annr.pandora-第29章

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　〃I'm　going　to　sleep　on　it；〃　I　said。　I　lay　down　and　dosed　my　eyes。　I　rolled　over　and　brought　up　my　knees。　〃I　am　tired。　I　want　only　sleep。　I　feel　safe　for　the　first　time　in　so　long。〃
　〃You　do？〃　asked　one　of　the　boys。
　〃Oh；　e　here　and　lie　by　me。　Bring　pillows　for　your　heads；　so　that　he　will　see　me　before　he　sees　you。　He　knows　me　well　The　pages　I　have　brought；　where　are　they；　yes；　on　the　desk；　well；　they　will　make　it　dear　why　I　have　e　in。　It's　all　changed　now。　Something　is　wanted　from　me。　I　have　no　choice。　There　is　no　road　home。　Marius　will　understand。　I've　e　as　dose　to　him　as　possible　for　my　protection。〃
　I　lay　back　right　in　the　hollow　of　the　pillow　where　he　lay。　I　took　a　long　deep　breath。　〃The　breeze　is　like　music　here；〃　I　whispered；　〃do　you　hear　it'？〃
　I　slept　the　deep　exhausted　sleep　which　I　had　held　off　now　for　so　many　hours　of　boch　night　and　day。
　Hours　must　have　passed。
　I　woke　with　a　start。　The　sky　was　purple。　The　slaves　were　curled　up　next　to　the　couch；　just　beneath　me；　like　terrified　little　animals。　I　heard　the　noise　again；　the　sound；　distinct；　a　pulse。　I　thought　oddly　of　something　I　used　to　like　to　do　as　a　child。　It　was　this：　I　would　put　my　ear　to　my　Father's　chest。　And　when　I　heard　his　heart；　then　I　would　kiss　it。　It　had　always　made　him　happy。
　I　rose；　realizing　that　I　was　not　fully　awake　but　certain　this　was　no　dream。　I　was　in　the　beautiful　villa　of　Marius　in　Antioch。　The　marble　rooms　opened　one　upon　another。
　I　went　to　the　last　room；　the　room　enclosed　in　stone。　The　doors　were　impossibly　heavy。　But　suddenly；　silently；　they　opened　as　if　pushed　from　within。
　I　entered　a　massive　chamber。　Another　pair　of　doors　ahead　of　me。　They　too　were　made　of　stone。　They　had　to　lead　to　a　stairwell；　for　the　house　ended　just　beyond。
　These　doors　too　suddenly　opened；　as　if　released　by　a　spring。　Light　from　below。
　A　stairway　went　down　from　the　threshold　of　the　door。　It　was　white　marble；　and　newly　made；　with　no　wear　of　feet　on　it。　So　smooth；　each　slab；　so　clean。
　A　soft　series　of　flames　burned　below；　sending　their　antic　shadows　up　the　stairwell。
　The　sound　now　seemed　louder。　I　closed　my　eyes。　Oh；　that　all　the　world　were　these　polished　chambers　and　all　that　exists　could　be　explained　within。
　Suddenly；　I　heard　a　loud　cry。
　〃Lady　Pandora！〃
　I　spun　around。
　〃Pandora；　he　is　over　the　wall！〃
　The　boys　came　screaming　through　the　house；　echoing　Flavius's　cry；　〃Lady　Pandora！〃
　A　great　darkness　gathered　itself　right　before　my　eyes　and　then　descended　on　me；　throwing　the　helpless；　beseeching　boys　to　the　side。　I　was　almost　pitched　down　the　stairwell。
　Then　I　realized　I　was　in　the　grasp　of　the　burnt　thing。　I　looked　down　to　see　the　black　wrinkled　arm；　like　old　leather；　that　held　me。　Strong　spices　filled　my　nostrils。　Fresh　clothing　covered　the　hideously　thin　leg　I　saw；　the　dried…up　foot。
