The Ipsissimus inclined his head. ‘Just so.’ He met my eyes. ‘Will you help us?’

‘Sure. It doesn’t sound too hard.’ I glanced at Winter. ‘I can put in the effort.’

He looked away. The Ipsissmus clapped his hands. ‘Excellent. I knew we could count on you.’ He checked his watch. ‘I shall leave Adeptus Winter to go through all the details with you. Unfortunately, I must take my leave.’

We all stood up. Even Brutus seemed keen to act politely, although he still watched the Ipsissimus depart with narrowed eyes. Apparently deciding that he needed to make sure that the Order Head was definitely leaving, he stretched before following him out to the corridor.

Then the door closed and Winter and I were alone.

Chapter Two

For several seconds after the Ipsissimus left, neither of us said anything. The silence lengthened, filling the atmosphere with a heavy, uncomfortable feeling.

‘How have you been?’ Winter asked eventually.

‘Good.’ I hesitated. ‘You?’

‘Good.’

There was more awkward silence. I scratched my neck and sighed. This could be going better. ‘How’s Princess Parma Periwinkle?’ I asked, referring to Winter’s daftly named familiar.

‘Fine. Although she will be staying behind in Oxford for the duration of this investigation. She doesn’t travel well.’

‘Mmm.’ I racked my brains for something else to say. ‘Have you changed jobs?’ I enquired finally. Winter’s brow furrowed. ‘You used to deal with stolen property. Murder seems an entirely different proposition.’

He raised his shoulders in a vague shrug. ‘I was reassigned. Obviously I’m still in Arcane Branch but, given that our assignment together involved the death of an Adeptus Exemptus and we managed to solve the case…’

‘…then,’ I finished for him, ‘your superiors have seen your abilities and granted you an even more prestigious position.’ He nodded while I arched an eyebrow. ‘Are you being groomed for Department Head?’ To be in charge of Arcane Branch was to enjoy heady heights indeed.

Winter tapped his foot. ‘There are many talented witches in Arcane Branch. And it doesn’t look like Magus Phelps is retiring any time soon. I’m still only Second Level, Ivy.’

‘Plenty of Department Heads are Second Level.’

‘Not Arcane Branch.’

I pursed my lips. ‘So you’re looking to move up to Third Level?’ It was the highest any witch could go. I had no doubt that Winter would achieve it sooner or later, regardless of his relatively young age.

‘Are you suggesting that I shouldn’t?’ His tone was cool. ‘Ambition isn’t a disease, you know.’

I held up my hands. ‘Heavens forbid I would think such a thing. I think you’d be a good Department Head, Rafe.’ I used his first name deliberately just to see how he’d react. There was nothing more than a faint flicker in his eyes. ‘And I’m sure your skills are more than up to the task.’ He watched me as if he thought I were somehow taking the piss.

Unsure how we’d reached this point, I half grimaced. ‘Are you sure you don’t want anything to drink?’