“Your thoughts are loud too,” Zeppler said. “You have absolutely no control over them. But you have absolutely no control at all. Imagine holding all the magic that you do in such unskilled hands. It’s like giving a toddler the reins of a stagecoach; you’ll only stampede over everything in your path.”

Rory pursed his lips.

“I don’t need to find out if Becker’s blood magic can handle your magic.” Zeppler nodded to the siphon sitting on the manor’s steps. “Frankly, I hope your magic is the stronger, because I’ll be taking it for myself. You’ll be easy to control then.”

Zeppler looked over at Arthur. “Of course, taking your psychometry will mean Lieutenant Kenzie’s death.”

“What?” Rory whispered, his head snapping toward Arthur.

“Oh, he knows already. Gwen Taylor told him,” said Zeppler. “His contact with the pomander relic has torn his aura. His lifeforce is now held together only by the magic you’ve woven into him. Without it, his aura will disintegrate, and he’ll die.”

Rory’s eyes were wide and grief stricken. And Arthur couldn’t do anything, couldn’t even say I’m so sorry, you deserved to know.

“He never told you,” Zeppler said, with a snort, “because he’s a coward. He simply couldn’t bear to put that pressure on your shoulders. Wanted you to finally have freedom after all those years on your own leash—what sentimental rot. It’s actually fortunate you met me so someone could finally tell you the truth.”

“Go to hell,” Rory bit out.

And Arthur could have sworn he felt a shiver in his aura.

Zeppler’s head jerked Arthur’s way. “You’re imagining things,” he said sharply. “He’s in lead cuffs. His magic can do nothing for you right now.”

“My magic’s never leaving him,” Rory said fiercely, with such bone-deep conviction that Arthur felt it all the way to his chest. “You can try all you want with the siphon clock. You can drain me but my magic’s not budging. His aura saved my mind the night we met, and my magic is his now.” He looked at Arthur. “He can keep it forever.”

Teddy. Arthur couldn’t move, couldn’t speak, couldn’t control his own heartbeat. But his emotions weren’t the Puppeteer’s to control, and his affection for Rory swelled to a dizzying height.

Zeppler’s expression had turned uglier. “We’ll see about that.”

Rory’s mouth snapped shut. And Arthur understood, because Zeppler had closed his eyes and from the horrified look on Rory’s face, Arthur knew Zeppler was digging in his mind.