He had not yet gleaned sufficient information to draw any solid conclusions, but there was a great deal to interest him. His instincts told him that Vadim Popov and his unsanctioned dabbling in the spirit realms was significant, but he was not sure how. Meanwhile, there was the matter of Kanadin, who appeared remarkably unconcerned about the death of Dominka, and whose thoughts turned obsessively around a woman called Ana. Why had he sought the engagement?
And Mrs. Halim? She had behaved as though she knew something particular about the Popov matter. This wasn’t unusual, as she affected the same about every event of any importance in Ekamet; but what if it was significant? Did she have some connection with Popov? The fact that they were both practising spirit-binding in barely tolerated w
