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‘I did not stay away from Rome just to protect my own integrity. I also feared he could be in my head, like a silent observer. He told me so.’ Her throat bobbed. ‘I thought that if I spoke to Domino, or to the Council of Kassandra, he would be able to hear it.’

‘No. Most people black out for the time they’re possessed. You’d know if he was in your dreamscape.’

Sala absorbed this.

‘If we stand firm,’ she said, ‘there is a possibility that Scion will use military force. You are right that the Second Inquisitorial Division is preoccupied, but even if they don’t have the numbers for a ground invasion, they can launch missiles from France and Greece. If we resist, Scion could slaughter many Italians, but if I comply, I condemn all the voyants in this country – my fellow voyants – to death and misery. It is an impossible choice.’

So far, she hadn’t mentioned the Rephs. I would do the same. If Carter was a strong influence on her, she could mistrust my association with the Ranthen.

‘I can’t make this decision for you,’ I said, ‘but I wanted you to know you have a dreamwalker on your side. If Cade invades your body, I can get him out. I can do the same for your ministers.’

‘Are you offering to act as a bodyguard?’

‘If necessary. Talk to whoever you need to consult,’ I said. ‘If you need me, I’ll be here.’

‘You are not planning to leave Italy?’

‘Not while Cade is alive. I want a clear shot at him.’

Sala looked me over. I wondered if she could smell my lack of confidence.

‘Fitzours said he would come back,’ she said. ‘He would not specify a date, presumably to stop us hatching any plans. But we could lure him.’ I could see the gears of her mind turning. ‘If wereturned the residents of Capri and Ischia to their homes, it would send a message of defiance, and draw him back to Italy. But if you miss this shot, he could do untold damage.’

‘Not quite as much as he pretends. Our gift is very rare. I think he’s relying on ignorance to pull this off, trying to give the impression that he’s more powerful than he is, but even dreamwalkers have limits. He can’t possess multiple people at once. He can’t hear your thoughts or see your memories. When he inhabits someone, his body is left in a vulnerable state. If we know he’s got his claws in someone, I can dislodge him.’

‘Can I keep him out of my head myself?’

‘The only fail-safe way is to become unreadable. I doubt you want to do that,’ I said. She grimaced. ‘Even I’m not immune to his possessions. But I stand a better chance than most.’

Sala thought for a long time.

‘I was losing hope,’ she said. ‘Now I feel a fool. I see that he was trying to terrify us with his best performance. But no voyant is without a weakness.’

‘You didn’t know what you were dealing with,’ I said. ‘Now you do.’

‘Yes.’ She lapsed back into silence. ‘If I am to do this, it would be useful if I could return to Rome – to speak to the Minister of Defence, root out any incriminated politicians and confer with the Council of Kassandra. But I fear that Fitzours could be waiting for me.’

‘I can give you some protection.’ I took a vial of alysoplasm from my jacket. ‘This will suppress your gift and your sixth sense, but you’ll be undetectable in the æther. A sip will last about a day. You should also get as much sleep as you can, to build up your defences. And remember, he can’t see your memories. Or through your eyes, if you’re still seeing.’

Sala slowly accepted the vial.

‘Since you are confident he can’t eavesdrop,’ she said, ‘I will reinstate contact with Domino tonight. It will take me a few days to steady the government as best I can, and to initiate the resettlement of Capri and Ischia.’

I nodded. By now, the cold spots on Capri should have closed.

‘Should I decide to resist Operation Ventriloquist, I will let you know a time and date for us to plan our strategy,’ Sala said. ‘Until then, you should stay away, since you will be our best asset against Fitzours. The resistance will be riding on your shoulders, Underqueen.’

‘I’m used to that.’ I gave her a nod. ‘Thank you for agreeing to see me, President Sala. From one voyant to another, I hope you make the right choice.’

Sala didn’t reply, but she did slot the alysoplasm into her coat. I let her bodyguards escort me back to the car. As I left the President of Italy in the dark, I finally sent a reply to Ducos.

Assignment complete. And I’ll go to Orvieto.

PART THREE

UNTO THE END

Rúnsearc:[Irish, noun] A secret love.