Thank you, said Jem, for looking after her for me.

“It was no trouble,” said Scott. He tipped his chin at Leopolda. “As you know, this one arrived a few weeks ago. We’ve been keeping an eye on her ever since. I didn’t think she would go as far as she did tonight. Can’t have her egging on idiot mundanes to raise demons. It’s the sort of thing that inspires anti-Downworlder sentiment.”

Leopolda seemed to take no offense at the way he spoke.

Woolsey rose to his feet. “You had said you wanted to speak with her,” he said. “Shall I leave the matter with you?”

Yes, Jem said.

“Good. I have an appointment with a rather staggering bottle of red. I’m sure she won’t cause any further fuss, will you, Leopolda?”

“Of course not,” Leopolda said.

Scott nodded, and the werewolves left the room as one. Leopolda looked up at Jem and smiled.

“It is good to see you again,” she said. “We were so rudely interrupted earlier.”

You will tell me what you know of Tessa.

Leopolda reached over to a teapot on a low table and refilled her cup.

“These terrible beasts,” she said, nodding at the door. “They handled me quite roughly. I would like to leave this place now.”

You will not be leaving until you tell me what I want to know.

“Oh, I will. Your Tessa … and she was yours, wasn’t she? I may not be able to see your eyes, but I can see it in your face.”

Jem stiffened. He was no longer that boy, the young man who had planned a wedding to Tessa, who had loved her as much as his heart could bear. He loved her still, but he survived it by having put that young man away, by putting away his human loves as he had put away the violin. Instruments for another time, another life.

Still, there was no joy in being so cruelly reminded.

“I imagine her powers are great,” Leopolda said, stirring her tea. “I envy her. Axel was … so very proud.”

There was nothing but the sound of the spoon hitting the sides of the china cup. In the depths of his mind, Jem heard the murmuring of the other Silent Brothers. He ignored it. This was his mission alone.

Tell me of Tessa’s father.

“The blood,” she said. “You will give me the blood first. It is a very small amount.”

That will never happen.

“No?” she said. “You know, I am merely the humble daughter of a Vetis demon, but your Tessa …”

She waited to see the effect on Jem.

“Yes,” she said. “I know all. You will put out your arm. I will take the blood, I will tell you what you so wish to know, and I will leave. We will both be satisfied. I assure you, what I give you is so much more than I ask. It is a bargain of the highest order.”