“Well, we should. We’re not hurting anyone, nor do we condone the use of violence towards anyone.”

“So eleven months ago, when the Faceless Ones stopped by for a visit and all those people were killed…”

“That’s different,” Prave said. “Those people were asking for it.”

“You’re annoying me now, Prave, so you’d better answer. Where is Remus Crux?”

Prave remained defiant for two or three seconds then wilted. “I don’t know,” he said. “He’s been here a few times, but not with any regularity. He likes to sit around and talk in clichés about how the Faceless Ones are going to smite humanity and turn the world to ash, that kind of thing. He doesn’t understand the beauty of what they do – he’s just interested in the end result. I thought talking to him would be a revelation – his mind has been touched by the Dark Gods, after all. But no. He holds no insights, no startling truths. He’s just…insane.”

“I need to find him.”

“I can’t help you. I don’t know where he’s living. I don’t even know the people he knows. From what I can see, I’m the only one he talks to, and even then, most of what he says is gibberish.”

“It must make you question your religion.”

Prave glared. “Our gods will reward our faith when they return and wipe the heretics from the face of the world.”

He didn’t know anything of use, and even if he did, she didn’t have the strength to get it out of him. China left him standing by the altar and let herself out. She started back down the trail, and noticed a man walking in off the street. His head was down and his hands were in his pockets. He walked quickly. He was ten steps away from her when he looked up.

“Hello, Remus,” said China.

He didn’t bolt as she had expected. He just stood there and looked at her, a deer caught in the headlights, a thief caught in the act.

“You’ve been a very naughty boy,” she said. “You tried to kill Valkyrie Cain, and I actually like Valkyrie. You got yourself caught up with Scarab and his plans to change the way things are and I like the way things are. I don’t like change – not when I’m not prepared for it.”

“I know about you,” Crux said, his voice tight.

“You shouldn’t have got involved in this. You should have stayed hidden and as far away from me as possible.”

“I know your secret,” he said quickly. “And now you’re scared. Scared of what he’ll do to you when he finds out.”

“Did you tell my secret to anyone else, Remus?”

“Everyone.”

China smiled. “Now that’s a lie. I don’t think you told a soul.”