The Grigori: Stalking Tender Prey Part 33

Othman grinned, but Emma was sensitive to the wariness that came into his eyes. He wasn't going to let himself be seduced by her into revealing too much. I experienced perfect love, but felt driven to destroy it. Strange. Just didn't feel right. Felt too good, I suppose. Perhaps I destroyed it before it destroyed me.'

Are you mourning, then?'

Othman turned down his mouth into a quizzical expression. No. That would be far too inconvenient.' At last, he extended an arm to pull her against him. Emilia, you are a bad girl. Is this how you pulled Kashday Murkaster's secrets from him? Pillow talk, they call it, don't they? All the great femme fatales of human history were adept at it.'

Emma laughed obligingly. You flatter me. Kashday told me no secrets.' He hadn't needed to: she'd guessed many of them. Othman, however, was a closed vault to her intuition.

What is this business that's so urgent, then?' she asked, in a careful voice.

Othman hesitated, before answering. I want to talk to the psychic.'

Daniel Cranton?' Emma supposed that would not cause any problems. If Othman was occupied with Cranton, Owen and Lily could conduct their investigations in peace. But why? You're Grigori. You don't need him.'

Othman smiled lazily. Ever heard of using a canary to test the air in a coal mine? There's a guardian at the house, and I don't have its measure yet. Did you, by the way, ever go into any of the underground sites around here while you worked for the Murkasters?'

Emma shook her head. No. My duties were entirely domestic. I don't think any villagers went into the secret places - and came out again.'

It's important I find the chamber...'

What chamber?'

Othman smiled. Where the flame burns. You talked of that, didn't you, when we first met?'

She nodded. Yes. I know about the flame. I think the Murkasters killed it, or took it with them. It will take a lot to revive it.'

Perhaps it has already revived.' Othman sat up.

Emma realised he was referring to what had happened with Lily at the High Place, but did not question him. Are you going now?' She reached out, stroked his arm. Please, wait a while. I have a lot of catching up to do.' Her hand strayed to his groin. She felt him stir beneath her fingers.

Smiling he reached out to squeeze one of her heavy b.r.e.a.s.t.s through the silk of her slip. She drew her breath in slowly, savouring the contact. You are a temptation,' he said.

Relax for a few hours.' She lowered herself backwards, opened her legs a little.

Othman leaned over to remove her silk knickers, which she still wore. Just a while, then,' he said.

Chapter Twenty-Five.

Monday 26th October, Little Moor Long Eden seemed less threatening to Lily with Owen and Daniel there. The building still towered up into the night, clutching its secrets within, throwing baleful shadows onto the weedy gravel of the drive, but its looming presence seemed petulant rather than sinister. She noticed that Daniel made a point of maintaining a distance between himself and Owen as they walked up the drive. Whether this was irritating or gratifying was hard to decide. Daniel looked young and vulnerable, still wearing his school uniform, although he'd removed his tie and jacket. He'd obviously been horrified to find Lily in the car when they'd gone to pick him up. After an excruciatingly silent drive back to the cottage, Lily had made sandwiches and a pot of tea, while Owen told Daniel about Emma Manden and all that she had said. Daniel had sat pale and wide-eyed, looking as if he wasn't taking in much of what Owen was saying. Lily had been able to tell he was painfully aware of her presence and that she knew about his relationship with Owen. She'd wanted to put him at ease, while also had revelled in his discomfort. She couldn't understand her feelings. Daniel had agreed reluctantly to accompany them to Long Eden.

Have you ever been there before?' Lily had asked him.

He'd shaken his head. No.'

Lily had been able to tell that he wasn't very happy about having to go there. In that, at least, they were in accord. An unexpected burst of empathy had made her say, The place scares me to death, but at least there'll be three of us.'

And if we really are Murkasters, we have a right to be there,' Owen said.

