He inclined his head. “I do my best,” he replied, his voice even. “There’s a thin line between demonstrating patriotism to our country and taking the opportunities we receive from our clients. I simply continue to make sure neither goes to waste.”
Her expression didn’t change, though one brow lifted ever so slightly. “How fortunate that you have the discernment to know how to play the part for MI5, while knowing where your true loyalties pay better dividends.”
Beatrice’s fingers tapped once against the top of her stick. “And that, Major, is why I value your company. You understand the uses of shadow.”
He bowed his head slightly, the gesture half mocking, half respectful. “And you, my lady, cast a very fine one.”
A smile curved her lips, small and sharp, not seeming at all offended at his reference to her Aetheric Arts abilities. “Flattery, Major Ellison, will get you everywhere. Once I’m gone, you will take my place as the leader of our group. Now then, let us speakplainly. What news do you bring me from our friends at the university?”
Arthur straightened, his mind going into report mode. “Not good, my lady. I met with Reginald this morning—he’s secured himself a rather advantageous position there. Close enough to the action to be useful, yet with enough freedom to keep an eye on things.”
Arthur sipped from his own teacup. “Unfortunately, our client won’t be pleased,” he said, setting down the cup with a tiny clink. “Ray Kingsley was eliminated, as you know. However, his notes remain missing; our sources insist he entrusted them to Professor Cole. The attempt on her life failed—our asset couldn’t search her bag, as he was chased off by another Aetherian, and her desk was clear.”
Her ladyship’s jaw tightened. “Yes, I know all of this,” she said impatiently.
“There’s more. Another attack was made on her—one not sanctioned by us. Professor Cole was trapped in the university swimming pool beneath a layer of ice, though she survived.”
For the first time that afternoon, something like surprise blinked across Beatrice’s features. “Do we know who was responsible?”
Arthur shook his head. “We’re still working on it. You don’t suppose other Aetherians have been hired alongside us, do you?”
“No, I don’t.” Beatrice folded her hands in her lap and considered the rug as if weighing the world in its weave. “I think I may have had a change of heart,” she said at last, voice soft as a threat. “From everything I’ve learned about Isla Cole, I would rather approach this differently. Before we try to eliminate heragain, and before someone else gets to her, I think we should attempt to recruit her.”
Arthur’s surprise was frank. “You honestly believe she would join us after we tried to kill her?”
“From what I hear, she’s exceptionally bright,” Beatrice replied, a faint smile playing at one corner of her mouth. “And now that her elemental gifts have awakened, she could be, well, useful. It would do us well to have more women of talent in our ranks. Plus, we can blame both attempts on her life to this unknown stranger. She needn’t know it was us who tried to kill her first.”
“It’s a tall order.” He let the words fall into the warm room.
“Do not fret,” she said, amusement threading through the calm. “With Reginald’s manipulation skills and Hargreaves’s—well, with his particular talents, I think it may be feasible. Her history, her desperate need for belonging ... those threads are easy enough to pull on.”
“Even if you employ illegal methods to bend her,” Arthur stated, “she bears the mark of the Fated. Do you truly think she will give that up?”
“There is a window of opportunity here,” Beatrice replied, eyes distant for a moment. “We need to strike before she discovers any ... fanciful attachments. If she refuses to join us, then Hargreaves may search her memories before we dispose of her. She will hopefully reveal the location of Ray’s notes under pressure. If that is the case, then our client will be satisfied and the health of the nation will remain under their control—of course, they need not know we tried to recruit her.”
Arthur again inclined his head. “Very well. I will arrange for her to be acquired.”
Beatrice’s smile was small and perfectly polite as she lifted her cup once more. “Very good, Major. Proceed—quietly, and with discretion.” She tapped the saucer with the tip of her finger, the sound softer than the click of a pistol but just as threatening. “Capital.”
Chapter Thirteen
October 30th
Harold’s office was dominated by shelves that climbed the walls from floor to ceiling, sagging slightly under the weight of leather-bound tomes, journals, and the occasional curious artifact—a mounted beetle, a globe with faded markings, a crystal prism catching the light from the tall windows.
The windows overlooked the quadrangle with its skeletal outlines of bare trees and cobbled paths slick from the autumn rain. Faded curtains hung open, allowing the pale October light to spill in. A small fire crackled in the stone hearth, the scent of burning coal mingling with the musk of books and wood.
A battered Persian rug covered the center of the floor, fraying at the edges, its muted reds and blues softening the hard wooden boards beneath. Two armchairs, well-worn and inviting, faced a massive mahogany desk cluttered with papers and a scattering of brass instruments whose purpose Isla could only guess at. Behind the desk, the vice chancellor sat in a high-backed chair, the leather dark and polished, its arms smoothed by years of use.
Harold’s eyes were studying her as she tried not to squirm like a child. “I’m sorry, Isla. Though I know those words are poor compensation for what you’ve been through.”
Isla hesitated, unsure how to respond. It wasn’t his fault, yet the weight of recent events pressed heavily on her. Finally, shemanaged a small measured nod. “I ... appreciate your words, sir. It doesn’t make what happened any easier, but it’s ... nice to know I’m not alone in all this.”
His eyes always seemed to see more than she wanted as she spoke that last part. Could he sense her emotions now ... or could she block them?
“You are absolutely not alone in this,” he said gently. “Edmund, Juliette, and Andrew have already informed me they intend to watch over you round the clock. I offered to expand the rota, but Edmund felt it best to keep the number limited. He and I are continuing our investigation, though as you know, the university must carry on as normal.”
He frowned slightly. She could tell he was torn between wanting to keep her safe and wanting to continue the work they did here, which in time, would aid the war effort.
