He got up and went to the bathroom to relieve himself and then on the way back poured a glass of water and sipped it slowly while looking out over the huge central pool. It was a beautiful blue, empty of swimmers: a picture of serenity. He so wanted to dive in and wash himself clean.

Matt heard sheets move behind him.

“Hey.”

He turned. “Hey.”

“Come back to bed.”

He padded back to the edge and slid in, immediately feeling her hand searching for and finding him. She squeezed and caressed, and once again he wanted her.

“I wish I could have read the Book.” She tugged at him gently. “Tell me about it. What did you learn? What can it do?”

He sighed as her hands worked harder and faster and she started to kiss her way down his stomach.

“It’s strange; it could be older than anyone thinks. It’s too descriptive and powerful to have been written by Abdul Alhazred. I think he was the writer, but not the original author. Maybe he was someone who had read the original and transcribed it.” He placed his hand on the back of her head and pushed her down, hurrying her.

She slid lower, plucking at his tip with her mouth, but then stopped. “Go on.”

“What?” Oh, he talks of Cthulhu – the Old One – its power and its horror. But I get the feeling all the real secrets are hidden in the strange language – I haven’t seen that yet. But look, if it is true Enochian, I doubt I’ll be any help.”

Her mouth engulfed him, and he arched his back for a second. He placed his hands behind his head, and began to talk softly in his bliss, telling her everything as she worked her magic.

*

At six on the dot, Matt and Tania walked from the entrance to the building. Baruk was already there with Adira, who watched them approach. Her eyes were like dark gun barrels on the pair, and Matt could have sworn she was reading his mind, and not liking at all what she saw in there.

Abrams, Andy and Hartogg immediately followed. Hartogg whispered something to Abrams and then stood a few feet out from them on the steps.

Abrams came and stood next to Adira, but kept his eyes on the water in the distance, the sun only just rising above its edge. “We have eyes on us.”

Adira didn’t turn. “Yes, I know: in the Mercedes. Do not worry; they’re ours – a couple of field agents from our local office. After hearing about Albadi in Syria, we decided it might be prudent to have someone watching our backs. They’re good operatives.” She nodded to Baruk, who loaded diving gear into the back of an SUV.

“Baruk and I will be running a proximity shield defense, but if they get in that close, it will mean we will already be fighting for our lives. I want some advance notice if we have a team of butchers on our trail.”