Part 43 (1/2)

Othman rolled Owen off him and stood up. His body was unmarked by bruises or scratch marks. Easier to strengthen his body against the predations of the boy than against the cat-creature at Low Mede. Tentatively, he nudged Owen with his foot. Mine now,' he said aloud, then laughed softly. All mine.'

Chapter Thirty-Two.

Thursday October 29th: Little Moor In the morning, Lily met Othman coming out of Owen's bedroom. She sensed his vitality, and half-dreaded that if she went in to look upon Owen, he would be nothing more than a shrivelled husk. Othman smiled at her. You look like you've seen a ghost, my Lily.'

Is he all right?' she couldn't help asking.

Othman's smile widened. Of course. What are you thinking of? Go and see for yourself.'

Lily went into the bedroom, with Othman following. Owen lay on his back in the bed, apparently asleep. His arms were straight by his sides above the duvet, his legs straight.

Othman touched her shoulder. Don't wake him,' he said. He will sleep for today. Tomorrow night, he will fulfil a momentous function and he must be prepared for it.'

You're going to use him and Daniel to wake the flame completely, aren't you?' Lily said. There was bitterness in her voice. Aren't I good enough?'

Othman turned her round and propelled her back towards the door. Lily, don't be absurd! You have no idea how important you are, or how powerful. But we all have our roles to perform. You could do the job, yes, but it would be selfish to deny Owen his part.'

I suppose so,' Lily said weakly.

Someone knocked on the kitchen door.

Answer it,' Othman told her. It will be Emma.'

Reluctantly, Lily obeyed him and went downstairs to let Emma in. Ray Perks was with her. Leave him in the garden,' Lily said, and Emma spoke a few abrupt words over her shoulder. With a dour glance at Lily, Perks shambled over to the lawn and sat down.

Emma smiled brightly and came into the kitchen. What another lovely day!'

Lily pulled a sour face. To her, the day felt less than lovely. A distant but nagging depression hovered menacingly in the corners of her mind.

Othman appeared at the bottom of the stairs. Emma, I want all the old Grigori dependants to be at The White House tomorrow evening. Can I trust you to arrange that?'

Emma nodded. Yes. Will you replenish any of them then?'

I hope to. You must all wait for me there. A ritual will be enacted at the High Place to awaken the power of the flame. When this is done, I will come to you.' He smiled. We shall then set about rebuilding the Murkaster stronghold.'

Emma's expression had become slightly tense. What about outsiders? No doubt some of them will be there.'

Othman shrugged. They will be taken care of. Don't worry. Now, Lily, may I use the phone?'

Othman rang Barbara Eager at The White House and gave her terse instructions concerning the barbecue on Friday night. Lily could not hear Barbara's responses, but could imagine her bewilderment at Othman's tone. Still, that was not her worry now. Othman had told her that Barbara was nothing, a tool.

Outside, in the garden, Raven still lay concealed. He could sense them now, gathering force, coming nearer. They had the faces of men, but the bodies of bulls. Their feet were the claws of lions, and they were winged like sphinxes. Raven could feel their inexorable march, their fiery purpose. Soon, they would be here.

The heat beat down, squeezed the air, dried the fruits rotting upon the trees. The corn fields, shorn, were bleached by the sun, and crackled beneath its glare. The sun was an eye of fire in a white sky. Ghosts walked in daylight, and there were flashes across the fields, as if hot rays of light licked fragments of broken gla.s.s. On the hills around Little Moor, vague shadowy shapes took their positions and waited. They furled their wings around them, and hid themselves from all but the most acute perceptions.

Othman waited until the afternoon before venturing over to Low Mede.

He walked into the house without ringing the doorbell, or waiting to be admitted. He found Louis in his study, drinking whisky. Othman looked for signs that might suggest Louis was weakening, such as an old photograph alb.u.m open on the desk, or an evocative song being played on the hi-fi system, but Louis seemed composed, if drunk, and there was no light of sentiment in his eyes.

Are you ready?' Othman asked him.

Louis nodded. For whatever it is I have to do.'

Good. Where is Daniel?'

Louis got up from his chair. He had a tendency to pause before standing erect, a legacy of his banished pain. In the cellar. I thought it best to keep him and Verity there.'

When Othman came down the cellar stairs, Verity cried out and s.h.i.+elded her brother with her body. She recalled Othman asking her questions about Daniel only a few nights before, although she could remember the conversation only dimly now.

Othman was annoyed that Daniel had been injured. He made no remarks about it to Louis, who after all had simply been following orders, but privately deplored the boy's condition. More precious energy would have to be expended patching him up, as Daniel would be useless for his purpose in this state. Othman's nostrils flared at the stench in the cellar. Perhaps he should have come sooner. Verity cringed as he reached down to stroke her hair.

Hush, child. Give Daniel to me.'

Verity whimpered and curled herself more tightly around Daniel. No! You fiend!'

Othman laughed. Quite.' Daniel appeared to be unconscious, his aura was weak and pale. Come now, Verity, don't be foolish. I've come to make Daniel better.'

Verity's face, when she raised it, was red and streaked with tears. She looked feverish. Like you made my father better? No! Leave us! Raven will come! Raven will help us.'

Othman straightened up, and directed a questioning glance at Louis. Raven?'

Her cat,' Louis replied. I shot it after it attacked you.'

Oh, of course,' Othman said, as if being reminded of some trivial event. He's dead, Verity. Your cat won't save you.'

Verity let out a wail. I don't believe you! He isn't dead! He's not just a cat. He has power! More power than you!'

Othman ignored her remarks and turned again to Louis. The beast was probably some sc.r.a.p of a Murkaster creation still remaining in the vicinity. I should have been more alert for such things. Still, it's been destroyed now.' He gently touched Raven's scratch marks on his face, which had faded considerably since the previous day. Looking at Verity now, he could see that she had allowed the creature to attach itself to her. There were remnants of its influence hanging around her still. It had possessed her, he could tell. Stupid girl. She'd had no idea what she'd been dealing with. He sneered at Verity. You welcomed an incubus into your bed, yet you shun me. You're pathetic.' He gestured at Louis. Bring the boy.'

Verity attempted to prevent Louis from wresting Daniel's lolling body from her arms, but Louis was strong now. He hit her in the face with his fist and she fell back onto the car blanket, where she uttered no further sound. Louis lifted Daniel in his arms. Where are we taking him?'

St Shem's. Can you drive? I don't want us to be seen by any newcomers to this village, or indeed any casual observers at the Winter cottage.'

Louis nodded. The car's in the garage. There's a door through to it from the laundry.'

Good.' Before they left the cellar, Othman paused to look down upon Verity. She was moving feebly upon the old blanket. You may release her on Sat.u.r.day,' he said to Louis and then directed a lambent stare at him. Love her, Louis, make her well. You must love your children.'

Othman sat with Daniel on his lap in the back of the car as Louis drove his old Daimler up to St Shem's. Daniel was semiconscious, and occasionally made a whimpering sound. Othman stroked his hair, which was spiky with blood. I want you to remain with Daniel until tomorrow night,' he told Louis.

Louis glanced over his shoulder. At the church?' He sounded surprised.

Yes. He has to be prepared for an important ceremony which will take place on Friday night. He must be bathed and anointed.'

Louis made a disparaging sound. The church is virtually derelict,' he said. How can I bathe him there? How will I cook food?'

Daniel will be fasting,' Othman said. As for the rest, you will be surprised how many facilities St Shem's has hidden away. Barbara can bring you food.'