　〃Boys；　get　the　lamps；　set　it　on　fire！〃　I　shouted。　I　fought　desperately；　driving　us　both　back　from　the　stairwell；　but　I　couldn't　get　loose　from　the　creature。　〃Boys；　the　lamps　downstairs！〃
　The　boys　dung　to　one　another。
　〃I　have　you！〃　this　creature　said　tenderly　in　my　ear。
　〃No；　you　don't。〃　I　said；　and　gave　him　one　fine　blow　with　my　right　elbow。　It　drove　him　off　balance。　He　nearly　toppled。　But　he　didn't　let　me　go。　The　whiteness　of　his　tunic　glowed　in　the　shadows　as　he　once　more　enclosed　my　arms；　and　rendered　me　almost　helpless。
　〃Boys；　downstairs；　lamps　full　of　oil！〃　I　said。　〃Flavius！〃
　The　creature　hugged　me　as　if　he　were　a　giant　snake。　I　could　scarce　breathe。　
　〃We　can't　go　downstairs！〃　one　of　the　boys　cried。　〃We're　not　allowed；〃　said　the　other。
　The　creature　laughed　in　my　ear；　a　rich　deep　laugh。　Not　everyone　is　so　bound　to　rebellion　as　you　are；beautiful　woman；　outwitting　your　brother　at　the　foot　of　the　Temple　steps。〃
　It　was　shocking　to　hear　this　dear　articulate　voice　ing　from　a　body　which　seemed　burnt　beyond　all　hope　of　life。　I　watched　the　blackened　fingers　moving　over　my　own。　I　felt　the　touch　of　something　cold　on　my　neck。　Then　I　felt　the　punctures。　His　fangs。
　〃No！〃　I　cried。　I　thrashed　back　and　forth　in　his　grip；　then　threw　all　of　my　weight　against　him　so　that　he　almost　toppled　again　but　didn't　fall。
　〃Stop　it；　bitch；　or　I'll　kill　you　now。〃
　〃Why　don't　you？〃　I　demanded。
　I　twisted　to　see　his　face。　It　was　like　that　of　a　long…dead　corpse　dried　in　the　desert；　burnt　black　with　a　spine　of　a　nose；　and　arched　lips　that　seemed　quite　unable　to　dose　over　white　teeth　and　the　two　fangs　he　bared　now　as　he　looked　at　me。
　His　eyes　were　full　of　blood；　as　Marius's　eyes　had　been。　His　hair　was　a　fine　black　mop；　very　thick；　fresh　and　dean；　as　though　it　had　sprung　from　his　body；　renewing　itself　like　magic。　〃Yes；〃　he　said　confidently。　〃That　is　just　what　happened。　And　very　soon　I　will　have　the　blood　I　need　to　renew　all　of　me！　I　won't　be　this　hideous　monster　you　see。　I'll　be　what　I　was　before　those　Egyptian　fools　put　her　in　the　sun！〃
　〃Hmmm；　so　she　kept　her　promise；〃　I　said。　〃She　walked　into　the　rays　of　Amon　Ra　so　you　would　all
　burn　up。〃
　〃What　do　you　know　of　it？　She　hasn't　moved　or　spoken　in　a　thousand　years。　I　was　that　old　when　they　removed　the　stones　that　enclosed　her。　She　couldn't　have　walked　into　the　sun。　She　is　a　great　sacred　vial　of　blood；　an　enthroned　source　of　power；　that's　all；　and　I　will　have　that　blood；　which　your　Marius　has　stolen　out　of　Egypt。〃
　I　pondered；　searching　desperately　for　a　means　to　free　myself。
　〃You　came　to　me　as　a　gift；〃　said　the　burnt　one。　〃You　were　all　I　needed　to　take　on　Marius！　He　wears　his　affections　and　weakness　for　you　like　bright　silk　garments　for　me　to　see！〃
　〃I　see；〃　I　said。
