Epilogue

In the dark, echoing space, Varick waits alone. He is hesitant, anxious. He swallows hard and clenches his fist for a moment before snapping his fingers and igniting a flame. He drops it down into the centre of the room and the fire catches, creating violet flames that cast an unearthly light around the walls. The crystal on his finger glows blinding white. He is not a coward, but as his master’s terrifying face looms into view among the flames, his heart quickens.

‘Tell me,’ commands the demon with a hiss.

‘Black Annis is destroyed,’ the man says bleakly. ‘We were unable to use her in our sacrifice.’ He closes his eyes and looks away from the demon’s inevitable fury. He takes a deep breath as the hideous face flickers in the flames. Its slitted, goat-like pupils are narrow with anger.

‘How?’ the spitting voice demands. ‘Look at me, mortal, and explain your failure.’

‘The last chime child,’ the man admits, his own voice low. Reluctantly, he looks up at the demon, as commanded. In its fury the demon’s eyes blaze crimson. The violet flames sizzle and snap.

‘The sole chime child thwarted you and your coven?’ the demon screeches. ‘How can this be?’

‘I warned you of this,’ the magician replies grimly. ‘One chime child is still one guardian for the Boundary, and this youth is invested with tremendous power. He does not even realise its full extent yet. And he has some formidable allies, it seems.’

‘You must seek him out. He cannot be allowed to remain.’ The demon’s voice crackles.

‘I know where I can find him,’ the man says through his teeth. He pauses and frowns, before a cruel smile forms on his lips. ‘But to bring about his defeat we must be certain of success. The child has a weakness. One that can be exploited.’

The demon’s smile is crueller than the man’s, and uglier. ‘Go on,’ the hideous mouth spits.

‘I’ve seen deep into the boy’s heart. He’s strong and determined. But he has one fatal flaw. In the right circumstances, I am certain he could be tempted.’

The demon chuckles. Its laughter is like an avalanche of falling rocks. It is no longer angry. It is scheming anew.

‘Yessss,’ it hisses. ‘But you must be more than certain, mortal. You must make good on our agreement, or you will face the consequences when the Shadowing reaches its zenith.’

‘I will not let you down,’ the man says. A moment later, the flames are extinguished and the space is plunged into darkness once more. He waits in the silence for a moment.

‘Varick?’

The voice startles him, but then he realises who it is.

‘Aradia,’ he says, his voice grim. ‘You failed me.’

The woman emerges from the shadows and steps towards him. He can see that she has been injured, but he maintains a stony glare.

‘We shall not fail again, Varick. I promise you that,’ she says, her eyes narrowed venomously at the memory of defeat.

‘The coven remains intact?’

‘It does,’ she replies. ‘And we are ready for instruction.’

The man smiles, his voice now little more than a whisper.

‘I know exactly what must be done . . .’