Significance hummed, and went behind her briefly. Something shifted, and she was turned. She could make out more now: another ten chairs, newer-looking than the abandoned ones, seven of them occupied. These people looked better than the further-along cases from down in the Catacombs, though they did not look good: bleeding in the eyes and blood around the mouth, burst blood cells painting stark patterns of veins across the face. Her eyes narrowed in on one, the bearded figure sitting slackly with eyes closed and tubes in him. Linden. Still breathing.

Significance leaned over her shoulder, and she tried not to flinch at the brush of xyr hair. “Progress,” xe said again. Xe turned her back around.

Xe stepped away from her, brushing xyr hands off delicately on xyr robes. Orfeus could focus better now. Panic and resolve solidified in her heart, now it wasn’t just her safety at sake. She could make out the things scattered on Significance’s table. Gleaming metal instruments she really didn’t like the look of, and beside them her cloak, bundled up. Her fang earring gleamed on it. Orfeus twitched.

There was no clear-coloured vial on the table. She still had Bright’s gift tucked away in her boot, a boost of Blood. She’d need it.

Orfeus said, “Where’s my guitar?”

“Oh, Orfeus,” Significance sighed.

Orfeus flung herself hard against her bonds, giving xem no more warning than that. She didn’t get anywhere. Significance frowned.

“You’ll just hurt yourself,” xe said. “That’s less fun than if I do it.”

Oh, excellent, sadism. Sadism was just what this situation needed. Orfeus flared her fingers but couldn’t get enough dexterity. She said clearly, instead, “Energy.” Adrenaline pulsed through her, bringing back some hint of energy to her flagging self. She threw herself hard against her bonds. Nothing.

Significance took a step back, looking sorrowful. Orfeus snarled, “Lightning.” It came jagged out of her fingers, danced a little down the wires she saw hooked up under her fingernails, and then pulsed right back into her. She arched and screamed.

Of course Significance was prepared for Blooded. “I thought you’d be more helpful,” O’Hallow said with a trace of disappointment. Orfeus stared at xem, panting raggedly. “But I knew this was a risk.” Xe sighed. “There’s no progress without risk. Progress and process and we carry on…I do have to thank you, though, I wouldn’t have thought to go after that little carpenter of yours.”

Orfeus tensed her shoulders. It hurt to move, but she couldn’t help it. Oh, Linden. “Passionate people,” she grated. So many betrayals she hadn’t even meant to make. “Was it you who took out the hit on me?”