Unfortunately, Winter wasn’t easy to embarrass. ‘Is that so?’ he murmured. The faintest hint of mocking disbelief coloured his words.

It was on the tip of my tongue to tell him I’d give him a demonstration if he so wished but somehow it didn’t seem like a good idea. If he were anyone else, I’d have continued with the banter but with Winter it made me feel slightly uncomfortable. Goodness knows why.

‘Now buckle up,’ he instructed.

I smiled slightly, grateful for the change of subject. ‘Are you concerned for my safety?’

‘If you end up splattered against the windshield, the paperwork would be a pain in the arse. Not to mention the cleaning.’

‘See?’ I said smugly. ‘You don’t enjoy extra work any more than I do.’

He rolled his eyes. I clicked in the seatbelt and grinned. Sometimes Winter was almost human.

***

‘We should be grateful that the Ipsissimus has agreed to come in early to answer our questions,’ Winter informed me.

Should we? I opened my mouth to say as much but Winter held up a hand to forestall me. ‘It’s good that you dressed appropriately. He will be pleased that you’re showing that you’re willing to be a real part of the Order for the next hundred days.’ I pressed my lips together tightly. ‘But, as I said yesterday, it’s important that you let me do the talking. This is a delicate situation which requires careful diplomacy.’

Considering I hadn’t seen much yet in the way of careful diplomacy from Winter, I was amused by his words. All the same, I could let him worry about the stupid sceptre and the Ipsissimus and spend my time thinking about what to do with Bell End and Alice. Or better still, daydreaming.

‘Adeptus Exemptus Winter,’ I began.

‘You really don’t have to keep calling me that.’

‘Adeptus Exemptus Raphael Winter,’ I said instead, ‘do you know everyone in the Order?’

‘There are thousands. Of course not.’

I arched an eyebrow. ‘You strike me as the kind of person with his finger on the pulse.’ Truthfully, I’d imagined him being conscientious enough to pore over the names, photos and identities of each and every Order witch. He seemed that kind of person.

Winter sighed. ‘Who is it you’re looking for?’ His eyes narrowed slightly. ‘Do you want to know more about Philosophus Villeneuve?’

He was referring to Tarquin. I shook my head. ‘No. Do you know Alice Fairclough?’

‘Second Level Adeptus Minor,’ he answered instantly.

Ha! I knew he’d be aware of her. ‘And what kind of person is she?’

‘I know her name, Ms Wilde. I don’t know her shoe size or whether she’s an adept witch or not. She is Second Level, however, so I assume her abilities are reasonable.’

It appeared that Winter lived and died by the Order’s hierarchy. He wasn’t denying knowledge of her; if he had anything to do with her shenanigans at Eve’s, I’d have expected him to deny having heard of her. ‘Does she have a partner?’ I enquired. ‘Or a mentor?’