Stalking Tender Prey

by Constantine, Storm

‘Everything will be all right. It’ll all be over soon. Pev will take care of things.’

  Barbara shuddered. ‘Yes. Yes.’ She sniffed. ‘I have to go.’ She threw the phone down as if it burned her.

  The last person Owen wanted to see when he went into the cottage was Peverel Othman, yet there he was, large as life, if a little bedraggled, sitting at the kitchen table as if he’d lived there for years. ‘Owen, hi!’ he said.

  Owen ignored him and slammed the door. ‘Lily!’

  Lily appeared from the pantry, carrying some frozen food. ‘Hello, O. Where’s Daniel?’

  Owen turned to Othman. ‘We’d better ask your friend!’

  Othman raised his hands in a placating gesture. ‘Whoa! What do you mean exactly?’

  ‘Where’s Daniel?’ Owen demanded. ‘He’s missing and I know you’re involved. What have you done to him?’

  Othman looked surprised. ‘I don’t know what you’re talking about! What do you mean, Daniel’s missing?’

  ‘He wasn’t at school today,’ Owen said. He turned to Lily. ‘I’ve been to Low Mede. Babs Eager and Louis Cranton look like serial killers, and they tell me Daniel and Verity have gone to visit relatives. Something’s going on. I don’t believe a word of it.’

  Othman sighed deeply. ‘Great Shem,’ he said in an undertone. ‘I think the worst has happened.’

  ‘Pev?’ Lily walked forward, put her burden down on the table. ‘What do you mean?’

  ‘I have to come clean,’ Othman said, glancing from Owen to Lily. ‘I’m sorry your friend’s got involved in all this, Owen. It was not my intention.’

  ‘Involved in what?’ Owen’s fists were bunched. Lily was afraid he’d hit Othman.

  ‘Sit down, both of you,’ Othman said. ‘I have something to explain to you.’

  Lily sat down, but Owen remained standing. Othman reached for Owen’s hand, but Owen snatched it away. ‘Don’t touch me! Just talk!’

  ‘All right,’ Othman said wearily. ‘Please don’t shout at me. I’ve had enough of shouting.’ He turned to Lily. ‘I have enemies, people who’ve been following me. I hoped it would be safe here, but...’ He shrugged. ‘I was wrong. If Daniel’s gone missing, I wouldn’t be surprised if he’s been taken by my enemies.’

  ‘What?’ Owen cried. ‘Then we must do something! Call the police.’

  ‘No!’ Othman stood up. ‘Owen, you’re talking shit. You don’t know what we’re up against. This is Grigori business, and we must deal with it our way. No police. Are you mad? What do you think will happen to you?’

  Owen lowered his eyes. ‘We must do something!’

  Othman nodded, sat down again slowly as if in pain. ‘I know. But panicking and shouting won’t help. Daniel won’t be harmed, if that’s what you’re worried about. They’ll interrogate him and he’ll tell them what he knows. No torture, just mind control. He’s in no danger. Once they’re done with him, they’ll remove all memory of their existence from his mind, implant alternative memories, then let him go. I’ve seen it happen a hundred times. I know the routine. All we have to do is wait — and, of course, prepare our defence.’

  ‘Our defence!’ Owen snapped. ‘We’re not your allies, Othman. You can just get out of my house right now! If your enemies come here, I’ll gladly tell them all I know about you!’

  Othman seemed to buckle beneath Owen’s verbal assault. Lily said, ‘Stop it, Owen! It’s not Pev’s fault. Look at him, he’s sick! Don’t be so mean.’

  ‘Yeah, he’s sick all right!’ Owen said harshly.

  Othman looked up at him. ‘Hate me all you like. I’m here as your protector. The people looking for me will be after you, too. They’re the same ones that drove your family from Little Moor. We are allies, Owen, whether you like it or not.’

  Owen looked at Lily. ‘Is this true?’

  She looked puzzled. ‘I... I suppose so.’ Othman had mentioned nothing of this to her earlier.

  ‘Ask Emma Manden,’ Othman said. ‘She’ll tell you.’ His face creased in pain, and he clutched his side. Lily hurried over to him.

  ‘Pev, what’s the matter?’

  He shook his head. ‘It’s nothing. Give me wine.’

  ‘Yes, yes!’ Lily ran into the pantry.

  Owen looked down upon Peverel Othman.

  ‘You don’t trust me,’ Othman said. ‘What can I do to make you trust me?’

