Outside, bombs continue to fall. Even down here the walls shake as nearby buildings are burst apart. “I could never have imagined,” I go on, “that you, a senior witch of the Lazarus Coven, would betray us, would break your vows, would hand over the Elixir to such a vile and dangerous creature. For what, Lord Harcourt? What has he promised you? What did he have to offer you that persuaded you to trade your own soul?”

The earl’s face darkens. “Do not presume to judge me, Lilith Montgomery.”

“I do presume! Any Lazarus witch would judge you likewise. You are a traitor!”

“You are not so blameless, Morningstar! You were ready to break your vows to save your worthless wretch of a brother!”

“I broke no vows to save my brother! As Head Witch I alone am permitted to use the Elixir. I did so out of love. And I paid a high price for what I did. You would give away our most treasured possession, sell it to a man who would use it for spirits alone know what dreadful purposes.”

“Who is to say they are dreadful? Why should we be the ones who decide who should use the greatest of all the necromancer’s tools? Why not him?”

“You make a poor argument to justify your actions, my lord.”

“But you have no answer for it! Why is our refusal to use the Elixir the right and only way? You yourself saw that it might not be. You yourself, Lady Lilith. Are you so different?”

“From that monster? The man who had Freddie killed? I most certainly am! And what is more, I did not divulge the Great Secret. That remains safe with me, and was safe even as I used Infernal Necromancy to raise my brother from the Land of Night.” I stop, for we have both come to the silent question that now drowns out all other sounds. “Tell me, Lord Harcourt, how do you intend obtaining the Great Secret from me? I see you are alone. Do you plan to torture me, perhaps? Do you think my father did not teach me how to use travel with the spirits to avoid the torment of pain? Do you think to frighten me like a young girl, spooked by stories of horror? There is no one dear to me you can threaten here now. My mother is far away and well protected. Freddie is gone. Even…”

“Even…?”

I know in this instant that he has been informed of my feelings for Bram, and find myself in the unlikely position of being thankful that Bram is at this moment somewhere on the other side of the world, and being tended by doctors and no doubt guarded by fellow soldiers.