At this the other members fall silent. Stricklend knows some will find that the idea has appeal. But it is ambitious. And such ambition, at such a time, might cause them to overreach themselves. Might cause them to fail.

“We must decide,” Stricklend tells them. “We cannot let the matter rest any longer. The time is, after so many years of waiting, perfect for us to make our move. The country is in a state of flux with war imminent. The Lazarus Coven have a new and unproven young Head Witch. We have at last succeeded in having our spy infiltrate their number. There will never be a better moment. We must not leave this place until we are agreed upon our course of action, and until we have decided how best it should be executed.”

While the Sentinels stand in silent thought, far below them in the choir stalls young men raise their angelic voices upward, ever upward, so that sublime music drifts aloft to soothe the furrowed brows of those in the Whispering Gallery.

*   *   *

Throughout this time of turmoil and disturbance there is one aspect of my life that brings me such joy, it is as if I am two different people at once. Indeed, that is precisely what I am. I am Morningstar, who must put the coven before all else, and I am Lilith, a girl in love. What conflicting emotions stir me! I do my best to give the impression that nothing unusual disturbs my equilibrium, but in this I am not always successful. Charlotte, certainly, has noticed the difference in me, but then she is, of course, in my confidence where my affection for Bram is concerned. I have had to acknowledge to myself that my feelings for Louis cannot compare with what I now feel for Bram. The thought of causing him pain is dreadful, but I know I cannot continue with our engagement. I cannot marry him. To do so would be dishonest, however much it may be what he and Mama want for me. Now that I know what true love feels like, how one can be transformed by it … I cannot turn away from it. I know I will have to face Louis, to find the right moment to talk to him. It is something I dread doing, and I admit I am relieved he has gone to his country estate in Hampshire for the shooting, so that I have at least a little time to consider how I will try to explain to him … how I will break his heart.