  ‘Bring Daniel back,’ Owen said.

  ‘I will, I’ll do everything I can. Owen, take my hand.’

  Owen stared at the offered palm for a few moments, then reluctantly took it. ‘Do you mean it? Will you get Daniel back? I can’t wait for these bastards, whoever they are, to release him.’

  Othman nodded wearily. ‘Yes. Whatever you want. I just need to recuperate, get my strength back. The High Place, the flame.’ He lips peeled back from his teeth as he grimaced in pain.

  ‘What’s wrong with you?’ Owen asked him.

  ‘Needles,’ Othman gasped. ‘In my head, in my heart, old needles, from the past, pricking me.’

  ‘He’s off his head,’ Owen said to Lily as she reappeared with a fresh bottle of wine.

  Lily frowned and shook her head to silence him. ‘He’ll be fine. He’s staying with us. We’ll look after him.’

  Owen looked doubtful. ‘I don’t like having to trust him. You haven’t seen what he’s done to Babs and Louis.’

  ‘I’ve given them nothing but strength and health,’ Othman said, regaining his composure. He still held Owen’s hand. ‘One day, you will be able to do such things yourself, then it will not frighten you.’

  ‘It doesn’t seem to be doing you much good!’ Owen said. ‘While Louis Cranton regains health and vitality, you look like hell.’

  Othman shook his head. ‘My condition has nothing to do with what I’ve done for Louis Cranton. It’s the influence of my enemies. But it will pass. With your help.’

  Out in the garden, Raven sat beneath an upturned wheelbarrow. His leg still pained him, and he could feel the dim desperation of Verity Cranton calling out to him from below the ground at Low Mede. His intelligence was limited in this form, but he was constrained to maintain it most of the time. All he could sense were the strident feelings of the Two Legs, screaming through the air like demented ghosts. He sensed their passions, their confusion, their betrayals. And Othman. Raven sensed Othman as a ball of flame, red and black, burning inwards. He was wary of Othman, and sensed him as an intruder. Raven had been awoken for a purpose, and soon it would be fulfilled. Then might come release, or further slumber. In the presence of the dark woman of Low Mede, his bindings were loosened and he could creep forth to touch her. He was aware of her absence in his life, and knew she needed him, but other compulsions dominated his mind at present. Here, in the safety of the garden, he could gather back his strength, direct healing energy into his wound. There was work to do.

  Chapter Thirty-One

  Wednesday, October 28th: Little Moor

  Emma called in at the cottage again around nine-thirty in the evening. By this time, Owen and Lily had prepared a meal and they and Othman had eaten it. Now Othman lay on the sofa in the parlour watching an American film on TV. He was wearing a dressing-gown of Lily’s. She and Owen had bathed him earlier. His body had looked so thin and depleted that Lily could have wept. Owen had been silent, watchful. His eyes betrayed only flickers of his thoughts, confused and conflicting.

  Emma had brought Ray Perks with her again. When she saw Othman, she looked surprised, momentarily displeased, then relieved. ‘I wondered what had happened to you.’ She stood tall at the threshold to the parlour, appearing far stronger than Othman, who was draped over the sofa like an empty garment. Her eyes, Lily thought, held some secret knowledge, which she was relishing privately.

  Othman smiled, looking past her at Ray Perks. His smile was hard. ‘Who’s this?’ he said.

  Emma came into the room, sat down on one of the chairs. ‘This is Ray. He comes from an old family, and will protect Lily an
d Owen.’

  Othman nodded. ‘I can see the sense of it.’

  ‘I’m glad.’ Emma lit the inevitable cigarette. ‘May we speak alone, Pev?’ She glanced at Lily and Owen, noticing that they both appeared to be ill at ease in their territory.

  Pev also directed his attention to the twins. Owen put his arm around Lily, a convulsive, defensive gesture. ‘How about if you two go out for an hour or so?’ Othman suggested. ‘I want to talk to Emma.’

  Owen looked at Lily, who shrugged.

  ‘All right, just an hour,’ Owen said. ‘Shall we go to The White House, Lil?’

  ‘Well... yes... whatever.’ Lily was surprised Owen had given in to Othman’s request.

  ‘Take Ray with you,’ Emma said, ‘but don’t be long.’

  Outside, in the road, with Lily still pulling her coat on, Ray Perks stood in front of Owen. ‘Will you give it to me?’ he said. His face was fierce. ‘When it’s time?’

