‘Do you think there is any rite you can tell me about that I do not know? Do you think I have not thought of the Sacraments? That rite is hungry, Vulture. Hungrier than you. Each third of the ritual would require the psychic resonance of…’ He shrugged and nodded at the Rehati. ‘Well, of something far greater than I have to hand.’

‘I have discovered a Threefold Soul,’ said Zadkiel, sure that this statement would finally convince Magnus to hear him out. ‘Amongst the sons of your dead brother, Sanguinius. In their fortress-monastery. A warrior-scholar whose links to the Great Ocean are stronger than anything I have ever heard of. He was reborn after death and remade, resurrected by an unknown power. And now he has survived a third birth, tortured into a new form by the priests of Mars. He has been given a unique, triad soul. There are fragments of Sanguinius in each piece – echoes.’

‘All Sanguinius’ sons carry an echo of his curse.’

‘This is different. It is more than just the Chapter’s gene-seed. There is a shadow in him – the same shadow that was in Sanguinius, but it has been made manifest. He has been born three times and his third birth has made him uniquely potent, uniquely suit­able for the Nine Sacraments. I have devised a way to lever his pieces apart – to break him into the stimulus we need.’

Magnus studied Zadkiel closely. ‘Are you referring to the Chapter Master? Dante?’

‘No. A Librarian. Their Chief Librarian, Mephiston.’

‘And to split this Librarian in three you would harness the power of nine talismans? Nine sites of geomantic power? Places of great importance and potency?’ A terrifying edge crept into Magnus’ voice. ‘Places that are crucial to my plans. Sites that could be destroyed if your ritual failed.’

‘It would not fail. I have followed Mephiston for centuries, preparing him for this moment. Every action he has taken was conceived of by me. He is my puppet. Even his subordinates are implements of my will. All of their auguries are echoes of my plans.’

Magnus fell silent again but he was still watching Zadkiel. Zadkiel sensed that he had said enough. The cyclops was intrigued.

Magnus thought for a while. Then he turned to the Rehati. ‘Take the Vulture back to Sortiarius. Find the deepest pit in Tizca and imprison him. Use your most powerful binding rituals. His travels have unhinged him. He may do us harm.’

Zadkiel tried to speak but Magnus silenced him with a thought. ‘You need not thank me for my mercy,’ said the cyclops. ‘I have spared your life for good reason.’ There was kindness in his tone. ‘You think I have forgotten you but I have not. I remember what you did when the Wolves were loose on this world. I remember how you stood by my side. And I know your current lunacy only stems from a desire to serve.’