“The siphon takes paranormal blood to unlock, from three paranormals,” Zeppler said aloud, eyes still closed. “To make a new relic requires a fresh death, but we already have Mr. Chance’s corpse. We’ll need gold flakes; check inside the manor. I can see in Giovacchini’s mind how the hands must be set. Bring him to the steps.”

The henchmen scattered to obey. Zeppler beckoned with one finger, and Arthur could only watch, helpless, as Rory was frog-marched up to the manor’s steps.

The siphon clock glittered, gold on gray stone.

The guards shoved Rory to his knees as Becker knelt alongside him, knife in hand. Zeppler bent, holding out his ungloved hand to Becker, who made the tiniest of cuts with an unsettling delicacy.

Zeppler moved the solar ecliptic hand to Leo, then shook out his finger. “Of course I trust Becker with my blood,” he said dryly, giving Arthur an unimpressed look. “I hear his every thought. He is my most loyal. My favorite. And I will use his blood and Mr. Giovacchini’s on the siphon as well.”

Becker was using his own bloody finger to move the siphon clock’s moon hand. He set it to Taurus, then looked at Zeppler.

Zeppler cocked his head, as if listening. “I suppose that is true,” he finally said out loud, to Becker. “We will have to take off Mr. Giovacchini’s lead cuffs to drain his magic.”

Arthur saw Rory take a breath.

Then Zeppler went very still. He looked at Rory, eyes narrowed. “Impossible. Lead stops all magic.”

Rory paled.

“Why are you bothering to hide your thoughts? You’re practically screaming,” said Zeppler. “Gwen can’t be right. There is no way you can get control of your ring even if we take you out of those cuffs.” He held up the box. “Because the ring itself is sealed tight in lead.”

Rory stared very hard at the steps. Arthur could almost see him fighting—and failing—not to think.

Zeppler paused again. “Look at me,” he suddenly said, much more harshly.

One of the henchmen jammed his gun under Rory’s chin and forced it up. Rory glared at Zeppler with deep hatred.

Zeppler stared at him. “You genuinely believe you can do that with the wind?”

“After what you and your lackeys have done to Ace?” Rory said darkly. “Try me.”

Zeppler’s expression had the first shades of uncertainty Arthur had seen all night. His eyes tracked down to the tiny ring box in his gloved hand.