Page 110 of The Mask Falling

“Welcome to Paris,” I said.

“Thanks.”

Ivy pulled down her hood and took off her cap. Her dark hair was now long enough to cover the tips of her ears, almost as long as it had been before Thuban Sargas had shorn it all off in the colony. She was still hollow-eyed, but there was a new firmness about her—she stood tall in a way she never had in London.

“Someone got me and Ro out of the Beneath,” she said. “I’m told it was on your orders.”

“I wasn’t about to leave you to rot down there.” I motioned for her to follow me upstairs. “Didn’t the toshers have something to say about you leaving, though?”

“Eliza and Wynn are thrashing it out with Styx. Some other much-hated voyant will take my place, but we all agreed it was best I left. You know, to stop anyone killing me for not serving my full sentence.”

“Well, you’re safe now.”

Her only crime had been to not question her mime-lord. I had done no worse as a mollisher.

As I led her up to the landing, Ivy peeled off her gloves. “This place is nice,” she said. “And sowarm.”

“Central heating. It’s a wonder.”

Arcturus was still in the parlor. The instant Ivy stepped in and saw him, she froze.

“Ivy,” he said, after a pause. If her appearance had surprised him, he concealed it. “Welcome.”

There was another silence before she replied. “Warden. Didn’t expect to see you here.” She took off her fleece-lined coat and left it on the nearest chair. “Paige, could you show me where the bathroom is?”

“Of course,” I said.

I led her down the corridor. As soon as we were out of sight, Ivy grasped my shoulder.

“No one told me he was with you,” she whispered. “Did the Ranthen send him to watch you, or something?”

“I needed someone with me. He volunteered,” I said. “I was in a bad way after . . . the Archon.”

“Right. I forgot,” Ivy muttered. “Rephsareknown for their caring sides.”

She had just about stomached their presence in London, but she had never relished it, or gone near them. Each of us was fighting a private battle with our demons from the colony, and Ivy had more than most.

“Can you live with him being here?” I asked in an undertone. “This is our only hideout.”

“Yeah. I don’t expect you to kick him out,” she said, gaze averted. “Can I use the shower?”

“Absolutely. Let me grab you a towel,” I said, heading for the hot press. “Help yourself to clothes and anything you need from the bathroom. There’s a spare toothbrush in the cabinet, I think.”

“This place is like a hotel.” Ivy took in the clean walls, the plasterwork. “Who’s paying for it?”

I considered before answering: “I can’t go into specifics, but it’s a sympathizer. In Scion.”

Ivy folded her arms at that, as if she had a chill. “No wonder it’s so nice,” was all she said. She took the towel and facecloth I offered. “Thanks. You’ve been here with Warden the whole time?”

“Ever since New Year.”

“Okay. And how’s that been?”

“More normal than you’d think. We play cards, watch films. He’s cooked for me. Tried to cook for me, anyway,” I added. Ivy rewarded me with a tiny smile. “Don’t worry. I’ll handle meals.”

Ivy had known little more than cruelty and contempt at the hands of Rephaim. If she was going to be with us for a while, Arcturus needed to show her that some of them were capable of kindness. While she showered, I returned to the parlor.

“Perhaps I should find somewhere else to stay for the night,” Arcturus said. “To set Ivy at ease.”

---