Page 148 of The Bone Season

‘Arcturus has kept me informed of your development. He tells me he has tried his utmost to bring out your gift,’ she said, ‘but you have yet to attempt a full possession. Is this true?’

‘Yes,’ I said.

‘A pity.’

Warden must not have told her about the butterfly. Surely she would have mentioned it.

He was downplaying my progress.

‘Yet you faced one of the Emim and survived,’ Nashira said. ‘For that reason, Arcturus believes you should be made a red-jacket. What do you think?’

I didn’t know what to say.

‘How quiet you are,’ Nashira said. ‘Last we met, you were not so timid.’

‘I’ve learned that it isn’t my place to have thoughts,’ I said, quoting her cousin.

‘Remarkable.’ Her eyes were glacial. ‘I have a small number of questions for you, 40. They must be kept between us, since they pertain to my consort.’

She may question you about me. Perhaps not yet, but soon.

‘You have been keeping quarters with Arcturus in Magdalen,’ Nashira said. ‘Whereabouts?’

‘In an attic by the Founders Tower.’

‘Does he ever ask you to come out of it?’

‘Only for training.’

‘I imagine you have explored his quarters. Is there anything in the Founders Tower that … troubles you?’ she asked. ‘Anything out of the ordinary?’

‘Not that I recall.’

‘Does he ever depart without explanation?’

I thought of his deep wounds. The way he disappeared when fog descended on the city, making it hard for prying eyes see his excursions.

‘No,’ I said. ‘If he did, he wouldn’t owe a human an explanation.’

‘Indeed. But does he ever seek to speak with you in a personal capacity?’

I shook my head. ‘What could I say that would be of any concern to the blood-consort?’

‘An excellent point.’

I bit my tongue.

Nashira took something from inside her doublet and held it up for me to see. A tarnished silver brooch.

‘Have you ever seen this symbol in Magdalen?’

A flower with eight petals, each tapering to a point. I had seen it before – just once, in the early days, as I explored the Founders Tower.

It was shaped exactly like the flower on his snuffbox. The one he kept in the display case, tucked just out of sight.

‘You may speak frankly,’ Nashira said. ‘Arcturus may be your keeper, but you answer to me.’

I lifted my chin. ‘I don’t understand why you’re asking me about him, Suzerain.’

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