Eldren: The Book of the Dark (33 page)

The flames from the body were rising higher now, and Margaret was forced to back away from the heat as the flames lapped at the walls, hungrily seeking new conquests.

She pulled the boy with her, backing away from the heat that was already tightening the skin at her cheeks.

“Come on,” she said, taking the boy firmly by the hand.

As she reached the corridor she had one last look back into the room.

Flames were climbing the wall at the far side, tongues already lapping at the ruined frame of the dome above. And on the floor the ceramic tiles popped and cracked as they sprung from their position, lending once more a semblance of life to the serpent, but this time a life that was to be short lived.

A blazing spar fell from the ceiling, then another, and the cracking of fire on wood got suddenly louder.

And everywhere the bodies of the dead burned and smoked.

She turned her back and, holding the boy close, made her way out of the room, and through the hall to the clean air beyond the main door.

Brian was already standing there.

The other man, the one in the leather jacket, was standing on his own, but he leaned against Brian as if his own legs wouldn’t hold him, and his skin was a deathly gray, ill and sweating.

Brian took a step forward, and Margaret saw the need, the love in his eyes. She held out a hand, but met only air.

“Someday I’ll explain it to you,” Brian said. “I promise.”

Again he made to move toward her, but was held back by the injured man.

“We must go,” the man said, and Brian nodded.

“Someday,” he whispered, and for the merest moment Margaret’s fingertips brushed against his.

She felt a sudden tear in her eye and she reached to brush it away. And when her eyes cleared, there was only the expanse of driveway ahead of her.

There was a crash behind them, and she turned to find the whole house ablaze, blood red sparks and embers rising to dance in the air. She felt a pull at her hand as Tony dragged her back, away from the steadily rising heat.

The crackle from the fire was so loud that she didn’t hear the engine noise until it was almost on them. She turned to face the barrels of flame-throwers in the hands of three stocky built men in camouflage gear and blackened faces.

“You’re too late,” she said, and had to force back a giggle.

But when the tallest of the three ordered them to smile she was happy to oblige.

~-o0O0o-~

“North,” said Donald Allan, his voice little more than a whisper. “We must chase ahead of the sun.”

Brian looked down at his companion then out over the town from his position high on the hills.

The fire from the Hansen House had spread to the surrounding trees, a roaring conflagration that would be seen for miles, a scene of destruction that was mirrored and mimicked by many smaller fires in the town itself.

“Take me to the Temple,” Donald Allan said.

The vampire staggered, his legs finally betraying him, and he fell forward. Brian caught him before he collapsed completely and was dismayed at how light he had become. The vampire’s eyes had rolled up in their sockets, showing only white, and his head hung limply.

“Hold on,” Brian said, “It’ll only take one step. Just one step.”

With Donald Allan in his arms Brian Baillie turned his back on Finsburgh and took a step.

Just one.

~-o0O0o-~

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