A Knight of the Word

CHAPTER 19

When the phone rang, Nest was buried beneath her blankets where it was pitch–black, and she was certain it was still the middle of the night. She let the phone ring a few times, her mind and body warm and lazy with sleep. Then memories of last night's horror at Lincoln Park flooded through her, and she crawled from under her covers into shockingly bright daylight.

Squinting uncertainly against the glare, she picked up the phone. `Hello?'

'Nest, it's me. Are you all right?'

John Ross, She recognised his voice. But what an odd question. Unless he knew what had happened to her in the park, of course, but she didn't know how he could. She hadn't spoken to anyone afterward. Shed come back and fallen asleep almost immediately.

`I'm fine; she answered, her mouth and throat dry and cottony. What time was it? She glanced at the bedside clock. It was almost noon. She had forgotten to set the alarm and slept more than ten hours.

`Did I wake you?' he asked quickly, 'I'm sorry if I did, but we have to talk'

She nodded into the phone. `It's okay. I didn't mean to sleep this late'

She could feel the pain begin even as she spoke the words. Her entire body was throbbing, an ache building steadily from a low whiny to a sharp scream. 'Where are you?'

`Downstairs, in the lobby' He paused. `I called earlier and there was no answer. I was afraid something had happened to you, so I decided to come over. Can you come down?'

She took a deep breath, still working at waking up. `In about a half hour. Can you wait?'

'Yes, 'He hesitated a long time. 'I've been thinking. Maybe you were right about some of the things we talked about. Maybe I was wrong.'

She blinked in surprise. `I'll be down as quick as I can'

She returned the receiver to its cradle and rolled onto her back. Whatever had happened to him must have been every bit as significant as what had happened to her. She didn't know for sure that he was ready to concede the point, but it sounded as if he might be. She stared at the sunlight pooling on the floor in a golden rectangle in front of the tall window. Not only had she forgotten to set the alarm, she hadn't even bothered to close the drapes. She looked out at the sliver of blue sky visible through the walls of the surrounding buildings. Last night's storm had given way to better weather, it seemed.

She rolled slowly out of the big bed, her joints and muscles groaning in protest. Every part of her body ached from last night's encounter, and when she looked down at herself, she found bruises the size of Frisbees on her ribs and thighs, and scratches on her hands and arms that were caked with dried blood. She could hardly wait to see what her face looked like. She glanced at the bloodstreaked sheets and pillow cases and grimaced. She was grateful she wouldn't have to explain all this to the day maids when they came around to clean up.

She went into the bathroom and showered. She was reminded by the heap of damp towels and washcloths that she had showered just last night, but she needed to perform the ritual again to prepare for her encounter with John Ross. Last night seemed far away, and the deaths of Ariel, Boot, and Audrey more distant in time than they actually were. At first, as she stood beneath the stream of hot water, they didn't even seem real to her, as if she had dreamed them, as if they were imagined. But as the details recalled themselves, the images sharpened and solidified, and by the time she was pulling on her jeans and an NU sweatshirt, she was surprised to find she was crying.

She picked up the dirty clothes, stuffed them into a laundry bag, and shoved the bag into her suitcase. Her windbreaker was in tatters, so she dropped it into the wastebasket. She would have to buy a new one before she went outside. She paused, wondering exactly where she was going out to. She had taken the room for two nights, and her plane ticket home was for four–thirty that afternoon. Was she really leaving? Was her part in all of this over? She remembered her promise to herself the night before that she would see things–through to the end. She had made that promise for Ariel and Audrey and Boot, but for herself, as well.

She looked around the morn. Well, what she would do next depended on what John Ross had to say.

The long, dark, feral shape of the demon chasing her through the park flashed unexpectedly in the back of her mind. She hugged herself and set her jaw determinedly. She was done with running out of fear and a lack of preparation. She would be ready if the demon came at her again. She would find a way to deal with it.

