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‘Frère was having an affair with a clairvoyant,’ I said. Ducos gave me an incredulous look, which I pretended not to notice. ‘Ménard could have found out and killed her, but there is another possibility. The Suzerain was suspicious of Ménard, with good reason. He found out about the Rephs’ existence and resented it. He planned to turn the tables, getherunder control. If she got wind of that, she could have taken Frère to ensure his obedience.’

There was a brief silence.

‘You’ve given us a great deal to ponder. Perhaps we could continue this conversation after the meeting on Monday,’ Pivot concluded. ‘Is there anything you wish to ask me?’

‘I wanted to discuss my obligations to Domino,’ I said. ‘I was told I had to work for you for up to a year, but then I was demoted, not to mention abducted by one of your own agents. Where do I stand now?’

‘We would like you to continue your contract. As you know, we risked an agent of exceptional value to liberate you. This agent lost her own life as a direct result of saving yours.’

‘Burnish.’ I paused. ‘Sheisdead, then?’

‘Yes,’ Pivot said. ‘Our last remaining informant in the Archon confirmed that she was secretly executed for treason in May, when she was identified as the individual who freed you.’

‘I’m sorry to hear that.’

‘We all were. Alice Taylan – her real name – was our most successful and courageous operative. She was the first to warn us aboutAdvena sapiens, even if she was never able to provide specifics,’ she said. ‘I need to ensure that her sacrifice was not in vain. Command has therefore agreed, almost unanimously, that we must hold you to the full year of your contract. I intend to reactivate your status as an intelligence agent.’

‘Even though I burned down a palace?’

‘You are clearly not suited to the sort of meticulous and cautious espionage that needs to be carried out within Scion itself,’ she conceded, ‘but times are changing, and so are needs. There is work to be done in the rest of the world. Your ability is unprecedented, and an asset to our organisation. We simply can’t afford to waste a skill as valuable as yours.’

‘My friends agreed to your deal under duress, with my life hanging in the balance,’ I said coolly. ‘I paid off my life debt by possessing Luce Ménard Frère without pay. Do you not think I’ve done enough?’

‘Paige, I would not usually hold you to a contract made under significant pressure, but I have outlined my reasons. And I hope that it will be a mutually beneficial relationship.’

I clenched my jaw.

‘You will be promoted,’ Pivot said. ‘In Scion, you were a deuce, the starting rank for an intelligence agent. As an ace – the advanced rank – you would be granted more control over your assignments, and greater freedom to carry out your own investigative work, without close supervision. We would also increase your salary by a significant margin.’

That did sound like a tempting deal. As much as I liked Ducos, I didn’t like being managed.

And I still needed money.

‘In Paris,’ I said, ‘Ducos said Domino might be able to support my organisation, the Mime Order, and its French allies. If I work for the full agreed year, will you honour that?’

‘In part,’ Pivot said. ‘Widow has vouched for the Parisian network.’

Ducos nodded. ‘The wheels are in motion. I’ve been able to establish a fragile line of communication with the Nouveau Régime, with Léandre Rath as my key contact.’

‘England is a different matter. It’s the well-defended heart of the empire,’ Pivot said, ‘and an island, which restricts our access. Before we can persuade our benefactors to support the Mime Order, I require proof that you still have personal influence over it. You have been away from London for almost ten months. I need reassurance that this is a resistance movement, not a criminal or terrorist enterprise.’

‘Itisa criminal enterprise under Inquisitorial law,’ I said. ‘All rebellion is a crime in Scion.’

‘I refer to an enterprise that engages in criminal misconduct for sport or profit, rather than necessity.’

‘I can’t really prove that unless I go back. You have me in a bind,’ I said, frustrated. ‘Its interim leader is someone I trust. Can you put me in touch with her, so she can speak to you?’

‘Audiovisual communication with Scion is difficult and dangerous. As you know, the anchor goes to great lengths to keep its denizens from interacting with the outside world.’

‘Then you could let Maria – Nina – go back to London in my stead, to get you assurances. Her supervisor said she’s free to go, so long as you don’t give her any more assignments.’

‘That is a possibility. I will discuss it with Nina,’ Pivot said. ‘Until then, you can be assured of our support for the Nouveau Régime, provided you remain with us until January, at least. Does that sound fair?’

It didn’t. Domino had coerced me into working for them, and it was maddening to be kept away from London. To not be able to search for Arcturus in Scion, where he might be imprisoned.

But Scarlett Burnish had given up her life for me. I owed her. And this was the price.

‘January,’ I said. ‘Then we’ll talk.’