He rubbed his cheek against mine, the bristle of beard making me shiver. “Just one kiss like that one yee gave me in yee room in Expedition, when yee thought I was him. Don’ yee think yee owe me?”

“You haven’t gotten us to Europa yet.”

“For the chance of it, gal.”

“Let me see the face you wore when you were a living man.”

He chuckled. “I like the stubborn way yee never give up.”

Blessed Tanit, but I took the chance of it. Rory didn’t care, the cacica’s head was safe in the basket, and it was too dark for Bee to see anything. I pressed my mouth to his. For a single searing kiss, I pretended I was holding Vai. It was a good kiss, strong and sweet.

“Cat, where are you? What is going on?” Bee’s hand brushed my shoulder like the flutter of a feather across my skin. Her fingers dug into my upper arm. “What are you doing?”

His hand slid down my arm and caught hold of my fingers as he stepped back.

“Cat, there is someone else here with us,” Bee said ominously.

“He’s an opia. He’s helping us so we can do something for him. Help me carry the chest.” I hoisted one end of the chest by its rope handle. “It was very clever of you to bring the chest, Bee.”

“Cleverness had nothing to do with it. It was pure desperation. I’d already hidden the other two when Drake caught me with this one. The moment he saw Andevai’s dash jackets, I saw murder in his eyes. Sartorial murder. I couldn’t bear the thought of all that expensive fabric and fine tailoring blazing into ash.”

“How came you to have all our gear?”

“I got all three chests from Lucretia before I left for Sharagua. I told her I would deliver them to you. Gracious Melqart, Cat. I must ask, how many fashionable dash jackets can one man own?”

“I haven’t yet had the leisure to make an accounting!”

We moved deeper into the night of the spirit world. Vast roots tangled around us.

“By the way, I’m sorry to mention it, but General Camjiata took your father’s journals.”

This newest betrayal scarcely scratched my already jangling nerves. “Of course he would! At least I know he’ll keep them safe.”

“We need to go quiet here,” murmured the opia as we began to descend. “For I would not want any to hear me who might put a stop to the business we’s about.”