She half rose out of the throne, then sat back heavily with a wince as her injuries complained. ‘But you can’t! By your own admission, you are the only one here that can manage a hunt. It will be a long time before I can fly again. House Ruby needs you.’

‘That is why I have to go. I fear we haven’t seen the worst of this yet, and the key to understanding it isn’t here. I will return, I promise.’

‘As you promised to fight with us?’

He bowed his head in apology. ‘I know what this must look like. All I can say is that it’s clear we’re not hunting mindless demons any more. They’ve changed, and if we’re to survive, we have to change too.’ He’d been edging towards the door as he spoke but a thought made his stop. ‘Actually, I have an idea about that. Now we know that they target your people, you can use Ruby hunters as bait to draw the demons into traps of your devising. You can plan ways to keep them safe at the same time as turning the Wild’s new obsession to your advantage.’

‘Yes, I like the sound of this.’ Anuja looked at him, allowing a little of her fatigue and worry to slip free from her painted mask. ‘I ask you a second time, as my friend: stay. At least long enough to eat. We can talk more of these plans and what you experienced out there.’

‘I dearly wish I could, but as your friend I have to go.’

He got one last glimpse of her face as he left, and it was as hard and impenetrable as the walls. ‘So be it.’

Pari kept a wary eye on the suns as they travelled, mindful of the need to get back to Varg, and then Arkav, before her absence was noticed. Despite many lifecycles of dire warnings from the Story-singers and her own personal experience, the forest seemed peaceful, almost pleasant. As far as she could tell, Nidra was the only dangerous thing moving between the trees.

‘Have you had any trouble with demons?’ she asked.

‘No.’

‘None at all?’

‘No.’

‘Perhaps you might elaborate a bit?’

‘There’s not much to say. The demons don’t come to Sorn. Maybe it’s because the Corpseman marked it, maybe it’s because they don’t think I’m worth eating.’ She shrugged. ‘All I know is that it’s been forgotten by them just as easily as it has by the Sapphire.’

‘I haven’t forgotten.’