Page 18 of The Dark Mirror (The Bone Season #5)

18

A WAKING DREAM

Terebell returned in the morning, confirming that she and Arcturus would speak to Command. I left before Arcturus woke. By that time, the high water had come and gone. I walked through glistening streets and puddles, over the swollen canals, back to the Palazzo del Domino.

All the way, I couldn’t stop thinking about Arcturus, or the fact that he had covered me with a duvet in the night. He cared enough to have made sure I didn’t get cold as I slept.

He had looked after me for so long. It was my turn to be the strong one, and to stand behind him for as long as he needed. In Paris, he had let me open the door to my dark room in my own time. I would afford him the same patience. I would not fail our friendship again.

The walk should have drained me, but one dream had already lifted some of my fatigue, as if the aster had been a physical weight. I took a quick shower and chose an outfit, intending to find Ducos and give her the good news. I was drying my hair when I sensed Maria.

‘Paige Mahoney,’ she said when I opened the door. ‘We had dinner plans. Did you stand me up?’

‘Sorry,’ I said. ‘I went to see Arcturus.’

‘Well done. How did it go?’

‘He undid some of the amnesia. Other than that, I’m not sure yet.’

Maria chuckled. ‘All right. Keep your secrets.’

‘You’re always going to be like this now, aren’t you?’

‘Possibly. Any word on your next assignment?’

‘I’ve asked if I can go to Rome. I’m just waiting for confirmation.’

‘I’ll come with you, if they’ll let me. If I have to sit around and wait for the arm to heal, I may as well do it where I can be useful.’

‘I’d like that, if you’re up to it. Are you?’

‘At this point, I’m up for anything that doesn’t involve resting. Ver?a and I are having a late breakfast, if you’re hungry,’ she said. ‘We’ll be in the bar at eleven. I’ll ask Nick along.’

‘I thought Ver?a went to Trieste?’

‘She’s back. It isn’t far.’

‘Okay.’

She set off down the corridor, cradling her sling. I shut the door and finished drying my hair.

Ducos lived on the second floor of the Palazzo del Giorno. I homed in on her dreamscape and found myself faced with an oak door. When I knocked, she opened it in moments.

‘I was about to come looking for you,’ she said. ‘I never told you where my room was.’

‘It’s the mind radar.’ I tapped my temple. ‘Terebell and Warden have agreed to speak to you. I’ve told them to be here at dusk.’

‘That was quick.’

‘I know. I’m a brilliant agent,’ I said. Ducos pursed her lips. ‘No, I’m just as surprised, to be honest. I don’t know how much they’ll be willing to say, but they’re coming.’

‘We appreciate your intermediation. Is there anything we should know in advance?’

‘Terebellum Sheratan is the leader of the Ranthen. She’s prickly, and protective of her dignity,’ I said. ‘I’d advise you to treat her with the utmost respect. Maybe a tiny dash of deference. Oh, and she likes wine.’ Ducos nodded. ‘You already know Warden, but he was tortured after Scion captured him in Paris. It’s … caused some lasting harm.’

‘I’m sorry to hear that.’

‘I want to confirm that he’ll be safe here. He can’t defend himself, Ducos.’

‘I will take every reasonable precaution.’

‘Okay. I was thinking of giving them both a phone,’ I added. ‘Any chance you could get me two burners?’

‘I might be able to manage that,’ she said. ‘Pivot has approved you for a fact-finding assignment there. Your objective is to locate President Sala and Cadoc Fitzours, preferably in that order. It’s unlikely that Sala is there, but you’re aiming to pick up a trail, since the Palazzo del Quirinale was her last confirmed location. Knowing your heightened senses, you might have better luck than the people we’ve already sent to look for her.’

‘How do I get there?’

‘I’ll drive you tomorrow. You’ll receive a dossier with everything we have on President Sala, along with any other information Pivot deems useful. It might give you somewhere to start.’ She crossed her arms. ‘You must seek approval from Command before you move against the dreamwalker, or approach Sala. We believe her to be loyal, but given the nature of Operation Ventriloquist, we can’t be sure. For now, this assignment is investigative only. I need you to confirm that you understand this, Flora. There is no room for you to go rogue this time.’

‘I understand.’ I turned to leave, then stopped. ‘Does Venice have any bookshops you’d recommend?’

Ducos eyed me.

