The being watches him melt away into shadow and zip away from approach, and in response, simple slows to a stop and begins to laugh as if that was one of the most hilarious things they'd ever seen. They barely pay attention to what Lambert is doing, because this is just too priceless.

"Run away, little crow," they say, jeering. "Tell your master that I'm coming! I believe he's already expecting me."

They leap into the air, landing on one of the cafe tables in Childermass's general direction. Slowly, they take a moment to straighten up afterward.

"Or... you could consider taking up new employment."