What leaked from Masami’s throat was almost a growl. “It’s Felix Faust, isn’t it? They told Darcy Sok we’re set-sets, told the Big Seven too, and now they’re leaking it to the public.”

Julia shook her head. “Felix Faust is a voyeur, not a player. They don’t have to destroy you, they can sit back on their sofa and watch you bring this down upon yourselves. You should have been subtler. I understand going after Lorelei Cook; as Minister of Education Cook is practically keeping Nurturism alive by themself.”

“And Kosala!” Masami interrupted. “Kosala’s been covering Cook’s part in the raids for years! Kosala’s just as guilty!”

Julia nodded indulgently. “But Darcy Sok wasn’t one of your enemies before this, and by destroying the Hive on their watch you’ve made an unnecessary enemy, one you can’t unmake so easily. If Sok doesn’t kill themself, they’ll devote themself to revenge on the lot of you, with an undying, single-minded fervor, just as you have against Cook and Kosala. That’s not the kind of enemy you want to make at a young age. Never create a personal enemy. Always keep layers of minions between yourself and someone you destroy, it’s safer that way.”

Frail Hiroaki frowned at the Cousins’ wrap around her knees, as at an old cast overdue to be removed. “I never lied to Darcy Sok. I told them I wanted to join the CFB to fight corruption. They were the one stupid enough to assume I meant only other people’s corruption, not their own. Or yours. Frankly, Julia, if Darcy really thinks you’re the lesser of two evils they need to reread Faust.”

Julia smiled at the compliment. “I’ve been too gentle on you kids. We’ve been playing games with no real risk, but bringing down a Hive is deadly dangerous, and I’m not just talking to Hiroaki. The lot of you have been very reckless in this, Toshi especially.”

“Me?” The Censor’s analyst sat forward. “I haven’t done anything. Really I haven’t.”

“That doesn’t matter. You have access to the secrets of the Censor’s office. You could have leaked them to your ba’sibs, and people hunting for conspiracy will assume you have, whether it’s true or not.” Julia played with the long black coil of her hair. “Just because you’re innocent doesn’t mean you don’t need to prepare an alibi. Innocence needs to be proved.”

Self-conscious Toshi tugged at the fluffy twists of her own hair. “Do you really think that’s necessary?”

“Revenge heeds instinct, not evidence. Besides, you did know what your sibs were doing, and you could have stopped it. That’s complicity enough for blame to fix on you.”

Hiroaki gave frowning Toshi a sisterly shoulder-squeeze. “Anyway, Julia, Darcy Sok is your parishioner. Can’t you deflect them? Calm them? Redirect their anger someplace else? You could call them for a session right now. It would mean a lot to us. Please?”

Julia frowned. “Why doesn’t your mother take care of Darcy Sok? Or your father? They have means enough.”