The two Dark Angels hesitated. ‘Lord Sanguinius,’ one of them said, ‘we have received no orders about this from the Lion.’

‘Nor will you.’ The klaxon boomed through the corridors. The Invincible Reason was manoeuvring into position for the bombardment. ‘I have no authority over you. Nevertheless, I am giving this command. I will not be opposed in this.’

Sanguinius placed his hand on the hilt of the Blade Encarmine. He did not draw it. The act was less a threat than a reminder. He had no intention of harming the legionaries. Physically opposing him, though, was more than they could do. He spread his wings, lifting them high. He filled the corridor. He towered over the Dark Angels.

‘Do what your honour demands,’ he said. ‘Know that the responsibility for what happens now is mine, not yours. These events are beyond your ability to control.’

The legionaries did not move, but they did not raise their guns.

‘Know this too,’ Sanguinius said. ‘What I do, I do for the Imperium. So does the Lion. Nothing that happens now changes this fact.’

‘We cannot let you pass, Lord Sanguinius,’ the other guard finally said.

‘I understand,’ he said. ‘And you have my respect.’

Sanguinius drew the Blade Encarmine and smashed the blade against the helm of one guard, splitting it open and staggering the Dark Angel. He whirled and seized the other guard before he could fire. He raised the Dark Angel and slammed him against the wall. His breath hissing with anger at the necessity of what he did, he struck both guards with the flat of the blade, hammering them into unconsciousness.

‘Forgive me,’ he said. He turned from them to a small chamber a few paces further up the hall. It was the guard post. He entered it, yanked open a plasteel vault, and took the chains and neuro-manacles he found inside. He returned to Curze and worked in silence as he transferred the Night Haunter from the wall shackles to the new restraints. The beats of the klaxon continued, counting away the time before Davin’s annihilation.

‘No threats?’ Curze asked. ‘No warnings that I will die if I try to escape?’

‘Escape to where, Konrad?’

‘Well said. There is no escape for any of us, is there?’

Perhaps not, Sanguinius thought. He was not certain, though, and so he felt hope. Destiny was tightening into a knot on Davin. He could feel his actions being dictated by events that marched forwards, unstoppable, to ends he could not perceive. But on Pyrrhan, he had cut through such a knot. There was a possibility he did not wish to articulate, for fear of extinguishing a frail and precious flame. Soon, he hoped, it would be strong enough for him to speak of it.

He took Curze down from the wall. He shackled the Night Haunter’s­ hands behind his back, but left his legs free.