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‘If we are detained before our arrival, none of you must be able to disclose the location.’

‘Is there a risk of that?’ Verca said. ‘I had no trouble when I last drove to Italy.’

‘Things have changed since the fall of Spain and Portugal. Italy has tightened its security, with checkpoints and patrols along the border, keeping watch for Scion scouts,’ Harald said. ‘Giventhat a red notice has been issued against a member of our party, we should try to avoid official attention. I will take you on foot through the Alps.’

‘On foot?’ Maria said in exasperation. ‘Harald, none of us are dressed for mountaineering.’

‘It’s hiking.’

‘Says a man who clearly exercises.’

‘You are all dressed warmly, and this method of entry is necessary, to protect Paige. A border patrol may choose to respect the red notice and take her into custody, so Italy can use her to bargain with Scion.’ He glanced at me. ‘You have become a person of great interest, Paige Mahoney.’

‘I know,’ I said. ‘At this point, even I can’t deny that I’m interesting.’

‘Yes. Besides, I assume that you and Nina do not have passports, which Italy would expect.’

I shook my head. Scion had issued me with a white passport a decade ago, but it would have been destroyed.

‘Fine. The mountains.’ Maria looked weary. ‘The things I do for you, Underqueen.’

I raised an eyebrow. ‘Aren’t you wanted by now, too?’

‘Definitely in Scion, but I don’t seem to have an international reputation just yet. Give me time.’

Harald drove in silence through the dark. At some point, I surfaced from yet another doze, feeling a tilt as we started to move uphill. Maria had wrapped her arm around me, so I could rest my head on her shoulder while I slept.

Verca was looking at her phone, her face lit by its glow. ‘I’m glad I could come. You might need an interpreter, and Radomír has a few messages that ought to be delivered to Command in person,’ she said. ‘Strange that Domino suddenly wants Italian personnel to attend the meeting. At least you won’t have to keep any secrets from me now.’

‘True.’ Maria glanced at her. ‘You said the casting reminded you of something. Has it come back to you?’

‘Yes, the Capitoline Wolf. It’s a sculpture in Rome, showing Romulus and Remus, the founders of the city. They were sons ofRhea Silvia – a priestess of the goddess Vesta – and Mars, the god of war. But I don’t know if the casting pointed to it, Maru I was not the querent.’

‘But you know the querent, and the querent knows you. The æther only sends messages we have the means to understand,’ Maria said. ‘In my case, you could be the means.’

‘What do you think it would signify?’

‘The god of war, a specific city, yellow eyes … I’m starting to wonder if Scion has set its sights on Italy.’

‘I have been wondering the same.’ Verca brushed a loose ripple of hair behind her ear. ‘I feel as if I should warn my family, but I’ll wait for the meeting. I don’t want to frighten Debora.’

‘The casting may not be as important as we think. For all we know, the wolf could simply have been a sign that we’re going to Italy.’

‘I hope so.’ Verca hitched up a smile. ‘I am glad I can show you my other home, in the meantime.’

‘I can’t wait to see it.’

They were quiet after that, allowing me to drift off again. As I sank into that leaden sleep, I could have sworn I heard other voices, speaking from a buried past.

5

SNOW AND RUST

ZILLERTAL ALPS

21September 2060

I woke in the absolute darkness of the Westminster Archon. Once again, my wrists were bound. I tried to flex a hand free, but nothing happened.