“So that was you... Forgive me for not recognising you immediately – I’d just been stabbed and my mind was on other things. I got into a little bit of trouble for that, you know. I explained that I was not in control of my actions, but when Thurid Guild took over, he was all set to throw me in a cell for helping a known murderer escape.”

“He didn’t, though.”

“Mr Bliss convinced him I was telling the truth.”

“A good man, that Mr Bliss. Terrible what happened to him.”

Tanith laughed. “You know, the regret in your voice would almost be believable if I hadn’t read your file.”

Moribund smiled sadly. There was something under his arm, something long and wrapped in cloth. “And what did it say, this file?”

“From what I can remember, you started out as just another sorcerer, though probably a humourless one, judging by your name... And then you turned into a sadistic psychopath and killer.”

“That’s all?”

“It was a few years ago. I may have forgotten some details. So what’s a humourless, sadistic psychopath and escaped convict doing working for the English Sanctuary?”

“I don’t work for them,” said Moribund. “I broke in here, the same as you.”

“Why?”

“To help, of course.”

She frowned. “To help me?”

“I owed you a favour. When you released me, I went into hiding. I didn’t hurt anyone, I didn’t kill anyone. Ever so slowly, I started building a new life for myself. It was small and humble, but it was my own.”

“Good for you.”

“And then I heard that a Remnant had bonded with you, and I knew that if ever you needed a favour repaid, it would be now. So I found you. And helped you.”

“You helped me? How, exactly, did you help me?”

“Two men with guns waiting for you in Chicago. Another with a sniper rifle that you never even saw.”

“That was you?”

“And then, while you fought Crab on that beach in Poland, two Sanctuary agents about to call in your position.”

“You’re my guardian angel?”

“I’m no angel. I had avoided the use of violence for the last five years. It has been... distressing how easily I can slip back into my old ways.”

“And now you’re here to get me out, right?”

“Of course.”

Keys rattled in the lock and the door swung wide. He picked another key from the collection in his hand as he came forward, and a moment later, Tanith’s shackles sprang open. While she rubbed her wrists, he unwrapped the bundle of cloth, and handed over her sword in its black scabbard.

“I liberated this on my way here,” he said. “I thought it might hold some sentimental value.”