‘I will stay here, with Angel.’

‘Afraid?’ said Louis.

‘Very,’ said Johain.

The climb was easier than it looked, but the largest of the caves, when Louis and Željko entered it, narrowed significantly beyond its mouth. The two men had flashlights, but were forced to crouch as they ventured deeper, until finally Louis was convinced that they might have to crawl if they were to progress farther. This he had no desire to do. He did not suffer particularly from claustrophobia, but something primal in him rebelled against the prospect of enclosure.

Then, just as it seemed crawling would indeed be forced upon them, the cave widened again, and they found themselves in a small chamber in which they could almost stand upright. In an alcove lay the exsiccated remains of a small human being, like a skeleton wrapped in old paper. The body was curled into the fetal position, the hands folded beneath the head as though to cushion it in sleep.

‘Is it her?’ said Željko.

The chin was pointed, and the skull slightly rounded, which suggested the remains were female. Louis focused his attention on the spine. The scoliosis of which Frend had spoken was plain to see.

‘It’s her,’ said Louis. ‘Hand me the sack.’

Željko produced a woven sack from his pack and held it open while Louis shifted the cadaver into it, the skin tearing and the bones separating in the process. They then retraced their steps, Željko leading, until they reemerged into the canyon. Louis tied off the top of the sack and dropped it to where Angel and Johain waited. He and Željko climbed back down without incident, and the four men stood around the body, the bones poking against the material, the hemisphere of the skull rising from the heart of them.

‘Give me the hammer,’ said Louis.

Željko handed it over, and Louis broke the bones, striking at them over and over until they were reduced to fragments. Angel then took a turn, followed by Željko, until the fragments became little more than shards and dust. Johain did not offer to help. When they were done, Louis opened the sack and tipped the contents into the stream. He turned to Johain.

‘Are you sure that’ll do it?’

‘Can’t you feel it?’ said Johain. ‘She’s gone.’

Zorya opened her eyes. Jennifer Parker was standing before her. Behind Jennifer, the dead immersed themselves in still waters.

‘You were right,’ said Zorya. ‘I wanted to hurt them, just as they once hurt me. Men, women, all of them.’ Zorya’s voice sounded clearer to her than before. She was of this place now. ‘Are you going to hurt me as well?’

‘We’re beyond that,’ said Jennifer.

‘Are we?’

‘It would serve no purpose. And I understand you. You see, I also want to inflict punishment. A man tore me apart. He cut off my face and punctured my eyes.’

‘I’m sorry,’ said Zorya.