Demand to be released (6)
I believe the answer is:
ransom
'demand' is the definition.
The definition and answer can be both acts as well as being singular nouns.
Perhaps you can see an association between them that I can't see?
'be released' is the wordplay.
I cannot really understand how this works, but
'released' could be 'ran' (running is a kind of releasing) and 'ran' is located in the answer.
This explanation may well be incorrect...
'to' acts as a link.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for ransom that I've seen before include "delivery charge" , "Romans (anag)" , "Means to release prisoner" , "Rescue" , "demand an extortionate price" .)