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The Frenchman stopped in the corridor outside and ran a hand through his hair.“You realise what this means, don’t you?”He studied Evander with a troubled expression.“If this Crimson Codex exists and if it does contain the knowledge they seek…”

“Then we need to get our hands on it first,” Evander finished grimly.

“Your Grace,” a voice called out behind them.

They turned to see Shaw approaching briskly.

“Commander Winterbourne requests our presence,” the forensic mage informed them.

Evander and Leon exchanged a frown.

Winterbourne welcomed them with a distracted expression when they entered his office moments later.Rufus was already there.

The commander’s desk was covered in the reports they’d compiled and there were several empty cups of coffee next to his hand.He ordered his secretary to bring them refreshments nonetheless before settling back down in his chair with a heavy sigh.

“Never in my career have I seen such an unholy mess,” Winterbourne muttered.He pinched the bridge of his nose.“The Ministry of Arcane Affairs and the War Office are already up in arms about this.They are planning to petition Parliament for an emergency legislation that would allow them to regulate the affairs of the Royal Institute.”

A chill danced through Evander at his words.“That’s a preposterous idea!Rigley and the board will never stand for it.”

“They may not have a say, Ravenwood,” Winterbourne said thinly.He grimaced at Evander’s frown.“Believe me, I wholeheartedly agree with you.Academia and government should never mix.”He passed a report over to them.“I’ve just received confirmations from our counterparts in Paris, Berlin, and Vienna.The mages recovered from the facility have been identified as having gone missing from various academic institutions across the Continent over the past seven weeks.”

Shaw and Rufus gathered around Evander and Leon.

Evander’s heart sank as he read the paperwork.It appeared Musgrave and his master had decided abducting mages solely in England posed too high a risk of exposure.

“This suggests a coordinated effort spanning multiple countries,” Leon said worriedly.

“Precisely.”Winterbourne rose from his chair and moved to the window, his hands clasped behind his back.“Which is why I’m going to propose the formation of an international coalition to investigate these kinds of activities.One that cuts through red tape and allows officers of the law to cooperate and mobilise fluidly.The Empire cannot handle this threat and others like it alone.”

A fraught silence descended upon the room.

“You believe your proposal will be well received, Commander?”Rufus asked dubiously.

“We have no choice in the matter, Grayson.”Winterbourne turned back to face them, his brow furrowed.He glanced at Leon.“As it is, the French Ministry of Arcane Affairs floated the same idea a short while back.I don’t believe we will have any trouble bringing the German and Austrian authorities around.Even the Russians have expressed interest.”

“And the thralls who were abducted?”Evander asked stiffly.“What will become of them?”

“They will continue to receive the best care we can provide,” Winterbourne assured him.“In fact, a group of your peers have insisted on helping too.”

Evander gave him a puzzled look.

“Lady Hartley and Lord Fairfax paid me a visit this morning,” Winterbourne explained.“Despite my reassurances, Lord Fairfax and his associates feel a certain responsibility for what happened to the thralls in their service.They will spare no expense to make sure they are looked after.”

A warm feeling blossomed inside Evander’s chest.He felt relieved at this news.It was something he’d been considering doing himself, albeit anonymously.

“It’s the bloody Institute who should be sparing no expense,” Shaw muttered.

Winterbourne’s mouth twitched almost imperceptibly.“Indeed, Miss Shaw,” he said drily.His expression grew serious once more.“What concerns me most is this Crimson Codex Grayson mentioned.”

“I’m afraid Leon and I have some regrettable news about that,” Evander said.

He updated Winterbourne, Rufus, and Shaw about Whitley and Chevalier’s most recent revelations.

Winterbourne scowled.“So it’s an arcane text this‘I’is after?And if he gets his hands on it, he may be in a position to complete whatever ghastly plans he has?”

“Yes,” Evander said grimly.“By the sounds of it, we’re now officially in a race against time to try and locate this book before he does.”

Winterbourne sighed wearily and sat down again.“Alright.For now, our priority is to track down that arcane text.Inspector Grayson, I want you and Miss Shaw to continue investigating the evidence recovered from Musgrave’s residence and the Institute.Comte Beaulieu, I understand your superiors are eager for your return to Paris?”