“It’s not over yet, is it?” Eloïse said finally.
“No.” Evander saw no point in softening the truth. “We dealt our enemy a blow, but the man behind it all remains at large. And he now possesses half of a text that contains knowledge better left buried.”
“What will you do?”
“Continue the fight.” Evander’s jaw tightened. “Whatever it takes. However long it takes.”
Eloïse studied him for a long moment. “If you ever need assistance—resources, information, allies—you have only to ask. What you’ve done for Lina—” She paused and took a shuddering breath. “I will never forget it.”
“Thank you, Your Highness.”
“Eloïse,” she corrected with a ghost of a smile. “I think we’re well past formalities, Duke Ravenwood.”
“Evander,” he offered in return.
Her smile warmed. “Evander. I wish you safe travels tomorrow. And be careful. Something tells me the worst is yet to come.”
CHAPTER 44
Paris wasgrey and cold when they arrived, the City of Light subdued under a blanket of winter clouds.
Leon met them at the station, his handsome face splitting into a warm smile when he spotted their party spilling out of the train.
“Mon ami!” The Frenchman pulled Evander into an embrace that lasted perhaps a moment longer than strictly necessary. “You look terrible.”
“Thank you for that assessment,” Evander said drily.
“I speak only the truth.” Leon’s grey eyes sparkled with familiar mischief, though concern lurked beneath the surface. “I received your briefing. You certainly know how to keep things interesting.”
Viggo made a sound that might have been a growl beside them.
Leon’s smile widened to a grin. “Ah, Mr. Stonewall. Still as cheerful as ever, I see.”
“Leon,” Evander interjected before Viggo could respond. “We don’t have much time. Our train to Calais leaves in two hours. Is there somewhere we can speak privately?”
The levity drained from Leon’s expression. “Of course. I already arranged a room at a café nearby. Come.”
They left the others in the station waiting room and followed Leon through the winding streets of the 10th arrondissement. The café he led them to was small and unremarkable from the outside, but the private room he’d secured on the upper floor was warm and well-appointed, with a fire crackling in the hearth and a fresh pot of coffee on the table.
“Commander Rousseau sends his regards,” Leon said as they settled into chairs. “He’s been following your investigation with great interest. The French government is understandably concerned about the implications of what you’ve uncovered.”
“As they should be.” Evander accepted the cup of coffee his friend poured him. “Has there been any more dark magic activity in Paris since we left? What about those shipping manifests?”
Leon’s expression grew troubled. “There have been incidents. Nothing on the scale of what you encountered, but enough to suggest ‘I’’s network is larger than we feared: a disappearance in Lyon, strange disturbances in Marseille bearing the mark of dark magic, rumours of shadow creatures in the countryside.” He ran a hand through his blond hair. “We’re still investigating the shipping manifests. And Brassard and his men don’t know we’ve been tailing them.”
Evander lowered his brows. Yet again, it felt like they were one step behind their enemy.
“Rousseau has authorised additional resources for our investigation,” Leon continued. “And we are continuing to liaise with the relevant authorities across Europe.”
Evander put his half-finished drink down and drummed his fingers on the table. “We have half the main body of the Codex now. Once we’ve had time to study it, we may find information that leads us to their ultimate goal.”
A heavy silence fell over the room.
“Before I forget, there’s something else.” Leon reached into his coat and withdrew a folded letter. “This arrived for you yesterday, via diplomatic pouch from London. It’s marked urgent.”
Evander took the letter and frowned at the familiar seal of the Metropolitan Police. He broke it open and scanned the contents. His jaw tightened.
“Winterbourne. He wants a full debrief as soon as we return. The Ministry is eager to hear our report.”