　〃No；　you　don't。〃　he　said。　My　head　was　pulled　back　by　my　hair。　I　screamed　in　annoyance。
　His　sharp　teeth　went　into　my　neck。　A　series　of　heated　wires　threaded　me　through　and　through。
　I　swooned。　An　ecstasy　rendered　me　motionless。　I　tried　to　resist；　but　I　saw　visions。　I　saw　him　in　his　glory；　a　golden　man　of　an　Eastern　land；　in　a　Temple　of　skulls。　He　was　dressed　in　bright　green　silk　breeches　with　an　ornamented　band　around　his　forehead。　Face　delicate　of　nose　and　mouth。　Then　I　saw　him；　without　explanation；　burst　into　flames　that　sent　his　slaves　screaming。　He　twisted　and　turned　in　these　flames；　not　dying　but　suffering　exquisitely。
　My　head　was　swimming；　and　I　was　weakening。　My　blood　flowed　from　all　parts　of　my　body　into　his　wretched　form。　I　thought　of　my　Father；　of　my　Father　saying；　〃Live；　Lydia！〃　I　wrenched　my　neck　away　from　him　and　turned；　poking　him　hard　with　my　shoulder；　and　then　pushed　him　with　two　hands　so　that　he　slid　backwards　on　the　floor。　I　brought　my　knee　up　against　him。　Nothing　could　get　him　off　me！
　I　tried　to　reach　for　my　dagger；　but　I　was　too　dizzy；　and　besides；　I　didn't　have　my　dagger。　My　only　chance　lay　with　the　burning　oil　in　the　lamps　at　the　foot　of　the　stairs。　I　turned；　reeling；　and　the　monster　caught　me　again　with　both　hands　by　my　long　hair。　He　yanked　me　bad〃
　〃You　demon！〃　I　said。　His　strength　had　worn　me　out。　He　tightened　his　grip　slowly。　I　knew　that　soon　my　arms　would　break。
　〃Ah；〃　he　said；　twisting　free　of　me；　and　holding　tight　as　ever。　〃My　purpose　is　served。〃
　A　brighter　light　suddenly　filled　up　the　stairway。
　A　torch　was　placed　at　the　foot　of　the　steps。　Then　Marius　stepped　into　view。　He　appeared　utterly　calm　and　he　appeared　to　be　looking　past　me　into　the　eyes　of　my　captor。
　〃And　what　will　you　do　now；　Akbar？〃　Marius　asked。　〃Hurt　her；　violate　her　but　one　more　time；　and　I　shall　kill　you。　Kill　her；　and　you　will　die　in　agony。　Let　her　go　and　you　can　run。〃
　He　mounted　the　steps　one　by　one。
　〃You　underestimate　me；〃　said　the　burnt　thing；　〃you　arrogant　Roman　bumbler；　you　think　I　don't　know　you　keep　the　Queen　and　the　King；　that　you　stole　them　out　of　Egypt？　It　is　known。　The　word　is　spread　through　the　world；　through　the　Northern　woods；　through　the　wild　lands；　through　the　lands　of　which　you　know　nothing。　You　killed　the　Elder　who　guarded　the　King　and　the　Queen　and　stole　them！　The　King　and　Queen　have　not　moved　or　spoken　in　a　thousand　years。　You　took　our　Queen　from　Egypt。　You　think　you　are　a　Roman　Emperor？　You　think　she　is　a　Queen　you　can　take　captive；　like　Cleopatra！　Cleopatra　was　a　Greek　whore。　This　is　our　Isis；　our　Akasha！　You　blaspheming　fool。　Now　let　me　into　Akasha's　presence。　Stand　against　me；　and　this　woman；　the　only　mortal　whom　you　truly　love；　dies。〃
　Marius　came　up　step　by　step　towards　us。
