"Who's that?" I croak. Beranabus looks up questioningly. I point a trembling finger at the drawing. "The girl-who is she?"
"Someone who died a very long time ago," Beranabus says, touching the paper. "She sacrificed her life fighting the Demonata, to keep the world safe. An example to us all. Not that I'm trying to make you feel small. I didn't mean-"
"There was a voice," I interrupt, eyes fixed on the drawing. "At the cave in Carcery Vale. I didn't mention it before-it didn't seem to matter and there was so much else to tell you. But when I went to the cave, I heard a voice and saw a face in the rocks. It was alive. Even though it was in the rock, it could open its eyes and move its lips. It spoke to me."
I pick up the drawing and study the girl's face, the curve of her jaw, the eyes and mouth. "This is the girl from the cave. She called to me... warned me, I think, but I don't know what of. She spoke in a different lan-"
"It can't be!" Beranabus snaps, snatching the drawing back. "This girl has been dead for almost sixteen hundred years. You're mistaken."
"No," I say certainly. "It was her. I'm sure of it. Who the hell was she and why did she try so hard to contact me?"
In answer to that, Beranabus only sits and stares at me, shocked-and afraid.
PART TWO - BEC-E
Chapter 9 THE MESSENGER
Everybody in the Vale-dead. Unable to believe it. I want to scream my head off, call Beranabus a liar, demand he tell the truth. Except... I can see the truth in the old magician's eyes. In his stooped shoulders. In his weariness as he sets his papers in order and prepares to leave for Carcery Vale to find out how far the Demonata have spread. He wasn't lying. They really did break through. Dervish and Bill-E are...
I don't complete the thought. Filled with sickness and fear. The last time I felt this empty inside was when I lost my parents and sister. It took me months to recover, and that was only with Dervish's help. Now I'm alone, wracked with guilt and shame as well as grief. I don't know if there's any way back. Madness looms, waiting to consume me. I doubt if I can fight it.
Kernel is sitting by the fire, staring glumly into the flames. Every so often he trembles as he thinks about the battle to come. He's been fighting demons for years, but in their universe, where his powers are far greater than they are here. On Earth his magical talents are vastly diminished. The Demonata are weaker here too, of course, and if it was just a few of them, he and Beranabus would fancy their chances. But if thousands have crossed and are running riot...
A sudden pounding noise. Three blows, a pause, then three more. Beranabus and Kernel jump nervously at the first sound, then relax.
"I forgot," I say quietly, madness receding temporarily, confident of taking me whenever it chooses. "Those noises have been coming for the last week. I went up the ladder to find out what was making them, but I couldn't get out."
"The entrance is protected by spells," Beranabus says. "Only Kernel and I can open it." He nods at Kernel, who heads for the ladder. "Be careful," Beranabus calls after him. "It might not be one of ours."
A short while later, Kernel returns. An elderly Indian woman in a light blue sari comes after him, limping but making good speed. She has a kind face, but it's twisted with worry. At first I don't know where I recognise her from. Then I remember-she was in a dream I had in Slawter last year.
"Sharmila," Beranabus greets her, smiling wanly.
"Master, there has been a tragic-" the woman begins in a rush.
"I know," Beranabus sighs. "The Demonata have crossed. I just found out. I'm going to Carcery Vale shortly, but perhaps you can flesh out the details before I leave."
The woman stares at Beranabus blankly. "You are going there?"
"I think I should," Beranabus says. "A stand must be made, aye?"
"But there are so many of them," the woman wheezes.
Beranabus frowns, then tilts his head at me. "This is Sharmila Mukherji, one of my Disciples. Sharmila, this is Grubitsch Grady-though I believe he prefers the name of Grubbs. He's Dervish's nephew."
Sharmila looks at me with surprising anger. "Dervish! He was on watch. He was supposed to make sure the tunnel was never reopened. He failed. He-"
"I don't believe in finger-pointing," Beranabus interrupts curtly, conveniently forgetting that he himself was pointing a finger at me not so long ago. "I trusted Dervish as much as I trust any of you. I'm sure he did all that anyone could. Now tell me how the situation stands. Quickly."
"There is no point," Sharmila snaps. "We have lost. They..." She stops and looks around the cave. Smiles briefly when she spots Kernel. Frowns when she faces Beranabus again. "I have been waiting in the upper cave for many days, incapable of contacting you. I told you years ago that you should share the access spells with us, so we could reach you swiftly in case of an emergency. It was probably too late even then, but if I had been able to find you directly..."
"It's easy to be wise in retrospect," Beranabus sniffs. "I made that call a long time ago and I stick by it, even now. It was essential that I remain protected from..." He trails off into silence, then growls to himself. "This is getting us nowhere. Tell me what's happening. Please."
"I am not up to date with the latest developments," Sharmila replies sourly. "I was in contact with Shark until four days ago, but he broke the lines of communication. I suspect he lost patience and went into battle without you. He was never the most..."
She shrugs, then straightens her shoulders and speaks quickly. "The Demonata crossed three weeks ago in great numbers. They worked like soldiers, coordinated, attacking set targets, establishing control of the area around the cave. They have fractured since then, individuals branching off by themselves, spreading in chaotic directions. But they were organised to begin with. We did not expect that. They have never banded together in that way before. Who could have commanded them? Who has the power to unite so many monsters for even a short period of time?"
"It doesn't matter," Beranabus says. "The investigation can come later. Tell me more about the invasion. They were able to operate by day as well as night?"
"Most of them," Sharmila says. "There were some weaker demons, but most in the first wave were beasts of great strength. The sun meant nothing to them."