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Winterbourne nodded.“Of course.And I’ll arrange for Mr.Thornfield and his servant to be transferred to a safe house outside London tonight.”He turned to Rufus.“Inspector, I want you to personally oversee their security detail and see that they settle in alright.”

“Yes, sir,” Rufus responded promptly.

“And the journal?”Leon asked.He glanced at the worn leather volume on Winterbourne’s desk.

“It stays here,” the commander declared.“Under lock and key in the AFD’s secured evidence room.I’ll have our cryptologist analyse those schematics and see if she can determine where this facility might be located.”He lowered his brows.“Any news from Elias?”

Evander shook his head, chagrined.“Not yet, sir.He’s still working on identifying the device we found.”

Winterbourne pursed his lips.“Maybe we should ask the Institute if they can help.Don’t they have a specialist in the field?”

“They do,” Evander volunteered uneasily.“Professor Abbingdon Musgrave is an expert on magical artefacts and enhancement.”

Winterbourne sighed at his expression.“Out with it, Ravenwood.”

“I would rather not involve other members of the Institute in our investigation, sir,” Evander confessed in a firm voice.

“You don’t trust them,” Winterbourne stated steadily.

Evander hesitated and glanced at Rufus and Viggo.“No.Not after what happened with Renwick.”

Winterbourne sighed.“Fair enough.”

The meeting concluded shortly afterwards.Evander drew Thornfield aside as Rufus headed off to organise a team of officers to escort the student and his servant to the safe house.

“I’ll keep you informed of any developments in our investigation,” he promised quietly.“Particularly if we discover any trace of Professor Whitley.”

Gratitude shone in Thornfield’s eyes.“Thank you, your Grace.I pray you find him safe and sound.He’s a good man who was trying to do the right thing.”

Evander nodded.

Thornfield looked at Viggo.“I never thought I’d meet the Ironfist Brute.Or fight him, for that matter.”

A wry smile touched Viggo’s lips.“You landed a blow, which not many have.”

Evander blinked.“He did?”

“Yes.”Viggo grimaced and rotated his shoulder.“Whacked me right here with some bricks.”

Thornfield’s expression turned apologetic.

“Get some rest, Thornfield,” Viggo grunted.“You’ve earned it.”

They parted ways in the courtyard of Scotland Yard, Leon heading for his lodgings to compose another urgent report to his superiors in Paris while Viggo returned toNightshadeto participate in the trap his guild had set that night.

“I need to ensure everything goes according to plan,” Viggo explained regretfully once they were alone.

“Of course,” Evander murmured.He fought the urge to reach for Viggo’s hand in the public courtyard.“Will I see you later?”

The Brute’s eyes softened, his voice dropping to a low rumble that only Evander could hear.“Count on it.”

It was well past midnight when Evander was roused from a fitful sleep by the mattress dipping beside him.His magic flared instinctively before he recognised Viggo’s familiar presence in the darkness.

“It’s only me,” the Brute whispered as he slipped beneath the covers.

Evander turned drowsily, his body instantly seeking Viggo’s warmth.“What time is it?”

“Late.Or early, depending on how you look at it.”Viggo’s arms encircled him and drew him close against his chest.“Sorry to wake you.”