‘Several,’ she said. ‘My favourite is near the Ponte Cavagnis.’ She went back into her room and returned with a wallet, taking out a few Italian notes. ‘An advance on your payment for the mission on Capri. You deserve compensation for interceding with the Ranthen.’

‘Thank you.’

I pocketed the money as I crossed the alley. The others were in the firelit bar, all with breakfast in front of them. Maria waved me over with her good hand.

‘Good morning.’ Ver?a wore a belted skirt and a ribbed cream jersey. ‘How is Warden?’

‘As well as can be expected. Thanks for asking.’ I took the seat beside her. ‘Did you persuade your family to leave?’

‘Yes. They’re going to stay with my parents in Prague until December. Hopefully we will have stopped Operation Ventriloquist by then.’

‘On that note, Command has agreed to my next assignment,’ I said. ‘I’m going to Rome, to see if I have better luck finding Cade and Sala.’

‘Maria told us you’d applied for this,’ Nick said. ‘Do you have a plan?’

‘I’d usually search the ?ther when I arrive, but if I can sense Cade, he can sense me,’ I said. ‘I’ll have to switch off my sixth sense with alysoplasm and take any backdoor route I can. Someone in Rome must know where Sala is.’

‘We know how to find people. We did it in London.’

‘We’re not in London,’ Maria pointed out.

‘I tracked down the Parisian syndicate in a day,’ I said.

‘I love the confidence, but this isn’t Scion, sweet. You’re going to need local help again.’

‘Which is why I’d like to come with you,’ Ver?a said. ‘I know Rome. If you don’t mind me joining another assignment, I will request permission from Pivot.’

‘It’s kind of you to offer,’ I said, ‘but does Radomír not want you back?’

‘Operation Ventriloquist is more important than my usual work. I am many things the anchor hates: voyant, religious, a recruiter for an enemy network. It would mean a great deal to me to be able to help the Mime Order and defend Italy. Besides, I always hoped I could work against Scion on the ground.’

‘You’d be a lot of help. Cade doesn’t know you, so you can fly under his radar. And you speak Italian.’

‘Maria and I would like to come, too,’ Nick said. ‘Now Harald is dead, I’m free to leave. Naples proved we can work as a team. Domino will let us do it again.’

After a moment, I nodded. If I meant to survive Cade, I would need backup.

‘Assuming our requests are approved, we don’t have long in Venice,’ Ver?a said lightly. ‘We should enjoy our last night here.’ She topped up her coffee with milk. ‘I’ve heard of a cocktail bar owned by voyants, the Apotèca dei Spiriti. Shall we try it after dinner?’

‘I need to stay here tonight, but you go,’ I said.

‘I’ll never refuse a good cocktail.’ Maria nudged Nick. ‘Can we convince you to join us, old man?’

‘If I’m not mistaken,’ Nick said, not looking up from his newspaper, ‘you’re eight years my senior.’

‘Yes, but let’s face it, I’m younger at heart. You’re wearing a fleece.’

‘Nothing wrong with a good warm fleece.’ He turned a page. ‘Since my patient is going, I’d better make sure she doesn’t drink herself into oblivion. Unless you want company, Paige?’

‘No. You have fun.’ I reached for a slice of bread. ‘I’ll do some training while I wait.’

‘In possession?’ he said. ‘Won’t you need someone with you?’

‘You know full well that none of you want to be target practice.’

I didn’t mention that only Arcturus was strong enough to withstand my attacks, and that wasn’t even a guarantee now. I couldn’t risk inflicting any further pain.

In any case, I wasn’t trying to possess Cade.

I was trying to kill him.

I had failed to kill people I should have before, namely Jaxon Hall. Much as I despised the man, I had a tie to him that I had failed to cut. Cade was a different kind of enemy. I owed him nothing. He wasn’t even a friend. Just an acquaintance from the worst year of my life.

This time, I had to commit to my line of fire. Getting rid of Cade was the only way to stop him forcing the free world to its knees. No prison would hold a dreamwalker for long.

He had to die.

In my room, I warmed up my gift, easing back into dislocation. I pushed my spirit as far as I could without leaving my body, fighting a tight band of pain above my eyes.

So many other voyants had their gifts down to a fine art. Liss and Jaxon were two examples. All of us paid a toll for our abilities, but mine seemed to resist me with such fury on some days. Cordier must not have let me practise during the months I had been with her.

