Page 9 of The Dark Mirror

Maria led me away from the church to an old petrol truck with faded red paint, parked on a nearby street. I climbed into the passenger seat, which was on the right side. They were always on the left in Scion.

‘Maria,’ I said, ‘you should know there were Americans after me back there. I got away by the skin of my teeth.’

‘Americans.’ Her brow creased. ‘Why on Earth should Americans be interested in you?’

‘They said they worked for the Atlantic Intelligence Bureau.’

‘That doesn’t sound fake or sinister at all.’ She blew out a breath. ‘Shit. I’m shaking.’

‘Why?’

‘Because I came so close to not extending the search to Poland. I couldn’t think of any reason you’d be there, but a friend vouched for a network in Silesia, so I made a snap decision.’ She dug into her pocket. ‘I suppose the æther was on our side. Who put us in touch?’

‘Kazik. I didn’t get his surname, but he and his partner let me stay in their apartment.’

‘I’ll make sure they’re repaid for that.’

She turned the key, and the truck came to life with a rattle. A nearby window reflected its headlamps. And suddenly I was seeing Arcturus, pinning me with that soulless gaze.

I decided to remain by your side. To learn every secret ofevery clairvoyant organisation, so that one day, weRephaim could eradicate them all, he had said.You were thorough: London,Manchester, Edinburgh, Paris—

‘Wait,’ I said. Maria braked. ‘Maria, did the Mime Order follow my orders to move?’

‘No, but—’

‘Fuck. Was the shelter discovered?’

‘Paige, listen to me. I know why you’re afraid, but they were fine in April, when I last had word.’

Even with that reassurance, my stomach churned.

‘April,’ I said, softer. ‘You’re sure?’

‘Yes.’ Maria touched my elbow. ‘I promise I’ll tell you everything when we get to Prague, but it’s a long story, and you’ve gone as pale as those skulls. You should get some rest.’

On any other night, I would have pushed her. But somewhere between the crypt and the truck, the tiredness had stolen back – a fatigue that ate into my joints and clouded my senses. The overpowering rush of fear had made it worse. All I could do was nod and recline the seat, so my body would stop aching. Surely I couldn’t still have pneumonia after six months.

‘Are you hungry?’ Maria asked me.

‘I could eat.’

‘All right. I’ll stop.’

She drove in silence for a while. Between dozes, all I could see ahead was road, lit by the long beam of the headlamps.

Next time I woke, Maria had pulled over at a fuel station. She filled the truck and went in to pay, returning with two cups of coffee and a brown paper bag, which she handed to me.

‘Strange to meet outside.’ She slotted her cup into a holder. ‘Strange tobeoutside.’

‘I’m not sure it’s really sunk in.’

‘Nor for me. I’ve been out of Scion for months, and I still find myself keeping watch for Vigiles.’

‘I thought Domino sent you to Bulgaria?’

‘I started there.’ She fired up the engine. ‘And now I’m here.’

I took a sandwich out of the paper bag. ‘How did you know I was missing?’

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