What does he hope to gain from me? What more can he want? He already has the people’s devotion – they loved him before, but now that he has cheated death, they adore him. He has all the power and prestige that anyone could ever need and still it isn’t enough.

His head is inclined as he considers my fate.

“I have plans for you, Leora Flint. We were counting on your return – expecting you: you always do come back. And now that you’re here I can really begin… But patience is key. There is no rush.” His gaze is thoughtful. I swallow and glance at Minnow – he doesn’t speak. Mayor Longsight examines me coolly and eventually sighs. “You will be useful, extremely useful – in time. The question is, what to do with you for now?”

He tips his head at Minnow. “Send a messenger for Mel – tell her to be ready at the lower doors.”

Minnow goes out. “I want to see my mother,” I announce.

Mayor Longsight laughs.

“Nice try, Leora. Firstly, you don’t get to choose. And secondly, your mother won’t be coming. Even if we summoned her, she would refuse to see you.”

Words, just words, I think. Words designed to hurt and scare me. “I don’t believe that,” I say calmly while my heart races and my knees shake.

“You’re hardly popular in Saintstone, Leora. You are a traitor who brought blanks into our midst.”

“She doesn’t believe that. She knows me.”

“She knows terrible suffering because of you. She is despised and rejected because of you. A pariah in her own town. No wonder, then, that she denounced you. You’ve brought her nothing but trouble – at least leave her in peace, Leora.”

I am silent. Mum would never denounce me. She wouldn’t. I know that much.

He smiles gently. “It would be easier if you just accepted that you no longer have a mother. You will stay where I command.”

“I’m a prisoner?” I ask, and Longsight raises his eyebrows.

“A prisoner? Oh, that’s a bit crass. Let’s just stay that you will remain here as my guest. If you care about your blank friend, that is.”

My mind swims, as though I am shipwrecked and watching all the things I care about floating further away, sinking to the depths. Minnow returns, and gives Longsight a brief nod.

Longsight gives a languid smile as he stands and smooths down his robe. “Walk with me, Leora.”

Minnow holds me tightly, one hand at my shoulder, the other clasping my wrists. I had expected Mayor Longsight’s pace to be quick and purposeful, but he walks slowly down the corridors of the government building, nodding graciously to staff who back against the wooden-panelled walls and bow their heads. In contrast to his relaxed presence, Minnow seems bulky and awkward.

“I can’t tell you how good it feels to no longer fear death,” Longsight purrs as we walk.

“You believe you will live for ever?” I can’t keep the scorn from my voice. Longsight merely raises a shoulder as if to say, just look at me. “So … what did you do? How did you work this supposed miracle? Did you have to say magic words or go through rituals?” I sound dismissive, sarcastic, but really, I’m desperate to know what has happened, how it is that he walks by my side when he should be flayed and made into a skin book.