She did not answer.

“A question,” said a voice from the cave ahead, “I might ask you both.”

Kai recognized the voice.

“Jace.”

He emerged from cave into light, black clad, hands in his pockets, shoulders slumped. Thin lips pressed together. He spared Teo a glance, dismissed her, and turned to Kai. Behind his glasses, his eyes were thoughtful, as if pondering the meaning of a long forgotten dream. He blinked, removed his glasses, and pinched the bridge of his nose. When he looked up, his eyes had not changed.

“Kai. We need to talk.” He waved to a Penitent, who stomped over to the beach and gathered her discarded clothes. Suit and shoes seemed doll-sized in the monster’s hands. “Come on. You can dress in my office.”

“I’ll dress here. Have this guy put me down.”

“I don’t think so,” Jace said.

“I’m not on her side.”

“I know,” he said. “But we need to talk, don’t we?”

She couldn’t lie to him. “Yes. We do.”

Chapter 51

51

The failing sun lit Jace’s office. Streams of shadow ran east from desk and chair over the bare floor. The four unfinished statues stood guard against the walls.

Kai’s Penitent released her, set down her clothes, and left. Jace closed the door after it. “You have questions,” he said. “You deserve answers.” He sounded as if he hadn’t slept in a week. Longer. Years.

He retreated to his desk, and drew a ribbon-bound scroll and a pen from a drawer. “Sign this nondisclosure agreement. We have secrets to discuss, and I don’t want them to leave this room. Even in your memory.”

“I won’t sign anything. If you want to be honest, be honest. If not, I’ll walk out this door and tell the Journal everything I know.”

“Don’t be so sure.”

“You think the Penitents will stop me? Fine. Drag me to court. I’ll talk to a judge as happily as to a reporter.”

“Kai. I don’t know what you think is happening here, but I’m sure you have it wrong.” He left the scroll and pen on his desk. “Let’s talk. Though maybe you’d rather dress first.”

She stood firm for a minute, watching Jace, but gooseflesh prickled her arms. She pulled on her pants, buttoned and zipped them. “Our idols are waking up.” How much did he know already? Stick to the basics. Don’t mention the meta-goddess unless he does. “One at a time they’ve become conscious, and one at a time they’ve died.” The shirt next. She skipped a few buttons, and donned the jacket over. Stepped into her shoes.

“Yes.” He looked so young beneath his age. How easy to imagine him as a boy, eager and idealistic, all the great globe’s glories in his future. She saw them crumbling.