But it was John Ross who needed strengthening. It was Ross the demon was really after, not her. She was Just a distraction, an annoyance, a threat to its plans for him. Once Ross was subverted, it wouldn't matter what she did.

She went out the door and rode the elevator dawn to the lobby. Ross was sitting in a chair across from her when she stepped out, and he came to his feet immediately, leaning heavily on the walking stick.

`Good morning,' he said. as she came up to him. She saw the shock in his expression as he got a closer look at her face.

`Good morning,' she replied. She gave him a wry smile. `The rest of me looks just as bad, in case you're wondering.'

He looked distraught. "I was. Did this happen at Lincoln Park? I got your message from Stef'

'I'll tell you everything over breakfast. Or lunch, if you prefer. I'm starving. 1 haven't eaten since yesterday about this same time. Come on'

She led him into the dining room and asked for a table near the back wall, some distance apart from those that were occupied. They sat dawn facing each other and accepted menus from the waitress. Nest studied hers momentarily and put it aside.

'You said something's happened,' she prodded, studying his face.

He nodded. `Fresh Start burned down last night. Ray Hapgood was killed. They made a positive identification this morning: His voice sounded stiff and uncomfortable. `Ray was working the night shift for me, it turns out. I didn't know this. I didn't even know I was scheduled to work it this week. I don't know why I didn't know, but that's the least of what's bothering me: He shook his head. `Ray was a good friend. I'm having a lot of trouble with that:

`When did this happen?' she asked right away. `What time, I mean?'

`Sometime after midnight. I was asleep. Stef woke me, got me up to take a look out the window, to make sure of what she was seeing. We called 911, then rushed over to wake the people in the building. Stef went all the way to the top floor. She got everyone out but Ray'

Nest barely listened to him as he filled in the details, her mind occupied with working out the logistics of the demon's movements between Lincoln Park and Pioneer Square. It couldn't have been both places at once if the events happened concurrently, but there was an obvious gap in time between when it was chasing her and when it would have set the fire. It would have had to rush right back after she had escaped, but it could have done so.

But why would it bother setting fire to Fresh Start? What reason could it possibly have for doing that?

`I know what you're thinking,' he said suddenly. `I've been thinking it, too. But the fire marshall's office says the fire started because of frayed or faulty wiring in the furnace system. It wasn't arson'

'You mean, they don't have any evidence it was arson,' she said.

He studied her carefully. 'All right. I don't believe it was an accident either. But why would a demon set fire to Fresh Start?'

Same question she was asking herself. She shook her head. The waitress returned to take their order and left again. Nest tried to think the matter through, to discover what it was she had missed, because her instincts told her she had missed something.

'You said on the phone you'd been thinking about what I told you; she said finally. 'You said that maybe you were wrong. What made you change your mind? It wasn't just the fire, was it? It must have been something else' She paused. 'You said you came over because you thought maybe something had happened to me. Why did you think that?'

He looked decidedly uncomfortable, but there was a hard determination reflected in his eyes. 'Do you remember the dream I told you about?'

`I remember you didn't exactly tell me about it at all'

He nodded. `I didn't think it was necessary then. I do now.'

She studied him silently, considering what this meant. It couldn't be good. All right' she said. `Tell me.'

Her face was so bartered and scraped that it was all he could do to keep his voice steady. He could not help feeling responsible, as if by having had last night's dream he had set in motion the events prophesied for today. He wanted to know what had happened to her, but he knew she would not tell him until she was satisfied he was reconsidering his position on the Lady's warning. He felt a sense of desperation grip him as he began his narrative, a growing fear that he could not accomplish what he had come here to do.

'I've been having this dream far several months' he began. `It's always the same dream, and it's the only dream I ever have. That's never happened to me before. For a long time after I stopped being a Knight of the Word, there were no dreams - not of the sort I used to have, just snippets of the sort everyone has. So when I began having this dream, I wars surprised. It was the same dream,

but it changed a little every time, showing me a little bit more of what was to happen.

