Fated

I don’t really like to think about what happened in the year after that. There are some things so horrible you never really get over them; they make a kind of burnt-out waste-land in your memory, and all you can do is try to move on. Lyle wasn’t directly responsible for the things that happened to me and the others in Richard’s mansion, but he had a pretty good idea of what was going on, just like the rest of the Council. At least, they would have had a good idea if they’d allowed themselves to think about it. Instead they avoided the subject and waited for me to do the convenient thing and vanish.

Lyle’s not my friend any more.

Now he was standing next to me, brushing off the balustrade before leaning on it, making sure none of the dirt got on his jacket. The walkway ran alongside the canal, following the curve of the canal out of sight. The water was dark and broken by choppy waves. It was an overcast day, the sunlight shining only dimly through the grey cloud.

‘Well,’ Lyle said eventually, ‘if you don’t want to chat, shall we get down to business?’

‘I don’t think we’ve got much to chat about, do you?’

‘The Council would like to employ your services.’

I blinked at that. ‘You’re here officially?’

‘Not exactly. There was some … disagreement on how best to proceed. The Council couldn’t come to a full agreement—’

‘The Council can’t come to a full agreement on when to have dinner.’

‘—on the best course of action,’ Lyle finished smoothly. ‘Consulting a diviner was considered as an interim measure.’

‘Consulting a diviner?’ I asked, suddenly suspicious. The Council and I aren’t exactly on the best of terms. ‘Me specifically?’

‘As you know, the Council rarely requests—’

‘What about Alaundo? I thought he was their go-to guy when they wanted a seer.’

‘I’m afraid I can’t discuss closed Council proceedings.’

‘Once you start going door to door, it isn’t closed proceedings any more, is it? Come on, Lyle. I’m sure as hell not going to agree to anything unless I know why you’re here.’

Lyle blew out an irritated breath. ‘Master Alaundo is currently on extended research.’

‘So he turned you down? What about Helikaon?’

‘He’s otherwise occupied.’

‘And that guy from the Netherlands? Dutch Jake or whatever he was called. I’m pretty sure he did divination work for—’

‘Alex,’ Lyle said. ‘Don’t run through every diviner in the British Isles. I know the list as well as you do.’

I grinned. ‘I’m the only one you can find, aren’t I? That’s why you’re coming here.’ My eyes narrowed. ‘And the Council doesn’t even know. They wouldn’t have agreed to trust me with official business.’

‘I don’t appreciate threats,’ Lyle said stiffly. ‘And I’d appreciate it if you didn’t use your abilities for these matters.’

‘You think I needed magic to figure that out?’ Annoying Lyle was satisfying, but I knew it was risky to push him too far. ‘Okay. So what does the Council want so badly you’re willing to risk coming to me?’

Lyle took a moment to straighten his tie. ‘I assume you’re aware of the Arrancar ruling?’

I looked at him blankly.

‘It’s been common knowledge for months.’

‘Common knowledge to whom?’

Lyle let out an irritated breath. ‘As a consequence of the Arrancar conclave, mages are required to report all significant archaeological discoveries of arcana to the Council. Recently, a new discovery was reported—’

‘Reported?’

‘—and subjected to a preliminary investigation. The investigation team have concluded quite definitely that it’s a Precursor relic.’

I looked up at that. ‘Functional?’

‘Yes.’

‘What kind?’

‘They weren’t able to determine.’

‘It’s sealed? I’m surprised they didn’t just force it.’

Lyle hesitated.

‘Oh,’ I said, catching on. ‘They did try to force it. What happened?’

‘I’m afraid that’s confidential.’

‘A ward? Guardian?’

‘In any case, a new investigation team is being formed. It was … considered necessary for them to have access to the abilities of a diviner.’

‘And you want me on the team?’

‘Not exactly.’ Lyle paused. ‘You’ll be an independent agent, reporting to me. I’ll pass on your recommendations to the investigators.’

I frowned. ‘What?’

Lyle cleared his throat. ‘Unfortunately it wouldn’t be feasible for you to join the team directly. The Council wouldn’t be able to clear you. But if you accept, I can promise I’ll tell you everything you need to know.’

I turned away from Lyle, looking out over the canal. The rumble of an engine echoed around the brick walls from downstream and a barge came into view, chugging along. It was painted yellow and red. The man at the tiller didn’t give us a glance as he passed. Lyle stayed quiet as the barge went by and disappeared around the bend of the canal. A breeze blew along the pathway, ruffling my hair.

I still didn’t speak. Lyle coughed. A pair of seagulls flew overhead, after the barge, calling with loud, discordant voices: arrrh, arrrh.

‘Alex?’ Lyle asked.

‘Sorry,’ I said. ‘Not interested.’

‘If it’s a question of money …’

‘No, I just don’t like the deal.’

‘Why?’

‘Because it stinks.’