‘Yes, I’ve heard of the Librarian. Sensible, for a human. But how is this linked to the greater problem?’

‘While she was investigating the assassination attempt, she encountered Lord Guantes, a Fae who kidnapped me in the past.’ Kai felt himself flushing at the thought, from both rage and humiliation. ‘She stole this laptop from him, on a high-technology world, which was why I came here. I wanted any useful data it contained. I’m not saying that the Fae assassination attempts are necessarily connected to the plot you suspect, but . . .’ He shrugged and quoted an old maxim. ‘Clamour in the east, then attack in the west.’ A classic stratagem: cause a major distraction and then subtly pursue your goals. The treaty representatives dying, most likely killing the treaty too, would certainly be a major distraction.

‘I will look at this laptop immediately,’ Lord Zhang Yi declared.

Kai tried not to look too triumphant as he placed the laptop on the table. ‘Thank you, Uncle.’

‘It may all be part of a greater conspiracy,’ Lord Zhang Yi said. He leaned forward like a predator about to strike. The room felt arid and sterile, offering no cover from his gaze, no protection from his attention. ‘We must investigate everything. We can trust nothing. Remember that, boy. Nothing. We may be able to use Fae information, but we must never trust it. If the Fae are assembling some great creation, fuelled with their powers of narrative and story, then we must be ready to stand against it – or exploit it.’

‘But you said yourself that some of them believed in the truce, Uncle,’ Kai protested unwisely.

Lord Zhang Yi snorted and drew back – and again, Kai had the impression of a hunting owl, mantling wings and wide furious eyes. ‘You must learn to recognize the difference between philosophy and practical reality. That will come with time. For the moment, you are dismissed – both of you. I should have the information for you tomorrow, Prince Kai.’

As Kai rose to complete the process of polite farewells, an icy thought nibbled at the edges of his mind. The future might demand that both sides changed, if the truce held and they were to build something permanent. How much would the older dragons, like Lord Zhang Yi – or like Kai’s own father – be able to change?

He forced the thought away. The truce had only been in place for a few months. The future was still to be built.

‘If the Fae are trying to develop new technology, do you think their magic will be a problem as well?’ Kai asked. They were walking around the edge of the compound, taking the air together. Shan Yuan had been silent most of the way, brows drawn in thought.

‘Magic? No.’ Shan Yuan seemed relieved to have a question he could answer. ‘That’s too dependent on the structure of the particular world where it operates. It can be dangerous if used by someone skilled in local practices, but it shouldn’t be an issue if this is a conspiracy across multiple worlds. If you’re interested in that area, though, you should talk to one of our lord uncle Ao Qin’s children or grandchildren – they’re the family’s experts.’

‘I’ll bear that in mind.’ Shan Yuan seemed in a far better mood now than earlier. Quite possibly the most pleasant mood that Kai had ever known him to be in – which said a great deal about their relationship. ‘Elder brother, some of what was said at that meeting concerned me.’

Shan Yuan eyed him sidelong, the sunset light burning in his eyes. ‘You’ve impressed me favourably with your behaviour so far. Don’t disappoint me now.’

‘It’s the possibility of technology exchange.’ He decided some honesty might be a good idea. ‘I’m not sure I have the background to fully assess the implications of Fae approaches on that front. Should I worry about this? Ask for additional staff or assistants, perhaps? What if I miss an important clue?’

‘Be worried about the Fae, and chaos, and people trying to kill you,’ Shan Yuan snapped. ‘Don’t get caught up in minor details.’

‘But if any approaches concerning technology come through treaty channels, should I notify Lord Zhang Yi and our father about everything that seems relevant?’

‘As Lord Zhang Yi said, I’ll take care of them,’ his brother said impatiently. ‘Send them to me and I’ll forward anything relevant to our lord father.’

Then Shan Yuan drew to a stop, lowering his voice and catching Kai’s arm. ‘Kai, I have studied here for over seventy years now, and Uncle Zhang Yi is my teacher and master. I have nothing but respect and affection for him. Current times are unstable, and this plot – this possible plot,’ he corrected himself, ‘has disturbed him. Is it any surprise if he wants tighter control over this sort of information? Things will return to normal again soon enough. Just behave yourself and do as you are told.’

If he wants tighter control over this information – or if you do? Kai thought. He trusted his brother absolutely in one respect: Shan Yuan was unfailingly loyal to their father. There was no way he’d betray Ao Guang – as their sister Indigo had done. But that didn’t mean he lacked ambition. He had his own goals. But what if these conflicted with the things Kai cared about?

CHAPTER TWELVE

Night had fallen; the streets of London were full of shadows, and the rooftops even more so. The slates were wet and slippery under Vale’s feet, inviting accidents. The street lamps which burned dimly below were suns, orbited by the night-dwelling citizens of London’s underworld. Some stayed close to the comforting lights to display their wares, or to seek safety. Others kept their distance to avoid exposure.

Vale could feel the heat emanating from the attic window beside him, even though the room’s owner had insulated it with dark cloth and layers of padding. This was confirmation that his information had been correct. He also wasn’t surprised by the multiple locks or the hidden poison needle trap. Those too were entirely in keeping with the person who lived here. Silently, he opened the window and let himself drop through.

He landed with a faint thump – a squelch, even – on the well-watered soil that had been spread across the floor. He’d landed between two rows of hellebore, their five-petalled white flowers facing upwards like stars. The entire attic had been converted into a forcing-house for the owner’s favourite varieties of plants. Ether-lamps blazed from the rafters, keeping the place well lit, and heaters stood along the walls. Like the greenhouses at Kew Gardens, the air was scented with moist greenery – or perhaps tainted might be a more appropriate word, given the type of plants cultivated here.

Vale headed towards the door, taking care not to step on the plants. There was no point in aggravating their owner more than necessary, or destroying future evidence. But as he reached the door it swung open, and the house’s owner faced him.

Her eyes widened in shock and one dainty hand went to her throat. She was in a comfortable-looking hyacinth-blue tea-gown, as might be expected for a woman of her class at home of an evening. A lacy shawl covered her shoulders. Ash-blonde ringlets were caught up in a deceptively simple style, and her round face was the picture of innocent vulnerability. ‘Who are you?’ she gasped. ‘What are you doing here?’

‘My name is Peregrine Vale, madam, as you are perfectly aware,’ Vale said. ‘I advise you against using the pistol under your shawl or the blade in your sleeve. It would be extremely difficult for you to explain my corpse’s presence here – and fatal, if I may choose an appropriate word, to your line of work.’