Kroen’s hand, gripping one curved blade came down fast. Adira blocked it, and then swung high, and around to jam her remaining spike into the back of his neck. His eyes widened, and his mouth hung open in shock – revealing to Matt the tip of Adira’s blade in the back of his throat, like some sort of sharp metal tongue.

The spike had severed his spinal cord, and Adira leaned in as if to caress him, with her lips just brushing his ear.

“For Baruk.” She pushed the huge lump of dead flesh from her, and watched it fall heavily to the red carpet.

Sirens sounded from out in the street, and then jarringly loud in the small room was the sound of gunfire. Adira went down hard. Abrams leaped to his feet just ahead of Andy. The two Egyptians were unconscious, and Matt pushed one off and crawled over to the fallen Adira, turning her over, he saw the blood on her body – it still pumped. He pressed his hands on the wound and looked up at the shooter. Tania.

Drummond was edging to the door, and Abrams, who hadn’t seen what Matt had, roared to Tania. “Captain Kovitz, take that man down.”

Tania turned and fired – at Abrams. The bullet went past him and he froze, his face screwed in confusion.

Drummond walked to her, and took the gun. “Thank you, darling. Pretend time is over now.”

Tania walked calmly to the table and took the Book. She turned to Matt and smiled. “You talk better than you fuck.”

Matt knew he looked like a stunned fish, but he just couldn’t get his mouth to close.

The sirens stopped just outside, and they could hear the sound of car doors opening.

“I bid you all a good evening.” Drummond panned the gun around the room. “You haven’t got the Book, but you do have your lives.” He gave them his Hollywood smile. “At least until the Great Old One rises.”

Tania motioned toward Matt. “He’s read it.”

Drummond shrugged. “The Father said the ape wouldn’t understand it even if he did read it. It’s of no matter now. Without it, they can do nothing but wait and become more…cattle.” He looked out the window and then at his watch.

“The police are here, and I’m betting you all have a lot of explaining to do – especially with those bodies and fake passports.” He looked down at Kroen’s body. “Kroen, you’re fired.” He looked up and grinned. “One needs to retain one’s sense of humor, right?” He gave them a small bow, and went out through the door.

Tania turned and blew Matt a kiss, and then followed him.

*

Matt cradled Adira’s head. Her eyes opened, and she sprang immediately to her feet. He tried to reach for her.

“You’re hurt.”

She looked down, pulled her shirt open.

“Ach, it’s nothing.” She looked around quickly, and then went to leave the room.

Abrams caught her. “Forget it; they’re gone. We need to tend to your wound.” He looked to the door. “And the police will be here in about thirty seconds.”