At one, I headed back to the streets. I soon found the bookshop Ducos had recommended. Thick novels were piled into bathtubs and boats, protecting them from the high tides.

Arcturus loved to read. I could offer him that small comfort, if nothing else. Most of the books were in Italian, which was not one of his six human languages, but after some rummaging, I found an old French novel, La Belle et la Bête . From the cover and surreal illustrations, which showed a woman and a monster, it should have been destroyed in the biblioclasms.

A book that had escaped from France to Venice, like us. I paid and tucked it into my jacket.

Venice had been a tonic. Even with the water, I wished I could stay longer. I spent an hour sourcing a few supplies from its shops, including a windproof lighter and a rusty set of lockpicks.

In my room, I packed my clothes, then took out the last of the blue aster. I would use the rest of today to get some rest. I stuck on a patch and crawled into bed, drowsing until a knock came at the door. When I opened it, I found a package outside, containing two phones.

My own phone had gone off while I slept. The message was from Nick.

We’ve been approved to leave for Rome in a few days. All three of us will be there to help you.

Thank you, I wrote back. Chances are I’m going to need it.

Terebell and Arcturus arrived at dusk, as planned. By then, there was only one window illuminated in the Palazzo del Giorno, and I sensed that it was almost empty.

‘Thanks for coming.’ I showed them to the entrance. ‘Did anyone follow you?’

‘No.’ Terebell wore a wide-brimmed hat. ‘What have you already told these humans about us?’

‘Most of what I know, apart from how to hurt you.’

‘You are acting with a degree of prudence. An encouraging development, Underqueen.’

She removed her hat and smoothed her hair. Arcturus walked in silence at her side. Usually he would have been taking everything in, intrigued by the architecture or the paintings on the walls, but his gaze was flat and detached, as if he had no interest in his surroundings.

I stayed ahead of the Rephs, leading them to the Blue Room. Ducos had cleared the corridors, as promised. She waited for us with Pivot and Spinner. When I brought the two Ranthen into the room, Spinner gaped at them, his hand tightening on his glass of water.

Pivot, at least, maintained her composure.

‘Flora,’ she said. ‘These must be your allies.’

‘Yes,’ I said. ‘This is Terebellum, rightful Warden of the Sheratan, sovereign-elect of the Ranthen, and this is Arcturus, rightful Warden of the Mesarthim. Terebell and I share command of the Mime Order.’

‘Welcome, both of you. I am Pivot, and this is Spinner. I hope you’ll understand that we can’t reveal our real names, for security reasons.’

Terebell inclined her head. Technically, Domino had no idea of her real name, either.

‘We oversee the Domino Programme, an espionage network that aims to undermine the Republic of Scion.’ Pivot motioned to two chairs. ‘May I offer you refreshment?’

‘Wine,’ Terebell said.

‘Red or white?’

‘Red.’

Ducos went to get it. Terebell sat in one of the chairs, Arcturus following suit.

‘You’ll have to forgive our ignorance of your customs,’ Pivot said. ‘How do you prefer to be addressed?’

‘Warden,’ Terebell said. ‘You may address us both by this title.’

‘And you represent the faction known as the Ranthen.’

‘I am its leader.’

‘Then your visit is even more of an honour. We appreciate you agreeing to speak with us,’ Pivot said. ‘Our organisation calls your species Advena sapiens , but I understand the English named you Rephaim – a reference to the ancient giants, I presume. Now I see why.’

Terebell sat with impeccable posture, as always.

‘ Advena sapiens ,’ she said. ‘What is the meaning of this binomen?’

‘ Wise stranger , or wise newcomer . We did think of classifying you as members of the Homo genus, given your resemblance to humans, but eventually chose to acknowledge your sentience instead.’ Pivot looked at Arcturus. ‘I understand you were the one who was held prisoner on Capri, and that you provided us with valuable intelligence. Thank you for your service.’

‘Yes,’ Spinner said, after not breathing for a solid few seconds. ‘We have a great deal to discuss. That will be all for this evening, Agent Blake.’

I hesitated. My gut told me not to leave the Rephs, but I couldn’t say it without implying that two capable warriors needed my protection. Terebell would not take that kindly.

‘I’ll be outside,’ I said.

‘We may be some time,’ Pivot said.

‘That’s fine. I’ll wait.’