  Owen appeared doubtful, but said, ‘Yes.’

  Perks nodded and began to walk up the road, ahead of the twins. Lily caught up with Owen. ‘What did he say?’

  ‘He just reminded me of our purpose, I think,’ Owen replied. He looked troubled.

  Lily linked her arm through his. In silence, they strolled towards the lights of The White House, too bright against the night.

  ‘You are in trouble,’ said Emma Manden. She let the statement hang, a string of words.

  Othman blinked at her. ‘Tell me.’

  Emma leaned back in the chair, crossed her long legs. She still wore her coat. ‘Ray and I went to Cresterfield today. There was something I wanted to look into.’

  Othman regarded her without expression, waiting for her to continue.

  ‘You have been busy in Cresterfield, I think. We delved into the matter of a certain murder, a girl named Serafina. Of course, you have heard of her?’

  Othman still said nothing.

  ‘There were quite a few strange deaths in Cresterfield around that time. It seems a group of what the media called Satanists committed mass suicide on the same night poor Serafina died. The case was closed very quickly. It was supposed the group had killed the girl before getting hysterical and suffering fatal heart attacks.’ Her voice betrayed her scepticism about this story.

  ‘There is no link between me and these people,’ Othman said. His face was composed in a half-smile.

  ‘Naturally not,’ Emma agreed, ‘although the case has your paw-prints all over it, I’d say.’

  ‘How did you make this absurd connection?’

  Emma lifted her shoulders in a shrug. ‘You did not take control of Owen and Daniel. Perhaps you should have done. You left them to their own devices, and Daniel discovered the link, although I don’t think he realises it himself. He met a friend of Serafina’s in a night club in Cresterfield, and caught the name Shemyaza when he held the dead girl’s bangle. Then Lily saw the fallen angel in a dream. He wore your face. Daniel did not recognise you for what you are, and Lily has only romantic fantasies. But I know. You killed those people in Cresterfield, didn’t you, before coming here You are of Shemyaza’s blood-line.’

  Othman raised himself on one elbow. ‘It is not your concern. It is irrelevant. Have you forgotten so much during your stint of decrepitude?’

  Emma laughed. ‘Not at all. I just want you to know I’m aware of your activities. Also, I wouldn’t want you to try the same trick here.’

  ‘I had no such plans.’

  Emma narrowed her eyes, leaned forward, her hands like claws upon the chair arms. ‘What are your plans, Peverel?’

  ‘I shall comply with your wishes utterly. On Friday night, I will conduct a ritual to resuscitate the perpetual flame, and the power from it will be passed on to your people. Most will be at Barbara Eager’s party at The White House. I shall come there. The gates of Long Eden will be opened to us, and all will proceed as you desire.’

  Emma nodded thoughtfully. ‘Will you stay here?’

  ‘I don’t know. There’s a possibility some of my people are looking for me. Whether Long Eden can hide me, I’ve yet to ascertain.’ He paused, wondering whether he should confide in her about the changes he was feeling in his mind and body.

  Emma seemed to guess he was withholding something from her. ‘What else?’ she said.

  Othman thought quickly. ‘There might be a problem on Friday night. It has become expedient to use Daniel Cranton in the ritual. I’m concerned about Owen’s reaction, and have only two days to coerce him.’

  ‘Where is Daniel?’ Emma asked.

  ‘His father has him,’ Othman answered. ‘He is safe. Daniel is vital to the success of our venture, Emma. I can’t stress this too strongly. I am weak and need strength. The flame will provide it, but it will take more than the power of sex, however potent, to stoke its furnace. It needs unbound life-force. Without the flame, I can do nothing. It took nearly all of my vitality to rejuvenate you, heal Louis, and subjugate the Crantons. If I am hungry for too long, my spirit will draw back into my body what I gave to you. I know you don’t want that.’

  Emma was silent. She bit one of the fingernails of her left hand. ‘Poor Owen,’ she said at last.

  ‘I can help him get over any emotional crisis,’ Othman said, ‘but first I need him close to me.’

  ‘I understand. Well, you seem to be doing all right so far. Two days ago, Owen would have thrown you out of the house!’

  Othman lay back on the sofa, resting one forearm against his brow. Then he spoke. ‘Emma, you must help me. I want you to prepare a drink for Owen when he and Lily come home.’

  Emma raised one eyebrow. ‘Resorting to chemical persuaders, are we?’

