They somehow persist in making mischief (7)
I believe the answer is:
sprites
'they' is the definition.
Both the answer and definition are plural nouns.
Perhaps they are linked in a way I don't understand?
'somehow persist in making mischief' is the wordplay.
'persist' can be anagrammed to 'SPRITES'.
Though, I'm unsure how the anagram is indicated.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for sprites that I've seen before include "Elves or fairies" , "Brownies" , "goblins?" .)