There was no banishing rite, just as there was no art to invoking the demon. It was Connor’s will alone that determined when to set her free, or recall her. He simply thought it: come back to me. The trouble was, it would not be that easy to permanently sever the bond between them, when the time came. Having no need to stand still and wait for her, Connor walked on, steadfastly not making eye contact with anyone from the camp who had come to see what the commotion was.

“I don’t want to forget anything I’ve seen tonight,” he said, to himself, but also to the creature that was coiled possessively around his arm.