“Ana,” Malik says, “I want you to meet another master. Gabriel Savage. The real deal. You won’t find a better Pathfinder in the seven realms.”

“The man’s exaggerating,” Gabriel says, looking at me, smiling. “So. This is Ana Moon.”

“You know me?”

“Heard about you. Through various sources. Been looking forward to meeting you.”

“Me?”

He unfurls a finger and points at my waist. “The mighty Ra. You and I, we need to speak. But first, let’s get you settled in. You must be hungry.”

“Bloody starved,” Vidhan says.

—

Other Pathfinders direct their gaze at us as we enter the dining room on the first floor, but after a quick once-over they quickly return to their discussions and their meals. The room is another elegant space, long and narrow. Polished wooden floors. A grandfather clock ticking against the far wall. More portraits and a long table running down the centre of the room decked in a white tablecloth, candlesticks, gleaming cutlery and glasses. I try to look relaxed, like I’m one of them, but I don’t feel like one of them. Gabriel excuses himself and we troop to the table. I mimic Akuji and lay my weapon out horizontally on the wooden ledge on the side wall. We slide into seats and take in the well-stocked table. Bread, lean cuts of meat, potatoes and steamed vegetables. The others don’t waste time.

“How do you get all this stuff?” I ask, picking up a stem of broccoli with a fork. “I mean it’s Armageddon out there. But in here—”

“It’s a Haven,” Malik says, scoffing a slice of ham.

I watch him, waiting for more, but he offers nothing.

“What Malik meant to say,” Vidhan says, piling his plate high, “is that a Haven ain’t subject to the same rules as normal places. Plus, we stockpile food. Gotta love it. Grub and lodging. Rooms are on the second and third floors.” He points to the ceiling with his knife, then across the table. “Pass the salt, will ya?”

I hand him the shaker and watch him scatter salt over his food, then devour everything. To move the way he did in the alley must burn serious calories.

“Vidhan,” I say, leaning in to him. “In the alley, with Graziani. How did you move so fast? I mean, it’s not physically possible.”

He grins wolfishly. “I know, right?”

“It was almost like you were…in two places at the same time.”