“The latter. His mind had been wiped.”
“So he was alive when he was found?”
“Barely. His heart gave out before the medics arrived, and he could not be revived.”
Sympathy stirred. He might have been an old fool, but he didn’t deserve to die. “Do you know what the woman took?”
“I bet you can guess.”
“His family’s unrestricted runestone.” When he nodded, I added, “Do you know what type?”
“The family’s records suggests it was one part of the Lancet rune. When the three are combined, it allows the wielder to assume the form of anyone they might wish.”
I frowned. “So it gifts the shifting ability? Why would anyone go to such lengths to steal something likethat?”
“It is not a matter of mere shifting. It’s a matter of utterembodiment. The rune allows the wielder to step into their victim’s body for a limited time, utterly embracing their flesh, their knowledge and memories,andtheir power. If you are a seeker of wealth or even revenge, would this not be the easiest way of gaining it?”
“But you said it was only a temporary embodiment.”
“Twenty-four hours is enough time to steal, destroy, or kill.”
“What happens to the body they inhabit after they leave?”
“It dies. When a soul has been forced out of its flesh, a body cannot survive.”
“Unless, of course, another soul inhabits it.” I glanced up as a waitress appeared to clear the now-empty antipasti plate, thanked her, then said, “Was the old man’s rune the first of the three stolen?”
“No, second.”
“So Tane has the third?”
“Our kidnappers seem to think so.”
I frowned. “The tome doesn’t confirm it?”
“The third is listed as location unknown.”
“Then that’s what you were hoping to find in Tane’s mind? Confirmation that he did indeed hold the third piece of the Lancet rune?”
He nodded. “That, and its current location.”
I pursed my lips thoughtfully. His gaze dropped to them, and a little more heat entered his eyes. At least I wasn’t the only one feeling this fire. “Is it possible whoever ordered Tane to give me the USB also scrambled some of his memories to ensure that Luke, Stephan, and that woman, whoever she is, didn’t find any information about the Lancet rune?”
“Possible, but that would imply they have a spy in their midst who is aware you are investigating Monica’s disappearance. To knowthat,they’d have to have connections within the Society.”
“Luke did say he was the one with the connections.” I took another drink. “Have you any idea who’s the brain behind these thefts?”
“Have you any idea who else might be working with Luke?”
“You don’t know? Because I rather suspect you—or at least Sophie—were well aware of Luke’s presence in Monica’s life and have already run checks on his half brother.”
“Stephan is all but a ghost, and while Luke may share Monica’s bed, we have discovered little to connect them to either rune theft.”
He paused as another waiter placed our main meal in front of us. The risotto smelled and looked divine, but his tagliata—perfectly cooked strips of steak sitting on broadleaf rocket, with parmigiano, and sundried tomatoes, across which aged balsamic had been drizzled—made me wish I’d gone for that. He picked up his knife and fork, then added, “I do not, however, believe Luke has the nous to organize such a complicated operation on his own. Nor does he have the funding.”
I scooped up some risotto and almost blissed out. Damn, it wasgood.“Luke’s family is far from poor?—”
“Yes, but his father disinherited him ten years ago.”
