Will’s expression darkened. “Like hell,” he said. “He ran off with my daughter. Who is sixteen years old.”

“I would urge you not to think of it in those terms,” said Magnus. “Malcolm didn’t kidnap Lucie. According to her note, it’s her goal to help Jesse. That’s what they both think they’re doing.” He sighed. “Malcolm has something of a focus on the Blackthorns.”

Will looked intrigued. “There is more to this story, and I will get it out of both of you before we reach Cornwall.” He sighed. “I’ll check on the horses. Then we leave. We can make it to Basingstoke by morning; we’ll rest then.”

He stomped away, and James could hear him murmuring to the horses. Magnus’s horses, presumably, though Will generally loved all horses. All animals, really, with the exception of ducks. And cats. Focus, James told himself. His mind was spinning; too many shocks and reversals of the day had left him as stunned as if he had fallen from a great height.

He would get used to the new situation, he knew. And when he did, it would hurt. Only shock was cushioning the pain of losing Cordelia—and Matthew—and when that shock passed, the pain would be greater than anything he had ever felt in association with Grace. One day he would be able to reach Cordelia again, to explain to her, but by then, would she care? Or believe him?

Magnus raised an eyebrow. “So Cordelia has suddenly decided to go to Paris with Matthew, the same day that you stopped Charles Fairchild’s murder and Leviathan, an ancient Prince of Hell, attacked the Institute?”

“Yes,” James said shortly. “It’s been a very long day.”

“You will forgive me if I say that you don’t look like someone whose wife just left for a pleasant trip to Paris,” said Magnus. “You look like someone who just had his heart kicked out on a train station platform.”

James was silent. We suffer for love because love is worth it.

Magnus softened his voice. “You know Matthew’s in love with her, right?”

James blinked—how had Magnus known? Perhaps Matthew had told him—an odd thought—or he had guessed; he was very observant. “I know it now. I should have known it before.” His head ached dully. “There isn’t much I can say to defend myself. I have been very blind. In that blindness I have hurt Cordelia and I have hurt Matthew. I have no right to be angry that they have gone.”