“We need to be quick. I can’t quite see, but I’d guess its attention is on the farm. Maybe we should fly in from behind and take it by surprise?”

“Let’s do it,” he said.

She nodded, but nerves tangled like tree vines in her stomach.

They took flight again, circled back a little, then flew directly towards the oak. When they were almost upon it, the stag-man must have heard the beat of Edwin’s wings because it looked up. Edwin and Prue cried out, an instinctive, fierce battle cry. There was a moment of confusion as they landed and Edwin bounded forwards, towards it. But it quickly recovered and began running away towards the house. It was incredibly fast, and as Edwin chased after it, it became clear they weren’t going to catch it.

“Jump off, then I’ll be quicker,” Edwin called.

Without thinking, Prue took a great leap, tumbling and crashing into the barley field. She jumped to her feet and scrambled to the top of the nearest bale. More lights came on in the farmhouse. Edwin had caught up with the stag-man who had stopped and turned back. They stood face to face, only a few metres from each other, eyes locked.

Mrs and Mr Haywood emerged from the house. “What’s going on out here?” Mrs Haywood called. But Prue’s parents froze in their tracks as they saw the stag-man and great winged lion.

“It’s over. Primrose is dead and so are the rest of the stag-men,” said Edwin.

“Who are you?” it hissed.

“I believe we’ve already met, actually. You attacked us in the forest.”

The stag-man tilted his skull-like head. “Where is the master?”

“Your master is gone. He’s dead.”

The stag-man let out a coarse rasping noise.

“Give yourself up and we’ll see you’re looked after,” Prue called.

The stag-man glanced in her direction.

“Prue! Is that you?” Mr Haywood called.

“Gone?” said the stag-man.

Edwin nodded.

“Then no more waiting.” The stag-man reared back, then leapt. Edwin ducked, but sharp claws swiped across his face and Prue cried out for him. He was just a boy in his first life and then a stoat in his second, thought Prue; he doesn’t know how to fight.

“Kill those in our way,” the stag-man said, almost robotically, stalking around Edwin.

“Stay back,” Edwin called, his voice plainly that of a scared young boy.

The stag-man flew at him again and slashed across his face. Edwin’s head lurched to the side. He staggered.

“No!” Prue cried.

“Kill,” the stag-man sneered.

Edwin bounded at him, but the stag-man darted to the side.

Then, with brutal intent, it put its head down and hurtled towards him, its vicious antlers blade sharp.

Prue yelped.

Edwin managed to leap out of the way, and the stag-man tumbled, but it was soon on its feet again, readying for its next move.