Ducos touched my shoulder as I left, as if to reassure me. I heard the door lock in my wake.

The Palazzo del Giorno remained silent, as promised. For a while, I paced alongside the Gothic windows at the end of the corridor, too restless to sit.

Arranging this meeting could yet come back to bite me, but deciding whether or not to expose the greatest secret in history was probably above my paygrade. The Ranthen should be able to choose their own future, preferably with people who knew what they were doing – as opposed to me, a glorified thief with a track record of dangerous risks. I killed time by replying to messages from Maria, who was clearly getting drunk out of her skull.

It was nearly an hour before Ducos emerged. Seeing me, she escorted the Rephs back to my side.

‘That was an invaluable discussion. Thank you again for attending,’ she said to them. ‘Command is made up of twelve individuals. Pivot and I would like to consult our colleagues, who may have additional questions. Is there any possibility you could be here on Sunday?’

‘I must leave,’ Terebell said, ‘but Arcturus will remain in Venice for the time being.’

‘I am willing,’ Arcturus said.

‘Thank you. You’re welcome to stay here,’ Ducos said. ‘You would have to keep to a room for your own safety, but the concierge will provide you with anything you need.’

Arcturus glanced at me. I said nothing, unsure of what Ducos was doing.

‘Very well,’ he said.

‘Good. I’ll take you,’ Ducos said. ‘Flora, could you show the Warden out?’

When I nodded, she led Arcturus away, leaving me alone with Terebell.

‘You say you have to leave,’ I said to her. ‘Are you going back to London right now?’

‘Pleione sent a psychopomp,’ she said. ‘Apparently an urgent situation has arisen, and my presence is required. I will leave tonight for the cold spot in the Apennines.’

‘You’ve no idea what this situation is?’

‘No.’ She started to walk. ‘Arcturus is too weak to travel. I will return for him once Fitzours is gone. In the meantime, I expect you to ensure his safety, Underqueen. Do not lose him again.’

An urgent situation didn’t sound good, but I pushed it out of my mind. I had to focus on the task at hand.

‘I’m leaving for Rome tomorrow,’ I said, ‘but I’ll check on him as much as I can. Ducos will keep an eye on him.’ I managed to keep pace with Terebell. ‘How was the meeting?’

‘They asked many questions about our history, and the reasons we came to Earth. They also asked about the Emim.’ She looked straight ahead. ‘I did not reveal our vulnerabilities. We cannot trust unfamiliar humans with knowledge that could be used against us.’

‘Does that mean you trust me?’

‘By necessity, not choice, Underqueen.’

‘Thanks,’ I said. ‘I appreciate it.’

I opened the door to the alley. Before Terebell could leave, I took one of the phones from my pocket.

‘This is for you.’ I offered it to her. ‘It will stop working in Scion, but I’d like you to call me as soon as you’re back in Italy. I want to know what’s happening with the Mime Order.’

‘I cannot take that into the Netherworld.’

‘Leave it near the cold spot, then. Hide it and pick it up on your way back.’ I held it out. ‘Look, with all due respect, you’re the one who said you didn’t want me doing séances. I put my number in there.’

Terebell accepted the phone. Giving it a look of distaste, she stowed it in her coat.

‘I will tell your high commanders and the interim Underqueen of your survival. Use your time in Rome wisely,’ she said. ‘Fitzours poses as much of a threat as Senshield, if not more. Rid us of this enemy, Paige. Do this, and the Mime Order will survive to fight another day.’

Terebell vanished into the darkness. I wandered back inside, shivering at the chill of the night.

I debated leaving Arcturus to rest after the meeting, but the golden cord told me he was awake, and I might not have another chance to speak to him before I left. I didn’t want to leave him here, miles away from me, but I had to protect him from Cade. He would be safer in Venice.

I collected the old novel from my room before I knocked for him. When he answered the door, he leaned against the frame at once.

‘Good evening, Paige.’

‘Sorry to disturb you,’ I said. ‘I wanted to make sure you were comfortable.’

‘Yes. I did not expect Ducos to invite me to stay.’

‘I suppose she has her reasons.’ I shifted my weight. ‘How did the meeting go?’

‘Well enough. I trust our knowledge was of use to Domino.’

‘I’m sure it was.’

This conversation was giving me whiplash. It seemed impossible that we could go from the complete trust and intimacy we had shared in Paris to this stiff excuse for an exchange.