We really are Murkasters,' Lily said in flat tone. She noticed Owen had managed to avoid the subject of Peverel Othman. At some point in the future, she knew she would have to speak to Daniel about her dream, and get him to talk in depth about what had happened in Cresterfield. But not yet. She didn't want Daniel to feel too at home in her territory.

Now Long Eden loomed above them. Lily could feel it watching her. She did not feel at home.

Do we walk right up to the front door and knock?' Owen said.

I wouldn't like the thought of anyone answering!' Lily replied.

Or the door might just swing open,' Daniel added, and there'd be no-one there.'

They laughed together nervously. The possibility of that, unfortunately, seemed very likely.

Something large and winged, an angel shadow, suddenly swooped out from the eaves of the house, flying low in front of them. Lily jumped and squealed, grabbing hold of Owen's arm. Oh, it's an owl!' She felt stupid for her outburst.

Daniel gestured up at the house. Perhaps there are holes in the attic windows.'

They paused to stare up at the eaves. The night shadow of Long Eden's towers lapped just before their feet. Lily tried to imagine their mother coming to this place, tried to visualise the face of the man who had possessed her there. Somehow, Helen Winter could not easily be made a part of this landscape. She had been too slippery, too quicksilvery, to have been held by the shadows of Long Eden.

They must have named this place after the Garden,' Daniel said. The Garden in Eden.'

Of course,' said Lily, extending a toe to dip into the wavelets of shade ahead of her. The thought of gaining access to the house seemed impossible. She had no fears they'd be able to accomplish it.

What can you feel?' Owen asked Daniel.

Daniel took in a slow breath. On edge, antsy.' He shook his head. I feel too small. The thought of penetrating the walls of this place is like trying to imagine breaking a mountain with a pin.'

Let's go into the garden,' Lily said. She walked towards the lawn of seeding gra.s.ses. It must have been so beautiful once.'

If Helen Winter had a place anywhere in Long Eden, it would have to be in the garden. Lily spied the pale remains of a summer house against a stand of yews some yards away. It was mangled by frenzied, overgrown climbing roses. Lily thought she could smell the perfume of the flowers. Even now, a few voluptuous blooms still clung to the rambling stems. She could imagine her mother pausing in the doorway of the summerhouse to smell the flowers, looking back over her shoulder to the one who followed her. In there, perhaps, Kashday Murkaster had made love to Helen, with the drowsy scents of a summer night all around them, the call of a night-jar, the slow drip of falling rose petals resounding against the breathing earth.

Lily felt drawn towards the summerhouse. Reality slipped away and she was walking in a summer garden with the warm night inhaling and exhaling around her. The lawn was neatly shorn and the roses climbing the walls of the summerhouse rambled over trellises. Lily heard laughter, the murmur of voices. She looked back, and the lights of Long Eden spilled out over the lawns. Faintly, she could hear music, the scratch of old gramophone records being played beyond the open French windows. This was a place of opulence and contentedness.

Lily paused at the door to the summerhouse. She saw a flash of pale fabric and there was her mother coming towards her. Lily gasped, murmured Mum!' but Helen could not see or hear her. She was smoking a cigarette, her red lips almost black in the moonlight, her arching brows disdainful of secrets. A man came up behind her, a tall silhouette. His red hair fell forward as he leaned to put his hands on Helen's shoulders. Feel it!' Helen said in a husky voice. Feel the night, Kash. It's calling to me.'

My father! Lily thought. He was like Peverel Othman, she could see that, but where danger lurked in the shadows of Othman, this one gave off only light. How could she doubt Emma's words about the Grigori now, seeing him there, an angel incarnate?

I want to help you,' Helen said, taking a fierce draw off her cigarette. Give me the chance! You know you want to.'

My beloved, I can't. You know that.' Kashday's voice was low, musical. It contained both humour and weariness. Lily realised this must be a demand that Helen had made many times before.

Helen glanced round at him. I can't understand why you're being so craven. It's something you want as well. Make me the Oracle! Give me the Eye! Take me into the flame next week! Let me open the Gate for you!'

