“I’m not mocking,” Alisher said calmly. “It’s very good that you believe. Only you shouldn’t confuse a state of intoxication with the touch of God’s hand. It’s improper.”

Las gestured dismissively. “A slight intoxication helps a man to cast off the chains of convention and frees his mind.”

“That’s no condition of divine revelation, far from it,” Semyon chuckled. “I like going into churches, it’s calm, the smell’s good and the aura’s benign. But I don’t sense God.”

“Your moment will come too!” Las declared solemnly. “You’ll sense God within you. You’re a good man, after all.”

“I’m an Other,” Semyon replied. “A good one, I hope. But an Other. And for us, I’m afraid, there is no God . . .”

“Guys, can I ask a question?” I put in.

“What is it?” asked Las, livening up.

“If you know for certain that it’s impossible to win but, if you don’t fight, someone’s going to be killed . . . what would you do?”

“If it’s impossible, why should I die too?” asked Las.

“If you have to fight, it’s not important if you’re going to win,” Alisher answered.

“Why, are the lad’s chances as bad all that?” Semyon asked, with a frown.

I carried on with my own questions. “Guys, have you ever heard of the Twilight Creature?”

Silence.

“I’ve only just found out about him too. That’s because we don’t read children’s books. Only I’m not sure if I ought to . . .”

“If you’ve started, then finish,” said Semyon. “Either say something straight out, or never mention it. It’s not fair otherwise.”

“I think Gesar has left the choice up to us,” I said. “Guys, tonight the office is going to be stormed. Attacked by a certain creature, that is . . . And we can’t possibly defeat it.”

Chapter 8

Chapter 8

QUITE HONESTLY, I’D GOT THE IDEA THAT GESAR HAD GIVEN me his unspoken blessing to enlist volunteers. I could see immediately the way it would be—me telling the guys, them telling their friends, the entire Watch gathering in the office, and the Tiger showing up to be met by all the Light Ones in Moscow . . . And together they would see him off. After all, who said that a Twilight Creature couldn’t be defeated? Those lousy analysts . . . origins unknown, strength unknown, intentions obscure, impossible to defeat . . .

We would defeat him. We’d all get together—and beat him. It would be more fun all together. How could Semyon, Alisher, and Las possibly agree that we ought to hand over a defenseless child to some mysterious, unknown creature?

“If it was one of us that ended up in a mess like that, then I’d get involved,” said Semyon. “If it was your daughter . . . knock on wood,” said Semyon, tapping the table. “But for that kid—no way.”

“He is one of us!” I exclaimed indignantly.