Arcturus watched me, clearly waiting for me to continue. I took a moment to compose myself.

‘I found this in a bookshop,’ I said. ‘I can take it back if it’s not your sort of thing, but—’ I held out the novel, clearing my throat. ‘Well, I thought you might like something to read.’

He took it and surveyed the cover.

‘Thank you,’ he said. ‘I know La Belle et la Bête , but I have never read the original. I feared they were all lost.’ His gaze returned to mine, making my skin prickle. ‘Terebell tells me you are going to Rome. She has ordered me to remain in the free world until you defeat Fitzours. If Scion were to detect me, it would alert them to a security risk and foil your plan.’

‘I agree,’ I said. ‘Operation Ventriloquist has to be stopped before we chance you being seen.’

‘You could not kill Jaxon. Can you kill Fitzours?’

‘Different man, different situation. Anyway, I killed the Rag and Bone Man well enough.’

‘You identified him after my arrest.’

‘Yes. It was Alfred Rackham, a friend of Jaxon – the man who helped him publish On the Merits of Unnaturalness . He’s also the one who edited The Rephaite Revelation behind my back, and I never once suspected the bastard.’ I ground my jaw. ‘Jaxon butchered him. I finished him off.’

‘A mercy kill.’

‘Not mercy. I could have used my spirit, but I didn’t want to give him that dignity, after what he’d done. I used a sickle. He reaped us; I reaped him. He did like his poetic justice.’

His eyes darkened, tightening my stomach. I had let him down. He had chosen me for my compassion, and it turned out I was just as bloodthirsty as Jaxon.

‘I see,’ he said. ‘When do you mean to return to Scion?’

‘After my work for Domino ends. They’re our best chance of getting over the Fluke, and the Alpine crossing would take us straight to France,’ I said, ‘so I can speak to our allies there before I go to London.’ I paused. ‘You could … join me, if you want. Le Vieux Orphelin needs to know where Frère is being held.’

‘Lucida has taken that knowledge to him.’ He studied my face. ‘Terebell wants me to return to London as soon as you have defeated Fitzours, so I can assist with training new recruits to the Mime Order. I understand you will have to stay in the free world for a time.’

I nodded once. It had been na?ve of me to think we could make the crossing together.

‘Well,’ I said, ‘for now, you’re safest in Venice. Are you going to be able to feed?’

‘Yes. The others told me there are voyants enough in this city.’

The Ranthen were tight-lipped about how they fed, but I suspected they struck from the shadows, leaving the voyant with no idea what had happened. I only hoped Arcturus was strong enough.

‘If we are to be separated again,’ he went on, ‘I ought to finish recovering your memories tonight. I am willing if you are.’

‘I’m not sure I want to know any more.’ I glanced away. ‘It’s hard to see myself in that state.’

‘You must not let the fatigue linger.’ His voice was soft. ‘Our memories are stored in the ground of our dreamscapes. They are the bedrock, of your being. Leaving the white aster where it is will suffocate your flowers’ roots.’

‘That might not be a bad thing,’ I said. ‘There are plenty of memories I wish I could erase.’

‘That is beyond even my power. A memory can only ever be buried, killing the flower that grew from it.’

‘Why would that matter?’ I asked stiffly. ‘What sort of flowers could grow from suffering?’

‘Even if they die, those memories will always remain. Your spirit will feel a disturbance in the ground, but you will not understand why,’ he told me. ‘As an oneiromancer, I would counsel you to bring them into the light, where you can see them, even if they produce spectres. You deserve to live with your whole self in your keeping, Paige.’

I didn’t deserve the unbearable gentleness in his voice, or the way he was looking at me.

I still couldn’t bring myself to refuse him.

His room was similar to mine, with tawny bedding and a high ceiling. I locked the door, while he approached the armchair. Finding nowhere else, I sat on the end of his bed.

‘I have no more salvia. You may not see a great deal as you dream, but the memories will be clear when you wake,’ Arcturus said. ‘You will also be free of the aster fatigue.’

‘Just the usual fatigue to deal with, then.’ I took a deep breath. ‘Okay. Let’s get this done.’

He moved his chair towards me. It felt too intimate to lie on his bed, but there was nowhere else.