`The dream goes like this. I'm standing on a hill south of Seattle watching the city burn. Like all the old dreams I had as a Knight of the Word, it takes place in the future. The Void has besieged the city and taken it. Them is a battle going on. I am not a Knight of the Word in this dream, and I am not involved in the fighting. But I am standing there with captives all around me, and in the dreams of late, I am their captor. I don't understand why this is, but I am.

`Then an old man approaches, and he accuses me of killing someone long ago. He says he was there, that he saw me do it. He says I killed Simon Lawrence, the Wizard of Oz, in Seattle, on Halloween. He says I killed him at the art museum. He doesn't say it exactly that way. He says it happened in the Emerald City, in the glass palace, in the shadow of the Tin Woodman. But I know what he means. The art museum is mostly glass and outside there is a piece of sculpture called Hammering Man, a metal giant pounding his hammer on a plate. There's no mistaking what he means. Besides, in the dream I can remember it happening, too. I can't remember the details–maybe because I don't know them. But I know he is telling the truth'

He stopped talking as the waitress arrived with their food. When she departed, he bent forward to continue.

`I didn't learn this all at once. It was revealed in pieces. But I put the pieces together. I knew what the dream was telling me. But I didn't believe it. There is no reason for me to kill Simon Lawrence. I respect and admire him. I want to work for him as long as he'll let me. Why would I ever even consider killing him? When you asked me yesterday about the dream, I didn't see any point in going into it. Whether or not I was a Knight of the Word, I wouldn't let the events of the dream ever happen. To tell you the truth, I was afraid that the dream was a tactic by the Word to bring me back into line, to scare me into changing my mind about serving. I even considered the possibility that it was the work of the Void. It didn't matter. I wasn't going to allow it to affect me:

She was wolfing down her club sandwich as he talked, but her eyes were fixed on him. He glanced down at his own food, which he had not touched. He took a sip of his iced tea.

`Last night, after the fire, I had the dream again' He shook his head. `I don't know why. I never do. The dreams dust come. It was the same dream, with the same troubling aspects. But this time there was a new wrinkle. The old man reminded me of something else. He said that I had killed another person at the same time as I killed Simon Lawrence. He said it was a young woman, someone I knew'

She stopped eating and stared at him.' I know; he said quietly. `I felt the same way. The shock woke me. I was awake after that until it was light, thinking. I don't believe it could ever happen. I don't think I would let it'

His voice thickened. `But in the dream, it had, so I cant discount the possibility that I might be wrong. I also remember what I was sent to do in Hopewell five years ago. If I was prepared for it to happen once. .

He trailed off, his hands knotting before him, his eyes shifting away. `I've gambled as much as I dare to with this business. 1 don't know if there's a demon out there or not. I don't know if the Void is setting a trap for me. I don't know what's gaping on. But whatever it is, I don't want you involved. At least not any further than you already are. I want you to get on a plane right now and get out of here. Get far away, so far away, you can't possibly be a part of whatever happens next'

She nodded slowly. And what happens to you?'

He shook his head. `I don't know yet. I have to byre that out. But I can tell you one thing. Fm not so sure anymore I'm not in danger.'

She finished the last of her sandwich and wiped her mouth carefully, wincing as she brushed one of the deeper cuts on her chin. 'Good for you' she said. There was neither approval nor condemnation in her voice. Her gaze was steady. `But you don't know the half of it. Let me tell you the rest.,'

She was shaken by the revelations of his dream and more than a little frightened and angered by the idea that she might be his target once again, but she kept it all hidden. She could not afford to let her feelings interfere with her purpose in coming to him in the first place. She could stew about the ramifications of his having had such a dream later, but for now she must concentrate on convincing him he needed to do something to protect himself.

