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‘Oh, please be honest,’ Alberich cut in

Irene slare back at him Her fear hadn’t disappeared: it was a constant whisper at the back of her er let her keep her co It was the best argument she’d come across yet for the deliberate cultivation of certain deadly sins ‘I’m not sure how you knew to be here,’ she finished

Alberich looked pleased ‘Now that is an intelligent question You’re trying to find out howon a course of action’

‘Well, wouldn’t anyone?’

He shook his head sadly ‘You’d be painfully surprised But in return for lanced towards the couples currently occupying the central area, h the steps of a polonaise ‘I believe I’d like a dance’

Irene was momentarily taken aback ‘Why?’ she demanded

‘Mostly because it’ll put you off-balance and annoy your associate,’ Alberich replied ‘You’re only irritated because you didn’t think of suggesting it first’

Irene considered her position Being out on the dance floor didn’t see She was already well into the danger zone Sheand see where it went ‘Very well,’ she agreed ‘So, how did you know to be here?’

‘Once I found out which world you were co that bit, were you? I assure you it’s quite true’ Alberich’s eyes were penetrating again, cataloguing her reactions ‘In any case, once I knew you were heading here, I came here myself and took a position of authority The head of the Oprichniki hears all the news, after all When I received reports of the disturbance at the sleigh-port, I knew you were in St Petersburg And when that storht, well’

Irene seethed In retrospect, she’d left an obvious trail for anyone who knew the signs to follow Her only excuse was that she hadn’t expected anyone here to be looking for her But like all excuses, when actually tested, it sounded rather hollow Her professional pride was stung ‘I’ritted teeth ‘I had no idea--’

‘Well, of course not,’ Alberich said ‘Now, as we agreed, a dance They’re playing a waltz You can waltz, I hope?’ He offered her his hand

‘Of course,’ Irene said, taking his hand Her skin crawled as he touched her, even through the lace of her glove Further out in the crowd she could see Kai, and the leashed tension in his body She caught his eye and shook her head slightly Don’t do anything Yet ‘But how did you find out I was co’ He led her out onto the floor, and she could feel the stares of the asse to this dance?’ Fear was spreading again, like ice in her heart and throat, but she aze as she turned to face hih for the fear to blossoain ‘Did you think I ht here and now I need answers, and it’s difficult to get those when the other person can’t trust you enough to make a deal Torture really isn’t as effective as they say’

‘I’ht as she could All around the floor, partners were s at each other as the musicians picked up the pace of the waltz She set her lips in a deliberately upward curl, gazing into Alberich’s eyes as he settled his other hand on her waist ‘But then who shouldn’t I trust – what did yousent to world B-1165’ He was ready for the stutter in her gait, and suided her into the first steps of the dance ‘Surely you’re not so naive as to think that all Librarians are as faithful to their cause as you are?’

Irene kept the shts went round in little circles He’s suggesting so the truth, or disse someone else? Or is it a double-bluff because he knows I’ll assu‘Nobody’s perfect,’ she said eventually ‘Not evenabout what I said’ They turned together in the smooth pivots of the waltz

‘Well, I’ into this entire situation as total stupidity, in which case Irene had already lost that argument – and probably her life, too ‘But I want to know more about your threat to the Library, before I h’ They moved in a bubble of space aet too close to the head of the Oprichniki ‘Unless it subive me the inforested

‘You’re taking this very well’

‘I’ve had practice,’ Irene said regretfully ‘Death threats see past the sheer terror and onto the bargaining stage’

‘I knew there was a reason I liked you,’ Alberich said approvingly They negotiated a corner turn stylishly, and Irene took the opportunity to glance across the crowd and spot Kai He was still there In retrospect, perhaps she should have told him to steal the book while Alberich was occupied But she wasn’t sure he’d have agreed to leave her there with Alberich