Page 145 of The Bone Season

‘From a human perspective, I do not know. We are never young, and do not grow old. I was there at the founding of the Republic of Scion.’

It took a moment to sink in.

‘If Kraz had forced us to fight,’ I finally said, ‘would you have been able to stop him?’

Warden looked into the fire. I studied his face, seeking any sign of what he might be thinking.

‘No,’ he said. ‘He is of the blood. Despite my conjugal title, I am not.’

He reached for his goblet. Perhaps I was shaken by the events of the night, but a sudden boldness filled me – something that felt dangerous.

‘You drink a lot of amaranth,’ I said. ‘You said it was for old wounds.’

‘I do not believe my health concerns are any of yours, Paige.’

‘You said you wanted mutual trust. Can’t we be honest with each other?’

‘I gave you that opportunity,’ Warden said. ‘You are no pickpocket, Paige Mahoney. Until you tell the truth, I will withhold mine.’

Before I could answer, he stood and left, taking his goblet with him. The door closed in his wake, and I was left to wonder how he could be so sure.

For the next few days, I kept to Magdalen. Left to my own devices, I went for long jogs in the grounds, trying to keep my mind off Liss.

Within the halls of Magdalen, nobody observed the curfew. It gave me a chance to soak up the sun. I even dared to climb the steps of the bell tower. At the top, I looked across the misty rooftops, towards the Vault.

David had told me about the scarred ones – the Rephs who had organised the doomed rebellion. Warden took medicine for old wounds.

Arcturus Mesarthim could not be a former rebel. Nashira would never have kept him around, let alone chosen him as her consort. I shouldn’t even be entertaining the idea, but whateverconcubinemeant, it was an insult. He acted without her knowledge. He was gentle with humans.

At noon, I went to see the day porter, Fazal. I found him pruning the ivy.

‘Faz.’ I stopped beside him. ‘Do you ever visit the Broad?’

‘Not by choice.’ Fazal raised a dark eyebrow. ‘Why?’

‘I can’t go there. If you do pass it, could you ask after the aerialist, Liss?’

Fazal shook his head. ‘An amaurotic can’t get involved,’ he said. ‘Warden keeps us safe in Magdalen. I won’t risk my position here, Paige.’

‘I understand.’

I really did. Just as I started to leave, he said, ‘I’ll ask Gail. She’s helping to clear the Rookery.’

‘Thank you.’

On the night of the feast, I was permitted to wash again. I was barely out of the bath when Gail used her spare key to enter the parlour.

‘Gail,’ I said, surprised.

‘I won’t stay.’ She set down a pair of scissors and a comb. ‘Just bringing this for your hair. You’re expected to look presentable for a feast.’

‘Right.’ I touched it. ‘Faz said you’ve been working on the Broad.’

‘Liss is in spirit shock. The Overseer has convinced Nashira to let her fight through it, or try.’ Gail folded her sinewy arms. ‘Let’s hope she’s strong. I can’t imagine the pain of that loss.’

Her own favoured numen was a stone she kept in a locked drawer in the Porters’ Lodge. When she left, I gazed out of the window.

Spirit shock could last for days or a few weeks. Even if Liss pulled through, she would never read the cards again. She would no longer be voyant.

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