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Cosmer’s composure, which had been steeled, breaks. His eyes widen.

“No,” he says.

“Just to calm the nerves.”

“I won’t allow it,” Cosmer says, voice stronger.

“You speak as if you have authority here.”

Ephraine is closing the gap between us, his metal eye twitching. His muscular torso is like an enormous tank itself.

I’m on my feet. I try to run – but Ephraine moves towards me with the speed of a machine. He sweeps my legs out from under me. I hit the floor, hard.

And then I’m being dragged across it, back to the table, where the mask connected to the osimidite is waiting for me.

“Get away from her!” Cosmer shouts.

I crane my neck – and I see him. He’s up, running towards me. The revolver is in his hand.

Meg’s drawling voice. Only Meg would sound bored by what’s happening. “Is anyone counting his charges? I’ve got at least three so far. Unapproved Use, Threat, IR.”

“IES,” Samson is shouting. “This is grounds for IES⁠—”

“No!” Dezeeves cries. “Disarm and detain only⁠—”

Ephraine drops me by the table, then turns.

I pull myself up onto my forearms. “Cosmer!” I shriek.

Ephraine is already moving fast. He lunges around the table, meeting Cosmer, who fires the gun at his knee – but the shot goes wide.

One second Ephraine is in front of him, swiping the weapon from Cosmer’s arms. The next he’s behind him, wrenching his around and forcing Cosmer down onto the floor, kneeling on him and pressing his face flat against it.

Cosmer thrashes, but it’s pointless.

The gun hits the floor, clattering across the polished wood.

And sliding to a stop in front of me.

I know I can reach it.

I pull myself forwards. Stretch out my arm.

But Meg collides into me. She flips me over, her arms and legs pinning me. I wrestle against her, but she’s strong. She swerves when I try to headbutt her.

I stop struggling. Because a comforting white light is growing around me, just like it did on the desert island.

And I know what I can do. The only thing I can do.

Let go of me, I think. I want you to let go of me and let me get the gun.

I reach, in my mind, for the light.

Her hands loosen. Just for a second.

But then she looks at me with utter loathing. Her eyes could kill.

And it’s instant.