“One last thing. I’m aware of your interest at the library surrounding anything related to harnessing, especially with regards to theories of memory. No good can come of it, Apprentice Haywood. Memory loss is a natural part of the process. It’s the way it is, and this is the important part; it is the way it must be. Can you imagine the chaos to society if the personifates could remember? Imagine the demand from people seeking their lost loved ones?” Master Woolstenbury sat back in her chair. “We are lucky with our current Governor and Sovereign Chancellery, but if events were different and the personifates went to the highest bidder, it could become extremely problematic. Imagine if there were personifates with memories who had vendettas on the living?”

Silence hung for a moment.

“The sooner you learn all this the better for you.”

Prue nodded.

“How do you feel?”

“Much better, thank you.”

Master Woolstenbury stood up. Their conversation was over. Prue walked to the door.

“Focus on your given tasks, Apprentice Haywood. Do I make myself clear?”

“Yes, Master Woolstenbury.”

Prue was sure Master Woolstenbury meant well, but there was no way she would ever stop trying to get to Francis. She would just have to be more careful.

“If you could escort Apprentice Haywood back, please, Zareen, just in case she has any further dizzy spells.”

Prue and Zareen left the factorium and headed across to the transport hut. It felt exhilarating to walk beside a creature which in the wild would have made her run for the hills. Prue’s skin prickled with the thrill of it, and she couldn’t help but keep glancing down.

“You know that she might not be completely right,” said Zareen.

Prue looked at her curiously. “What do you mean?”

“Don’t get me wrong, Hannah Woolstenbury is a genius, and there is no other first lifer I respect and esteem more, but…” She paused in her steps and glanced up at Prue. “Hannah Woolstenbury started all this, but it will be up to others to carry it on. Who knows, perhaps there are new things to come, things that need to be discovered by others.”

Prue smiled.

Zareen escorted Prue back to the parlour, where Edwin and Agapantha were waiting, then said goodbye. A fire was smouldering in the hearth and there was a homely glow to the room.

“Are you all right?” Edwin said.

“Of course,” she said, shrugging it off. “Must’ve been something I ate.”

“Lavender said we could stay up until you came back,” said Agapantha.

“Honestly, I’m totally fine. We should all go to bed now.”

*