The Circle (Hammer) - By Elfgren, Sara B.,Strandberg, Mats Page 0,118

I’m not sure that’s what we’re looking for. I stumbled on some references to a kind of sister phenomenon known as bilocation. It appears throughout the world. There are references to it in early Greek philosophy, Hinduism, Buddhism, shamanism, Jewish mysticism—’

‘So what is it?’ Vanessa asks impatiently.

‘It’s the ability to be in two places at the same time,’ Minoo says. ‘You create a double that can gather information while you’re somewhere else. I haven’t really understood if the double has a will and intelligence of its own, or whether it’s sort of on remote control. But that’s the best explanation I’ve been able to find.’

‘So only one of the Gustafs we saw was the real Gustaf,’ Vanessa says. ‘What was your Gustaf like?’

‘There was definitely something wrong with him,’ Minoo says. ‘You must have been following the original.’

‘It must have been the double that killed Rebecka,’ Anna-Karin says. ‘Because it sort of wasn’t him.’

The urge returns to rinse her mouth out with chlorine. There’s no doubt any more. The Gustaf Minoo saw, the one who kissed her, was the same Gustaf who had killed Rebecka.

‘That makes sense,’ Linnéa says, deep in thought. ‘If Gustaf is such a thoroughly nice guy, like you say, he’d never be able to murder someone. Why not create a double to do your dirty work for you?’

Minoo feels her ears heat. Why did Gustaf kiss her?

‘Minoo,’ Linnéa says, ‘you heard two voices when he was trying to kill you. Could Gustaf and his double have been talking to each other?’

‘One wanted to kill you and the other didn’t,’ says Anna-Karin, thoughtfully.

‘That would mean the double has a will of its own,’ Vanessa points out.

Everyone falls silent for a moment.

‘So Gustaf isn’t dangerous. His double is,’ Anna-Karin says.

‘The double that he created,’ Linnéa says. ‘So he’s definitely not innocent.’

‘How do we know he created it?’ Anna-Karin asks. ‘I mean, maybe it came into existence on its own.’

‘The only one of us who can find out any more about how this works is Ida,’ Minoo says, and hears resentment in her voice.

‘All right, I’ll give it another try,’ Ida says. ‘But what do you think the principal would say about Vanessa stalking G all day?’

‘You can ask her,’ a familiar voice responds.

In a perfectly synchronised movement, everyone turns to see her walking towards the dance pavilion, her long black coat sweeping across the snow.

Cat hisses viciously at her raven, which caws as it glides through the air and alights on the railing of the dance floor.

‘I tried to tell them!’ Ida shouts. ‘You heard that, didn’t you?’

‘I’m disappointed in you,’ the principal says, ignoring Ida. She glares accusingly at Minoo. ‘Especially you. Didn’t I expressly tell you not to do anything on your own?’

Minoo is at a loss for words.

‘And Vanessa,’ the principal adds, ‘do you realise how much danger you’re putting yourself into by following Gustaf? The Council regards him as a particularly potent threat and has appointed …’

She is interrupted by a low laugh. Minoo has never heard it before, and it takes her a moment to realise it’s coming from Linnéa. She’s laughing so much she can hardly breathe.

Everyone stares at her.

‘Sorry …’ Linnéa whimpers. ‘But … it’s just so … fucking … tragic.’

Adriana crosses her arms. ‘Perhaps you’d care to share your little joke with the rest of us.’

Linnéa’s laughter peters out and her face hardens. ‘How long do you intend to carry on this charade?’

‘I don’t know what you’re talking about,’ Adriana says. ‘Now, you must tell me everything you’ve found out about Gustaf—’

‘No,’ Linnéa says, without releasing the principal from her gaze. ‘It’s time for you to tell us what you and the Council are actually doing. You pretend to be as powerful as gods, but all you can do is light little fires. The only way you can control us is by tricking us into believing we need you. But when it comes down to it, you don’t actually know anything. You can’t protect us, even if you want to.’

‘That’s not true,’ the principal says.

‘Have you forgotten about the circles we saw at her house?’ Minoo says impatiently to Linnéa. ‘They could teleport her from Stockholm to here – powerful magic.’

But Linnéa ignores her. She’s focused on Adriana, like a laser beam. ‘You already have two lives on your conscience, but maybe you want us all to die. Perhaps that’s your purpose.’

‘No!’

Her voice reminds Minoo of a bird’s shriek. The principal presses her lips together. Minoo can see that she’s