There are too many risks,' Kashday replied. I cannot be Shemyaza, and you are not Ishtahar.'

Pah!' Helen spat. We are their equals!'

Kashday sighed. I rue the day I ever told you the old stories. We are not their equals, Helen. Nowhere near. If I'd guessed you'd be like this, I'd have kept silent.'

Be like this?' Helen was scornful. What do you mean by that? You have within your power the ability to take back all the things that were taken from your people so long ago. I am giving you the opportunity, and what do you do? Throw it back in my face! You are a coward, Kash!'

The Gate was closed to us for very good reasons!' Kashday appeared to be losing patience. When the time is right, it will open again, but we cannot force it. You have no idea what you're asking.'

I have courage,' Helen said. And that's enough!'

No!' Kashday said. It is not!'

With an angry cry, Helen smacked his hands from her shoulders. She ran past Lily onto the lawn. I despise you! Moulder here for eternity, then! See if I care!' She ran off across the lawn, and Kashday did not follow. He watched her leave for a while, then glanced to where Lily was standing in the shadow of the nodding rose vines. Lily looked right into his eyes. She was sure he could see her. She wanted to speak, communicate with him, but her mouth wouldn't open.

Already, she carries you,' Kashday said.

Something touched Lily's shoulder, and for a few moments, reality became a swirling rush of colour and sound. Then she realised that Owen had come up behind her and put his arm around her. Kashday and the old summertime had gone. It's wistful here, isn't it?' Owen said.

Lily was shaking. I saw them,' she whispered. Our parents. Here.'

Owen peered into the dark summerhouse. What happened?'

Lily screwed up her face, shook her head. It's fading like a dream. They were arguing about something.' She reached for Owen's hand. Kashday saw me, O. He spoke to me. He knew about us, even before Mum did.'

Daniel tentatively approached. Something was happening here a moment ago. I could feel it, but I couldn't see or hear it.' The night had become still and eerie. Daniel's voice was a soft intrusion. Can we look round the garden?'

Why?' Owen asked. Is it important?'

I just feel like I want to.'

OK.' They moved off together, Owen still with his arm around his sister. Lily felt both smug and uncomfortably guilty about this, strange, contradictory feelings. She felt Owen should be touching Daniel, not her, yet resented the fact it should be so. The impressions of her waking dream about her parents were slipping away from her, but she was glad it had happened. Kashday had seen her.

They wandered into the night-shawl of the yews, where the moon's radiance could not penetrate, other than in occasional silver coins of light. The watching stillness of the trees crept into everyone's bones. It would be so easy to become extremely frightened. Lily thought she glimpsed pointed, gnarled faces among the trees, and told the others about it. It seemed safer to laugh about it, and the sound of their laughter created an aura of protection around them. As they walked further into the tangle of yews and fading ferns, a dreamy, intoxicated mood descended slowly into their minds, dripping down like sap from the trees.

The yew walk led to wide stone steps that were covered in fallen leaves and moss. At the bottom of the steps was a lake, with a paved area where people might have sat to enjoy the view, or else climbed into boats. A narrow pathway appeared to skirt the water, but was overgrown in places and had collapsed into the water in others. The lake was surrounded by tall trees; pines on one side, oak, sycamore and beech on the other. An ornamental island, now a scrub of wild shrubs and trees, dominated the centre of lake, speared by a single ancient poplar. Bats flirted with the water's surface, seeming to flit in and out of reality.

Lily recognised the island as the place where she had met Peverel Othman in her first dream about him, but she could see no sign of a temple through the trees. Now you see me, now you don't!' she said, wiggling her fingers in imitation of flickering bat wings.

For a few moments, they stood in a line, staring at the island. Lily said, Things have happened over there.'

There is so much to tell,' Daniel answered, his voice faint. A million stories, a million pictures.'

Can you see them?' Lily asked.

