I’d completely forgotten about the rite. I had no notion of Mathers’s plans, and little more than a day remained to prepare. I needed to be ready for anything. We made our way back to the front door, and Julian froze when he saw Henrick.
“Did you have to go so far?” he asked with a weary sigh.
“I thought matters too serious to let him stop me at the front door,” I said. Julian knew it for an excuse as well as I.
“Of course he tried to stop you when you stormed in.” He jammed a finger into my chest. “Fix this.”
I grimaced and knelt next to Henrick and probed him with my will. I found a few bruises from his fall, but no serious injuries. Kindling my will, I gave him a quick healing before undoing the sleeping spell.
Henrick’s eyes cracked open and he groaned. “Wha’ ‘appened?” he slurred, trying to roll over and get to his feet.
I put an arm around him and helped him up.
“Sorry about all this, Henrick,” Julian said, his tone jovial. “Just a misunderstanding on Mr. Crowley’s part. His business couldn’t wait, and you know how overzealous he gets. No hard feelings, I hope?”
Henrick glanced between Julian and me, both of us displaying the biggest smiles we could manage. He shrugged. “Guess not.”
“Glad to hear it. I didn’t mean to put you down so hard, lad.” I gave the man a pat on the back.
He shook his head. “I face worse in the field. Lucky you caught me by surprise.” He stepped away from me, rubbing his head.
“Of course.” I said, fighting hard to keep the sarcasm from my voice.
“Why don’t you go lie down for a bit while the spell wears off.” Julian gestured toward one of the bedrooms reserved for active duty Knights.
“Aye, I think I will. Thank you, sir,” Henrick said as he headed for it.
Once Henrick disappeared inside, Julian opened the front door and I stepped out into the morning.
“I’ll do my job,” Julian said, his tone suddenly low and serious. “Now, go do yours.”
With that he closed the door.
I turned and looked up at the sky, violet with the rising sun. I started toward home, feeling as if the doom of the world followed just behind me.
9
Mark Mason’s Hall
Memory haunted the few fitful hours I slept. I stalked the halls of the Nameless City repeatedly, each corridor blending into the next until I found myself hopelessly lost. But no matter which way I turned, I ended up in the same place every time, standing before the sarcophagus as my father opened it. Words refused to pass my lips as he leaned into the tomb, and when he straightened, he held an enormous book, its solid gold cover embossed with an image of Thoth like the sarcophagus.
He turned to me and grinned. “We did it, Aleister! We found it.” He placed the Book on the lid of the tomb and waved me over to join him. “You deserve to see this.”
When he opened it, something happened.
Every torch in the room died. Darkness blacker than the devil’s heart took hold of us. Fear gripped me, and I called out for my father, trying to grope my way forward. I received no answer. But I heard another voice, one I didn’t recognize. It told me to make a soul flame.
I did.
In time to see my father wrap his hands around my throat.
I tried to tell him to stop, but I couldn’t breathe. I clawed at his hands, but his fingers refused to budge. He brought his face close to mine, and I didn’t recognize the person in his eyes. In my ear, he snarled, “You won’t take it away from me.”
My vision dimmed, and the unfamiliar voice in my head shrieked at me to use my magic. So I kindled will, blasted my father off of me, and gasped a breath of precious air. But a moment later, my father’s fingers wrapped around my throat once more.
You cannot stop him, Aleister.
He’s my father.
Your father lost himself the moment he touched the Book. He means to kill you. You know what you must do.
My soul flame guttered. I can’t.
Yes, you can. You cannot die here. Kill him.
No.
Do it now!
Before the world faded away entirely, I did as the voice demanded.
The echo of my scream still reverberated through the room when I awoke, dripping with cold sweat. I threw back the blankets, stumbled out of bed, and made my way to the water closet. It felt like God himself slapped me when the icy water hit my face. The shock left me sputtering and cursing, but very much awake.
That seemed like an intense nightmare, Vex said, a hint of amusement in his voice.
Shouldn’t you know? You live in my head, after all.
Not when you sleep.
Good to know.
What did you dream about that left you in such a state?
A memory.
Of?
Why I hate you.
Vex didn’t respond, but I felt him heavy in my mind, waiting.
I shook my head and dried my face. With the initiation ritual for the Golden Dawn hours away, I could spare no time for such frivolity.
I need your eyes on my back tonight, so stay sharp.
Always.
I knew it counterintuitive to ask Vex to assist me after telling him how much I hate him, but no other choice remained. I didn’t know what, if anything, might happen at the ritual. But the drawings in Mathers’s possession put me on edge. Someone sought to bring the Book of Thoth to London, and no matter their reason, I couldn’t allow it to happen. So I made tea and set about readying myself for the night. I perused my books and checked my potions, but in the end, there was little I could do.
As the sky darkened, I made ready to leave. A few flurries of snow fell about me, and I
