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“Is he close?” I ask in a low voice.

Branok turns back. “He is there,” he says casually and points.

I gasp when I spot the masked man we’d seen here before. The hangman. He’s standing between two trees on the path ahead. His cloak’s hood is up and beneath the cowl are two bright, wicked eyes.

We stop dead and I squeeze Levi’s hand tightly. I don’t know whether I’m comforting him or myself.

Branok looks back at us. “Have no fear. He cannot harm you for I am here.” He makes a dismissive gesture at the hangman. “Be gone,” he says contemptuously.

“You are escorting the living.” The hangman’s voice is like the rustle of leaves on the ground—crackly and dead.

Branok tuts. “Aye. Past you, old crow.”

“You know the rules, smuggler. You know the penalties for helping the living.”

“You can be punished?” I say, alarmed.

Branok’s face is set and calm. “A price I am more than willing to pay.” He looks to the hangman. “Let them through.”

“As you wish, but you well know that a fee is due for safe passage.”

Branok reaches into his pocket and produces a gold coin. It looks like the ones I last saw in the graveyard. He holds it for a second and then flicks it to the hangman who catches it neatly. He puts it to his mouth, and I hear a crunch as he bites down.

“They may pass,” he says.

Branok stands aside and waves us through. We edge nervously past the hangman, but he stands silent.

When we’re past, I look back and Branok hasn’t moved. “Wait. What’s happening?” I ask, alarmed.

“Go on now, Blue,” he says firmly. “I will be along presently.”

“No, come now.”

The hangman chuckles. “Ah you have a champion. Be gone, little seer. The smuggler has a debt to pay.”

“What’s the price?” I whisper.

His eyes are full of a cold wickedness that views everyone as prey, alive or dead. He says, “The price is just as it ever was—a pound of flesh.” He pauses. “Unless you would like to pay his debt. I can assure you that human flesh is a lot more appetising to me.” He sniffs, moving in a reptilian fashion that turns my stomach. “And one such as you, Blue Billings, would taste even sweeter.”

“Go on now, Blue.” Branok’s voice is alarmed, which might be the most frightening thing about this interaction. He looks at the hangman. “The deal is done, the price accepted. Let them go.”

The hangman waves a black-gloved hand. “Walk on, unimpeded. But do not return this way. You have paid for a one-way trip, only.”

“Branok?” Levi says.

“Allow me to play my part in this, please.”

“You knew this would happen,” I say accusingly.

Branok chuckles. “I used to play chess with Xander back in the day. He would forever bedevil me about how I was too wild in my moves. Well, I have learnt that life is very much a game of chess. It pays to be a few moves ahead as Xander tried to teach me.” He gestures to the path. “Now, be off with you. The passage through the woods is safe. Do not turn back no matter how much you are tempted. Look for the copper beech tree on the left. You cannot miss it. The place you seek is to the left of the tree over a stone wall. I shall be with you soon. Go,” he finishes harshly, and turns back to the hangman.

I ignore his dismissal, lingering until Levi grabs my hand. “Move,” he says firmly. “It’s his choice, Blue. Allow him to have the same agency we have.”

“I’ll know you again,” I call to the hangman, allowing the threat to infuse my voice.

“Blue,” Branok snaps.

I allow Levi to pull me away, and he sets a fast pace, gripping me hard. I hear a sudden agonised scream come from behind us. It’s cut off abruptly, but beyond a flinch, Levi shows no reaction. He propels me along the path until we’re nearly running. It slopes downward and after a few minutes, we come to the beech tree. Its leaves are dark in the night, but it’s set in a copse of smaller trees, and a gap offers a view of the sea, its restless waves touched by moonlight.