If I let go, I feel I'd be swamped with them.' He closed his eyes and let his head drop backwards. Boats across the lake, breaking the line of the moon. Music and lights. Old music. Dancing. Laughter. Then there is winter, and the island is white and silent. A slow figure climbs out of a dark vessel, crawls up the bank, carrying a dim lantern.' He opened his eyes. It's like this place is a hundred films all showing at once.'

We should be taping this, or writing it down,' Owen said. None of them had thought to bring a tape recorder or a notepad with them.

They sat down on the paving stones at the water's edge, which were warm beneath their hands, and scratchy with dried lichen. The lake smelled slightly foetid, but there was also an overpowering aroma of earth and fruit, so strong, it seemed intoxicating. Lily said it was like taking alcohol by nose.

Daniel lay down on the warm stones. He felt he only had to close his eyes for the images to come crowding in; they were so strong here. This is your history,' he said aloud, but he wasn't sure whether he was speaking to Lily and Owen, or to someone else.

Tell us,' Owen said.

There is a woman in the water,' Daniel began. He wrinkled his nose, as if perplexed. She's bathing, or perhaps she lives in there. Her name is... Mellith. She says she comes from another place. She's one of the Murkasters. She drowned in the lake. She is showing me a picture from her mind...

It is the night of Lammas Eve. They walk to the temple underground. No, not through the Gate of the Cat and up to the island, but further on... The flame, it is waiting. She is there. Yes. So strong. She will go into the flame.' Daniel began to gasp for breath. Lily, Owen: your mother!'

Lily touched his arm. Daniel! Are you all right?'

His face was puckered up, as if in pain. Yes,' he hissed. Listen, it's all too rapid. Images. The flame! She is there, she is the Eye. No! The gate is opening, it is opening, but something's coming through! No! No!' Daniel's voice cracked. Lily and Owen were frozen, their flesh crawling, as they listened to their companion's panicked words. Too late! It's closing again, but they have come through! Angry! Punishing! They are like a wave of vengeance. The Murkasters are running away, and some of them are going up to the island. But the vengeance is coming after them! Forcing them into the water. They're drowning! Drowning!' Daniel's voice had become a squeal. Tears ran down his face. His breath caught in his throat and gurgled there, as if his lungs were full of liquid.

Wake him up!' Lily cried. Owen, do something! He's drowning!'

Daniel's hand lashed out and gripped Lily's arm painfully. No!' His voice was strong and deep, not his own. It must be seen. The Grigori repeat old mistakes in their greed and stupidity. The knowledge is not for the people of low earth. Not yet! There will be a time, when the tree shall fruit once more, and all can feed from it. But not this way!'

Daniel's booming voice ebbed to a sigh. Lily and Owen exchanged a shocked glance. Who had they just heard speaking through Daniel? Not Kashday, but someone greater.

Daniel stirred upon the stones, then rubbed his nose. His voice was almost normal again. Now, I'm walking back towards the house...'

What can you see?' Owen asked softly.

Lights in the windows,' Daniel said. He was smiling now. It is all lit up and there are people there.'

Can you go in?' Lily asked.

Of course. The doors and windows are all open. There are people on the lawn, talking, laughing. I think some of them can see me, others not.'

There was a silence as they waited for Daniel to speak again. He said nothing.

Have you gone into the house?' Lily asked at last.

The peac.o.c.k,' Daniel said. It's the peac.o.c.k.'

What do you mean?' Owen.

The tail of the peac.o.c.k contains the eyes. It's in the walls. And down there, underneath. The blue. Peac.o.c.k blue. The flame.'

Lily touched Daniel gently on the arm. Find the spirit of the house,' she said softly. As it is now, not in the past. Can you do that?'

There are so many images,' Daniel answered, his brow creasing. But I'll try.'

Tell it who we are and that we need to go inside the house,' Owen said.

There were a few moments' silence, and then Daniel became agitated. His head moved rapidly from side to side, and his arms flapped as if warding something away from his face.

What is it?' Lily's voice showed her alarm.

So big,' Daniel answered breathlessly. So dark. Can't speak!'