Without the salvia, I didn’t quite sleep. The dream was more of a hallucination, like something I would see in the grip of a fever. He coaxed my buried poppies from under the floorboards and snow. The memories passed in a blur, the sounds muffled. I was locked in a room, screaming to be let out. I saw myself almost escape; saw myself succeed four times, unaware of the tracker under my skin, only to be hunted down by the cold-blooded unreadable.

Arcturus stayed at my side, refining the work he had done in the apartment. When it was done, I opened my eyes, blinking away the past. Nothing I had remembered was especially useful.

Other than a name.

‘The Lepidopterist,’ I murmured. ‘That’s what Cordier called the person who was trying to buy me.’

‘That term refers to an individual who studies butterflies and moths.’ Arcturus paused. ‘Or collects them.’

A shiver trailed down my back.

‘Thank you for doing this.’ I sat up. ‘I’ll leave you to rest.’

‘A waking dream can be disorienting.’ He started to rise. ‘I will escort you to your room.’

‘It’s all right,’ I said quickly. ‘My room isn’t far. You really shouldn’t be seen.’

‘A wise thought.’

He sank back into his chair, his hand tight on its arm. I wet my lips.

‘You seem like you’re finding it hard to move,’ I said. ‘Are you in pain?’

Arcturus looked at his own gloved hand.

‘In the coffin,’ he said, ‘my ectoplasm vitrified. Your intervention changed that, but it seems to recall its previous state. When I will my body to move, it obeys, but slower than its wont. I suspect it may take some time for my blood to flow with the ease it once did, if it ever does.’

When he drew his hand into a fist, his knuckles made a slight crackle, like the crunch of broken glass.

‘Ver?a told me pink aster can strengthen the connection between the body and the spirit,’ I said, relieved to have remembered something useful. ‘Do you think that might help?’

‘Perhaps.’

‘Okay. I’ll ask Nick if he can get you some,’ I said. ‘He’s not joining me in Rome for a few days.’ I could offer him quick fixes, if nothing else. ‘I don’t know if I’ll see you before we’re back in Scion.’

‘You do not have to return there,’ Arcturus said. ‘I would choose no one else as Underqueen, but I know you found it difficult.’ I looked away. ‘Nashira gave you no choice but to enter this conflict. I believe I convinced her that you died in Paris, even if she took the precaution of keeping a price on your head in the free world. You could walk away from Scion, knowing the revolution will continue in your wake.’

‘Maria already said this to me. I’m not hiding,’ I said. ‘I chose this path before I ever met Nashira Sargas. I chose it when Scion murdered my cousin and conquered my country. Besides, they need me in London.’

‘Then I will await you there.’

A new flower bloomed. It was a flower of false hope, and I had to let it die, for both our sakes. Saying he would wait for me was not the same – not at all – as saying he still wanted me.

‘I’ll get you the aster,’ I said. ‘Is there anything more I can do?’

His gaze found mine once more. I tried not to shiver at the intensity of that look. At the same time, he tightened his grip on the cord, denying me any insight.

‘No,’ he said. ‘You have done enough, Paige.’

I flinched inside.

‘Yes,’ I said quietly. ‘I suppose I have.’ I fished the other phone out of my pocket. ‘I got this for you. All our numbers are in there. Nick will teach you how to use it.’

Arcturus took it.

‘Thank you,’ he said. ‘This is goodbye, then. For now.’

I might not see him again for weeks or months. This was really happening, and it was the last chance to break this tension, to leave on good terms.

‘Please call me if you’re in trouble,’ was all I could say. ‘I understand why you don’t want to use the cord, but … I’m here if you ever need me.’

‘In turn, I am always at your command.’ Arcturus held my gaze. ‘Be safe, little dreamer.’

I managed a nod. Not trusting myself to speak again, I left.

I could sense the others at the cocktail bar, just across the Grand Canal, but I wouldn’t be able to conceal how shoddy I felt. Instead, I crossed the alley to the Palazzo della Notte, my eyes prickling.

Arcturus hadn’t denied that he was obstructing the cord. He had no wish to let me back in. That part of our lives was behind us. I understood. He had gone out of his way to atone for Oxford, to earn my trust, and I had still failed to believe in him. There was no point in pretending we had any chance of recovering from that.

He wouldn’t say it outright. No matter how he felt about Paris, he would never want to burden or hurt me. Instead, he was trying to let me down gently, tell me in as many careful words that it was over. It was the bodyguard in him.

