‘I’m sure he thought that was true, Joe. But think about it. Every time someone so much as mentions Cillian, Father reacts as though he’s just spotted a lawbot in the room. From what I’ve heard, there are lots and lots of Renegade clans out there.’

‘Aye. Dozens.’

‘Dozens, then. So why is it that of all the dozens of Renegade bosses out there, this particular one unsettles the Council so much? From all accounts, he hasn’t even been around in years.’

‘Albert—’ began Father.

‘But, wait, there’s more to it. You just said that Cillian knows who Theo is. Well, how? If he’s just a Renegade, he shouldn’t even know she exists.’

Father took a deep breath.

‘I have said it before—you are a clever young man, Albert. And you are right. Cillian is no ordinary Renegade. He was once one of us.’

‘One of us?’ said Colby. ‘You mean, he’s from Sanctuary?’

‘For a while. And I regret to say it was I who brought him here. I have rued that decision every day since, for he caused us nothing but trouble and disruption. Till he fled, to escape the justice he so richly deserved, vowing to avenge himself on me and on all Sanctuary. For months afterwards, he spared no effort to harry the people of Sanctuary as much as he could. Until he disappeared, and with time I dared to hope we had heard the last of him.’

‘But there must be more!’ said Albert. ‘He’s been gone for a decade, and the first thing he does when he reappears is to send his goons after Theo? Twice. Not you, or anyone else on the Council, but Theo. Why would a man who’s just returned from the dead to seek vengeance be at all interested in a little girl who was barely old enough to walk when he ran away? Why? Especially if, as you say, he’s not a Seeker. So why does Cillian want Theo? What’s he got to do with her?’

‘Everything. He is her father.’

Three separate exclamations of varying intensity filled the room. Albert ignored them, looking at Father. ‘The scoundrel you mentioned.’

‘Yes.’

‘So Cillian’s an addict as well?’

‘No. Just a very poor excuse for a human being. Celia might have been an addict, but she was devoted to him. He, on the other hand, was interested in nothing but making a profit—any way he could—and then gambling it away. Her body had not been cold more than a few hours when he fled Sanctuary, leaving his infant daughter behind. He is a man without morals, principles or compunctions. It is fitting that he ended up a clan leader.’

‘And now he’s returned to take back his daughter?’

Father inclined his head.

‘Why?’

‘What do you mean—why?’ said June. ‘Father just told you—’