Page 108 of The Dark Mirror

‘When he lost the æther, the ectoplasm in his body vitrified. It quickened again when you revived him, but the ordeal has taken a physical toll. I do not know how long it will take him to heal, or if he will ever fully recover. There is no precedent.’

I tried not to imagine my blood turning to glass and back.

‘Arcturus helped me after the waterboard,’ I said quietly. ‘You lived through a war together. You were both scarred in Oxford. What can I do to support him?’

‘Do not concern yourself with his state of mind. That is something you, a mortal, cannot hope to understand. In any case, you will be preoccupied with your work for the Domino Programme,’ Terebell said. ‘Once he is able to travel, I intend to send him back to Scion.’

I kept my expression clear, but suddenly I felt as if I couldn’t draw a deep breath if I tried.

‘He’s more likely to be detected in Scion,’ I said. ‘Is it a good idea to send him back this soon?’

‘Scion is where our battle lies.’

‘In the end, but he can’t fight right now. While I work for Domino, I’m allowed to use their safe houses, like this one. He can stay here. Once my assignments are finished, we could go back to Scion together.’

Terebell assessed me. Her hand rested on the arm of the couch, snug in its tailored glove.

‘I will consider your proposal,’ she said. ‘Do you now intend to hunt the other dreamwalker?’

‘Yes,’ I said. ‘I made Domino understand the danger. My next assignment will be to … neutralise him.’

‘Where will you begin the search?’

‘Rome.’

‘You possessed Nashira for a matter of moments at the Bicentenary. From what I recall, it almost killed you. Fitzours seems far more accomplished. How do you intend to get the better of him?’

‘Let’s not overestimate his abilities. Cade had to blackmail Arcturus, or I doubt he would have been able to keep a foothold in his dreamscape for long,’ I said. ‘But I do need to strategise. If Cade was born into a dreamwalking family, he could have years of knowledge on me, especially if he’s older. I wasn’t even certain I was voyant until I was sixteen.’

‘One of your kin must have been gifted. It does not spring from nowhere in humans.’

‘My mother died when I was born. It was probably her,’ I said. ‘I’ll do whatever it takes to stop Cade.’

‘You must act with all haste. We cannot risk him serving Nashira for much longer. Either he will continue to win the free world for her, or she will kill him for his gift, as she intended to kill you,’ she said. ‘Given the severity of the threat, it may be prudent for all three of us to remain in the free world until he is dead. I am willing to assist you.’

‘I really appreciate the offer, but Eliza needs you. You should go back to London, so the Mime Order has one of its leaders, at least,’ I said. ‘I’ll take care of Cade.’

Once again, Terebell fell silent, her eyes burning.

‘Very well. I will entrust this task to you,’ she said. ‘Do not make me regret it, Paige.’ She picked up her coat and took four small vials from inside. ‘Take some of our alysoplasm. It will allow you to catch him unawares.’

I hesitated. ‘It will stop me from being able to sense him. Or to dreamwalk.’

‘You will still have your criminal instincts. Arcturus told me how you tracked down the grands ducs in Paris. You possess the skills to locate Fitzours without relying on the æther,’ she said. ‘Once you have established where he is, you can restore your gift with fortified ectoplasm, which Arcturus will provide.’

Her sudden confidence in me was a surprise. I couldn’t bring myself to remind her that I would be looking for Cade in a free-world city, which I lacked the experience to navigate.

‘Okay.’ I pocketed the vials. ‘Speaking of gifts, I’ve realised I have no idea what yours is.’

‘I am what you would describe as an augur.’

‘Like your cousin.’

‘Kornephoros claims to have skinned humans for sport. I use my talents to mend bone and sarx,’ Terebell said, ‘though I can only heal Rephaim, and not from the wounds caused by poltergeists. I call itsomatomancy.’ She tapped her fingers on the couch. ‘Arcturus tells me you met Kornephoros in Paris.’

‘I did. Big, isn’t he?’

‘Your observations are always illuminating, dreamwalker.’

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