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‘Yes. I did not expect Ducos to invite me to stay.’

‘I suppose she has her reasons.’ I shifted my weight. ‘How did the meeting go?’

‘Well enough. I trust our knowledge was of use to Domino.’

‘I’m sure it was.’

This conversation was giving me whiplash. It seemed impossible that we could go from the complete trust and intimacy we had shared in Paris to this stiff excuse for an exchange.

Arcturus watched me, clearly waiting for me to continue. I took a moment to compose myself.

‘I found this in a bookshop,’ I said. ‘I can take it back if it’s not your sort of thing, but—’ I held out the novel, clearing my throat. ‘Well, I thought you might like something to read.’

He took it and surveyed the cover.

‘Thank you,’ he said. ‘I knowLa Belle et la Bête, but I have never read the original. I feared they were all lost.’ His gaze returned to mine, making my skin prickle. ‘Terebell tells me you are going to Rome. She has ordered me to remain in the free world until you defeat Fitzours. If Scion were to detect me, it would alert them to a security risk and foil your plan.’

‘I agree,’ I said. ‘Operation Ventriloquist has to be stopped before we chance you being seen.’

‘You could not kill Jaxon. Can you kill Fitzours?’

‘Different man, different situation. Anyway, I killed the Rag and Bone Man well enough.’

‘You identified him after my arrest.’

‘Yes. It was Alfred Rackham, a friend of Jaxon – the man who helped him publishOn the Merits of Unnaturalness. He’s also the one who editedThe Rephaite Revelationbehind my back, and I never once suspected the bastard.’ I ground my jaw. ‘Jaxon butchered him. I finished him off.’

‘A mercy kill.’

‘Not mercy. I could have used my spirit, but I didn’t want to give him that dignity, after what he’d done. I used a sickle. He reaped us; I reaped him. He did like his poetic justice.’

His eyes darkened, tightening my stomach. I had let him down. He had chosen me for my compassion, and it turned out I was just as bloodthirsty as Jaxon.

‘I see,’ he said. ‘When do you mean to return to Scion?’

‘After my work for Domino ends. They’re our best chance of getting over the Fluke, and the Alpine crossing would take us straight to France,’ I said, ‘so I can speak to our allies there before I go to London.’ I paused. ‘You could … join me, if you want. Le Vieux Orphelin needs to know where Frère is being held.’

‘Lucida has taken that knowledge to him.’ He studied my face. ‘Terebell wants me to return to London as soon as you have defeated Fitzours, so I can assist with training new recruits to the Mime Order. I understand you will have to stay in the free world for a time.’

I nodded once. It had been naïve of me to think we could make the crossing together.

‘Well,’ I said, ‘for now, you’re safest in Venice. Are you going to be able to feed?’

‘Yes. The others told me there are voyants enough in this city.’

The Ranthen were tight-lipped about how they fed, but I suspected they struck from the shadows, leaving the voyant with no idea what had happened. I only hoped Arcturus was strong enough.

‘If we are to be separated again,’ he went on, ‘I ought to finish recovering your memories tonight. I am willing if you are.’

‘I’m not sure I want to know any more.’ I glanced away. ‘It’s hard to see myself in that state.’

‘You must not let the fatigue linger.’ His voice was soft. ‘Our memories are stored in the ground of our dreamscapes. They are the bedrock, of your being. Leaving the white aster where it is will suffocate your flowers’ roots.’

‘That might not be a bad thing,’ I said. ‘There are plenty of memories I wish I could erase.’

‘That is beyond even my power. A memory can only ever be buried, killing the flower that grew from it.’

‘Why would that matter?’ I asked stiffly. ‘What sort of flowers could grow from suffering?’