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‘Shit,’ Maria said. ‘Is he badly hurt?’

‘He will be in hospital for some time. Another courier, Harald Lauring, is going to take you to Command. We’ll meet him in Salzburg.’

‘I’ve met Harald a few times,’ Verca said. ‘He came to deliver a message a couple of weeks ago.’

‘Yes, he trained here. My car is outside.’

‘Taking us to him yourself, Rado?’ Maria said sweetly. ‘It’s almost as if you can’t wait to see the back of me.’

Radomír waved off her comment on his way out.

‘I’m happy I could meet you, Paige,’ Verca said. ‘I wish you luck in Scion.’

‘Thanks. Stay safe, Verca.’

‘And you.’

Leaving Maria to say her own goodbyes, I followed Radomír out of the building. He unlocked a silver car and opened the door for me, letting me climb into the back.

‘Salzburg is four or five hours away, depending on traffic,’ he said. ‘You should be careful in Italy, with this red notice on Incrida. The Czech government will not help Scion, but Italy may be tempted by a bartering chip, with the nearby threat from Scion France.’

‘Is there any way to get this notice removed?’

‘Perhaps by disproving the charges.’

‘Which are?’

‘Murder, arson and formation of a terrorist organisation. It frames you as a threat to the public.’

That was nothing new. Frank Weaver had spent months trying to convince people that I was dangerous.

‘Maria requested a firearm for you,’ Radomír said. ‘I cannot grant this request until your status in the network is verified. You should enquire with Command.’

I nodded. Until then, I would have my spirit, at least.

Maria dumped her pack in the boot before joining me. As Radomír started the car and drove, I glanced at the spires of the Libuše Institute, hoping I would live to visit Prague again one day. Just as I was getting used to this place, I was hurtling somewhere else. Still, it was a comfort to be moving in the right direction, with someone I trusted.

It disturbed me to realise I was measuring my comfort level by how close I was to Scion, not how far away.

Radomír was a sensible driver, staying below the speed limit. Now and then, his earpiece lit up, and he spoke in soft Czech. At some point, I started to nod off, leaning on Maria.

‘You asked about going back to Scion,’ Radomír said to her. ‘I discussed it with Yelyzaveta, and the choice is yours. You are welcome to return to the Libuše Institute once you have seen Command – but unless they have any work for you, you are free to go, if you prefer. I only urge you to exercise caution. Your luck may only last so long.’

‘I don’t know,’ Maria said. ‘So far, it’s lasted me thirty-six years.’

‘With that attitude, you will not see the next one.’

‘Perhaps not. But that prospect is less frightening than you think, for those of us who know the secrets of the other side.’

I woke a while later, when Maria gave me a gentle shake. ‘This is our stop,’ she said. ‘We’re early, so Radomír says we can take a break. Do you want to stretch your legs?’

‘No. I’ll stay here,’ I murmured. ‘Still knackered.’

‘Rest. You need it.’

She strode across the street to a supermarket, leaving me alone in the car. I peered out of the window, seeing golden lights in a public garden. It must be the middle of the night.

The virtual map on the dashboard showed that we were now in Austria. We had been heading west, towards the last place I had seen Arcturus. The cord still didn’t stir.