Page 157 of The Bone Season

It took me a moment to answer. ‘You really taught him to sign?’

‘Yes.’

‘Why would you do that?’

‘Michael is under my protection. You all are, in Magdalen,’ he said. ‘I do not know what I can do for this world, but I will not let any harm come to you.’

Silence returned to the chamber. Warden placed his goblet between us.

‘An Irish girl in the conquerors’ stronghold, hiding a power she neither understood, nor knew how to control,’ he said. ‘A father who could not help her.’ I looked away. ‘One turn in the path, and you might have shared the same fate as Michael. If you sought protection in the underworld, I am in no position to sit in judgement, Paige.’

‘No,’ I said softly. ‘You’re not.’

They might look like us, but they’re nothing like us. Liss was in my head.Do not let your guard down …

‘We should get some sleep,’ I said.

‘Yes. Gail believes the roof will not be finished until winter,’ Warden said. ‘While you stay in the parlour, I will give you as much privacy as I can. There is a nightshirt in the linen cabinet.’

I nodded, and he went into the bathroom. Once I heard the water running, I drew on the nightshirt, which tied at the waist with a broad sash. It was cream silk, soft against my skin.

In all our weeks together, Warden had landed one nail on the head: I did have an opportunistic streak. You needed one, to succeed in the syndicate. You picked every pocket that came within reach. You bid high on the best spirits. You left your father and ran away with the first charming stranger to fling you a lifeline, all to seize the day.

Nashira Sargas was a certainty – a guarantee of a few months of safety, followed inevitably by death. She was the deal the night Vigiles made.

Arcturus Mesarthim was a gamble that might not pay off. But I was a chancer.

And he was a chance.

The next day, while I should have been asleep, I was thinking of every possible scenario that could unfold when we reached London. This could be my one and only chance to escape before the Bicentenary.

By sunrise, the parlour was cold. I stirred awake when Warden rekindled the fire. After a pause, he went to the linen cabinet and took out a thick blanket, which he used to cover me. After that, he left the Founders Tower.

I slept uneasily. The clock woke me with a small chime at noon, and I sat up, sick to my stomach.

Tonight I might see Nick again. I might see all of them.

I couldn’t let anyone bring them here.

Rain pounded at the windows. I wanted to try to see Liss, but I needed to save my strength. Whatever happened in London, it would be a hard night.

In the bathroom, I splashed my face and fastened my hair at my nape. I dressed in my uniform. Once I was ready, I found Warden’s copy ofFrankensteinand took a seat by the fire. I was a slow reader, but it would kill time.

At six in the evening, Warden emerged from his bedchamber. Instead of the monarch look, he was sporting a black overcoat, like a Londoner. They must have a whole team of tailors working for them.

‘It is time.’

I nodded. He locked the door behind us and walked with me down the steps.

‘I never thanked you,’ he said as we entered the cloister. ‘For your silence.’

‘Don’t thank me yet.’ I adjusted my new splint. ‘I could still embarrass you tonight.’

‘Paige.’

Warden stopped, and I did the same. Even in the dark, the light in his eyes was faint enough that you could almost blink and miss it.

Over the weeks, I had realised that their eyes dimmed as they grew hungry. He must have abstained with intent, to help conceal his nature in the citadel.

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