I hesitate and put my hand on Bram’s arm. “He’s right, Bram. He is a witch—I may have need of his skills. And he will have some protection of his own. But you, my darling, I cannot let you come with us. You would be so vulnerable…”

“I’ve let that bastard kill you once, Lilith, I’m not going to let it happen a second time. Stricklend may ooze all the vile magic he wants, but he’s still flesh and blood, isn’t he? Fortunately the army taught me how to shoot straight. Harcourt, have you a gun?”

“I keep my shotguns in the country, but I do have one rifle and a pistol in my house here in London.”

“Then we will fetch them on our way. Come on.”

He takes my hand and we run down the stairs. Louis has brought no driver but gets behind the wheel himself, and soon the engine of the motorcar is running. It is pointless my resisting the plan, as I can see the men have made up their minds to help me. If Bram is to stand beside me, I must at least allow him to arm himself. In truth, I know I may very well have need of their help. I have scarcely had time to adjust to my new … condition. Druscilla told me there is no magic more powerful than that of a risen witch, but how do I know what I am capable of? How long might it take me to master my new gifts or talents? One way or another, Stricklend must be stopped.

Chapter 28

28.

We tear along the embankment of the Thames and then head north, halting as briefly as possible at Clifton Villas to collect the weapons. As Louis drives on I watch Bram load bullets into the guns and test the sights of the rifle, and I marvel at how our lives have shaped us and brought us together for this moment. I am acutely aware that I am altered in so many ways. While my mind struggles to come to terms with the truth of what I now am, my body seems quicker to make the necessary adjustments. My senses continue to heighten, so that I am all but overwhelmed by the myriad sounds I can hear, the smells I can detect—not least the sourness of the nighttime river—as well as minuscule reactions to the air upon my skin, or Bram’s touch as he holds my hand. And my other sense, my witch’s sensitivity to magic, has increased to become the greater part of me. Magic sings through my veins and electrifies my fingertips. Will I be able to govern it? To wield it as I need to? This night we will all three of us be tested to the very limits of our various abilities.