There's the possibility it's just Shima, but well, once burned and so on. Shima doesn't know what Childermass has or hasn't said, unfortunately, but he had a reason for saying as much as he did.

He shrugs. A little over a year ago losing all his powers might have given Shima a chance to ditch his home life like he's always wanted, though admittedly at this point he'd be sunk if they were taken away. But either way he's clearly ambivalent about that line of reasoning.

"Dunno, sounds like 'no matter the cost' is pretty much him telling ya enough about the Heart thing ta have ya poking around all sneakily about it for him. I'm kinda only saying this much 'cause I'm assuming ya plan ta tell him."