  Othman grinned slowly. ‘Herbal,’ he said. ‘Will you do it for me? I doubt Owen would accept it from me.’ He explained the substance was in a jar in his jacket pocket, hanging behind the kitchen door. ‘A teaspoonful should suffice.’

  Emma shrugged. ‘As you wish.’ It was beginning to happen now, she thought. In two days, the old regime would be restored. Sacrifices would have to be made, but they amounted to nothing, really. Yet why did she feel so uneasy? Why was it that, in her heart, she felt a need to make alternative plans? ‘Will you be strong enough by Friday?’ she asked.

  Othman nodded. ‘Yes. I need only a brief period of recuperation.’

  Emma chewed the skin around her nails, looking at him. They remained silent, until Othman raised his head and said, ‘Now, Emma. Go into the kitchen and put the kettle on. They’re coming back.’

  Emma heard the back door open, the high sound of Lily’s laughter. She, at least, seemed untroubled now.

  Once the twins and Ray Perks had left the kitchen, Emma made the drinks as Othman directed, sprinkling a teaspoonful of the herbal powder from his jacket pocket into Owen’s coffee. A few strands of herbs spiralled round on the coffee’s surface, which Emma removed with a fingernail. She sniffed the drink. It smelled faintly leafy.

  Owen did not seem to notice anything unusual about the coffee. Emma watched him guardedly as he drank it. Poor boy, she thought. His will is about to be taken from him.

  At Othman’s discrete signal, Emma announced she was leaving. ‘Be here tomorrow morning early,’ Othman told her.

  Emma gathered Ray Perks to her side and left.

  Othman watched Owen through slitted eyes, waiting for him to manifest some physical effect from the haoma that Emma had put in his coffee. Lily was chattering brightly, but her words were nothing more than a chirruping nonsense that flapped round Othman’s senses. He wanted Owen. He needed him.

  Owen sat down on the hearth rug. He felt drunk, as if he’d had more than two pints of cider. Lily’s voice seemed too strident to be borne. He rested his cheek on the rug and closed his eyes, trying to summon concern about Daniel. But it seemed his head was too cloudy for his thoughts to make contact with one another. On one side of his mind was the troubling fact that Daniel was missing, on the other, his own potential concern. However much he t
ried to concentrate, Owen could not make the two thoughts meet. Lying on his side on the rug, he struggled to take control of his swimming mind, until he thought he felt hands upon him and had to open his eyes. Peverel Othman was kneeling beside him, Lily standing just behind, an expression of thoughtful uncertainty on her face. Owen knew then that he was in the presence of a partnership. Lily had stepped back from him, into Othman’s control.

  ‘Owen.’ Othman stroked his face, rubbed his arm. ‘Don’t fight me. Lily hasn’t. Lily knows me now. Lily trusts me.’

  Owen rolled onto his back. The ceiling seemed very far away, coruscating with flickering spots of light. His limbs felt unnaturally long, his eyes were fire. He realised then that Othman was not stroking his face or his body, but his aura. The long pale hands hovered a couple of inches above Owen’s face and arms.

  ‘Is Daniel safe?’ Owen asked, although there was no true feeling behind the question. It was just something to say.

  ‘Yes,’ Othman answered. ‘He is already safe, and very soon, you and he will fulfil a special purpose.’

  Owen tried to drag his burning eyes towards Othman’s steady, viper gaze. ‘What purpose?’

  ‘An ending to what you have always done at the High Place, Owen. The energy of your communion with Daniel will awaken the power of the Murkasters, which will then belong to you and your sister. You must trust me.’

  Owen smiled, although his eyes were dull. ‘Can I give Daniel longevity?’

  Othman nodded. ‘Of course. Whatever you wish.’ His hands descended through the nimbus of Owen’s aura and touched his skin. ‘Tonight, I will instruct you. It will be the first lesson of many.’ He kneeled upright, and glanced at Lily. ‘Prepare your brother for me. I must meditate for a short while.’

  Lily’s fingers were pressed against her mouth, her eyes wide. ‘Prepare him?’

  ‘Take him upstairs and bathe him. Put him to bed.’

  Lily knew these words for a command, not a request.

  Owen lay on his back in his bed. Around him, the yellow lamplight looked dim and cold. His mind drifted in a luxurious haze. He could not remember how he had got there, or the fact that Lily had bathed and undressed him. All that existed was a faint sense of impatience.