Finch stepped back. Took in the narrow face, all slab of tongue and uncanny black-green left eye. Right eye atrophied from the repurposing. Dull orange lichen lived there now. The tongue moved like Finch’s pet lizard’s tongue. Tasting the air. The amount of energy that went into the eye meant they had to suck on gray cap–provided mushroom juice seven or eight times a day. Looked like green pus. What was their name for themselves? A gray cap word. Sounded like grineeknsenz or something just as ugly. Rumor had it they’d made a pact with the gray caps. That soon they’d be made more like the gray caps, in return for their service.

“Nothing important,” Finch managed finally.

“Isn’t that for me to decide?”

“It’s for Heretic to decide. It’ll be in my report.”

“I hope it is.” The Partial’s gaze was cold and dark. “We notice more than the gray caps, Finch. And we’re more prepared to use what we find than they are.”

That surprised Finch. Was the Partial criticizing Heretic? Safer to ignore it.

“What did the people who lived here tell you?”

“Nobody lived here.”

Finch chewed on that for a moment. Was the Partial hiding something from Heretic? He patted his satchel. “I’ve got the entire list from Heretic of anyone who lived here.” Idiot. “You’re saying it won’t include the two who lived here?”

“They don’t live here,” the Partial said, a hint of warning in his voice. “They don’t live anywhere anymore. They didn’t know anything important.”

Dead, then. Disappeared into the abyss of history.

Appalled, Finch said, “Heretic knows this?”

The Partial nodded, folding his arms. “Don’t take anything from the bodies this time except for the memory bulbs. I’m supposed to guard them. I’ve been here all day. Someone will always be here.”

The way the Partial said this made Finch think the man, the abomination, was applying for martyrdom. Did the Partial think Finch was weak just because he hadn’t allowed the gray caps to take his eye? Part of Finch wanted to hit the Partial in the mouth for that. Instead, he squatted next to the man’s body. Looked so peaceful.

Was he alive for a time? In the room? Was he fighting the gray cap? Fleeing him?

The Partial, from in front and above him: “I’ll watch. Just to make sure.”

Make sure of what?

“Stay where I can see you.”

“Such distrust,” the Partial murmured.