Theus looked Chloe up and down, then finally nodded. "Sister Chloe, you really are perceptive. I won't hide it from you any longer. Miss Beatrice is indeed a problem. If you can help guide her, I'd be most grateful."
"Guide an [Investigator]? That won't be easy. A Transcendent's instincts make her especially sensitive to danger and lies."
"You too?"
Chloe narrowed her eyes.
"Of course it's different—leave it to me. Consider this Moth Chasing Flame's sincerity."
"This is beneficial to both of us. You are in the Candlelight Society's church right now."
Indeed, if they could keep Beatrice pinned down in this manor, the Moth Chasing Flame's operations would be much more convenient.
Their gazes met, and each understood the other's meaning.
Theus held out his hand. "Pleasure working with you."
Chloe froze for a moment before reaching out to shake it. "Pleasure working with you."
After that, she walked straight out the door.
Only after watching Chloe leave the room did Theus nod. He had deliberately shaken her hand because he wanted to use his sensing ability to determine whether she was human.
The paper-doll-like substitute from last night had left a deep impression on him.
"She really is flesh and blood..."
With this cooperation, their future exchanges might go more smoothly, and they could build a little basic trust.
With a thought, Theus opened the Mind Link. "Attention, all groups. Chloe has reached a temporary agreement with me. She's gone to find Beatrice. Watch their movements."
"Can she be trusted?"
"Do not trust her. Stay alert."
"Yes!"
Upstairs, Beatrice had grown somewhat irritated from searching. Her spiritual intuition clearly told her it was nearby, yet she simply could not find it.
Gritting her teeth, she picked up a dagger and decided to pry open the table. Perhaps the