Freezes the Fiend

I began to concentrate, summoning my strength. Stop time too early, and the Fiend would be unable to enter the pit; do it too late, and he would seize control – and I would beThe lanterns shone brightly once more, and with a terrifying bellow that seemed to make the whole world shake, the Fiend appeared in the pit between me and the Spook. He radiated a lurid red light of his own. Despite my terror I was filled with hope. He had come. It could be done.

Concentrate! Squeeze time! Make it stop!

The Fiend was three times the size of the Spook, with a broad chest, a long tail, cloven feet and the curved horns of a ram, and was covered in thick black hair. His pupils were two vertical slits, and he gave off a strong animal stench that made my stomach heave. But amidst the terror I felt, I noted with relief that the pit would be big enough after all.

The Fiend wasn’t moving – controlling time had become almost second nature to me now – but neither were the Spook or Grimalkin. All was immobile and silent. My heart was still beating. I was still breathing. I had stopped time. Now I had to impale him …

I moved to stab towards him, but my spear moved very slowly. Even worse, my heart seemed to be slowing, each laboured beat taking longer to arrive than its predecessor. The Fiend was fighting back; trying to freeze me in time and release himself.

B8 C21