‘Our mission is ordained,’ Elivia says. ‘It is the God-Emperor’s will. That is how the Navigator found the path. It is how the Vow survived the tides. It is intended.’

‘Yes,’ Ravara says, as her hand falls away again. ‘It is destiny.’

‘And ours awaits on Dimmamar,’ Elivia says. ‘So we had better hasten towards it.’ She looks at Okash. ‘All speed, shipmaster.’

He nods. ‘As much as I can give, Canoness.’

Then Okash takes his leave, and Quinn follows him. Before Ravara can do the same I approach her.

‘I would speak with you,’ I tell her.

Ravara’s face remains impassive, but she nods. She dismisses Zoric with a word and we walk from the Canoness’ chambers together into the Vow’s transitways until we are far enough from others to be considered alone. Up here, on the ship’s spine, the walls are built from armaglass as well as iron, so starlight takes the place of candlefire. I see the tiny points of light reflected in Ravara’s eyes as she looks out into the void.

‘The Navigator spoke to you of me, didn’t she?’ Ravara asks.

‘Is that foresight, inquisitor?’ I ask.

‘Just an educated guess,’ she replies. ‘Your tone suggests that whatever she said angered you.’

‘You lied to Oraylis,’ I say. ‘You told her she would stand under the cardinal world’s sun with the rest of us. Why?’

Ravara looks at me. ‘Because we needed to get out of the Rift,’ she says simply. ‘Because sometimes telling someone what they want to hear is the best way to have them do what you need them to.’

‘And what you told me in the bell tower?’ I ask. ‘Was that you telling me what I wanted to hear, too?’

Ravara does not move, or blink. ‘You will find the death you are looking for on Dimmamar, Evangeline. That is the truth. You will be consumed by the light, as you should have been on Ophelia VII.’

I look up and down the corridor to ensure we are still alone, my jaw aching because I daren’t speak those wants aloud myself. Those needs.

‘How can I trust you?’ I ask her.

‘What is trust other than working together towards a single goal?’ Ravara asks.

‘A set ending.’

‘Exactly.’

I shake my head. ‘But you have yet to tell me your goal. I do not know what it is you seek on Dimmamar. Not truly.’

‘I seek the closure of the Great Rift, Evangeline,’ Ravara says, her voice low and intense. ‘I seek the end of this era of darkness, and for everything to return to how it once was. I seek restoration, but that requires sacrifice.’

‘My sacrifice.’

‘Yours. Oraylis’. Vallien’s. Every death that has led us to this point.’

I think of the greater daemon’s laughter. Of Adelynn’s eyes, through the fire.

‘Even my Sisters.’