Zareen reached the first stag-man and leapt for it, but it caught her around the throat and threw her to the ground. She cried out and scrambled backwards. The black bear and Master Sollentude both ran towards the same stag-man, Sollentude brandishing a spade as a makeshift weapon. The winged wolf took flight with the eagle and they soared above, then pitched into a dive attacking from above, claws bared, but the antlers were impossible to get through, and the eagle took a nasty tear to her chest. The bear reared on its hind legs and brought the weight of its body on to one of the stag-men, knocking it back, but it kicked the bear away like a puppy. Sollentude ducked, dived and lurched with the spade as one tried to grab him. It swiped and just caught him, so a strip of red appeared on his face.

Prue looked on in horror as the dark figures collided on the moonlit lawn. The Guild personifates and masters were no match for the stag-men. What sort of life was this for her brother? Brought back to be a killer? And what was her brother’s second life to be, in this machine? She remembered her mother’s warning with horror: he had become the monster her mother had feared. And what would become of her parents if Primrose got his way? She took the transmitter from her bag and carefully checked the switch was still down. She looked back at the stag-men.

And in that moment, she realized what she had to do.

“Agapantha, get down there and make sure every one of the Guild personifates return to the factorium – now!”

She nodded and ran downstairs.

“Ed, help me make sure the parabolic reflector is angled to get all of the stag-men.”

She watched from the window as Agapantha emerged from the tower below.

“Agapantha! Stay back!” yelled Master White, as soon as she caught sight of Agapantha running towards her. Prue could barely make out their hurried conversation in the darkness. Then Master White stepped back and called out, “Personifates, stand down! Get back to the factorium, that’s an order!”

Master Woolstenbury was further away with Zareen, facing one of the stag-men and Charles Primrose. She stared at Master White, confused, a suspicious frown on her brow.

“It’s no good, the personifates must retreat!” Master White called to her. “Trust me, please!”

The bear, winged wolf and eagle obeyed.

“Ed, is it ready?” Prue asked desperately.

“Yes, but Zareen is in range.”

Master Woolstenbury gave Zareen the signal to fall back. Zareen waivered, then ran. As she did, the stag-man grabbed Master Woolstenbury by the throat.

Prue looked at the stag-men. Francis was there somewhere. Tears streamed down her cheeks. “I’m sorry, Francis. I’m so sorry.” Her finger hovered over the button and, for a terrible moment, she didn’t know whether she could do it.