“Hold on, how does unravelling the fabric undo fate?”
Alistair’s expression grows sombre.
“Fate is woven into the fabric itself, it’s the structure of all our realms,” I say.
“That’s why we’re seeing so many Veil tears,” Midnight says.
Alistair sips the last bit of his coffee and places the cup on the counter.“Essentially, yes.I’ve been studying the constitution of the Veil tears and especially those last night.The structural integrity of the fabric is failing.It’s why we’re seeing through into the Celestial Realm.Why the cuts are deeper and harder to repair.”
“Oh gods, it’s why the reapings aren’t working properly.And why I saw the shade of Thaddeus…” Midnight says.
“Thaddeus?”I ask.
“Doesn’t matter.”She turns to Alistair.“Could this be affecting readings?And magic?”
“Absolutely.I don’t think the fabric can tolerate many more ruptures.”
Eleanor and Cordelia glance at each other.A look that only a couple that have been together for eons can share.
“In your experience, what do you recommend?”I ask the visiting professors.
They both answer simultaneously, as if a thousand years has given them a level of synchronicity I can only aspire to have with another.
“Give Interitus what she wants.”
Midnight stands up, her fists balled.“Absolutely not.They want Lucy.”
Cordelia raises her palm in a peace gesture.“We don’t mean literally hand Lucy over.”
“They mean use me as bait,” I say.
Midnight’s fists clench and release by her sides.“The answer is still no.”
“I know you’re concerned, but if you use her as bait, you can trap Interitus and your problems are over,” Cordelia says.
“Trap her how?”Alistair says.
“Why don’t we use the purgatory Ignatius created?”Lex offers.
“That was made using Lucy as a tether.Surely it was destroyed when Architecti escaped?”Midnight says.
Mortem stands and stretches, putting his arse so high in the air I get a delightful view of his unwashed butthole.
“For now, I don’t think we have a better plan,” Alistair says.
“I agree,” I say.“When the time comes, I will play bait.”
Midnight quietly seethes, her skin trembling, cheeks reddening, and I realise she won’t allow this.She’ll stand in the way and do everything she can to protect me.
Which is why I’ll have to find a way to convince her.
Otherwise…
I stop myself because I don’t want to think about the otherwise.Not if it means going behind her back again.
32
Architecti
