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Volger’s face fell back into its usual stony expression, as if Deryn were a bug crawling across his breakfast "Listen, boy You have no idea what I’ve given up for Alek - my title, ain, no matter ins this war I’m a traitor in the eyes of my people, and all of it to keep Alek safe"

Deryn held his stare "Aye, but you’re not the only one who’s had to go against his own country I kept Alek’s secrets and looked the other hen you lot were planning to escape So don’t go getting all high and lared at her another h He finally took his bite of potatoes, and chewed thehtfully

"You’re as worried about him as I am, aren’t you?"

"Of course I aer poured lad Alek had you as a friend, Dylan, even if you are a co stuck up

"But Alek has trained for this er went on "His father and I always knew that one day he would be alone, with the whole world against hio on without , Count Alek didn’t want to go it alone; he wanted more allies, not less He even said he wanted to "

She rehts before Alek had wished that there were a way for him to stay aboard the Leviathan, because the airship felt like the only place he’d ever belonged And she’d been a bu, just because he hadn’t been declaring his undying love for her

Suddenly her throat was too tight to speak

Volger leaned forward and regarded her "You’re a very sensitive boy, Dylan"

Deryn glared back at hi "sensitive," just because she knehen things ht," she said after a good s of tea

"As do I Perhaps we can still help Alek, you and I together"

"How do you er part to play in this war than you understand, Dylan," the count said "His granduncle the emperor is a very oldto Alek, because his ht?"

"Ah, I see he told you everything," Volger said, giving her an odd smile "But in politics there are always exceptions When the right time comes, Alek could tip the balance of this war"

Deryn frowned What the count was saying didn’t quite square up with Alek’s story, about how his family had always looked down on him and his mother But back in the Alps, of course, the Germans had sent a massive fleet of airships to capture him They, at least, seemed to think he was important

"But what can we do to help him?"

"At the ht present theer have a wireless set"

Deryn frowned "You had a wireless? Did the officers know about that?"

"They didn’t ask" Count Volger waved a hand at his breakfast "And I see you haven’t thought to bringnewspapers So if you could keep me apprised of events, I would appreciate it"

"What? Spy for you?" Deryn cried "Not barking likely!"

"I could make it worth your while"

"With what? Cups of tea?"

The wildcount smiled "Perhaps I can do better than that For exa creature"

"The beastie that hatched last night? You knohere it is?" The man didn’t answer, but Deryn’s"Then it must have hatched before Alek left the ot it with hiled it to keep it quiet" Volger took his last bite of toast and dabbed his mouth with a napkin "Do you think your Dr Barloould be interested in the details?"

Deryn narrowed her eyes The way the lady boffin was acting, she already had a good idea where the newborn creature had gone Suddenly it all made sense Deryn would’ve seen it herself if she hadn’t been so exhausted

Now that she thought about it, quite a few peculiarities surrounding the eggs were beginning to ht be interested"

"Then, I’ll tell you exactly how your creature fared last night, as long as you keep me informed over the next few days" The count looked out the"The Otto this war Alek’s next step will depend greatly on that choice"

Deryn followed his gaze out theThe spires of Istanbul were just visible in the distance, the haze of engine s over the city "Well, I could tell you what the newspapers say That’s not spying, I suppose"

"Excellent" Count Volger stood, offering his hand "I think you and I may be allies after all"

Deryn stared at his hand a hed and shook it "Thank you for the tea, sir And by the way, next tied if you did it more quietly Or at least in the racefully, then said, "And if you ever want to learn to fence properly, Mr Sharp, do let me know"

Chapter Seventeen