Page 51 of The Bone Season

He wanted me to beg for death. I would not give him the satisfaction.

The daylight faded into dusk. I heard the night bell ring.

If Aludra let Julian out, he would have no idea where I was. I could only think of this because the pain – inexplicably – had gone.

So had the sensation in my leg.

Fear chilled my spine. I tried to move my toes, rotate my ankle, but nothing happened.

‘If you wait any longer,’ Warden said, ‘you may lose your leg, if not your life.’

I would have gladly spat at him, but the vomiting had dehydrated me. When he brought me the cup again, I shook my head.

‘Do not be a fool,’ Warden said, softer. ‘This medicine will ensure your recovery. Take it, and you will be able to stand by midnight.’

My willpower was waning. If I died now, I would never be able to get even with Scion – not just for this, but for everything.

In the end, survival instinct overcame my pride. I reached for the cup, but my fingers had no strength. Warden tipped it to my lips. It stung to do it, but I drank. He nodded as I took a little more.

‘Good.’

I mustered a look of contempt. Once I had I drunk the medicine to the dregs, I slumped back against the cushions and slept.

By the time I came round, it was half past eleven. A fire burned in the hearth, but not my skin, and the swelling in my leg had gone down. When I realised I could move it, I let out all my breath.

A clean undershirt was folded beside me. With the sheets over my legs, I eased it on, tensing as it brushed the back of my shoulder.

When Warden stepped back into the room, I looked hard at him.

‘I treated your wounds. I’m sure you don’t like being in my debt,’ I said, hoarse. ‘If you want to repay me, tell me what happened to you.’

His face might as well have been a mask.

‘Hypnagogic hallucinations can appear for several days after an episode of phantasmagoria,’ he said. ‘They are easily confused with reality. I would advise you not to pay them any heed.’

I smiled.

‘Okay,’ I said softly. ‘If that’s how you want to play it, Reph.’

His sleeve might be hiding the evidence, but it was there. I had something for my arsenal now. A secret I could turn against him.

All I had to do was find out why this was something he needed to hide.

‘You are in no fit state to leave the residence tonight, but you may go to the Porters’ Lodge,’ Warden said, his tone clipped. ‘The night porter will provide you with medical attention.’

‘I don’t see my clothes.’

‘Your new uniform was delivered this morning.’ He went to the linen cabinet and withdrew a tunic. ‘You have been promoted. Congratulations, Paige.’

That was the first time he ever said my name.

STAINED

Warden watched me take my pills. I swallowed the red and white ones, but held the third between my teeth. As soon as I left the Founders Tower, I plucked it out and slipped it into my pocket.

The night porter was ready for me. She sat me on her chair, sterilised and dressed my shoulder, and took my temperature with a glass thermometer.

‘Keep your shoulder as clean as possible,’ she said. ‘I’ll leave a salve and dressings in your quarters.’

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