“A statement that reveals just how little you truly understand about the virus.” Though I still couldn’t see him, it wasn’t hard to imagine the smug, satisfied smile tugging his lips. It was evident enough in his voice. “Not all of those infected were of the insane variety.”

“Which still doesn’t alter the fact Luke was the only one who could control any of them.”

“You forget there are various levels of infection. Those with the scythe marking on their cheeks would certainly have been either wiped out or reduced to mindless, inoperable flesh. But we’re talking about those who retained full brain function yet remained bound to the word of the hive.” He paused. “But not, of course, the ones who are infected but not connected, such as the PIT operatives.”

“And how would you know PIT has infected operatives?” Jackson asked.

“Come now, don’t pretend naïveté. I was Luke’s trusted servant for many, many months. I’m well aware of his connection to his brother and the other fae.”

It was a statement that made me frown. Luke had, by nature, been suspicious of everyone. He wouldn’t have trusted such a powerful witch unless he truly believed that power was his to command—and there was only one way he’d ever believe that.

“You’re one of the infected, aren’t you?” And the fact that this witch would go that far to achieve Rinaldo’s orders was chilling.

Jackson glanced at me sharply, but the only reaction from our unseen opponent was a sharpening of amusement.

“Yes, I am,” Frederick replied. “And because of that, I provide Rinaldo with the required connection to those who are like me.”

Meaning this witch was like Sam—infected but not bound to the hive? But if that was the case, how could he be the conduit through which Rinaldo could control the cloaks? As far as I was aware, Sam had no such connection. Though, in truth, it wasn’t like he’d tell me if he had. Hell, for all I knew, such a connection was the reason why he’d been so good at hunting down the scythe-marked cloaks.

And as much as I wanted to tell Rinaldo to prove his claim, we really couldn’t risk it. There were enough infected in this city already, and we didn’t even know the full extent of the spread. We dared not risk it by going any further—a fact Rinaldo was no doubt banking on.

“Let’s presume you’re telling the truth,” Jackson said. “Why drag us out here? Why couldn’t your boss have said all this when we were talking to him earlier?”

“Because he needed you to witness the results of disobedience. If he makes a threat, he will follow through.”