their bond? ‘I will not spy for you,’ she said quickly.
Lenoir’s expression became curious. ‘It is merely a question.’
She strived to keep her face composed. It seemed harder now that she was no longer that other person – the Seal, Retra. ‘I saw them outside that club where the boy was taken by the Night Creatures. They’re passionate in their beliefs,’ she said.
He surprised her then by sighing. ‘They are misled – as passion most often is. Beware it, baby bat. Beware the foolishness of passion.’
‘The League believes that those of us who are too old to remain here are taken away by you and …’
‘And what, Naif?’
She spoke quietly to soften the accusation. ‘They believe you kill us.’
Lenoir curled his lip in deprecation. ‘If that is the case, and we are such villains, why would I have saved you? What is your life worth if we are murderers?’
‘I am wondering about that, Lenoir,’ whispered Naif, addressing him directly for the first time. She had a sudden urge to keep him talking so that she could learn more about Ixion. ‘Was it to prove yourself in some way to the other Guardians? A show of your strength against Brand?’
‘There is that,’ he admitted freely, without annoyance. ‘But not that alone. Can you guess the other reason?’
She shook her head, not sure that even her newly freed self was ready to hear his reason. ‘You said at the meeting that Charlonge was to be withdrawn soon.’
‘It is true, her time is close. Does that concern you?’
‘She has helped me, as she has helped so many others. And she’ll be frightened.’
Lenoir did not reply.
‘Why do you need to keep mystery around it? Have you thought to explain what does happen to the Peaks? It’s the unknown – the uncertainty – that scares people. Understanding might help matters with the League as well.’
‘So wise and yet so naive, little bat. Doesn’t uncertainty also create … excitement?’ His voice stroked her, like gentle fingers on sensitive skin. ‘Don’t you burn brightly because of it?’
Naif knew he skirted the topic, distracting her. ‘But keeping secrets has a cost.’
‘I would put your mind at rest and say that Peaks transcend to the next phase,’ said Lenoir.
‘The next phase?’
‘Of pleasure. Ixion exists as an antidote to the rules and conventions of other places. We believe that indulging in pleasure will make better people. Self-denial and discipline and virtue are all myths invented to control you.’
Naif considered the idea. It was true, her Seal training had been a shackle, but it had also been a comfort. She was unsure, still, about the new person inside her. Would she like who she now was? She shrugged. ‘I guess so.’
‘You must trust me that aging and withdrawal will bring you to something better.’
‘Then you should tell this to the League.’
‘Not all the younglings are as easy to convince or as rational as you, little Naif. Your lack of ego makes you receptive. Some thrive on combat, or the promise of it. Some on notions of heroism. Others prefer not to know anything at all. Not everyone seeks the truth.’
Was Joel like that, Naif wondered? Did he thrive on combat? She’d never thought him as a natural agitator and yet …
‘I seek only to protect them but the League bring trouble on themselves by assisting Ruzalia. The pirate is a hazard to our lifestyle, our system.’
‘P-protect them? From who?’
‘Brand is not as tolerant as I am.’
‘Is that why Brand attacked Krista-belle? To provoke you?’
His eyes narrowed, and Naif saw his mood change. He got up and walked to the door. ‘I am the dominant Guardian.’
‘But surely Brand challenges you with her actions.’
‘Yes. But she will be disappointed.’
Graselle returned with fresh clothes. Naif noticed her eyes were red-rimmed from crying.
‘Graselle?’
But Graselle refused to speak and, after helping Naif to dress, she went away without a word.
Soon after, the two Ripers guarding her door entered. They led Naif through the labyrinth of tunnels to the surface, leaving her on the Syn platform.
Though it was only hours since she’d been here with Rollo and Suki, it felt as if days had passed. Would they notice the change in her?
She caught the kar to the closest club, eager to find them, but her faux badge began to glow at Club Abraxas. By the time she reached Bella Death it became hot and uncomfortable and fear of exhaustion forced her to seek rest close by at Goa.
The church of Goa reeked of decadence. From the jumble