Moribund nodded to her. “Tanith Low, when a sorcerer’s power is bound, it doesn’t disappear – it just becomes inaccessible. But there are faint dregs of magic that are still available to us. Too weak on their own, when combined with others, they can perform one single task – instil a simple command into an unsuspecting mind. Injured as you are, you were the perfect candidate. You are not to blame for releasing me, Tanith.”

“I can’t let you go. You’re a... you’re a killer like them...”

Moribund glanced back at the screaming prisoners. “I was worse,” he said. “Once upon a time, I was the most evil person in this room. But I’m not that man any more. I’ve changed. I don’t expect you to believe me. In your place, I wouldn’t. But it’s true, and now I have several lifetimes’ worth of evil to make up for. Starting today.”

He moved her, propping her up against the wall, alleviating the pain slightly. “I will send word once I’m clear of the Sanctuary,” he said. “If no one has found you by then, I’ll get a doctor to you. You’re going to live, Tanith Low.”

“And what’s to stop them from... getting me to open another cage?”

“It won’t work if you’re aware of what’s happening.” He stood up. “I have to go.”

“I will find you,” she said.

He smiled down at her. “No, you won’t. But I’ll find you. I owe you a favour, and I pay my debts.”

22

ane and O’Callahan returned the Gulfstream V jet to the hangar from which they’d taken it, as good as new, if you didn’t count the bullet holes and rocket damage. Vex borrowed a car without asking and they drove into the City of London, and as morning broke a doctor named Brennock poked at Vex’s leg with a pen. “You’ve been shot,” he said.

Vex nodded. “I can see we’ve come to the right person.”

“You only said she was shot,” Brennock continued, nodding to Aurora as she sat on the bed. “You said one person with a bullet wound, not two. Definitely not two. You didn’t say you’d been shot. This is very, very unprofessional. I have half a mind to walk out of here and leave you to your injury.”

“You fixed Aurora,” said Vex.

“Yes, he did,” Aurora said, tapping her side. “Stings a bit, but otherwise good as new.”

“She was lucky,” said Brennock. “It passed right through without hitting any vital organs.”

“Did any of my vital organs get hit?” Vex asked. Then, “Do legs have any vital organs?”

Brennock folded his arms. “You didn’t tell me there were two people who needed my help.”

“I thought that might have put you off. I know how reluctant you can be to leave your house.”