muttered. 'You're only harming yourself . . .'

'In view of that fact, and also the special circumstances of your life . . .' I searched my memory, trying to recall the paragraphs, footnotes and comments. 'In view of all of this, you will not suffer any punishment. There's just one question . . . what is your grade of Power?'

'I wrote the answer "I don't know",' Arina answered calmly. 'How can you measure that?'

'At least approximately?'

'When I went to sleep, I was on the first rank,' the witch admitted with a certain pride. 'But now I've probably moved beyond all the ranks.'

That had to be right. That was why I hadn't been able to penetrate her illusion.

'Do you intend to work in the Day Watch?'

'What can they show me that I haven't seen before?' Arina asked indignantly. 'Especially as Zabulon's worked his way up to the top. Hasn't he?'

'Yes,' I confirmed. 'Why does that surprise you? Surely you don't think he isn't powerful enough?'

'He was never short of Power,' Arina said, frowning. 'It's just that he abandons his own people far too easily. His girlfriends . . . he never lived with any of them for more than ten years, something always happened . . . and the stupid young fools still kept leaping into his bed anyway. And he really hates Ukrainians and Lithuanians. When there's dirty work to be done, he calls in a brigade from Ukraine, and gets them to do it for him. If someone has to take a risk, then a Lithuanian will be at the top of the list. I thought he wouldn't last in the job with habits like that.' Arina suddenly laughed. 'Obviously he's become an expert at avoiding trouble. Good for him!'

'Yes, good for him,' I said sourly. 'If you're not going to work in the Day Watch structures, and you continue to live as an ordinary civilian, you are granted the right to perform certain magical actions . . . for personal purposes. Each year – twelve seventh-degree interventions, six sixth-degree interventions, three fifth-degree interventions and one fourth-degree intervention. Every two years – one third-degree intervention. Every four years – one second-degree intervention.'

I stopped.

Arina enquired:

'And first-degree interventions?'

'The maximum grade of power permitted to Others not in service with the Watches is limited to their previous grade,' I commented spitefully. 'If you undergo an examination and are registered as a witch beyond classification, then once every sixteen years you will be granted the right to use first-degree magic. By arrangement with the Watches and the Inquisition, naturally. First-degree magic is a very serious business.'

The witch smirked. It was a strange kind of smirk, just like an old woman's, and it looked unpleasant on that beautiful young face.

'I'll get by without the first-degree one way or another. If I understand correctly, the limitations only apply to magic directed against people?'

'Against people and Others,' I confirmed. 'You can do whatever you like with yourself and inanimate objects.'

'Well, thanks for that, at least,' Arina said. 'You know, I'm sorry I tried to enchant you, Light One. You don't seem too bad. Almost like us.'

That dubious compliment made me cringe.

'One more question,' I said. 'Who were those werewolves?'

Arina paused. Then she asked:

'Why, has the law been changed?'

'What law?' I asked, trying to play the fool.

'The old law. A Dark One is not obliged to inform on a Dark One. Or a Light One on a Light One . . .'

'There is such a law,' I admitted.

'Well then, you catch the werewolves yourself. They may be bloodthirsty fools, but I won't give them away.'

She said it with firm confidence. I had nothing to pressure her with – she hadn't assisted the werewolves, quite the reverse.

'As for the magical acts directed against me . . .' I thought for a moment. 'Never mind, I forgive you for that.'

'Just like that?' the witch asked, surprised.

'Just like that. I'm pleased I was able to resist them.'

The witch snorted:

'You think you resisted them, all on your own? . . .Your wife's an enchantress, I'm not blind. She put a spell on you so that no woman could seduce you.'

'That's a lie,' I replied calmly.

'Yes, it is,' the witch admitted. 'Well done. Enchantment's got nothing to do with it, it's just that you love her. Well, my best wishes to your wife and daughter. If you happen to meet Zabulon, tell him he always was an ass and still is.'

'With pleasure,' I promised. Well, good for the old witch! She wasn't