`I watched three forest creatures die last night,' she began. `One of them was Ariel, one was a sylvan named Boot, and the third was an owl named Audrey. A demon killed them, a demon that is attempting to claim your soul, John. Ariel, Audrey, and Boot died trying to stop that from happening. So please pay close attention to what I have to say.'

She told him everything that had happened. She started with Ariel's appearance in the market, summoning her to West Seattle and Lincoln Park, where Boot and Audrey lived. Boot had seen the demon and had a story to tell. She called to let him know what she was doing, perhaps to persuade him to come, as well. But she couldn't reach him, so she left a message with Stef that she believed only he would understand. She took a taxi to the park and went in. At the rim of the cliffs overlooking Puget Sound and the park embankment, the sylvan and the owl appeared.

She related Boot's tale, repeating the conversation that had taken place between the two demons as accurately as she could remember it, then telling of how the first demon had killed the second to protect its claim on Ross. Boot was about to tell her more, she finished, when the attack occurred that snuffed out Boot's and Audrey's lives and led to the chase along the heights that ended up costing Ariel her life, as well.

`I went over the cliff by mistake or I would be dead, too' she finished. `I fell all the way to the base of the embankment, but I didn't break anything. I got up and ran out of the park with the demon still chasing me. There were houses where I thought I could get help. Twice I managed to get inside and twice the demon broke down doors and windows to get at me. I was lucky, John. It almost had me several times. 1n the end, I managed to get on a bus just ahead of it. Even then, it slammed into the bus doors with such force that the glass broke and the metal bent. It was in such a frenzy it didn't seem to care what it had to do. If the police hadn't arrived, I think it would have kept coming. It has to be really worried about me to go to such efforts. Maybe it thinks I know something. Maybe I do, but the truth is I haven't figured out what it is yet'

She watched the skin grow taut across his face and his eyes lose their focus. as if he was looking at something beyond her. `I wanted to come after you, and then something happened and I couldn't' he said softly.

She waited. His eyes came back to her. `The demon has to be someone I know, doesn't it?'

She nodded. `I guess so. Someone you know well, for that matter. Someone at Fresh Start, if you want my further opinion. When Ariel appeared to me after our lunch, she said I should stay away from you, that you were lost, that there was demon stink all oven you. She said it was all over Fresh Start, as well. I was there earlier, and I was physically sick while I was inside the building. It might have been demon stink or it might have been the demon itself. This is all new to me. But it isn't idle speculation anymore. It's real. Something is after you'

He didn't say anything for a moment, thinking it through. `Who was at Fresh Start yesterday morning when you were there?'

She shook her head. `I can't be sure. Stef. Simon Lawrence, Ray Hapgaod, Carole someone, Della Jerkins, some others. There were a lot of people. I don't think we can pin it down that way'

`You're right, it's too hard. How about the park? How did the demon manage to track you there? It must have followed you.. `Or intercepted my message„ she finished. `I already thought of that. Who besides Stef and yourself would have known where I was going?`

He hesitated. `I don't knave. Stef took the message at Fresh Start and gave it to me. I don't think she would have told anyone else, but she might have. '

Nest took a deep breath, not liking what she was about to say. 'So the demon might be Stef:

The look John Ross gave her was unreadable. 'That isn't possible.' he said quietly.

She didn't say anything.

Ross looked around, took in the nearby diners.

'Let's continue this somewhere else'

She charged the bill to her room, and they went out into the lobby. There was a small library bar on the other side and no one inside. They went in and took a table at the back on the upper level. The bartender, who was working the bar alone, came up and took their order for two iced cappuccinos and left. Surrounded by shelves of books and a cloud of suspicion and doubt, they faced each other anew.

`She saved all those people last night' Ross insisted. `She risked her life, Nest. A demon wouldn't do that'

A demon would do anything that suited its purpose'

`It isn't possible,' he said again.

`This demon is a changeling. A very adept changeling'

Ross shook his head. `I would know. I could be fooled, but not that completely.'

