Сергей Лукьяненко - Day Watch

Witezslav turned his head to look at Zabulon. "Can you reply to the essence of the matter?"

"There will be no answer-I have already explained the reason," Zabulon replied coolly.

"I offer the floor to the counsel for the defense."

Edgar sighed and began. "My colleague's speculations are all highly diverting. We are witnessing an attempt to shield a criminal…"

"Objection!" Anton put in quickly.

"To shield the accused," said Edgar, correcting himself. "Igor Teplov is guilty of the murder of the young witch Alisa Don-nikova. And the worst thing about it is that he loved her with all his heart. And worse again, in the grip of his maniacal passion, Igor Teplov incidentally caused the death of the boy Makar Kanevsky. He killed a child. A human child, who also had a right to live. And there is more. As a result of his extensive gathering of Power from children on vacation at Artek, seven of them suffered from nightmares for three months. Two cases of persistent incontinence were recorded. Nine-year-old Yurik Semetsky, a resident of Moscow, died of asphyxiation a month after returning from Artek, when he drowned in his bath. We do not know as yet if this was a result of the actions of Igor Teplov… the Light magician Igor Teplov."

He looked at the accused. Igor's face was stony. Impervious. Expressionless.

"The Light Ones can put forward their groundless accusations as long as they wish," said Edgar. "Without any proof, without even any cogent explanation as to why the Day Watch of Moscow would sacrifice a young and promising member of its staff who had already received several commendations from the head of the Watch, in order to eliminate a third-level Light magician who possesses no real talent… That is a matter for their consciences. We only request the Inquisition to consider the situation impartially and punish the guilty party for violation of the Treaty."

Edgar took a breath and added the final, decisive phrase: "We have heard a lot said about how Light magicians who commit some ethically unjustifiable act dematerialize themselves voluntarily. They withdraw into the Twilight under the burden of their shame… We have all heard a lot about this. But I, for instance, have never actually seen it. No doubt Igor Teplov regards the murder of a girl who was in love with him, and likewise the death and suffering of innocent human children, as ethically irreproachable actions."

He stopped speaking.

The Inquisitors exchanged glances. Then Witezslav asked, "Do the parties to the case have any proof that their assertions are correct?"

Gesar said nothing, but Zabulon asked in surprise, "Pardon me, but what proof can I offer that I'm not a camel? Let those who have uttered such nonsense attempt to prove it."

"The Inquisition has heard the opinions of the two sides," said the vampire. "Accused, do you have anything to add?"

Igor Teplov nodded. "Yes. I admit that my actions were not entirely justified… and I profoundly regret their consequences. I… I had…" He broke off, then started talking more quickly. "I had very strong feelings for Alisa Donnikova. But when I learned she was a Dark witch, it affected the balance of my mind. I do not ask for clemency. I have already condemned myself. But…"

He turned sharply toward Zabulon.

"You are the murderer! You sent Alisa to her death. And that is why I have to stay alive… I have to, so that you will not profit from your villainy."

Zabulon merely shrugged and gave a heavy sigh.

"Do you have any proof?" the vampire asked.

Igor shook his head.

"The Tribunal is aware of the significance of this case," said Witezslav. "Although neither side has adduced any evidence, the Inquisition considers it important to determine who is the real guilty party. Therefore…"

Edgar suddenly saw Zabulon's expression change: His face froze halfway through a sad smile.

"Therefore the Inquisition will continue to question witnesses. Alisa Donnikova will be temporarily rematerialized."

"Objection!" said Zabulon, rising to his feet. "This case is not important enough to disturb the peace of the departed!"

"Objection overruled. The Inquisition requests Anna Lemesheva, who has come here on the Inquisition's instructions, to advance to the center of the hall. Her body will be used for the temporary rematerialization of Alisa Donnikova."

Lemesheva began to squeal. But a moment later two young Inquisitors were already leading her, twitching feebly, out into the center of the hall.

"The expenditure of energy in this process will be borne by the Night Watch of Moscow and it will not be refunded no matter what the outcome of the trial," Witezslav continued. "Great Magician Gesar, do you possess the required reserves of Power?"

"Yes," said Gesar, getting to his feet, "I do."

Edgar felt he was completely losing the thread of events. What was so important about this Igor Teplov that Zabulon would sacrifice his lover for him and Gesar would expend such a colossal amount of Power?

"Proceed with the rematerialization," said Witezslav. "Any attempt to hinder it is punishable by immediate death."

Several of the Inquisitors moved forward slightly, and Gesar sighed and stepped toward Lemesheva. She squealed again, and then fell silent, staring at the Light magician with glazed eyes.

And then Edgar had to squeeze his own eyes shut.

There was such a colossal amount of energy raging in the center of the hall that he simply couldn't look. He sensed the Inquisitors erecting magical barriers around Gesar and Lemesheva, one after another. He sensed the barriers crumbling under the pressure of unimaginable Power. And he felt the Twilight shudder as it was torn open through all the layers that Edgar knew and those he had never even suspected existed. If this was temporary rematerialization, then what must a permanent rematerialization be like?

The storm died away. Gesar slowly stepped backward.

There were three figures left in the center of the hall-the Inquisitor Witezslav, the Light magician Igor Teplov, and the Dark witch Alisa Donnikova.

Alisa was trembling, coughing, and clutching at her throat.

Edgar shuddered. He didn't know what happened to Others there… in the Twilight. And he didn't really want to know, to be quite honest. But Alisa had just recovered consciousness at the moment when her human life had come to an end. She had come back to life with a searing pain in her lungs, still choking on seawater, struggling desperately with the pressure that Teplov had brought down on her.

"Alisa Donnikova," the vampire began. Even his voice trembled-temporary rematerialization was an infrequent procedure, very infrequent… "You have been temporarily rematerialized and are now in the premises of the European Tribunal of the Inquisition in Prague. Do you understand me?"

Alisa Donnikova straightened up, already controlling her wheezing. She was looking at Igor Teplov. And nobody else.

"Do you understand me?" Witezslav repeated.

"Why… in Prague?" Alisa asked. She was taking rapid, deep breaths, as if she simply couldn't get enough air-even the damp air in this dungeon.

"That is not important, Alisa Donnikova. You have been summoned to our world as a witness. A great deal depends on what you say."

"Can… can I stay here? Again? Forever?" Alisa asked.

But she was only looking at Igor.

"No," the Inquisitor replied honestly. "Will you answer my questions voluntarily?"

Alisa tossed her head to and fro, with a strange, desperate pride. "Yes, I will, Inquisitor. Ask."

But she was only looking at Igor.

"The questions concern your duel with the Light magician Igor Teplov, here present. Was the challenge to the duel made in accordance with all the rules?"

"Yes."

"Tell me, Alisa, do you accuse Igor Teplov of your death?"