Page 149 of The Simurgh

‘It just came to you?’ he said, clearly disbelieving.

‘Yup. Someone wanted ya to ‘ear it, that’s all I know. I’m hopin’ you’re not gonna smite me for sayin’ it, but those fire eyes of yours aren’t exactly makin’ me confident I’m gonna survive the next few minutes.’

Lucifer ducked his head, turning away to place his hand on the open carriage door. Pitch frowned. Now the daemon’s behaviour was downright strange. He was the king of the glare, since when was he the first to look away?

‘This about Hadrian’s Wall, or somethin’? Tyvain’s brow was wrinkled as she considered. ‘Dunno why a wall needs thankin’, though.’

‘It is not about the wall.’ Lucifer darted furtive looks at the soothsayer, which not only made Pitch want to laugh at how ridiculous it was, but made him uneasy, too.

‘What was it about then?’ he asked. ‘What do those names mean to you?’

‘Both much better than Reginald, can I just say.’ Tyvain added.

Lucifer’s fingers curled around the carriage door handle. Scarlet gave up their lullaby and flitted towards him. It was clear indication the daemon king was not himself when he made no protest about the wisp sitting again on his shoulder.

‘They are names…names shared in private.’ Never had Pitch heard him speak so quietly. Lucifer cast another cautious glance at the soothsayer. ‘Between Seraphiel and I.’

Pitch blinked. ‘What?’

‘Feckin’ ‘ell,’ Tyvain dug her fingers into auburn knots. ‘It’s an angel bangin’ about in me ‘ead?’

Now Lucifer was levelling her with his customary stare, but there was no glare, just a hint of that earlier melancholy.

‘What else have you heard?’

‘Well, there was stuff about the witch’s bones, earlier, when you were all still in the cockaigne…least I’m assumin’ it was ‘im, then. Maybe there’s a feckin’ gallery of ‘em usin’ me ‘ead.’ She shivered, though the cold breeze had long since past. The air was mild, almost warm, promising an agreeable day. ‘Ya know, I think I preferred it when I just had flatulence, and rambled bullshit.’

The veil came down upon Lucifer’s face once more, his stern, carefully controlled countenance returned. He turned away, the move sharp, precise, commanding.

When he swiped at the wisp Scarlet did not linger this time, jumping away with a squeak.

Lucifer closed the door of the carriage, gently. He pointed a finger at the wisp. ‘If you are so intent on guarding the simurgh, then bloody do so well. Watch over it, and alert the prince to any changes, do you understand?’

Scarlet’s dotted on eyes couldn’t widen, or blink or roll, but the wisp still managed to appear surprised at the sudden responsibility. They held perfectly still in the air a moment before bursting back to life, doing several loops before slipping in through the narrow opening of the sliding glass window, and filling the already prettied interior with every perceivable colour of the rainbow.

Lucifer stood with his hand still upon the carriage, his back to Pitch and Tyvain. ‘Vassago, tell me –’

‘Pitch. It’s Pitch here.’

There was only brief hesitation. ‘Fine, Pitch, do you know how to find your way to Blood Lake?’

Not the questions he’d expected. Nor did he expect the wash of guilt that came with thinking of Edward. The beleaguered prophet. The key to finding their way. He hesitated, and in that pause he heard noise coming from further around in the graveyard. He recognised the deeper timbre of Silas’s voice, heard hint of soft laughter, the nicker of a horse.

‘Not yet,’ he replied. ‘But I know we’ll be shown.’

‘You are certain?’

‘I am very certain. I’m not alone in this.’ He decided on saying more. Their enemies had been decimated, and if Lucifer finally decided he was one after all, then Pitch had all his allies at his back. ‘There is a Sanctuary, Seraphiel’s Sanctuary, and that is where we must go.’

Lucifer regarded him carefully, but without any hint of the usual contempt or disdain. Pitch had the sense of being seen for the first time. ‘He did have a Sanctuary here then?’

Pitch nodded. ‘He did. I don’t know where it is, but I am with those who know the way. Don’t think I’ll go so far as to invite you along, you are a duplicitous bastard.’

‘I do not wish to travel with you.’ Lucifer ran his hand along the carriage as he made his way towards its tail. ‘There are other ways to protect the simurgh. Besides, you have matters in hand here.’

Pitch nearly choked on his own spittle. ‘Protect the simurgh? You’ve decided youdowant me to reach Blood Lake?’

Gods, he wanted to trust this decision. He wanted this over.