Page 66 of The Dark Mirror

‘Capri is closest to Naples,’ Pivot said. ‘So far, we have not made any attempts to reach Ischia. Before our investigation teams disappeared, they each reported a lack of light from both islands. The electricity appears to have been switched off.’ She indicated the northern coast. ‘Here is our point of interest. Early this month, a vessel approached Capri. Though unmarked and running dark, it was later identified as aDryden-class patrol boat, used by Scion in the Mediterranean. It stopped at this spot, then left.’

‘That port of call is right next to a sea cave, the Grotta Azzurra,’ a man said. ‘It could have been an access point for soldiers.’

‘Yes,’ Verca said. ‘There are steps up the cliff from there.’

‘It’s notable that a Scion patrol ship was allowed to get close to Capri in the first place,’ Ducos said. ‘The navy would usually have intercepted it as soon as it entered Italian waters. Another sign that Italy is complicit.’

‘Pivot,’ I said, speaking up for the first time, ‘do you know if the islands were given code names?’

She considered me with fresh interest.

‘You have anticipated my final breadcrumb,’ she said. ‘Yes, they were. According to the treaty, Capri is to henceforth be known as Lugentes Campi, and Ischia as Orcus IV.’

That information was all I needed to know I was right.

The city in Sweden had been the third prison. Here, on the island of Ischia, was the foundation of the fourth.

‘I think I know why Scion took the islands,’ I said. ‘Scion has a long history of building secret prisons to hold clairvoyants, isolating them from the so-called natural population. I’ve been in one myself, and seen another in France. There’s always a harvest city nearby, where they can get hold of a lot of voyants. The sort of place where people can vanish.’

‘Napoli.’ Verca looked at the screen. ‘The largest city in Italy.’

‘If I’m right, it would mean every voyant there is at risk of being trafficked,’ I said. ‘When Scion took Oxford as a prison, they claimed it had burned down, which gave them an excuse to clear the city. That must be exactly what they’ve done with the volcano and Ischia.’

‘Scion has never put one of these prisons on an island, to our knowledge,’ Maria said. ‘Then again, the definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results, isn’t it?’

‘There is precedent,’ Nick said. ‘My sub-network was sent to investigate a similar prison on the isle of Gotland.’

‘It would be a logical development, strategically,’ Wells agreed. ‘Scarlett told me a little about Oxford. A black site, closed down last September. The prisoners escaped using the same train that was used to transport them there.’ She looked at me, frowning slightly.‘Surrounding the next one with water would make it far harder to get in or out.’

It would also make it harder for me, specifically, to reach it. Nashira must suspect my fear of water.

‘Maybe all this is a red herring,’ a woman said. ‘If we’re looking at the islands, what are wenotlooking at?’

Wells nodded. ‘Quite possible. Commander Vance is more than willing to make large, expensive gestures to achieve her purpose, even if that purpose is to capture just one person.’

Another silence rang.

‘I have given you a great deal to digest,’ Pivot said. ‘Once again, I stress that all of it must remain between us.’ Ducos switched off the screen. ‘Inshallah, someone will be able to solve the mystery. I will summon you again in a few days, once you’ve had time to consider the facts, but come to me immediately with any urgent realisations.’

We all rose. I followed Nick from the Blue Room, and we crossed the walkway.

‘Let’s mull this over in the morning,’ Nick said. ‘You must be exhausted, Paige.’

‘I’m fine. We should talk now.’

In the medical room, I shed my dissimulator and pinched some feeling back into my cheeks. Once Maria and Verca had joined us, Nick locked the door.

‘I can’t believe this,’ Verca said. ‘Italy, giving way to Scion without so much as a whimper.’ She sank on to an examination couch, arms folded. ‘I need to … warn my family.’

‘Take a moment,’ Nick said. ‘You’ve had a shock.’

‘Verca.’ Maria sat beside her. ‘Are you all right, dusha?’

‘No. I’m not sure if I’m more afraid or angry.’ Verca raked a hand through her loose hair. ‘Rinaldi has never taken a firm stance against Scion in public, except to shake his fist and offer platitudes, but Sala … I’m convinced she doesn’t want this. Perhaps she is in danger, as Command suspects.’

‘How much power does she have?’

‘The role of president used to be more ceremonial, but that has changed somewhat in recent years. Sala wields a significant degreeof influence. She is the one who usually represents Italy abroad and deals with national defence and foreign affairs. She is also the head of the armed forces. I can see why Domino chose her as their point of contact.’

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