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Evander nodded.

Thornfield and Mary hastily gathered their meagre belongings.

“We can use the servants’ staircase at the side,” Thornfield suggested as they got ready to move.“It’s narrow and not often used.”

“Perfect.”Evander studied Viggo steadily.“Let’s separate in case someone followed us here.You and Leon take Thornfield and Mary out via the servants’ stairs.Rufus and I will leave out front.We’ll meet up at Scotland Yard in one hour.”

Viggo looked like he wanted to protest, but the logic of what Evander had proposed was too sound for him not to agree.Protecting Thornfield and the knowledge he carried was paramount.

Leon looked about as enthusiastic at the idea of accompanying Viggo as a fox being told he had to mark time with a hound during a hunt.

“Don’t take unnecessary risks,” Viggo said thinly as they prepared to leave.He held Evander’s gaze for a moment longer than strictly necessary.

Evander’s expression softened.“The same goes for you.”

Viggo slipped into the corridor ahead of Thornfield.Mary followed, clutching a small bundle to her chest.

Leon paused on the threshold, his expression conflicted.

“Stay safe, mon cher,” he said quietly.He turned and disappeared into the shadows after Mary.

Evander and Rufus waited five minutes before leaving the room.

Evander was aware of the weight of the journal tucked safely inside his coat as they descended the stairwell leading to the front entrance.They stepped out into a night shrouded with fog and a light drizzle under the watchful gaze of the landlady and took briskly to the narrow alleys and shadowed passages of the labyrinthine East End until they reached Cannon Street.There, they hailed a hansom cab that took them straight to Scotland Yard.

A message from Headmaster Rigley was waiting for Evander in the Arcane Division reception.Surprise danced through him when he read it.

The Royal Institute had officially closed its doors to external visitors and sent all its students home.Not only that, the board had agreed to the Met’s demands to investigate its faculty.

“That happened faster than I anticipated,” Rufus observed with a frown.

“They must be running scared,” Evander said grimly.“After all, they’ve already been accused of harbouring one dark mage.”He met the inspector’s wary gaze.“If word gets out there are more among their faculty, their reputation will never recover.”

They found Viggo, Leon, and their charges already waiting in Winterbourne’s office.Mary looked decidedly ill at ease to be in the presence of someone of the commander’s import.

The relief on Winterbourne’s face was evident when they entered the room.

“Thank goodness you’re both safe.”His gaze settled on Evander as he urged them to take a seat.“I understand we’ve had a breakthrough?Mr.Stonewall and Comte Beaulieu just arrived.”

Evander glanced at Leon.

“Go ahead,” the Frenchman said with a faint smile.“You’re the lead on this case.”

Evander nodded and provided a concise summary of their discoveries—Thornfield’s identity, the Magical Conduit Theory, and their suspicions about a hidden facility where the abducted thralls and professors were likely being held.He placed Whitley’s journal on Winterbourne’s desk and opened it to the page containing the crude map of the facility.

“We believe this could be the lab in question.”

The commander’s expression had darkened progressively throughout Evander’s account.

“Do you know where this might be?”

Evander shook his head.“Not yet.But we’re working on it.The cryptology expert looking at Professor Chevalier’s journal might be able to come up with a clue from her findings.”

Winterbourne glowered at the paper for a moment, as if willing it to reveal its secrets.He leaned back in his chair and pinched the bridge of his nose.

“This goes beyond a simple investigation.If word of this gets out, it could incite panic throughout the magical community, not to mention what it would do for relations with the thrall population.”He looked squarely at Viggo.“Mr.Stonewall, I trustNightshadewill exercise discretion in this matter?”

“You have my word,” Viggo replied in a hard voice.“Though I intend to increase security for thralls working in noble households.Discreetly, of course.”