The Burning Page

‘Oh, please be honest,’ Alberich cut in.

Irene smiled again, because it was that or glare back at him. Her fear hadn’t disappeared: it was a constant whisper at the back of her mind. But her anger let her keep her composure and snipe back at him, looking for an opening. 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 how much I know, before deciding on a course of action.’

‘Well, wouldn’t anyone?’

He shook his head sadly. ‘You’d be painfully surprised. But in return for my answer . . .’ He glanced towards the couples currently occupying the central area, moving in pairs through 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 seem much more dangerous than standing here talking. She was already well into the danger zone. She might as well play along and see where it went. ‘Very well,’ she agreed. ‘So, how did you know to be here?’

‘Once I found out which world you were coming to – dear me, you weren’t expecting 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 storm blew up so suddenly over the Winter Palace tonight, 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’m extremely embarrassed,’ she said through gritted 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 coming here?’

‘My dear Ray, you’re far too trusting.’ He led her out onto the floor, and she could feel the stares of the assembled dignitaries.

‘Will I regret agreeing to this dance?’ Fear was spreading again, like ice in her heart and throat, but she met his gaze as she turned to face him.

Alberich paused just long enough for the fear to blossom into terror, then he smiled at her again. ‘Did you think I meant you’re too trusting of me? Well, yes, but not right 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’m sure you’d know,’ Irene said, keeping her tone as light as she could. All around the floor, partners were smiling 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 you mean?’

‘I mean that I was told you were being sent to world B-1165.’ He was ready for the stutter in her gait, and smoothly guided 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 smile pinned on her face, but her thoughts went round in little circles. He’s suggesting someone in the Library betrayed me. But is he telling the truth, or dissembling to stop me suspecting someone else? Or is it a double-bluff because he knows I’ll assume he’s lying . . . ‘Nobody’s perfect,’ she said eventually. ‘Not even me.’

‘So you’ve been thinking about what I said.’ They turned together in the smooth pivots of the waltz.

‘Well, I’m not stupid.’ Unless one counted getting 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 make any irreparable decisions.’

‘That’s easy enough.’ They moved in a bubble of space amid the other dancers. Nobody wanted to get too close to the head of the Oprichniki. ‘Unless it submits to me, the Library will be destroyed. And unless you give me the information I want . . .’

‘I will be destroyed too?’ Irene suggested.

‘You’re taking this very well.’

‘I’ve had practice,’ Irene said regretfully. ‘Death threats seem to crop up twice a week these days. I’m working on getting 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.