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‘Margaux Taylan told us what you were doing in Paris. You spied on the Grand Inquisitor of France by possessing his spouse, Luce Ménard Frère,’ he said. ‘Is that true, Paige?’

I said nothing.

‘If it is,’ he said, ‘you’re exactly the sort of person we need. We’re looking for concrete evidence of collaboration with Scion. If you were in their skin, I bet you could find it.’

‘You believe in extrasensory perception, then.’

‘I do.’

‘What would I get in exchange for my services?’

‘You’ll be paid. We’ll provide you with any training you need, and cover the cost of surgery on your wrist. We can drop supplies and weapons to your rebels in Scion.’

‘Where would I be sent?’

‘Your base would be with an associate in Canada.’ He took out a laptop. ‘She recorded a message for you. I understand you know each other.’

He turned his laptop towards me. When I saw the associate, I sat forward, my lips parting.

I listened to everything she said.

‘I’m going to need specifics about my pay,’ I said to Mun. ‘And a lot more information about the kind of support you can offer the Mime Order.’

‘We can negotiate on your behalf, Flora,’ Ducos said. ‘You don’t have to decide now. Steve is here for the next week.’

‘Yes,’ Mun said. ‘I am sorry again about Wroclaw. I do hope we can work together, Paige.’

When Ducos gave him a nod, he left, taking his briefcase with him. She looked at me.

‘What do you think?’

‘I can’t believe you’re even putting this to me,’ I said. ‘Why would I touch Tinman with a bargepole?’

‘Because we have the upper hand. Tinman need to make nice, and they’re willing to share their intelligence, which would allow usto learn more about what Scion is doing in the free world. A joint enterprise like this may pave the way towards a working relationship,’ Ducos said. ‘You would officially be on loan from the Domino Programme. As a condition of this loan, their current Director of Operations will be fired. You will have our protection, funding and additional support for the Mime Order. Sala is also behind you.’

‘Sala just said she wanted me to be Underqueen,’ I said. ‘Now she thinks I should go abroad?’

‘We understood that you would have a co-ruler in London, who has agreed to hold the fort in your absence.’

It seemed like everyone already thought I would agree to this arrangement.

‘If Fitzours survived your fight, he is likely to go farther afield,’ Ducos said. ‘If he does, Tinman has agreed that you can pursue him as a matter of urgency. If you help neutralise the threat of Grapevine, you might stop this madness from spreading any farther than Europe.’

‘Can you guarantee they won’t harm me?’

‘They’d have no reason to do that if you’re working for them. I’ll make welfare checks at regular intervals, so Tinman knows we’re keeping a sharp eye on you.’

I drummed my fingers on the table.

‘Warden is in a bad way,’ I finally said. ‘I don’t know if I can leave him.’

‘Sala informed me that Terebell was killed. I was sorry to hear it,’ Ducos said. ‘With her influence, I hoped we might find a way to peace with the Rephaim.’

‘Me, too.’ I released my breath. ‘Can I get back to you?’

‘By all means, but Scion knows where you are, so we’d like to get you both to Venice.’

I nodded, wanting to be gone. This place held too much grief.