Drusher looked over at Voriet.

‘She was one of them, sir,’ Drusher said. ‘A Cognitae spy in your midst. She was the one who sicced that thing on us in Helter fortress.’

‘I can’t believe it…’ Macks whispered, rocking back in amazement.

Voriet was clearly shaken by the idea.

‘Audla?’ he whispered, uncomprehending.

‘She was Cognitae,’ said Drusher.

‘But she… We trusted her,’ said Voriet.

‘Trust seems to be a real issue with you people,’ said Drusher. ‘Anyway, she’s gone now. Eisenhorn… He dealt with her.’

‘Eisenhorn’s alive?’ asked Voriet.

‘Yes.’

‘Why isn’t he with you?’ asked Macks.

‘He had better things to do,’ said Drusher. He ran his fingers along the door edge again.

‘What do you mean?’ she asked.

Drusher glanced at Voriet.

‘Priorities. Isn’t that right, interrogator?’ Drusher asked. ‘Stopping Sark, stopping all of this, it’s what matters to him. We’re all expendable.’

‘Screw him,’ snapped Macks.

‘It’s unfortunate,’ said Voriet. ‘But I understand. This heresy must be brought to an end. We are of less consequence.’

‘Ah yes,’ said Drusher sarcastically. ‘Duty.’

‘We are sworn to our duty, sir,’ said Voriet.

‘Even renegades and rogues?’ asked Drusher. ‘I know all about him, Voriet. And he knows all about you.’

‘What do you mean, magos?’ asked Voriet.

‘That you joined his rogue band to watch him. That you affect sympathy to his cause, yet all the while you operate at the bidding of your ordo masters. He’s suspected you from the start.’

‘That’s not true,’ said Voriet.

‘By all means, deny it, Voriet. It’s probably safer. But he knows what you are. And he keeps you close because he hopes you will learn and see for yourself the legitimacy of his work. And vouch for him to your masters.’

‘You’re talking rubbish,’ growled Voriet.

‘Look where you are, Voriet,’ said Drusher. ‘In a cage, in a Cognitae stronghold in… What’s the word? Extimate space. The Immaterium Loom hums, sir, making weapons called graels to form an army that the Cognitae’s King in Yellow will unleash against Terra. Look at the evidence, and tell me this is not a battle that the Holy Ordos should be fighting. They should listen to Eisenhorn. They should help him, support him. Not declare him a heretic.’

Voriet didn’t reply.

‘Where are you getting this from, Valentin?’ Macks asked, wide-eyed.

Drusher shrugged.

‘From the lips of Eisenhorn himself,’ he replied. ‘And from the mouth of the traitor Jaff. But it doesn’t matter, Germaine. It’s not business for ordinary people like you and me. It is way above us. It’s part of a greater, darker cosmos that we are barely aware of in our day-to-day lives. So, I’m just going to get you out of here, and then we can go somewhere far away and forget all about it.’

‘How?’ she asked.

‘How what?’