Iris Johansen - Eight Days To Live

His cheeks flushed. “It’s magnificent. Hadar said we had no need of pomp. We have the Offering Room, and that’s all that’s important to Judas.”

“And your glorious Offering Room is probably as unimpressive as the rest of this place. You made sure I didn’t see it when we came here.” She added deliberately, “As unimpressive as you must be when you make your so-called Offering. Do they laugh at you, Millet?”

He was cursing beneath his breath. She had thought that last taunt would tip the balance .

He strode toward her and jerked her off the cot to her feet. “They worship me. They know how important I am. You don’t know what you’re talking about.” His eyes were glittering, and his grip on her arm was bruising. “But I’ll show you. You’ll see where your Jane MacGuire is going to die. You’ll see where you’re going to die.” He was pulling her toward the door. “You’ll see all the power and feel the souls who have gone before you.”

Good. He was taking her from the room. For a moment she had been afraid she would only loose that sadistic streak. It had been a precarious balance. “You don’t have to pull me. I’m not fighting you.”

He released her, then frowned as he saw her sway. “You’re weak. Can you walk?”

“I can walk.” She got her balance and headed for the door. She was weak. Ignore it, she said to herself. “I have a little fever.”

“What? Not as strong as you thought you were?” He opened the door. “Come along. I can’t wait to see a little more of that strength crumble.”

The corridor was straight, with no doors on either side. High ceilings, with a coffered stone inset. Guards. They turned left at the end of the corridor and went a hundred yards, then faced a huge arched doorway guarded by another two men dressed in black leather .

How many other guards had they passed? Two at her door. Four on the long corridor. I’m trying, Jane .

Millet gestured mockingly for her to precede him through the arched doorway. “The Offering Room.”

She went through the doorway and stopped in shock. It looked like a small stadium, with at least forty rows of stone benches. In the center was a black granite altar facing a wall on which the Judas mosaic hovered like a dark vulture .

“I told you. It’s magnificent, isn’t it?” Millet asked. He pointed to a spot on the left side of the altar. “That’s where I stand. Where all the audience can see me.” He smiled. “And the Offering can see me. In that moment, they know I’m a god. Able to take their life or give it. I can see it in their eyes.” He held Eve’s gaze. “I’ll see that look in her eyes.”

She tore her eyes away from him to the far left, where a ramp led into the stadium. “Where does that go?”

“Outside. No member is permitted in the temple until the time of the Offering. Then they can only come to the stadium. They have to understand that they may have power in their own world, but here I’m the only power.”

“As long as you stay Guardian. What if they boot you out?”

“That won’t happen. I keep my eye on anyone who seems unstable. They have accidents. Or become candidates for the Offering.”

“But you were afraid of the consequences if they found out you’d lost Hadar’s Tablet.”

He scowled. “I wasn’t afraid. It was a matter that had to be addressed. The tablet is considered holy. I’ll find a way to get it back after I get rid of the MacGuire woman.”

“How many members will be here tomorrow night?”

“Between nine hundred and a thousand. There are a few thousand more around the world, but if they have an adequate excuse, they’re permitted to excuse themselves once every five years. It’s important that they attend frequently, not only to do homage but to witness. Witnesses can be declared accomplices in a court of law. Guilt is the strongest bond in the world. I have photos taken of everyone who attends the Offering and make sure they know that the pictures are kept in a safe place.”

“Blackmail? Charming. And you decide what excuse is adequate?”

“Of course, I’m the Guardian. I rule the Offering.” He turned to her. “I’ve decided I’ll let you see the MacGuire Offering tomorrow night. It will be thrilling for you. The roar of the crowd, the chanting. I’m the king. I’m death. They all fear me. It will be a preview of your own private ceremony.”

“I can hardly wait.”

His exhilaration faded. “You’re not as nervous as I hoped.” He studied her. “Perhaps it’s because you’re ill. Your cheeks are flushed, and your lips are so dry, they’re cracked. I may have to have Faruk fly you in some antibiotics. I don’t want your reactions to be dulled.”

“Perish the thought.” She had obviously seen all she was going to see. Guards. Corridors. Main ramp to the stadium. Now, give him something to make him think he’d won. “You’ve proved your point. This Offering Room is… a little frightening. I’m ready to go back to my room.”

“It’s my decision whether you go or stay.” Then he slowly nodded. “But maybe you did have a jolt. Now you know that the Offering is actually going to happen. It can’t be stopped. For two thousand years, the Master has taken his vengeance.”

“And how many times have you presided?”

“Seventeen at the Offerings themselves.”

“And I’d bet hundreds more on the side.”

He smiled. “But experience is a fine teacher. The members don’t like a quick cut. They want a scream or two, and I know just how to please them.” He gestured. “Now we’ll go back and let you rest and absorb. I want you fresh for tomorrow night.”

She headed for the arch. She was dizzier than she had been when they started. She was glad that she’d been able to concentrate on the way to the Offering Room .

Did you get it, Jane?

I’ll try again later, but this may have been my best chance .

I hope you were with me…

GOT it!

Darkness lessening, Jane realized.

Gray.

Lighter.

Lighter still.

Fast. So fast.

Much faster than the last time.

Caleb!

Her lids flew open.

No Caleb.

She was no longer in his arms as she had been when she had gone to sleep. She was still in the car but leaning against the passenger door.

She sat up groggily and pushed her hair back from her face. Where was Caleb? Had he gone back into the bar? She had to tell him about the temple. She had to tell him that Eve-

They weren’t in the bar parking lot any longer.

Her heart was pounding with panic as she realized where the car was parked now.

It was a few yards from the door of Faruk’s hangar.

There should be a way I can work it out, Caleb had said.

No!

She opened the passenger door and was out of the car in seconds.

No. No. No.

She threw open the door of the hangar. The harsh overhead lights were blazing.

And Caleb was crumpled on the floor across the room.

She ran toward him.

White. So white.

Blood trickling from the corner of his mouth.

Dead?

Please God. Don’t let him be dead.

She fell to her knees on the concrete. Was he breathing? “Why?” Tears were pouring down her cheeks. “Dammit, why would you do this? Don’t you die. Do you hear me? Don’t you die, Caleb.”

“I… hear you.” His eyes were still closed. “I’m… not dying. I need to rest. It was… not fun.”

Relief, then anger. “Stupid. Incredibly stupid.” She couldn’t stop the tears. “After what happened to you before, you went right back for an encore?”