Page 98 of The Simurgh

‘You can’t open the feckin’ thing, can ya?’

Lalassu whinnied, and Old Bess’s shoulders jerked. Even Sybilla startled, pulling away from Tyvain’s embrace, and shifting back to leaning upon the pew.

‘Palatyne destroyed my parchment and quill.’ Bess gestured to an ashen pile on the far side of the altar, like someone had upended a burial urn. ‘But even if I had them…’ Jane guided him to a pew to sit before he damned well fell over. ‘I’m not sure I have it in me…there is far more than Melusine magick barring this gateway. Lucifer had his own daemonic strength to help get him through…and Silas had…’ He paused and shrugged.

‘Silas ’ad ’is prince.’ Tyvain glanced at Sybilla. ‘And ‘e ain’t the same dolt ‘e was when we first met ‘im, neither.’

The Valkrie used the pew edges as walking aids, moving ever closer towards the stained-glass window. She gazed up at the picturesque scene, the colours gentle on her scorched features.

Tyvain shook her head as Jane sent her a questioning look. ‘Just leave ‘er,’ she said quietly.

‘You’re right, Bessie, even with your quill, this place is beyond you. Me as well.’ Palatyne stepped back as the Valkyrie neared, and Tyvain wondered why the hell they hadn’t yet put some restraints on the woman. But the Child didn’t seem intent on any escape, which was puzzling. Did she think there was nothing worth running from? ‘And we have you to thank for it. Each time you forced it open, the maleficium and divine magick are designed to reseal with more intricate locks. The harder you push, the greater the resistance. I could not open it, even if I wished to.’

‘You’re lying.’ Old Bess tried to rise but Jane stayed him. ‘Why would you be sent here if you can do nothing?’

‘Lokke sent me for my eyes and ears alone, and because there was no else. Since that daemon arrived, everyone is mightily distracted. They have all lost their minds over that pretty face. Although it might not be so pretty now as it was. I hear tell they’ve not been gentle with him.’

Tyvain steadied herself, taking a long slow breath so she wouldn’t step in and give the sly bitch a kickin’. A year ago she’d never have imagined feeling so riled up over hearing that Tobias Astaroth was being hard done by. Hell, she’d been ready to tan his hide herself more than once, especially with the way he treated Gilmore.

‘Well, I pity those poor fucks if they ain’t makin’ Mr Astaroth feel right at ’ome. The ankou’s a bit fussy about ’ow ya treat ’is daemon. Won’t be none too pleased to find him lookin’ anythin’ but ready to bed.’

Behind her, Lalassu snorted and hit the stone steps with a resounding thump of her hoof.

‘If the daemon was Seraphiel’s whore, as they say, I hope he suffers.’

‘Enough.’ Sybilla had reached the window. Planting her hand over the darkened panel of glass that seemed to be a burrow in the bank of the river. ‘Don’t say another word if you wish to keep that head on your shoulders. You will join Bess in seeking to open the entranceway, you will find a way to do so, or I shall gut you where you stand.’

Sybilla had always been formidable, a little scary when in a rare temper, certainly, but the way she spoke now made Tyvain’s skin crawl, and, she swore, the church timbers groan.

But Palatyne was unmoved. ‘Do your worst, witch hunter, most esteemed slayer of children. I’ll not open the way.’

Sybilla moved with impossible speed, covering the short distance between she and the Child. She grabbed Palatyne by the neck, lifting her until her legs dangled. Tiny sparks were visible, spewing from beneath Sybilla’s palm.

‘Feckin’ ’ell, she got her magick back?’ Tyvain whispered.

‘Is that even possible?’ Jane whispered in return.

Horrid choking noises came from the Child, whose eyes bulged, spit foaming on her lips.

Bess clutched his hands to his chest, close but keeping cautious distance. ‘Syb…please…don’t do anything you’ll–’

‘Regret?’ Sybilla did not take her eyes from Palatyne. ‘But that’s what I’ve always done. Haven’t I, Child?’

Unfair question, Tyvain thought, considering Palatyne couldn’t take a breath, let alone utter a word.

‘Now come on, Syb. She was just trying to piss you off.’

‘What she is doing is wasting my time.’ Sybilla raised Palatyne a little higher, sparks still flying. The half-fae’s face was the colour of summer tomatoes, but there were singes of black at her neck, tracing the outline of Sybilla’s hand like a scorched ruff. ‘Open the door, now. Or I will break your neck.’

Tyvain heard Jane’s sharp intake of breath.

‘Sybilla.’ Bess was firmer now, stepping forward. ‘She will be capable of nothing at all if you do not let her breathe. Please…we all know what you have had to sacrifice for the greater good. Do not let her words get beneath your skin. This is not you…’

‘You have no idea who I am, Bess. Not then, not now.’

The noises coming from Palatyne were not so loud as before. Her eyes rolled back in her head.

‘Sybilla, set her down,’ Jane pleaded.