She wasn't going to change his mind. Besides, she wanted to believe him. `So the demon found out where I was going and what I was doing some other way. What way would that be?'

Ross rubbed his lean jaw with one hand and shook his head slowly. `I don't know. None of this makes much sense. There's something not right about all of it. If the Void wanted to turn me, why wouldn't it take a more direct approach? Just suppose for a moment the dream comes to pass, and I do kill Simon Lawrence. That would be a terrible thing, but it wouldn't persuade me to begin serving the Void. It would probably do just the opposite'

Nest looked at him doubtfully. `But the Lady said it begins with a single misstep. You don't change all at once. You change gradually'

They stared at each other some more, neither speaking. Nest thought suddenly of Two Bears, and the reason he was in Seattle. Perhaps she should tell Ross. But what would that accomplish? How would it help him at this point?

His green eyes were intense. 'Remember when I said earlier I wanted to come after you, but something happened and I couldn't? There was something wrong with me yesterday after I left you. I went back to the apartment and practically passed out.' Stef stopped off just long enough to give me your message. Then I seem to recall Simon being there, too. That's the last thing I remember before waking up at midnight. It's been bothering me. I don't even remember going to bed. I just remember sitting in the living room, thinking it was odd that Simon was there, then waking up in bed when Stef shook me'

He hesitated. `I was pretty well out of it. Maybe there was someone else there, too. Maybe I said something about your message, and I can't remember'

He was looking for help from her, but she had none to give. He waited a moment, then leaned forward. `When are you scheduled to fly back to Chicago?'

`Today, at four–thirty'

He nodded. `Good. Get on that plane and get out of here. We have to do something to disrupt the flow of things, something to sidetrack this dream. Getting you out of here is the first step. I'll nose around a little and see what I can learn. Maybe I can uncover something. If I can't, I'll leave, too. I've got a few days coming. I'll just take them. If neither of us is here, the events in the dream won't happen'

She studied him. `You'll leave before dark, before tonight's celebration?'

His lips compressed tightly. `I wont go anywhere near the Seattle Art Museum. I'll stay far away'

She was thinking about the promise she had made to herself to see things through to the end. But if she insisted on staying, he would stay, too. She couldn't allow that. And if they both left, then the matter was ended–for the moment, at least. If Ross accepted he was in danger, that there was a demon out there working to subvert him, he would be on his guard. That ought to be enough. She had delivered the Lady's message, and that was all she was expected to do.

All right,' she said. `I'll go'

`Now?'

'As soon as 1 can pack my bag and check out. I'll catch a taxi to the airport. You won't have to worry about me anymore.'

He exhaled slowly. `Fair enough:

`Just promise me you wont forget to keep worrying about yourself. This isn't going to end until you find out who the demon is'

`I know,' he said.

And it wouldn't end then either, and they both knew it. It wouldn't end, because even if he unmasked this demon, there would be another, and another, until one of them succeeded in destroying him. It wouldn't end until he either found a way to give back the staff or agreed to resume his life as a Knight of the Word. It was not a choice that would be easily resolved, and neither one of them wanted to examine it too closely.

`Will you call me in Hopewell and at least leave a message?' she asked him in the ensuing silence.

`Yes'

She sighed. `I hate leaving this business unfinished: She saw the sudden look of concern in his eyes. `But I'll keep my bargain, John. Don't worry.'

`That's just the trouble. I do'

She stood up. `I'd better go. Good–bye, John. Be careful'

He rose, as well, and she walked around to embrace him, kissing his cheek. The gesture was stiff and awkward and uncertain.

`Good–bye, Nest,' he said.

She stepped back. `I'll tell you something,' she said. 'I don't know that saying good–bye feels any better this time than it did the last. I'm still not sure about you'

His smile was bitter and sad, and he suddenly looked older than his years. `I know, Nest. I'm sorry about that. Thanks for coming. It means a lot that you did'

She turned and walked out of the bar, crossed the lobby to the elevators, and did not look back.