The Masked City

Vale stalked over to put his hands on Silver’s desk, leaning forward sharply, like a hound coming to point. ‘I suggest that you deliberately intended to involve me in this matter. The note was to alert me that something was amiss about Strongrock’s absence. You have deliberately schemed to bring me and Winters here - to you in particular - as the next step in our investigation. The question is why. Is this some perverse game between you and the Guantes?’

‘Partly,’ Silver allowed. He put down his glass on the desk with a click - Irene thought she saw a twitch pass across Johnson’s face as the glass touched the bare mahogany - and leaned forward, his eyes suddenly alert. ‘I’m glad to see you justifying your reputation, detective.’

‘And did you set your minions on Winters here as well, to involve us further?’ Vale demanded.

‘That would be overdoing matters,’ Silver said. ‘Lady Guantes set the minions on Miss Winters here. Lord Guantes … has already left this sphere.’

Confirmation at last. ‘And he took Kai with him,’ Irene murmured from the shadows.

‘Miss Winters is correct,’ Silver said, still gazing at Vale. ‘Lord Guantes has taken the dragon with him. By now they are beyond your reach.’

‘You underestimate my reach,’ Vale said.

‘Your influence may hold in the East End of London, detective, but not beyond this sphere.’

‘His may not,’ Irene said, stepping forward, ‘but is Lord Guantes prepared to answer to Kai’s father?’

‘An interesting question,’ Silver agreed amiably. ‘Lord Guantes’ actions are his own, after all. I am sure that if his misdemeanour could be proven, he and his beloved wife must admit responsibility.’ There was a muted undertone of pleasure to his words, the almost gloating pleasure of watching an opponent - or a pawn, Irene reflected - move to a weakened position.

‘You are the Ambassador,’ Vale stated. ‘You have authority over him.’

‘One that he disputes. And in any case, he is not here.’

‘Then where is he?’ Irene asked. ‘In what sphere?’

‘Elsewhere,’ Silver said. ‘Venice. Well, an alternate Venice, in a sphere of masks and illusions. The name of the world would mean nothing to you. It’s far beyond your ambit.’

‘And,’ Irene said, feeling her way, ‘no doubt this would be towards the more - well, chaotic end of the universe?’

‘Indeed,’ Silver said. ‘For one of the great dragons to venture there would be an act of war.’

Vale drew in his breath sharply. ‘Surely you exaggerate. If Mr Strongrock was taken there against his will—’

‘Irrelevant.’ Silver rose to his feet, as tall as Vale. The light seemed to centre itself around the two of them, drawing the eye. ‘But even if it is true, it doesn’t matter. And his family will know that.’

Vale cast an apologetic look at Irene, and she returned a brusque nod. Yes, I did try to tell you. And here’s your proof - if you can’t take my word for it.

Irene ignored the trick of the light: it was just one more show of Silver’s glamour. ‘To business, Lord Silver. You have said that the great dragons cannot interfere there. You have implied you won’t intervene yourself. However, you have deliberately drawn our attention to Kai’s situation, and made us fully aware of what is taking place.’ She could hear the ring of certainty in her voice. ‘You want us to go, don’t you?’

Silver’s mouth curled up at the edges, into a smile as sweet as ice-wine and as sharp as vodka. ‘Why yes, Miss Winters, my dear little Librarian. That is precisely what I want you to do.’

‘Her?’ Vale demanded. He’d caught the emphasis in Silver’s voice, just as Irene had.

‘You cannot go, detective,’ Silver said dismissively. ‘The chaos of that sphere would be too strong for you. You could not endure its power. But the lady is sealed to her Library. Her nature would be unaffected.’

‘Let her go alone?’ Vale said, at the same moment that Irene said, ‘You can take me there?’

‘Precisely,’ Silver agreed. He smiled, stepping back from the desk to stretch. Irene could see the lines of his body through his shirt and had to suppress the sudden treacherous warmth in her own veins. The feelings he provoked were lies. And so were the ease and certainty of his smile. There was something hurried behind it, something uncertain and panicked.

‘I would be less inclined to trust you, were you not so obviously driven by desperation,’ Irene said softly.

Silver froze, dropping his arms to his sides. ‘You are mistaken,’ he said icily.

‘Hardly. The great dragons cannot reach the world where Lord Guantes has taken refuge. However, they can come here, and will take great offence at one of their children going missing.’ Irene paid out the words like the strokes of a clock in the silent room. ‘Perhaps his family wouldn’t cause a war by destroying this other Venice, but what would they do to this world, the seat of your power?’

The colour had drained from Silver’s cheeks. ‘You are merely guessing,’ he said without conviction.

‘I don’t need to guess,’ Irene said calmly. ‘I’ve spoken to his family. I know.’

‘This world means nothing to me!’ Silver snarled, but Irene wasn’t convinced.

‘And what about Lord Guantes? Does he matter - Lord Argent?’