you truly consider yourself able to control a demon?

No! Not now, not here! Leave me!

I must not allow the spirit to draw my attention. I must not let my concentration waver for a second. I open my mouth to command the demon to return to the Darkness, but it is too late.

The beast springs out of the sacred circle, and in one bound is at the back of the chamber. Witches scream and scatter in all directions as the terrible thing moves among them. I draw back my arm and flick out the Silver Thread. My first throw falls short. The demon begins to advance on two terrified witches who are cowering against the paneling. I try again, and this time the end of the rope finds its target and wraps itself tightly around the creature’s wrist. I brace myself, clinging on to the other end with both hands. The demon howls in rage, struggling to try and rid itself of the tether, but it is held there with magic centuries old. All it can do is lean its weight against its bond, so that I am pulled off my feet and begin to be dragged across the stones. I must not leave the circle! I will have only a tiny part of my magic outside it.

Again I hear the unholy sound of the haunting spirit’s laughter echoing through my mind.