Zinobia moved across the room to roam near the middle, where she could keep a discreet eye on the demon. He was talking to Roland now, who was showing off the paintings on the ceiling. What's our plan of action, Josiah? I don't have my tools, and pulling a demon out in front of these people would get me arrested and/or committed.

But we have magic, and what I'm about to propose will take but a drop of blood.

She snagged a bite from a passing server and stopped near a group of laughing, oblivious guests. Alright, I'm listening.

You need to draw a drop of blood, smear it on your palm, then I'll allow the demon to possess you.

Zinobia hid her grimace behind the bite of food. And then what happens?

Then we will fight for control of your body, and I will win. Just as a fair warning, it will be far from a pleasant experience.

Well, it didn't sound very pleasant when you proposed it.

I'd rather not take this route, but I can think of no other way to do this discreetly. After you've been possessed, you can feign sickness. That should throw some suspicion off you. Let's just hope this demon doesn't get too violent.

Alright, I trust your judgement. Their main priority was ensuring no one else got hurt. Even weak demons in the bodies of children were dangerous. She'd seen a mother come in covered in bite marks, spouses with broken arms and legs.

"Doctor Baxter!"

Zinobia, startled and tore her eyes away from the demon to find Doctor Theodore Palgrave standing over her, though she had no idea when he got there. He was tall and grey and thin as a rail, but always in high spirits. He'd been eager to give her a job at Serenity Lake, and he'd trusted her judgement when it came to the screamers. It had ultimately been his idea to create the Special Ward, both to have a place to treat them, and to keep them separate from the regular residents, especially those sensitive to violent outbursts.

"Sorry Theo, I didn't see you there," Zinobia said with a smile. "You're looking well."

"Not as well as you, considering how much easier my job is." He barked a laugh. "I heard things with these screamers are getting dire. People are on edge, especially after the war and the pandemic."

Zinobia nodded her agreement. She'd yet to find a common thread that would lead her to the root of the problem, and now everyone else was getting involved. Nathaniel, the Council in London. She wouldn't be able to keep up this bloodletting facade forever.

"With hope and whatever resources we get from the Council in London, perhaps we'll finally put an end to this scourge."

She only half heard his words. Her gaze had moved to the other side of the room, where Roland was speaking with Vittoria. He laughed at something she said, then followed up with something that made her eyes light up. She gave a little bounce, like she always did when she was excited.

"Doctor Baxter. You'll break that glass if you squeeze it any tighter," Theodore said. "Is something the matter?"

Zinobia shook her head and eased her grip on the flute. "Excuse me, Theo." She breezed past him and went to stand by the bust of some poor fellow with no arms, well within Vittoria's line of sight. Her conversation with Roland wrapped up a moment later and she came rushing over to Zinobia, all smiles and vigour.

"Mother, I have wonderful news," she said, her voice an octave higher than usual. "Lord Ashbourne says he knows some people at Cambridge. He says he can put in a good word for me once I'm ready to pitch my novel. Isn't that wonderful?"

She put on a smile for her daughter. Vittoria had been working hard on this story for over a year, and she wouldn't begrudge the girl a little happiness. "That is wonderful, my dear. I'm happy for you."

"Are you enjoying the party so far?"

"Yes, but we have a bit of a situation." Zinobia leaned in closer and lowered her voice. "There's a demon here. The gentleman across the room with the Dennings."

Vittoria visibly stiffened. "What are you going to do?"

"Josiah has a plan, don't worry. But I want you to help me keep an eye on him. Stay as far from possible and use your magic if things get out of hand." She squeezed Vittoria's arm. "I'll be outside for a moment. Run if things get dangerous." She moved towards the wall of glass at the back of the gallery.

As she crossed the room, she met Roland' eyes for the briefest moment. Then she pushed through the balcony doors into the chilly night air. Below her, some youngins were milling around in the cold. One held a bottle of champagne and filled everyone's glasses until they nigh overflowed.

You seem angry, Josiah said. I thought you'd be over the moon to see Vittoria's dreams realised.

