Jack of Ravens(196)

‘I’m Mr Rourke, the night manager,’ he said. ‘Haven’t you finished here yet? Stop dragging your feet.’

Mallory thought he knew everyone on the night staff, but he had never seen Rourke before. Nearly done.’ Sullenly, he returned to his cleaning products. Something about the manager set his teeth on edge.

When he had reclaimed the window cleaner, he was surprised to see another person had arrived silently behind Rourke. Mallory had a second to take in the man’s determined face before a fiery crackle signalled Rourke’s head leaping from its shoulders.

At first Mallory had difficulty perceiving what the assassin was holding. His mind told him it was a clockwork machine, seemingly too large for him to grasp, then a crystal glowing a brilliant white. Finally he realised it was an ancient sword with a thin blue flame flickering along the edge.

And then he was no longer the Mallory who cleaned the toilets five times a day. Instinctively, he whisked his mop handle to the stranger’s throat like a sword. The stranger simply smiled.

You killed him,’ Mallory said incredulously.

I’ve been looking for you for a long time. They hid you well,’ the stranger said. My name’s Church. I’m here to take you back to your real life.’

Mallory’s thoughts were already racing ahead, evaluating numerous strategies for disarming the assassin, defensive positions to protect the woman in the next room.

Church appeared to know exactly what Mallory was thinking. He wagged one cautionary finger, then pointed down.

Where Mallory had expected to see Rourke’s severed head, there were now spiders, lots of them, some small, some as big as his fist. Rourke’s body, too, was disintegrating as the spiders appeared from its depths. Apparently with a single mind, they surged towards Church, and where they passed it appeared the very fabric of the building was being scoured to reveal a hole into space.

‘Don’t ask questions now,’ Church said. ‘If the spiders get you, you’ll be gone from this world in an instant.’ He grabbed Mallory’s overalls and hauled him away from the black stream. To the stairs. I’ll explain everything once we’re safe.’

Mallory half-resisted, but in the same instinctive way he had wielded his mop like a weapon, he knew Church could be trusted. ‘There’s a woman—’

‘She’s being taken care of.’

Through the glass, Mallory saw another woman who reminded him of a pre-Raphaelite painting, dark, curly hair framing a pale, attractive face. She was talking intently to the one who had been at work at the terminal.

Her name’s Ruth’ Church said. She’s one of us. She’ll get your friend out.’

Mallory had no time to question Church’s use of the word friend’, for the spiders were now flooding in pursuit. Mallory flipped over a desk to block their path, but they cut through it with such ease it appeared illusory.

What are they?’ he shouted.

The ones that really rule this world. Now, move.’

Ruth and the other woman emerged from another door into the lobby near the lifts.

Two for two,’ Church said to Ruth. Result.’

‘We’re not out of here yet.’ Ruth flashed a smile at Mallory. ‘This is Sophie Tallent,’ she announced. She feels she knows me from somewhere.’

Sophie. Mallory turned the name over in his mind. He was oddly pleased to see a determination in her face, somehow familiar. Her eyes met his for the first time; a connection, deep and puzzling and exhilarating.

Casting a glance at the spiders flooding into the lobby, Church threw open the door to the stairwell. We’re not risking getting trapped in the lifts. You’re the one with the power. Can’t you do something?’ he said to Ruth.

It’s not like turning on a light switch,’ she snapped. I really need a ritual—’

Do what you can.’

Cursing under her breath, Ruth turned to face the spiders, half-bowed her head and closed her eyes. Mallory heard her whisper a word that he didn’t recognise, but which made his stomach turn. An instant later the lights went out.

‘Brilliant,’ Church said.

‘I told you I needed a ritual!’

Mallory felt himself propelled into the inky stairwell and the door slammed behind him. That won’t hold them at all,’ Ruth said. Church sighed, said nothing.

A cool hand fumbled into Mallory’s and he realised it was Sophie’s. If we can get down three floors there are windows,’ she said. ‘The spotlights on the building will give us enough illumination to see.’

If we haven’t broken all our necks by then,’ Ruth said sourly.

Clutching on to the railings, they moved down the stairs as quickly as they could. An intense rustling came from the door at their backs.