One of the servants aimed his pistol at the demon.
"That won't do anything," I said.
"Shut up!" Finch slapped me across the face. It stung. I bit down against the pain and shook off the dizziness.
"Father, do something!" shouted Adelaide.
Lord Preston turned to me, his face like thunder. But there was a hint of confusion there too. He said nothing, gave no orders, and I decided he must be attempting to make sense of what he saw or he'd have taken charge already. His fingers flexed around the sword hilt. It was the sort of weapon found on library walls or behind glass cabinets, all gold and shiny metal with a tassel hanging from the hilt. It had probably never been used.
"Call the police!" I shouted and kicked out at Finch's shins.
He slapped me again. My head buzzed like a hive full of angry bees. I blinked away tears and battled to stay upright as Finch moved. Suddenly he was behind me, his arm around my waist. Something cold and sharp bit into my throat.
A knife.
"Emily!" Adelaide screamed again.
Onlookers emerged up and down the street, their lamps and candles glowing like faint stars. In the distance I heard a constable's whistle but it was far away. Too far.
"Unhand her!" Lord Preston bellowed. Thank God he'd regained his sense of command although I doubted it would do any good.
Finch certainly didn't cower. The knife pierced my skin. His breath came hot and moist in my ear as he chanted. I could feel his heart beating at my back, as rapid and erratic as my own. But his hand didn't shake. His life depended on keeping control of the weapon.
Off to our right, everyone either watched the strange spectacle of the demon or had their gazes on me. Adelaide, unaware that her brother's ghost was barely keeping a shapeshifting demon at bay, grew frantic. "Father! He's going to hurt her!"
"Stay," Finch commanded them in between muttering the lyrical chant.
The servants waited for their master to give an order. But any order to attack Finch would only bring about my death.
I closed my eyes.
An almighty roar from Jacob had me opening them again, just in time to see him throw himself at the demon. They toppled together. Finch gave a frustrated grunt and, miraculously, his grip on my coat loosened. It was enough. Just. I delved down inside my cloak and pulled the amulet up from beneath my gown.
I began the curse that Celia had taught me to send the demon back.
"Bitch!" Finch snarled. He snatched the amulet out of my hand, ripping the leather strip from my neck. "What d'you think you're doin', eh?"