Page 169

Every so often, he stirred, though he remained lethargic. I remembered him being a deep sleeper, but now the smallest sounds or movements might disturb him. When he was in that halfway state, he murmured Gloss against my skin, leaving delicate chills in his wake.

My spirit understood him, even if the language eluded me. I hoped he felt the same way when I took refuge in Irish. I wanted him to learn – I knew he would – but I would still cherish this window of time, when I could bare my soul to him without a second thought.

The rain kept pouring. I laid my head on his middle and started to drift back to sleep.

And then Verca sent a message, rousing me.

The Prime Minister just made a public announcement, saying that the danger has passed, and the residents of Capri and Ischia can return to their homes. I assume President Sala has made her decision.

She sent a link to a video-sharing platform called Podium. The address was in Italian, so all I could do was study Lorenzo Rinaldi, a short and wiry man with a receding hairline. From the shadows under his eyes and the beads of sweat on his brow, his courage was barely afloat. President Sala must be keeping out of the way, not betraying her location. I could only assume Capri was safe, now there was no latent Reph drawing the Buzzers there.

I checked for any missed calls from Ducos. Finding none, I turned over and embraced Arcturus, my trepidation growing for the first time in days. His arm came around me, and I was soon asleep.

That evening found us on the balcony. Arcturus was reading the book I had bought him in Venice, his eyes casting a yellow glow on the pages, while I rested against his chest, gazing at the sky. After everything we had endured, the æther had reserved a pocket of time for us, but it could only ever be a short reprieve. I would savour it while it lasted.

President Sala had made her decision. She trusted me to protect her. To safeguard an entire country.

Now all I had to do was prove myself worthy of that trust.

A ribbon of pale light appeared between the stars. At first, I thought it was a cloud, and then I was sure I was hallucinating, but it soon brightened to the point that I sat up to look.

‘Is that an aurora?’

Arcturus followed my line of sight.

‘Yes,’ he said. ‘They appeared when we first came to Earth.’ I sat up, entranced by the spectacle. ‘We used to see them in the Netherworld, too. Your scientists believe they are caused by the winds of the sun, but the Rephaite belief is that they stem from the last light.’

‘Nick said he used to chase them in Sweden. I didn’t think they came this far—’

My phone vibrated.

We looked at each other. After the fourth ring, I answered it, my body turning cold by increments.

‘Widow?’

‘President Sala will address the Council of Kassandra at the Forum tomorrow night. Your presence is required,’ Ducos said. ‘Be ready to leave at any time.’

The line went dead.

‘Sala wants me back tomorrow.’ I lowered the phone. ‘I might actually have got through to her.’

‘I will accompany you,’ Arcturus said. ‘Terebell is on her way. She wishes to meet us in Rome.’

‘When did you hear from her?’

‘This afternoon, while you were sleeping.’

‘You won’t be able to use my aura. Terebell will have to help you go looking for voyants.’ I took hold of his chin. ‘Promise me you won’t starve yourself ever again. Swear it on the æther.’

‘On my oath.’

He never broke an oath by choice. I sank back into his embrace, watching the lights fade above us.

He joined me in the shower that night, so I could feel the water without fear, calmed by his presence. After, we curled up in bed, facing each other, and for once, he fell asleep before I did.

If Orvieto had taught me one thing, it was that I had to be more careful with my fragile life. I wanted to be able to share it with him after Scion. I wanted us both to see more of the world.

Sooner or later, something would have brought us crashing back to reality. Terebell was still going to take him back to Scion as soon as I got rid of Cade, while I had to stay out here in the free world. I would have to accept the separation, as I accepted many small hurts.