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that was not going to happen to him. He stuffed his hand into his pocket and grasped Janus’s pouch of salt. He needed to get close if this was to work. He remembered the woman’s riddle. Janus had said that demons love riddles. Talon had taught him so many . . . maybe that would distract her just enough.
    ‘What can cure but is no remedy, white as snow but melts it, invisible in water unless you taste it?’
    ‘A riddle, Edgy? Oh, I love riddles! Have you found out the answer to mine yet? It would fascinate you.’ Salomé still bent towards him as if she were playing with a toddler, hands on her knees.
    ‘What’s the answer to mine ? Or is it too hard for you?’ Edgy taunted, taking a step closer.
    ‘Hmmm.’ Salomé tilted her head and put a gloved hand to her dainty chin. ‘It can cure but isn’t a remedy? Cure must mean to preserve, like a ham.’ Her face was close, Edgy could smell her perfume. ‘It’s white and melts snow and you can taste it. Of course I know! It’s s—’
    Edgy didn’t let her finish but lashed out his fist and gave her a faceful of the answer.
    ‘Damn your black heart, Edgy Taylor!’ Salomé screamed, throwing her hands to her eyes.
    Edgy turned and ran, not waiting to see how much damage he’d inflicted. He hurtled up the street, fear powering him along. Faces blurred as he flew past countless gentlemen and ladies. The cries of the street sellers flew by as he dodged and weaved among the crowd, desperately trying not to look back.
    Finally, he slowed. It seemed safe. Henry’s sides heaved as he looked up, his tongue dangling from his mouth, puffing hot breath like a steam engine.
    ‘I know,’ Edgy sighed, sitting down on a shop doorstep and stroking Henry’s ear. Henry was right to feel nervous. It seemed that Salomé could find him whenever she wanted. The demons would soon be on his trail again and he couldn’t escape them. ‘I ’ate to admit it but we’re stuck, good an’ proper.’ Edgy looked up. His stomach tightened. ‘An’ it looks like we’ve got company again.’
    Grinning with anticipation, the two demons pushed their way through the pedestrians towards Edgy. Edgy sat, all his energy spent, and watched as they advanced. With a grimace, he pulled himself up, clinging to the frame of the shop window as the world began to spin.

The elfin knight sits on yon hill,
    Blowing his horn loud and shrill.
    ‘I love to hear that horn blow;
    I wish him here that owns it and all.’
    That word it was no sooner spoken,
    Than elfin knight in her arms was gotten.
    ‘You must make to me a shirt,
    Without thread, shears or needlework .’
    ‘The Elfin Knight’, traditional folk ballad

Chapter Ten
    A Decision
    Henry’s shrill bark echoed in Edgy’s ears. Sharp talons dug into his shoulder and he felt himself being dragged to his feet. The crowds in the street bustled by, oblivious to the demons.
    ‘Take him,’ hissed a demonic voice. Edgy couldn’t distinguish between the two demons. Their twisted faces swam before him, merging, leering, gnashing their razor teeth. The flames flickered on their brows, dancing as if in victory.
    ‘Our names will be forever on the lips of Lord Moloch,’ said the other, ‘if this is the child –’
    A muffled thud cut the demon’s sentence short. Edgy blinked, shaking the stars from his dazed eyes. The demon stood before him still gripping him by the shoulder of his jacket, but a puzzled frown creased its pock-marked brow as it wiped grey sludge from its upper arm. The creature’s eyes widened in horror as the grey stain spread up its neck. Edgy tried to pull away but the demon’s grip on his coat tightened. Gradually it froze, the demon’s eyes becoming marbled, then lifeless and blank.
    A second bang sounded in the street. Glancing left, Edgy watched as the second demon writhed, trying to escape the dirty snowball that splattered wetly on to its back. Little by little, its movements died down to a slow dance, then it too