Deep under his skin he could feel two versions of himself clawing at each other. There was the Partizan: disappointed in this outcome, knowing that eventually Lottie would need to step down from her Portman role and return to a regular life so Ellie could make the transition to queen and let Lottie go. This was the version he was clinging to, not wanting to give the other a moment of consideration, because the other was selfish: a demonic, confused version of him that wanted to wrap his arms round Lottie and pull her in so close that the rest of the world couldn’t touch her. He wished that he could whisper against her cheek how proud he was of her for doing this, that she didn’t need anyone else because he would protect her forever.

Through the cast-iron keyhole in the old door, Jamie saw Lottie put the phone down, finally turning round, which revealed absolutely nothing. She smiled her sunshine smile as Jamie pulled the door open for her.

‘Is it done?’ he asked, watching her with the same hard focus he might use on someone he suspected was a threat, scanning for any tiny movement that would give an insight into what she was really thinking. ‘Did you speak to him?’

‘No, he didn’t pick up, so I left a message,’ she replied, setting off to the courtyard, a bounce in her step that spread to the ends of her golden hair.

Jamie felt his jaw twitch, unable to pick up so much as a wane in her smile. When did she get so good at hiding things from him?

‘And that’s it? You plan to never have anything to do with your family again?’

‘I’ve told you, and I’ve told Ellie – he’s not my family any more. There’s nothing complicated about it.’

‘If there’s nothing complicated about it, then why do you continue failing to make any semblance of a start on your PoP project? Seems like you don’t want to think about your family at all.’

There it was, blink and you’d miss it, but Jamie caught it like the sun in his eyes, the light vanishing from Lottie’s pupils for a panicked second, and it told him everything he needed to know.

‘Looks like you’re more confused than you’re letting on.’

‘I’m Ellie’s Portman,’ she said stubbornly, and as soon as the words left her mouth he felt his gaze land on the chain round her neck where the wolf’s head kept guard.

‘That’s not a family; that’s a job.’ He knew it was harsh, but it bubbled out of him nonetheless, a terrible poison he’d been harbouring since his pact with Ellie.