Never lowered her head until her forehead was resting on the desk. “Why did you tell me?” she asked quietly. “Why did you even tell me about the anti-Sanctuary and people trying to kill you? I was happy being ignorant. Why did you tell me?”

“Because you said we shouldn’t keep secrets from each other.”

“I meant other secrets. Crushes on people, things like that. Regular secrets, Omen. Not actual secrets.”

“I promise you, you’re not in any danger.”

She turned her head, glaring at him. “You don’t know that. I might be putting myself in danger just by talking to you right now.”

“None of the bad guys know who I am.”

“But they saw you. They saw your face. What if one of them is a sketch artist? And he showed the drawing to Jenan, and Jenan said, yeah, I know that guy, he’s an idiot, but he has a cute friend. Let’s kill them both.”

“Never,” Mr Chou said, and Never sat up straight. “Omen. You may not think it, but my ears actually work, you know.”

“Can you make out what we’re saying?” Never asked.

Mr Chou sighed. “No. Your undoubtedly riveting conversation is lost to me. I will take that regret to my grave. But I can hear your murmurings and I can see your lips move. This is study hall. Either study, do homework, or at least work harder at disguising the fact that you’re doing neither.”

“Sorry, sir,” said Omen, and made a point of looking like he was studying his textbook. Chou sighed, and went back to marking.

“There’s so much I have yet to do in this world,” Never whispered. “So much I have yet to experience. I’ve never opened a savings account. I’ve never studied for my driving test.” Her head dropped forward again. “I’ve never filed a tax return.”

“You’re very strange.”

“Don’t judge me.”

“Your life isn’t in danger. I’m pretty sure they’re not going to let me continue doing what I’ve been doing, so you can relax, OK? No one’s going to come looking for us.”

The door opened, and Miss Gnosis stepped in. “Excuse me, Mr Chou,” she said in that distinctive Scottish accent, “could I borrow Omen and Never, please?”

Omen frowned while Never paled.

“Take them,” Chou said, waving a hand. “You have my blessing.”

Miss Gnosis smiled, and motioned them forward. “Come along,” she said. “And bring your things.”

Omen hesitated, then slid his textbook into his bag and stood. Taking great care not to even glance in Jenan’s direction, he led Never out of the classroom. When they were in the corridor and walking away, Miss Gnosis lowered her voice.

“You’re in trouble,” she said.

“I knew it,” Never whispered.

Omen’s mouth was dry. “What did we do?”