“In this world, lightning is limited,” said Jack. “It can strike down trees, turn sand to glass, provide the power that runs an engine, but it can’t move the stars or raise the dead. In the Moors, lightning is the motive force that drives all things. When the heavens speak, the dirt obeys. With the right hands to guide the conversation, lightning can do anything. Dr. Bleak experimented with the exchange of minds when he was a young man. He wanted to be able to make things better for people, you see, to put them where they’d be happiest. If a young woman wants to run away to sea, and her brother wants to marry his sister’s handsome swain, and all parties agree, why not oblige them?”

“I can think of about a hundred reasons, but please, continue,” said Kade.

Jack rolled her eyes. “Stop limiting yourself to the possibilities of this world, and consider the possibilities of a better one. If someone’s greatest talent is running, and their greatest dream is never needing to run again, why not make a willing exchange with someone who dreams of nothing but the road? The key word being ‘willing.’ Dr. Bleak quickly found that most people are quite attached to their bodies, and have little interest in selling them on a permanent basis, while the unscrupulous were readily prepared to kidnap and replace those whose bodies might purchase passage into the higher echelons of society. He shelved his experiments and moved on to more wholesome pastimes, most concerning the reanimation of the dead and the acquisition of chocolate biscuits.”

“What,” said Sumi.

“Chocolate biscuits are important,” said Jack. “But we stray from the point. The Master’s people demanded Dr. Bleak’s cooperation. They demanded my consent. They had Alexis, and I was not in my right mind, and I agreed, because nothing could be worth losing her again. And the Master…” She stopped for a moment, gaze going distant.

Finally, voice low, she said, “The Master came, Jill by his side in her ribbons and lace, like she was a bride on her way to the perfect wedding night. He helped her onto the table and strapped her down, he kissed her forehead and told her he loved her, and when he turned his attention on me, every drop of blood in my body ran cold. He looked at me like he’d won. Like he’d finally, permanently, won. Dr. Bleak and Alexis had to lift me onto the other table. I was shaking so hard I couldn’t move. I screamed for Jill to say she didn’t want this, to tell her father she wouldn’t do this to me, and she closed her eyes and smiled, and said…”