‘Been taking care of ya’ll for seven long years, your mama longer than that!’ Quenton Morehead stumbles into his granddaughter’s bedroom, the alcohol flowing through his bloodstream like poison. ‘Two of ya’ll took and took … drained me like a ’ho.’

Lilith Eve Robinson’s heart flutters like the wings of a dove.

‘Ya’ll owe me, you know that don’t cha? Seven years’ worth, uh-huh.’

Her adrenaline pumping, Lilith’s mind searches desperately for the white light as Quenton stumbles out of his trousers, falling sideways onto her sofa bed.

‘Okay, okay, don’t start yer slobberin’. Ya’ll been comin’ along nicely lately. Tonight it’s time to let you feel heaven for yourself.’

Lilith squeezes her eyes shut, her consciousness taking refuge inside the nexus.

Jacob?

I’m here, Lilith. But I can’t stay. My mother’s calling, I have to go.

Please don’t go yet, he’s doing it again! Her energy reaches out for him, entwining his mind like a vine.

Hey, let go, you’re … you’re too strong for me. Let me go—

Stay with me—please! I really need you tonight!

I’ll come back as soon as I can, I promise.

Jacob, he’s hurting me.

He’s always hurting you. Stop being a victim, Lilith. Call the cops. Run away. Do something!

It’s not that easy for me. I have no place else to go.

My mother’s coming, Lilith—

You don’t love me anymore, do you?

I do love you, I just can’t do this right now. I’ll be back as soon as I can.

Jacob—wait! Don’t go, please!

Lilith, do you trust me?

Yes.

Then here’s what I want you to do. Tell him that if he puts that thing near you again, you’ll tell everyone in his church.

He’s threatened to kill me if I ever told.

Then kill him. Wait until he passes out, then get a real sharp knife and cut his throat.

I … I can’t do that.

Then I can’t help you. I’m sorry, I have to go.

Jake, wait—

Jacob’s mind pushes free and slips out of the netherworld, his vacancy tossing Lilith’s own consciousness back into reality.

The girl opens her eyes in time to witness Quenton step out of his boxer shorts, exposing himself to her. ‘Now don’t ya’ll worry. See this? It’s slidey cream. Slidey cream makes every-thin’ feel real good inside.’

Jacob help me …

‘Jacob!’

Longboat Key, Florida

‘Jacob!’

Jake opens his eyes. He is on the beach, his mother calling for him.

The white-haired boy hustles up to the house.

‘Jake, I want you to meet someone,’ Dominique says. ‘This is Craig Basedorfer. Mr. Basedorfer will be overseeing internal security while Salt and Pepper are away.’

Jacob nods at the older gentleman, who looks more like a librarian than a security expert.