“When you rescue her, what are you going to say?”

Sothe met his gaze, hesitated for a moment, then looked away. Marcus frowned and shook his head.

“Look,” he said. “It’s obvious you’re not . . . comfortable with me. I’m not going to ask why. Just don’t let the fact that it’s me asking make you do something you’re going to regret.”

“I have done quite a few things I regret,” Sothe said very quietly. She closed her eyes and was silent for a long moment. “But I suspect you are right. It will take time to organize transport for Raesinia with the city in chaos. She would want me to help you.”

“If we pull this off, Janus will have a clear shot at the Island, and we’ll be able to link up with him. That ought to make getting Raesinia back a lot easier.”

Sothe nodded. “I will do my best. I must tell you, though, that I am not confident of the outcome if I must face another Penitent. My last encounter with one of their kind was . . . difficult.”

“You think she’ll see you coming?” Marcus said.

“When it comes to these Penitent Damned, there is a great deal we don’t understand. You said the last time you faced this woman, she was able to deflect pistol balls?”

“More like melt them, but yes.”

“That would be impossible if it required her conscious intervention. Perhaps the demon acts for her. Perhaps she can see the shots before they happen. The man I fought could read my intentions before I acted.”

“It’s a possibility,” Marcus admitted. “But we have to try. That’s why we have backup plans.”

“Make sure they are ready.” Sothe picked up Lieutenant Uhlan’s rifle and began inspecting it minutely. “I will be waiting.”

Marcus left her on the balcony of Mrs. Felda’s church and descended to the main floor. The place felt cavernous and empty after so many nights of crowded floors and crowds. The refugees had mostly departed for the new hideouts in Oldtown, out of the direct path of the fighting and protected, hopefully, by Smiling Jack’s cutthroats. Marcus had sent Mrs. Felda and her family with them, along with Cora. The girl had been oddly undisturbed by the news of Raesinia’s capture, accepting Marcus’ assurance that her friend would be all right with blithe optimism. It’s almost as if she knows the truth. I wonder if she’s worked it out?