Lio collapsed onto the couch. ‘I never believed she was dead.’
‘Of course,’ said Theodora, scathing.
‘I never got to see the grave. Nor the body. So, I searched the continent, the countryside, every corner of the globe.’ Lio glanced at Rupert, Dot and Belchamber. ‘The night Opal died was the most painful experience I have lived through. So, I searched. For half a decade, I searched. I failed. I became an absolute wretch. I gave up on magic. Eventually, I was sick of being miserable. I got a job in Kölldin. I was an editor.’
‘Oh, youmusthave been melancholy,’ said Theodora, shaking her head. ‘Robert Liutprand Lashkari, earning a wage. Your father was thrilled, I’m sure.’
‘I never told him,’ said Lio tartly. ‘I made a new life for myself. It took me years, but I accepted at last that Opal was truly dead.’
‘Until?’ asked Dot from the corner.
‘Until,’ said Lio uncomfortably, ‘I received a letter from her. She told me to lie to you, Theodora. She told me that if I broke the wards, she would be safe at last.’ Lio cleared his throat. He turned to Rupert. ‘I am incredibly sorry to you, Rupert. I never intended you harm.’
The boy nodded, his face ashen, his head resting against the arm of the sofa.
‘Dorothy also deserves an apology,’ said Theodora. ‘If Acanthi’s magic had latched onto her and not Rupert tonight, she might have been turned into a bloody sea bass.’
‘Dot,’ said Lio, his eyes meeting hers, ‘I apologise.’
‘It’s alright,’ said Dot, dropping her gaze.
‘Oh, for heaven’s sake, Dorothy. Don’tblushat him! Blame him.’ Theodora rolled her eyes. ‘I suppose it does not matter now. Out you get.’
Lio startled. ‘What?’
‘You can’t possibly think I would let you stay?’ said Theodora. ‘Your failure toactuallybreak my wards shows that you might be harmless, but I do not care. Get out. Portal all the way to the South Pole. The moon. It matters not to me. You’re not staying here.’
‘Won’t Acanthi find him?’ asked Rupert.
‘Definitely,’ said Theodora. ‘They have his blood, and given those failures of his, I can’t say they’ll be pleased with him. They might use him as a Sympathetic link to the tea shop. They might take all of his blood this time. It won’t be enough to break my magic, so you’d best get a head start, Liutprand, while they are fatigued. Off you pop.’
Lio nodded solemnly.
‘Theodora,’ said Dot. ‘Perhaps he made a mistake.’
‘That’s a creative way to put it,’ said the witch.
‘Acanthi tricked him,’said Rupert, hoarse.
‘You as well, Rupe? You were a chimney pipe not ten minutes ago because of him. Belchamber, have you any loyalty?’
‘What would you have done, Mistress,’ asked the spirit, ‘if youhad believed your old friend to be alive after all this time?’
Theodora shook her head.
‘Perhaps he could be useful to you?’ asked Dot.
‘Hm,’ said the witch. Then, she glanced at the shattered windows as if a sudden thought had struck her. ‘Though I can barely stand to look at him, you could be right, Dorothy.’
Lio’s features lightened and Theodora shot him a glare. She turned to Rupert.
‘Rupe, I’m going to add another bed to the spare room. I’ll not let you kip on the couch any longer. When you’re well enough, I’d like you to keep an eye on Lio.’ Rupert nodded. Theodora looked over to the tin-coloured spirit, who was now prying glass from the carpet. ‘Belchamber, when I’m not here, do not let Liutprand out of your sight. Give him as many menial tasks as you can think of.’
Belchamber’s eyes narrowed at Lio. ‘Of course, mistress.’
‘If I may—’ began Lio.
‘Save your gratitude,’ said Theodora, eyeing him. ‘Dorothy is right. Icanuse you. I’ve spent weeks now looking for the right Sympathetic link to Cate. Instead, we’ll set a trap. We’ll pretend I threw you out. We’ll let her pounce, and we’ll snatch Acanthi up and ward them from the city.’
