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'Janet.' He breathed the word as he hadn't done since he was first married. He took her in his arms.

Somehow a song started to play over the speakers, a song of love. Hugh began to lead Janet in a slow dance around the room. He nuzzled her lily-white neck, revelling in the sensation. But it wasn't quite perfect - a small triangular mark blemished the otherwise pure skin.

Suddenly the feelings changed as loving warmth shifted to the sticky coldness of death. He looked into the stranger's eyes and saw the Abyss looking back. There was nothing but chilling void there. This was not Janet, nor was it Ace. He had let something into his house which had taken a familiar form, now it wanted to be let into his soul.

Hugh tried to push the phantom of his youth away, but she clung to him with all the strength of the dead.

'Please, no ' Hugh said. He could look down now and see the white sticks that littered the carpet. 'Oh my God!'

The grip was released and Hugh was thrust away into another pair of waiting arms The Doctor's face smiled strangely at Hugh and was the last thing he saw as the strength and substance was drained from his body.

8:

Three Is Company

Ace kicked at the ground, trying to propel herself away from the gaping maw that was descending on her. Momentarily her torch flashed upwards and she saw the forked tongue nestling in the back of the mouth in a sea of foaming saliva. She launched a desperate punch at the hideous jaw.

There was a sudden rush of air and a short shaft of wood impaled itself in the side of the monster's head. More followed in quick succession striking at the creature's face and torso. It fell back, searching for its attacker, and swinging its arms in a savage cartwheel.

'Get away from the demon, girl,' a voice shouted. Ace suddenly found herself surrounded by figures dashing through the darkness. She saw her torchlight gleam on unsheathed swords. A hand fell on her shoulder and pulled her back. She turned to look - it was the Doctor.

'Professor," she gasped.

‘I think we've been rescued, Ace. Help me with Bathsheba.'

A young man, clad in chain mail and with long black hair about his shoulders, ran up to them and shouted, 'Come with me! My men will deal with the demon. You are lucky that we found you. Come on!' He gave the Doctor a slap with the broad side of his sword to encourage him to move. 'This way!'

He led them through the darkness of swirling snow. Gradually, small pinpoints of firelight resolved themselves and they found themselves among humans, old and young. Welcoming hands guided them into the midst of the crowd.

'Who are you?' the man who had rescued them asked.

'I'm the Doctor - and these are my friends, Ace and Bathsheba. And you are?'

'I am Chulainn of the Clyr. Leader of my clan and the guardian of the virginity of Brigit. Am I to take it from your clothes that you are strangers in this land? Outcasts, perhaps, from the place that Nuada tells us is called Earth?’ He took them through the crowd which was waiting for the warriors’ return.

'Something like that'

'Is it true that the Land Mother’s mate lies there?’

'I wouldn't know about that. These are your people, are they?

‘These are the remnants We travel through the land to Dinorben, gathering up the stragglers, Nuada says we must not delay, for the demons roam at will throughout Tír na n-Óg. My people tried to contain them, but in great numbers they are difficult to defeat, Come into my tent and we will talk.;

'Your tent?' asked Ace. ‘I thought you said you were going to Dinorben.'

'We camp here for three days. There are men of the Allan Clwff and the Rhylmrth who are to meet here. Here, I will call for some food.'

He left them alone in the small dank tent which smelt of mould and decay, but was at least warm against the cold of the open air. A mound of furs was piled in one corner; they smelled musty but the Doctor took one and hung it around Bathsheba's shoulders. He looked to Ace.

‘No, I’m all right, Professor Just a bit … well, you know that thing was horrible'

‘A demon,’ Bathsheba