It's not the act I'm angry at, it's the intention. She leaned against the bannister. You were wrong, Josiah. He doesn't fancy me; he fancies Vittoria. Why else would he offer to put in a good word for her?

I recall asking you something similar and you said he was simply being nice. I told you he was interested in you. That hasn't changed.

Hogwash. This isn't just a ride home or an invitation to a party. This is something that could make Vittoria's career. I'm sure he has ulterior motives.

Josiah snorted. Because he's rich and looking to build a family?

Yes, but also because he's a man.

You're going to learn the hard way that I'm never wrong. And speak of the Devil.

"Lady Bloodletter." Lord Ashbourne stood in the door, framed by the light spilling from the gallery.

Zinobia could understand how Vittoria would fall prey to his charms. The smooth baritone of his voice, the dark curtain of hair that framed his face just so. The even darker eyes that seemed to absorb all the light in the room. All wrapped up in black tuxedo pants and a cream coloured jacket. Lord Ashbourne carried himself like a man who knew he was attractive and was willing to use it to get what he wanted.

"You're out here in the cold by yourself?" he asked.

Obviously. "I needed some fresh air. Sorry, but I find crowds a bit... overwhelming."

"Ah." He joined her at the bannister. "I apologise for not greeting you sooner. I forgot how hectic it was hosting parties. Even with something this small, it feels as though I'm being pulled in a million different directions at once."

"I can't imagine." She clasped her hands atop the bannister. "Vittoria told me you offered to put in a good word for her at Cambridge. That's very generous of you."

"She seems like a refined young lady. Ambitious and committed to her goals. Which is more than can be said about some of the ruffians I've encountered." He gave a pointed look at the boys rough housing on his lawn.

Zinobia turned to face him squarely and huffed out a breath that clouded the air between them. "Is that why you're so interested in her? Because she's ambitious? Or because you need a woman to build your new life with? Those rides home, the invitation, this party. Were you just trying to get closer to her?"

Roland stayed silent in the face of her outburst. To his merit, he didn't seem angry. If the smile slowly creeping across his face was any indication, he seemed amused. He casually leaned against the balcony, his hair falling into his face in a way that was admittedly charming. "You believe I'm interested in your daughter?"

Her anger didn't waver. How dare he be so smug? "Well, are you?"

He turned to face her squarely. "Actually, I've been much more interested in you, Lady Bloodletter." He nodded to her ensemble. "You look beautiful tonight. I almost wasn't sure how to approach you."

Josiah's roaring laughter filled her head.

Zinobia took a step back and swallowed. This was not how this scenario had played out in her head. She was right about him having ulterior motives, but she miscalculated. Roland was there that day when she met James. He'd seen how she reacted, and he'd learned that the easiest way to get to her was through Vittoria.

Damn it. The only thing more dangerous than a man was a man who paid attention.

"You're mistaken, Lord Ashbourne," Zinobia finally said.

He took a step closer. "Mistaken? About my own feelings? I don't think that's how it works."

"I..." She needed to get out of this. Now was not the time to entertain petty infatuations. Not when she had these demons and Josiah to juggle. Bringing romance into all of this would only make things messy. "If you want to build a family, Marcella is in there, ready and willing, it would seem. She'd be much better suited than I."

"And what makes you believe that?" he asked with a frown. "Are you unable to have children?"

"No Roland, I'm old. A bit of the spinster, as one would say."

He knitted his brow. "You can't be much older than me, Lady Bloodletter, surely."

"Do you even know my real name?" she asked with a mirthless laugh. "I'm thirty-one Roland. Far past my prime and living a life of helping others."

The balcony door swung open, and Violet poked her nosey head out. "There you are, Lord Ashbourne. Marcella was just getting ready to play the piano for everyone. Won't you join us?"

Roland put a hand up. "A moment, please, Violet."

She slithered back inside like the snake she was, but not before casting Zinobia a disapproving look.

"You should go," Zinobia said. "It's obvious who the better choice is here. I... I appreciate your candour." She took a step away from him and turned her gaze back on the yard.

Roland stayed silent a moment, then laid something on the bannister in front of her that she refused to look at. "You're right. It is obvious."