I knew why he had mentioned what I wanted to do next. He had chosen me to lead the Ranthen revolution, but he had never banked on caring for me, or having to watch me go through so much. Perhaps it would ease his conscience, to know I had taken my leave of it all. Or perhaps it would be a mercy for him if he never had to see me again, knowing I was just like Cade.

In my room, I locked the door and curled up in the dark, wondering if it would help to drink the minibar dry. I dried my face with my sleeve and tried to pull myself together, but every part of me was hurting.

Arcturus had seen all my faults, all my fears, and still wanted me. Liss had shown me the Lovers card; I had known it was all real. And in a single moment of doubt, I had let him slip away.

As I lay there, wondering if I would ever be able to get up again, my thoughts drifted to Cade. Planning how I would destroy him was the only way to quell the pain of losing Arcturus.

Cade had known me as a prisoner and insurgent, not the hardened criminal I had been in London. Even if Jaxon had never quite succeeded in wringing the morals from me, he had taught me how to be ruthless. In more than three years of working for him, I had been the weapon he used to ensure respect and control. I could take those lessons and turn them on Cade.

The others came back at one in the morning. Just after that, my phone went off.

Noemi will meet you in the foyer at 19:00, Ducos had written. A fresh dissimulator will be delivered in advance. Put it on before you leave your room. Wear a new outfit and cover your hair.

Even though I was drowsy, I reached for the ?ther. Ducos was still with Pivot. Before I could wonder what they were doing, or where Spinner had gone, I fell asleep.

I woke at seven on the dot. For the first time since Paris, I felt as if I had slept well.

In the bathroom, I checked the mirror. My dark circles had faded, and the deathly pallor was gone. At last, I had my whole self in my keeping. Or as much of myself as was left after Paris.

I took a last brisk walk around Venice, listening to its bells ring out. I would have run the slates right then, had I not been so bruised and sore from Capri. Instead, I crossed the Rialto Bridge and spent a while exploring the districts on the other side of the Grand Canal.

Ver?a was in the foyer when I got back, waiting for Noemi. ‘I need to make a flying visit to Prague before I join you in Rome,’ she explained. ‘To speak to Radomír.’

‘All right,’ I said. ‘See you soon, then?’

‘Absolutely.’

By five, I was getting ready to leave. I read the message from Ducos, this time with a clear head. The instructions were odd, but I did as she ordered. I changed into an outfit I hadn’t worn before, hid my hair in a woollen hat and put on the dissimulator that had been delivered.

All the while, I tuned out the ?ther. It would only remind me that Arcturus was here, and soon I would be hundreds of miles away from him. All that mattered was that he was safe.

Nick was in the medical room, his fingers clasped against his lips. I put my head around the door.

‘I’m off,’ I said.

‘Okay.’ He stood. ‘Be careful, Paige. If you catch wind of Sala or Fitzours, don’t do anything until we get there. I’ll keep an eye on Warden until I leave.’

‘On that subject, can you do me a favour?’

‘Of course.’

‘He needs pink aster,’ I said. His eyebrows snapped up, and I remembered its other use, my face warming. ‘Not for that , you great plank. Ver?a says it strengthens the connection between the body and the spirit. That’s why it can be used as an aphrodisiac, but it could help Arcturus feel more settled if he takes it in small doses. It’s worth a shot.’

‘I’ll do my best, sotnos.’

‘Thank you.’ I hitched up my bag. ‘See you soon.’

‘Very soon.’

I met Noemi in the foyer. As her taxi forged towards the outskirts, my attention drifted to the ?ther. Arcturus was not where he should be. After a moment, I took out my phone, hoping he wasn’t as opposed to human technology as the other Ranthen.

It’s Flora. Are you all right?

His reply came quickly: Yes.

I need to be sure this is you. Tell me something only you would know.

The next message took longer. As I waited, I combed the ?ther, realising I was getting closer to him.

Your favourite plant is wild oat. I read it twice. You once asked me to sow it on your grave.

After a moment, I put my phone away. I had no idea why he would have left the Palazzo del Domino, but it would have to do.

It was dark by the time Noemi moored the taxi. She directed me to the meeting place, where Ducos waited in a black car. I opened the door to find Arcturus in the back seat.

‘Get in, Flora,’ Ducos said. ‘I’ll explain everything once we’re clear of the city.’ I climbed in beside her. ‘Even our most protected haven is no longer safe.’