Page 138 of The Bone Season

‘No, but same gist.’

‘They might not have done well in Boston, sötnos. At least voyants know what they are in Scion. Over there, they must just think they’re losing their minds.’

He was right, in a sense. To our knowledge, there was no official policy on clairvoyants outside Scion. We had no legal recognition, no minority status. We only appeared in fiction.

Still, that had to be a better deal than being systematically hunted and killed. Even now, I couldn’t work out why they would stay.

Nick parked on Judd Street. We both sipped our coffees.

‘You look tired,’ I said. ‘How’s work?’

‘No worse than usual.’

‘Just quit. You don’t need the money. Jax could make room in the den.’

‘There’s definitely no more room in the den. Besides, it’s useful to have someone inside Scion.’ He glanced at me. ‘Is everything okay with you?’

‘It’s great,’ I said, smiling. ‘I’m enjoying it.’

‘Jax can be harsh when he’s in a bad mood. Don’t take it to heart, Paige.’

‘I don’t.’ I paused. ‘Is that them?’

Two figures were coming down the street. Nick gave the headlamps a brief flash, and they quickened their pace. When he unlocked the doors, they got into the backseat and pulled off their hats.

‘Hi,’ Nick said.

‘Hey.’ The woman leaned forward. ‘I’m Nadine. Please tell me you’re Nick and Paige.’

‘You’re in the right car,’ I said.

‘Great.’ She let out a breathy sort of laugh. ‘That was kind of terrifying.’

She sounded American to my ear, but I was no expert. ‘You’ve done the hardest part,’ Nick said. ‘How did you get out of the hotel?’

‘We climbed down from the balcony.’

‘Good thinking.’ He tilted the mirror. ‘You must be Ezekiel.’

‘Zeke,’ the young man said. His eyes were like black tea, set in a thin, restive face. ‘I am happy to see you. We were afraid you might not be here.’

He must be in his twenties, with brittle wrists and skin used to the sun. A strand of dark hair hung over his forehead. He flicked it aside to wipe the sweat from his brow, giving me a glimpse of a vertical scar.

Nadine looked similar enough that you could guess they were siblings. Her skin was a deeper brown, and her hair cut to her collar as if with a ruler, dyed red.

Eliza had designed their outfits with care. Nadine wore a flounced cream blouse, paired with a long twill skirt, while Zeke was in a shirt and dark strides with bracers. A pair of perfect denizens.

‘I take it you’ve both thought carefully about this,’ Nick said. ‘Your escape might not have been noticed yet. I can still get you back to the hotel.’ He glanced at them. ‘Once we drive away, there’s no going back. We’re going to fake your deaths. Your old lives will be over.’

Zeke looked at his sister. She sank back in silence and buckled her seatbelt.

‘We’re sure,’ Zeke said.

‘Then let’s go.’

As Nick drove, Nadine dug around in her bag and took out a pair of headphones. Without another word, she snapped them on and closed her eyes.

Carefully, I reached for their dreamscapes. Nadine didn’t seem to notice. Hers was nothing unusual, but Zeke – well, his wasveryinteresting, an opaque presence in the æther. He tensed a little, and I stopped.

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