didn’t want attention drawn to it. I didn’t want questions asked. I didn’t want opposition mounted. I asked of you impossible things, Aloysius, and what did you say?”
He swallowed. “I … I said I could deliver.”
“That’s right,” said China. “You did.”
“I will redouble my efforts.”
She pinned him with a look. “It troubles me that your efforts can be redoubled.”
Vespers shifted in his seat. “I … I only meant that a lot of my time is taken up with leading my own Council. But I will, of course, prioritise the matter from this point on.”
China kept her eyes on him until he started to wilt, then turned to the American. “Grand Mage Praetor, how are you faring with President Flanery?”
Gavin Praetor, a trim man with a distinctly feline quality to his movements, inclined his head slightly. “He is a boorish man. Arrogant. Narcissistic. Greedy for money and power. A thug in an expensive suit is how he’s being described by certain political commentators. In short, easily controlled and perfect for our needs.”
“So long as he gets his second term in the White House,” said China.
Praetor nodded. “I don’t think we have much to worry about, not with the changes he’s made to the election process. The Democrats can’t even settle on a candidate to run against him. Every senator, governor or mayor to put their name in the hat takes it out a few weeks later, their reputation in tatters. The media is wondering how Flanery finds out all their secrets.”
“So the rumours are true?”
“It would appear so,” said Praetor. “We don’t know who, yet, but we believe that Flanery has had a sorcerer of some description working for him since before he ran for office. In the past, he’s been able to push bills through Congress that ordinarily wouldn’t stand a chance. His opponents fall before him. Minds are being read, influenced – if not outright controlled.”
“We need to keep an eye on this,” China said. “So long as we have him on a leash, he’s useful. If he manages to slip that leash, he’s dangerous. I want this sorcerer named.”
“Of course, Supreme Mage.”
“Grand Mage Drang, you mentioned that something was troubling you?”
“Coldheart Prison,” said the German Grand Mage, the light catching the single scar that ran from the corner of his eye to the hinge of his jaw. “They have failed to check in.”
“So? They’ve missed reporting in before. It all depends where they are in the world and even what the weather is like.”
“With respect, Supreme Mage, I do not think it is that simple in this instance. The last of the safeguards have been removed only last week. For the first time, the prison is vulnerable.”
She sighed. “We’re all quite aware of your objections to the change in the prison’s status, Grand Mage. We’ve had this debate.”
Sturmun Drang raised an eyebrow fractionally. “There was no debate, Supreme Mage. You decided to take sole control of an international prison. You decided to systematically remove the multiple safeguards that nine separate Sanctuaries contributed to make Coldheart absolutely impenetrable.”
“It is still impenetrable.”
“No, Supreme Mage. Without the international safeguards, the prison’s defences have been halved.”
“Temporarily. New safeguards – better safeguards – are being implemented as we speak.”
“And for those three days, until those safeguards are online, the prison is vulnerable. And it has gone missing.”
China regarded him calmly. “I will have my people look into it. I’m sure it’s nothing.”
“I hope you are right,” said Drang. “Otherwise three hundred and twenty-six highly dangerous sorcerers may be on the loose, and we are not doing anything about it.”
She looked at Vespers and Praetor. They smiled back, the way people do when they’re nervous and unsure and want to calm the waters after a disagreement. China felt no such urge to smile. That was the luxury that absolute power afforded her. “I believe you have someone waiting to meet me,” she said.
Vespers stood. “Indeed we do, Supreme Mage. Our apologies for the delays you’ve endured.” Walking quickly, he left the room, the door closing slowly behind him.
China noted the way Drang sighed. He had no time for religion, and even less for religious leaders.
The door burst open.
A large man strode in, dressed in frayed trousers and an old, stained shirt. He was muscled, his head shaven, and reminded China of her brother. This took her by surprise. The last time she’d seen this man he’d had long hair and a filthy beard. His eyes, though, glittered just as brightly as they had that day, decades ago.
Like her brother, Creed’s strides were long, and Vespers had to hurry to keep up.
“Supreme Mage,” said Praetor, “may we present Arch-Canon Damocles Creed.”
Creed stopped before her and bowed quickly.
She bowed in return. “Arch-Canon, so very good to see you again. My sincerest congratulations on your appointment.”
“If the gods will it, I obey,” Creed said. He’d lost his accent since the last time they’d spoken, and his voice was rougher, like he hadn’t used it in a long, long time. “Although Eliza Scorn could not have been happy with your ruling.”
China nodded sadly. “Unfortunately, I just couldn’t allow the Church of the Faceless to be led by someone as flawed as Eliza. In too many instances, she has allowed her personal agenda to interfere with the teachings of the religion I once held so dear to my own heart. If the Church truly is to flourish, then I, and the Grand Mages here with us, firmly believe that it can do so only under the leadership of a new Arch-Canon.”
“I have no love for Eliza Scorn,” Creed said, “but it’s as if she didn’t have any choice but to step aside.”
“I’m sure she understands, wherever she is. And her decision to leave meant that construction could be completed on the Dark Cathedral. Isn’t it a marvel?”
“Its magnificence is only surpassed by the opulence of the High Sanctuary.”
“We live in more enlightened times,” China said. “Our people can worship who, what and how they want to worship, so long as they do so in peace, and obey our laws.”
“A faithful people will always obey the laws of a faithful society,” said Creed.
China smiled. “Quite.”
“Supreme Mage, you must excuse me. I have travelled far, and I am tired, and there are already a hundred people standing at the steps of the Cathedral, waiting for guidance.”
“Of course,” said China. “Your
