“Eliza wants to build the Church’s strength. In order to do that, she’s going to need a comprehensive plan of how strong, or weak, the Church is right now, right at this moment. She’ll have names, locations, funds, resources… She’ll have the identities of spies and informants loyal to the Faceless Ones. She’s already told me of a list of people who are going to help her build the Church back up. Twelve names on it, she said, all powerful sorcerers, most in positions of influence and authority, and unlike you, they won’t need to be blackmailed into helping. From what she’s told me, some of these people sit on certain Councils around the world.”

China kept her smile to herself. “Everything we would need, in other words, to completely dismantle the whole thing.”

“Exactly. Once we have that information, we won’t need Eliza any more. We can either share it with your friends in the Sanctuary, or take care of things ourselves.”

“Travelling the world,” China said, “killing everyone on that list. How romantic.”

“It’s the only way to be sure. These people, what they want… it’s all too dangerous. We have to erase them from the face of the planet, to make sure it never happens.”

“So dramatic.”

“Has it ever been any different when it comes to the Faceless Ones?”

“I suppose not. That’s why I was drawn in at such a young age. Now, Jaron, all that sounds very thrilling, and very wonderful, and I’m sure it would be a thoroughly diverting adventure – but why on earth should I trust you?”

“What would I have to gain by lying?”

“I sincerely don’t know, but Eliza is a cunning lady, and she always has been.”

“You think I’m working for her?”

China smiled. “It is crossing my mind even as we speak.”

“You’re just going to have to believe me.”

“And that, my dear, is where this whole proposal falls flat. I don’t believe anyone, let alone someone who once tried to kill me.”

“I tried to kill you twice.”

“Really?”

“That time in Naples? The fire?”

China laughed. “That was you? That fire scorched my favourite shawl.”

“And it killed eighty-three people.”

“But the shawl was exquisite. Still, I suppose I can’t blame you. I would have done the same.”

“You might not be able to trust me, China, but I know I can trust you. You want Eliza gone, you want the Church of the Faceless gone. I’m your only chance to make that happen.”

She didn’t really have much in the way of other options, so China gave him a smile.

Chapter 21 - The Love of a Vampire

Chapter 21
The Love of a Vampire