The tap of our shoes and the click of Jones’s cane reached the little group and, as one, they turned to watch our approach. They muttered amongst themselves, though their voices echoed enough for us to hear.
“At last, George brings his precious neophytes before us,” a woman sneered.
“I don’t like the look of the gentleman.” A man’s voice this time.
“Speak for yourself. I want him for the fertility rites,” another woman purred. I made a mental note to acquaint myself with her.
Aleister, beware the circle, Vex warned.
I glanced down. The edge of a circle curved about a large portion of the temple floor, inlaid into the polished marble floor in bronze and marked with a pentacle. A brazier of coals stood at each point of the star, not yet lit. I had focused so intently upon Mathers and his flock that I’d completely missed it and chided myself for the novice mistake. I opened my Sight and found the circle unkindled and inactive.
I don’t see any power from it. Do you?
No. But someone could use it later. Keep an eye on Mathers. He puts me ill at ease.
Jones crossed the perimeter of the circle, followed by Elaine. I held my breath when I stepped over the bronze. Nothing happened, and I fought down a sigh of relief. Mathers flowed into motion, parting the sea of hoods as he came toward us.
“George, good to see you, old boy.” Mathers sounded cheery but his hard eyes appraised me.
“And you, milord.” The two embraced, then with an arm still around Mathers, Jones stepped back and gestured to us. “Samuel, let me introduce my initiates. First, Miss Elaine Simpson.”
Mathers swept up in front of her and took her hand, kissing its back with a flourish. “A pleasure, my dear. Truly a pleasure. George speaks highly of you.”
“How kind of him. And we’ve certainly heard much about you,” she replied, glancing my way with a knowing smile.
“All good I trust,” he said with a laugh, his attention already turning back to Jones.
Elaine rolled her eyes at me and I smiled. A grave mistake to think her a woman to be dismissed.
Jones gestured toward me and said, “And this is Mr.—”
“Aleister Crowley,” Mathers finished. His demeanor changed as he took me in once more, his eyes narrowed and face hard. I didn’t like the way he said my name. I imagined he noticed the missing papers and books from his study and wondered if he thought me the culprit. He held out a hand, and I took it, his grip firm, confident, but not crushing. I still saw no magic about the man, but that didn’t make him any less dangerous.
For several long moments, neither of us budged.
Mathers gave me a tight, calculating smile and said. “I think they’ll do just fine.” He looked to Jones, who brightened under the attention. “You found fine initiates, George. There’s still the matter of the formal ritual, of course, but allow me to welcome you to our ranks.” He patted my hand before he finally released me. “I expect great things from both of you.”
Jones stood with us like a proud mother as the hooded members congratulated us one by one. I shook hand after hand, but each kept their head lowered and their faces hidden. None lingered, each offering welcome then hurrying back to Mathers. Even Jones scurried to join the throng, leaving Elaine and I at the edge of the circle by ourselves.
“Do you think he truly possesses magical abilities?” Elaine whispered.
“I think him a dangerous man no matter the answer to that question.” I turned, gesturing to Elaine, and together we strolled about the edge of the circle as inconspicuously as possible as I inspected the circle.
“And an ass, with the way he discounted me,” Elaine muttered with a frown.
I huffed a laugh. “Aye, that he is. But at times, being underestimated can have its advantages,” I said with a grin.
She smiled in return.
What do you think of Mathers, Vex? I asked my cranial companion as we continued around the circle.
Must you call me that?
I found his annoyance sweeter than dessert wine.
Answer the question.
While he pondered, I inspected one of the braziers. Bronze, though plated over iron. I leaned forward and sniffed the coals, detecting a faint hint of lotus among the char.
I do not think him a magician Vex said after a time. He sounded unsure, though.
I nodded. My conclusion as well. Still, there’s something about the man. He holds power.
And it gained him quite the following. I felt an odd sensation in the back of my mind, as if Vex pointed at the men and women in the center of the circle. See how they flock to him? They seem to think him the messiah.
When we reached the far side of the circle, we halted and together inspected the crowd. Marionettes, each of them, and Mathers worked the strings masterfully. A few moments later, Jones separated himself and bustled toward us.
“I apologize for leaving you to yourselves,” he said when he joined us.
“No apologies needed. Mr. Crowley’s company was unexpectedly pleasant,” Elaine said with a wry grin.
“Ladies and gentlemen, your attention for just a moment,” Mathers’s voice boomed across the room.
As one, we fell silent and turned to him.
He regarded each of us in turn, drawing out the wait, building the tension. A brilliant performance, and even aware of his ploy, I found myself drawn in. “I welcome each and every one of you. Let us prepare to initiate our newest members into the
