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‘I’m off,’ I said.

‘Okay.’ He stood. ‘Be careful, Paige. If you catch wind of Sala or Fitzours, don’t do anything until we get there. I’ll keep an eye on Warden until I leave.’

‘On that subject, can you do me a favour?’

‘Of course.’

‘He needs pink aster,’ I said. His eyebrows snapped up, and I remembered its other use, my face warming. ‘Not forthat, you great plank. Verca says it strengthens the connection between the body and the spirit. That’s why itcanbe used as an aphrodisiac, but it could help Arcturus feel more settled if he takes it in small doses. It’s worth a shot.’

‘I’ll do my best, sötnos.’

‘Thank you.’ I hitched up my bag. ‘See you soon.’

‘Very soon.’

I met Noemi in the foyer. As her taxi forged towards the outskirts, my attention drifted to the æther. Arcturus was not where heshould be. After a moment, I took out my phone, hoping he wasn’t as opposed to human technology as the other Ranthen.

It’s Flora. Are you all right?

His reply came quickly: Yes.

I need to be sure this is you. Tell me something only you would know.

The next message took longer. As I waited, I combed the æther, realising I was getting closer to him.

Your favourite plant is wild oat. I read it twice. You once asked me to sow it on your grave.

After a moment, I put my phone away. I had no idea why he would have left the Palazzo del Domino, but it would have to do.

It was dark by the time Noemi moored the taxi. She directed me to the meeting place, where Ducos waited in a black car. I opened the door to find Arcturus in the back seat.

‘Get in, Flora,’ Ducos said. ‘I’ll explain everything once we’re clear of the city.’ I climbed in beside her. ‘Even our most protected haven is no longer safe.’

19

CUCKOO

Ducos drove without speaking. I exchanged a glance with Arcturus, who was wrapped up in a heavy coat and gloves.

‘Okay,’ I said. ‘We’re out of Venice. Care to explain what’s going on?’

‘When Pivot first learned that Grapevine had turned one of our agents, she started to monitor all communications from headquarters. Even mine,’ Ducos said. ‘In the early hours of this morning, she called me to see her. Spinner had sent a message to persons unknown.’

She passed me her own phone, which showed me a screenshot.

EXTRACT 2 – PRIORITY ULTRA – 23:00

‘He wants to extract two people at eleven.’ I looked at her. ‘Is that what it means?’

‘So it would appear.’ She took the phone back. ‘I suspect the targets are you and Warden.’

‘Are you saying Spinner is an infiltrator?’

‘I have my suspicions.’ She changed lanes. ‘The night you arrived, I had dinner with a woman named Rocío. She used tobe a member of Mannequin, but now works for Spinner. Over the last few weeks, she had observed a change in his demeanour. He was becoming short-tempered and cagey, which she found worrying, in light of recent events. At first, I didn’t think anything of it. But the moment I saw that message, I had a gut feeling.’

‘If Grapevine has a spy in Command, Domino is done. You’re not coming back from that.’

‘It may not be Grapevine.’