“How many members will be here tomorrow night?”

“Between nine hundred and a thousand. There are a few thousand more around the world, but if they have an adequate excuse, they’re permitted to excuse themselves once every five years. It’s important that they attend frequently, not only to do homage but to witness. Witnesses can be declared accomplices in a court of law. Guilt is the strongest bond in the world. I have photos taken of everyone who attends the Offering and make sure they know that the pictures are kept in a safe place.”

“Blackmail? Charming. And you decide what excuse is adequate?”

“Of course, I’m the Guardian. I rule the Offering.” He turned to her. “I’ve decided I’ll let you see the MacGuire Offering tomorrow night. It will be thrilling for you. The roar of the crowd, the chanting. I’m the king. I’m death. They all fear me. It will be a preview of your own private ceremony.”

“I can hardly wait.”

His exhilaration faded. “You’re not as nervous as I hoped.” He studied her. “Perhaps it’s because you’re ill. Your cheeks are flushed, and your lips are so dry, they’re cracked. I may have to have Faruk fly you in some antibiotics. I don’t want your reactions to be dulled.”

“Perish the thought.” She had obviously seen all she was going to see. Guards. Corridors. Main ramp to the stadium. Now, give him something to make him think he’d won. “You’ve proved your point. This Offering Room is… a little frightening. I’m ready to go back to my room.”

“It’s my decision whether you go or stay.” Then he slowly nodded. “But maybe you did have a jolt. Now you know that the Offering is actually going to happen. It can’t be stopped. For two thousand years, the Master has taken his vengeance.”

“And how many times have you presided?”

“Seventeen at the Offerings themselves.”

“And I’d bet hundreds more on the side.”

He smiled. “But experience is a fine teacher. The members don’t like a quick cut. They want a scream or two, and I know just how to please them.” He gestured. “Now we’ll go back and let you rest and absorb. I want you fresh for tomorrow night.”

She headed for the arch. She was dizzier than she had been when they started. She was glad that she’d been able to concentrate on the way to the Offering Room.

Did you get it, Jane?

I’ll try again later, but this may have been my best chance.

I hope you were with me…

GOT it!

Darkness lessening, Jane realized.

Gray.

Lighter.

Lighter still.

Fast. So fast.

Much faster than the last time.

Caleb!

Her lids flew open.

No Caleb.

She was no longer in his arms as she had been when she had gone to sleep. She was still in the car but leaning against the passenger door.

She sat up groggily and pushed her hair back from her face. Where was Caleb? Had he gone back into the bar? She had to tell him about the temple. She had to tell him that Eve-

They weren’t in the bar parking lot any longer.

Her heart was pounding with panic as she realized where the car was parked now.

It was a few yards from the door of Faruk’s hangar.

There should be a way I can work it out, Caleb had said.

No!

She opened the passenger door and was out of the car in seconds.

No. No. No.

She threw open the door of the hangar. The harsh overhead lights were blazing.

And Caleb was crumpled on the floor across the room.

She ran toward him.

White. So white.

Blood trickling from the corner of his mouth.

Dead?

Please God. Don’t let him be dead.

She fell to her knees on the concrete. Was he breathing? “Why?” Tears were pouring down her cheeks. “Dammit, why would you do this? Don’t you die. Do you hear me? Don’t you die, Caleb.”

“I… hear you.” His eyes were still closed. “I’m… not dying. I need to rest. It was… not fun.”

Relief, then anger. “Stupid. Incredibly stupid.” She couldn’t stop the tears. “After what happened to you before, you went right back for an encore?”

“We needed to know where the temple is located.” His eyes opened. “Faruk… knew.” He smiled. “Tears?” He reached up and touched her damp cheek. “Nice…”

“You don’t deserve them.”

“Of course I do. I’m a hero. I saved the day.”

She wiped her cheeks on the back of her hand. “There’s blood coming out of your mouth. Do you have internal injuries?”

“Nothing so dramatic. I bit my tongue when I was trying to persuade Faruk.” He struggled up on one elbow. “I think I was clenching my teeth. I don’t remember.”

“Where is Faruk?”

“Over there, behind the plane. He’s fast asleep. He’ll stay that way for the next two hours. When he wakes, he’ll think he was just exhausted and curled up for a nap.”

She stared at him in bewilderment. “How? I saw you. He nearly put you into shock before. And you said that you got out before he caused any real damage.”

“I had to find a way to go in without being pulled deep.” The color was coming back into his cheeks and he sat up. “I told you, it was like sinking into a quagmire. You either walk carefully, lightly, over a marsh, or you skirt around it. I’ve been diving in and backing out.” He added, “The problem is that I’m very strong. And the only way I could walk lightly was to divide my attention.”

“When you put me to sleep,” she said.

“And kept you asleep. It worked… sort of. Even then, it was difficult as hell.” He added soberly, “I was able to get Faruk to give me coordinates and draw a rough map of the area around the temple. But there’s no way I’d be able to keep him under control if I tried to make him take us there.” He frowned. “Unless I can think of a-”

“We don’t need him,” she interrupted quickly. “You found out everything we have to know. We can send the coordinates to Joe. You’re sure Faruk is just sleeping?”

“See for yourself.” He got to his feet. “Maybe I’d better check. You were coming back out of the dream stage when I was putting him under. I was distracted.”

Faruk was slumbering peacefully, curled on his side.

“He won’t remember?”

“No, he won’t remember anything but talking to me about a rug shipment and deciding the money wasn’t good enough.” He took her elbow. “Eve?”

“She has a fever. That bastard hasn’t given her any antibiotics.” She smiled grimly. “But she made sure I can draw a map of the interior of the temple and that I know the number of guards in each corridor.”

“What a unique woman.” He moved toward the door. “Then let’s get out of here and find a place where we can send the info to Joe Quinn and Venable. We’ve still got a long way to go, but now we’ve got a start.”

Long way? They had to juggle Roland and Millet and some thousand or so cult members and try to keep Eve alive. Damn right, they had a hell of a long way to go.

“Then by all means, save the day, Caleb,” she said dryly. “You do it so well.”

“I do, don’t I?” he said cheerfully. “I’ll work on it.”

ROLAND PHONED JANE TWO HOURS later. “I can’t find a way to get Millet away from your Eve. He doesn’t want to leave the temple on the day of the Offering. That’s his big day. He’s in his glory.”

“I’m sure you can arrange something. I meant it. I’ll make sure you never get those coins.”

“I realize that you’d do it. We all have our weaknesses, and yours is Eve Duncan.” He paused. “So I’ve got to find a way to give her to you. But you’re the one who has to make sure Millet is far enough away from her to make it work. He’s given you the option of choosing the transfer point. I want him at least forty minutes away from the temple.”

“But I don’t know where this temple is,” Jane said. “And he’s supposed to bring Eve for the transfer, remember?”

“But you don’t really think that’s going to happen? He knows that he has you. He’ll scout out the area and set up an ambush. He’s not a great brain, but he’s very clever at what he does.”