Page 45

‘When was that?’

‘February. A few days after I arrived, so did Nadine and Zeke, with your warning about Warden.’

‘But the Mime Order didn’t act on it?’

‘No. Nadine told us you had a dangerous fever in Paris, and Warden was never anything but gentle with you, even when he clearly thought no one was watching. She felt certain that he must have been coerced.’

I was turning numb. Had everyone seen the truth except me?

‘Maria might already have told you,’ Nick said, ‘but I need to explain. You instructed the Mime Order to move to the shadow houses. The buildings you concealed from the Ranthen.’

‘An abandoned industrial complex in Bromley,’ I said. ‘I never even told Warden about it.’

I had made that decision in my early days as Underqueen, when Jaxon had filled me with doubts about the Ranthen. Even in Paris, as I gradually fell in love with Arcturus, I had chosen not to mention the shadow houses, just in case. Just to quieten my fear of betrayal.

‘The Ranthen refused to believe he was a double agent,’ Nick said. ‘Instead of moving to the shadow houses, we stayed put in the underground shelter. It saved us from the airstrikes.’

‘You were still in London then?’

‘Yes. In the Beneath,’ he said. ‘The bombardment of Paris was much worse. London must have been a warning shot, but they hit Tower Bridge and destroyed the Eye. Even the Vigiles were shaken, in the aftermath. If that was a glimpse of the war ahead, I’m afraid of it.’

Nick rarely admitted to fear. It disturbed me. Even now, I saw him as our fixer, the strong and logical Red Vision.

‘They all spoke for Warden,’ I said quietly. ‘I’m the one who’s meant to be his friend. The one who’s lived with him, who—’ I shook my head. ‘Nick, I think I left him to die.’

‘You had the whole syndicate on your shoulders, Paige. Thousands of lives were at risk. What could you do but take him at his word?’

It took me a few moments to collect myself.

Nick did have a point. As Underqueen, my overriding duty was to protect the syndicate. I knew I had made the logical choice – to preserve my own life and raise the alarm – but if that night had been a test of my faith in Arcturus, I had failed. Even when I’d had a chance to think, I had let my pride and pain keep me from going back for him.

And now his trail was long since cold. I might never see him again.

‘Paige, look at me,’ Nick said, softer. I lifted my head. ‘The Sargas understand exactly which buttons to press. You have to forgive yourself for responding. I know Warden will.’

‘He isn’t here to forgive me or not.’ My voice shook. ‘I’ve no idea where he is, Nick.’

He was spared from having to answer when Maria appeared. Her left arm was in a sling.

‘I say this as a pyromancer,’ she said. ‘It may be too hot.’

‘Maria.’ Nick stood. ‘You should be resting.’

‘I was hungry,’ she said. He drew another chair up for her. ‘Do stop fussing, Nicklas.’

‘It’s my job to fuss.’ He returned to his own seat. ‘You were supposed to call the concierge for a meal.’

‘Well, apologies for not knowing the school rules.’ Maria sat down with a wince. ‘And I desperately need a drink, for the agony.’ She drank from his glass, then pulled a face. ‘What in the name of the æther is this?’

‘It’s ersatz wine,’ Nick said.

‘What does that mean?’

‘It means it isn’t alcoholic.’

‘I remind you that we are outside Scion, and no longer bound by the Inquisitorial prohibition. I am overdue a touch of lawful damage to my liver, and I’d like some authentic Italian wine.’

‘I’ll order some,’ I said. ‘Red or white?’