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‘That was quick.’

‘I know. I’m a brilliant agent,’ I said. Ducos pursed her lips. ‘No, I’m just as surprised, to be honest. I don’t know how much they’ll be willing to say, but they’re coming.’

‘We appreciate your intermediation. Is there anything we should know in advance?’

‘Terebellum Sheratan is the leader of the Ranthen. She’s prickly, and protective of her dignity,’ I said. ‘I’d advise you to treat her with the utmost respect. Maybe a tiny dash of deference. Oh, and she likes wine.’ Ducos nodded. ‘You already know Warden, but he was tortured after Scion captured him in Paris. It’s … caused some lasting harm.’

‘I’m sorry to hear that.’

‘I want to confirm that he’ll be safe here. He can’t defend himself, Ducos.’

‘I will take every reasonable precaution.’

‘Okay. I was thinking of giving them both a phone,’ I added. ‘Any chance you could get me two burners?’

‘I might be able to manage that,’ she said. ‘Pivot has approved you for a fact-finding assignment there. Your objective is to locate President Sala and Cadoc Fitzours, preferably in that order. It’s unlikely that Sala is there, but you’re aiming to pick up a trail, since the Palazzo del Quirinale was her last confirmed location. Knowing your heightened senses, you might have better luck than the people we’ve already sent to look for her.’

‘How do I get there?’

‘I’ll drive you tomorrow. You’ll receive a dossier with everything we have on President Sala, along with any other information Pivot deems useful. It might give you somewhere to start.’ She crossed her arms. ‘You must seek approval from Command before you move against the dreamwalker, or approach Sala. We believe her to be loyal, but given the nature of Operation Ventriloquist, we can’t be sure. For now, this assignment is investigative only. I need you to confirm that you understand this, Flora. There is no room for you to go rogue this time.’

‘I understand.’ I turned to leave, then stopped. ‘Does Venice have any bookshops you’d recommend?’

Ducos eyed me.

‘Several,’ she said. ‘My favourite is near the Ponte Cavagnis.’ She went back into her room and returned with a wallet, taking out a few Italian notes. ‘An advance on your payment for the mission on Capri. You deserve compensation for interceding with the Ranthen.’

‘Thank you.’

I pocketed the money as I crossed the alley. The others were in the firelit bar, all with breakfast in front of them. Maria waved me over with her good hand.

‘Good morning.’ Verca wore a belted skirt and a ribbed cream jersey. ‘How is Warden?’

‘As well as can be expected. Thanks for asking.’ I took the seat beside her. ‘Did you persuade your family to leave?’

‘Yes. They’re going to stay with my parents in Prague until December. Hopefully we will have stopped Operation Ventriloquist by then.’

‘On that note, Command has agreed to my next assignment,’ I said. ‘I’m going to Rome, to see if I have better luck finding Cade and Sala.’

‘Maria told us you’d applied for this,’ Nick said. ‘Do you have a plan?’

‘I’d usually search the æther when I arrive, but if I can sense Cade, he can sense me,’ I said. ‘I’ll have to switch off my sixth sense with alysoplasm and take any backdoor route I can. Someone in Rome must know where Sala is.’

‘We know how to find people. We did it in London.’

‘We’re not in London,’ Maria pointed out.

‘I tracked down the Parisian syndicate in a day,’ I said.

‘I love the confidence, but this isn’t Scion, sweet. You’re going to need local help again.’

‘Which is why I’d like to come with you,’ Verca said. ‘I know Rome. If you don’t mind me joining another assignment, I will request permission from Pivot.’

‘It’s kind of you to offer,’ I said, ‘but does Radomír not want you back?’

‘Operation Ventriloquist is more important than my usual work. I am many things the anchor hates: voyant, religious, a recruiter for an enemy network. It would mean a great deal to me to be able to help the Mime Order and defend Italy. Besides, I always hoped I could work against Scion on the ground.’

‘You’d be a lot of help. Cade doesn’t know you, so you can fly under his radar. And you speak Italian.’