　〃Akbar；　did　your　informants　tell　you　that　it　was　the　Elder　in　Egypt；　her　long　keeper　himself；　who　left　the　Royal　Pair　to　stand　in　the　sun'？〃　asked　Marius。　He　took　another　step　upward。　〃Did　they　tell　you　that　it　was　the　Elder　that　caused　the　sun　to　strike　them；　the　fire　which　destroyed　hundreds　of　us；　and　spared　the　oldest　only　so　they　could　live　in　agony　as　you　do？〃
　Marius　made　a　quick　gesture。　I　felt　the　fangs　deep　in　my　neck。　I　couldn't　get　away。　Again；　I　saw　this　creature　in　his　former　splendor；　taunting　me　with　his　beauty；　his　jeweled　feet　as　he　danced；　surrounded　by　painted　women。
　I　heard　Marius　right　beside　me；　but　I　couldn't　make　out　the　words。
　The　folly　of　it　all　went　through　my　mind。　I　had　led　this　creature　to　Marius；　but　was　that　what　the　Mother　wanted？　Akasha；　that　was　the　ancient　name　written　on　the　bodies　dumped　on　the　steps　of　the　Temple。　I　knew　her　name。　I　knew　it　in　the　dreams。　I　was　losing　consciousness；　〃Marius；〃　I　called　out　with　all　my　strength。
　My　head　fell　forward；　free　of　the　fangs。　I　fought　this　total　captivating　weakness。　I　deliberately　pictured　the　Emperor　Augustus　receiving　us　on　his　deathbed。　〃I　shall　not　see　the　end　of　this　edy；〃　I　whispered。
　〃Oh；　yes；　you　shall。〃　It　was　Marius's　calm　voice　right　near　us。　I　opened　my　eyes。　〃Akbar；　don't　risk　it　again；　you've　shown　your　determination。〃
　〃Don't　reach　for　me　again；　Marius；〃　said　the　burnt　creature。　〃My　teeth　caress　her　neck。　But　one　more　drop　and　her　heart　is　silent。〃
　The　rich　dark　of　night　brightened　the　torch　below。　That　was　all　I　could　see。　The　torch。　〃Akasha；〃　I　whispered。
　The　burnt　thing　took　a　deep　breath；　his　chest　heaving　against　me。　〃Her　blood　is　beautiful；〃　he　said。　He　kissed　my　cheek　with　the　parched　burnt　lips。　I　closed　my　eyes。　It　was　being　harder　and　harder　for　me　to　breathe。　I　couldn't　open　my　eyes。
　He　went　on　talking。
　〃You　see；　I　have　no　fear　to　take　her　into　death　with　me；　Marius；　for　if　I　must　die　by　your　hand；　why　not　with　her　as　my　consort？〃
　These　words　were　distant；　echoing。
　〃Pick　her　up　in　your　arms；〃　said　Marius。　He　was　very　dose　to　us。　〃And　carry　her　gently；　as　if　she　were　your　only　beloved　child；　and　e　down　with　me　into　the　Shrine。　e　and　see　the　Mother。　Kneel　before　Akasha　and　see　what　she　will　allow！〃
　I　swooned　again；　but　I　heard　the　creature　laugh。　He　did　lift　me　now；　under　the　knees；　and　my　head　fell　back　We　went　down　the　steps。
　〃Marius；〃　I　said；　〃he's　weak　You　can　kill　him。〃　My　face　fell　against　the　chest　of　the　burnt　one　as　we　descended。　I　could　feel　the　bones　of　his　chest。　〃Really；　very　weak；〃　I　said；　scarcely　able　to　remain　conscious。　Akasha；　yes；　her　true　name。
　〃Carefully；　my　friend；〃　said　Marius。　〃She　dies　and　I　destroy　you。　You've　almost　overplayed　your　hand。　She　narrows　your　chances　with　every　labored　breath。　Pandora；　be　silent；　please。　Akbar　is　a　great　blood　drinker；　a　great　god。〃
　I　felt　a　cold　firm　hand　clasp　mine。
　We　had　reached　the　low