Page 171 of The Bone Season

Of course they had told her.

‘I renewed that fear,’ Warden said. ‘I convinced her that you needed to practise the ability you had only unlocked in a moment of dread – to ensure that you had full command of it, and that she would be able to use it at will. I am now confident that she will wait until the Bicentenary.’

‘How long has it been since the assignment?’

‘A week.’

It was the eighteenth, then. He had bought me about two and a half months.

‘Thanks to the dacrodiorin, you should be able to rise when you wish. The paramedics assured me you will be fully recovered by Midsummer Eve,’ he said. ‘From the day after, I will continue your training.’

‘Here,’ I said.

‘Yes.’

Even if he and Nashira had a cold relationship, she really did seem to trust him to prepare my gift for her. It almost made me doubt myself – but twenty years had passed since the rebellion. Perhaps Warden had been slowly earning her trust back, easing down her guard.

‘The Seven Seals were more brutal and powerful than we anticipated,’ Warden said. ‘Nashira was disappointed to learn that there was no appearance from the Pale Dreamer … but I wonder if shewasamong us that night. Tertius observed that you chose to attack David. The Vigiles noted that Amelia was incapacitated with a flux dart. One of yours.’

I waited, knowing the inevitable was coming.

‘The oracle was the one who stabbed you,’ Warden said, ‘but this was clearly a case of mistaken identity, given your mask. He tried to save you.’

‘You took me from him,’ I said.

‘He would have exposed Seven Dials.’

‘I know. Even if part of me hates you for it.’

‘I accepted that possibility.’ Warden touched me under the chin, so gently and briefly I hardly felt it. ‘Some time ago, you told me I did not know who I had crossed. I would hear you say it. Who are you?’

I lifted my gaze, meeting his.

‘Paige Mahoney,’ I said quietly. ‘But some know me as the Pale Dreamer. For the last three years, I’ve been mollisher to the White Binder.’

A long silence. The secret I had kept for months, laid in the firelight between us.

‘Nashira suspects you,’ Warden said in an undertone. ‘She is no fool, Paige.’

‘Will she interrogate me?’

‘Perhaps. She wants very much to find the White Binder – but after you were almost killed, I hope she will be loath to risk your life before the Bicentenary. I will shield you as best I can, but you must be vigilant.’

‘I’m a career criminal in Scion. I have to be vigilant,’ I pointed out. ‘Why is she looking for him?’

‘I hoped you might know.’

‘I have no idea. Jaxon has a lot of influence, but I don’t see why he should concern her any more than the rest of the Unnatural Assembly.’

‘Hm.’

It was a relief to be able to talk about the syndicate – to not have to conceal who I was any more, just as it had been liberating to stop pretending I was amaurotic. For better or worse, I had missed the Pale Dreamer.

‘You said you wouldn’t sit in judgement,’ I said. ‘Is that still true, Warden?’

‘Yes.’

‘Even though the White Binder wroteOn the Merits of Unnaturalness. Even though he created the hierarchy. Even though I worked for him without question, knowing exactly the kind of person he is, and most of the time, I liked it.’ I watched him. ‘Do you know what a mollisher is?’

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